With Major League Baseball’s minor league contraction plan unfolding, it’s easy to see how complicated and discouraging the actual plan is for professional baseball. And if someone hasn’t paid close attention to what’s happening, they might just end up lost in the mix of it all.
The plan was to reduce the minor leagues from 160 teams to 120, which would limit each Major League Baseball team to only four affiliations: Triple-A, Double-A, High A, and Low A. So naturally, when MLB partnered with three independent baseball leagues back in September, it left many fans of Minor League Baseball questioning the next move. Not to mention, it left fans of independent baseball fearing the game they love dearly would turn into something quite different – a Frankenstein hybrid of sorts.
As a Partner League, the American Association, Atlantic League and Frontier League moving forward will regularly meet with Major League Baseball to discuss marketing and promotional opportunities – which includes but is not limited to the goal of providing baseball to communities throughout the United States and Canada that might not reach a Major League team or affiliate’s market.
“The Atlantic League is inspired by the evolution of its relationship with Major League Baseball and is thrilled to be named their first Partner League.” Rick White, President of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball stated.
He went on to say: “We value Major League Baseball’s confidence in the league and look forward to advancing our sport together.”
By November, two teams within the Atlantic League received the call to become affiliated with Major League teams. While the Somerset Patriots and Sugar Land Skeeters received the great news, teams like the Staten Island Yankees, Trenton Thunder, and Round Rock Express were left out in the cold – finding out their fates through social media and news outlets.
This did not bode well for Major League Baseball and its turbulent contraction plan. The Staten Island Yankees have filed a $20 million lawsuit against the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball. The Trenton Thunder, while finding a new home with the newly created MLB Draft League (which begins play in 2021), was also displeased with how the situation had been handled.
While the Patriots, Skeeters, and Saints are getting the promotion from independent to affiliated, the independent ballplayers will not be receiving the same call. According to sources within the independent league industry, it is likely there will be a player draft for the players who have been left without a team going into the 2021 Atlantic League and American Association seasons.
I had the opportunity to speak with the High Point Rockers (Atlantic League) President Pete Fisch a few weeks ago and asked him about the loss of the Skeeters and Patriots – would it benefit or hurt the Rockers and possibly the other ALPB teams?
“I am confident that the loss of the two clubs could help the Rockers. It gives the league a chance to add some more Southern Clubs to join the Rockers and Gastonia. We are looking forward to having another team or two within our geographic footprint. It will have an effect on our operating budget for sure.”
He continued: “Both teams were keys to the success of this league and operated at a very high level. Hopefully, the league will find similar organizations to replace them soon.”
A New Pioneer
Continuing with the theme of partner leagues and updates, Major League Baseball announced that the longstanding Pioneer League has been designated as a Partner League alongside the AA, ALPB, and Frontier League. The Pioneer League will begin its transition from iconic affiliated status to an independent league going into the 2021 season.
The goal is for the league to continue providing the highest-quality baseball possible for the states of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado. The Billings Mustangs, the Grand Junction Rockies, the Great Falls Voyagers, the Idaho Falls Chukars, the Missoula Paddleheads, the Ogden Raptors, the North Colorado Owlz, and the Rocky Mountain Vibes will continue to live another day in professional baseball by participating in the league – each maintaining their existing team names, brands, and locations.
In a release from Major League Baseball, Morgan Sword, MLB’s Executive Vice President, Baseball Economics & Operations stated: “Over the past year, we have worked closely with Pioneer League owners and elected officials to ensure the continued success of baseball in the Mountain West. We’re excited to support this new initiative and look forward to Pioneer League Baseball returning in 2021.”