DUNEDIN, FL – Major League Baseball has officially reclassified Spring Training games as 'Official Mental Health Days' for fans, effective immediately. The groundbreaking policy, announced today, allows supporters to legally absent themselves from work, school, or any other obligation, provided they are demonstrably engaged in the consumption of exhibition baseball.

“For too long, the therapeutic benefits of watching a 4-8-3 team play a 8-5-1 team in March have been overlooked,” stated MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, speaking from a perfectly manicured, half-empty stadium. “We’ve seen the data: the gentle thud of a pitch hitting a mitt, the rhythmic chewing of sunflower seeds, the existential dread of a seventh-inning stretch in 90-degree heat – it all contributes to a profound sense of detachment from reality, which our experts assure us is exactly what people need right now.”

Employers are encouraged to recognize the new designation, with a league spokesperson, Chip Dingers, adding, “If an employee calls in saying they’re experiencing an acute case of ‘Spring Training Fever’ and need to watch the Astros play the Cardinals, that’s a legitimate medical exemption. We’re talking about preventative wellness here.”

Critics argue the move is merely a cynical ploy to boost viewership for games that traditionally draw little interest outside of die-hard fans and scouts. However, the league maintains it’s a genuine effort to address the nation’s mental health crisis, one inconsequential fly ball at a time.

Fans are advised to keep a game schedule handy as proof, though the league admitted that simply humming 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' while staring blankly at a wall would likely suffice.