Spring training officially postponed through at least March 5

The news that Major League Baseball fans were dreading but had come to expect in recent days became official on Friday. It was announced that spring training games are postponed through at least March 5 due to the ongoing lockout.

Members of the owners' bargaining committee will next meet with the Major League Baseball Player's Association on Monday and "remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time." It was reported on Thursday that a new collective bargaining agreement between the owners and MLBPA needs to be in place by Feb. 28 in order for the regular season to start on time.

Opening Day is currently scheduled for March 31.

Friday was the seventh day of negotiations since players were officially locked out in December. The current work stoppage is the league's first since a strike in 1994-95 that resulted in the cancellation of more than 900 games and the 1994 World Series.