(New York, NY) -- The Major League Baseball lockout is over after 99 days, the second longest work stoppage in baseball history. The owners and players have reached a deal for a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement. Spring Training will begin ramping up this weekend in Arizona and Florida. Games will begin next week with Opening Day of the regular season slated for April 7th. The new CBA will include a Universal Designated Hitter, and an expanded 12-team playoff format. The two sides have agreed to a Competitive Balance Tax threshold of 230-milllion-dollars this season.