In a time when thrilling news seems quite rare for baseball fans and writers, a little ray of sunshine peeked through the dreary clouds of July for Independent Baseball. On July 30, 2020, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, inc. (“ALPB”), released exciting and rather positive news to the press.
“For 23 years, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball has welcomed over 42 million fans to our beautiful ballparks while providing a unique brand of affordable, family entertainment.” Atlantic League Founder and Chair Frank Boulton stated in the release.
He continued, “With all that is going on in professional baseball, as well as the world in general, we look to be a part of the long-term solution to the many challenges facing municipalities, owners, ballparks, and communities in our sport.”
The announcement came from Rick White, President of the league. ALPB has begun accepting applications for new members to join its roster of professional baseball organizations. The decision came after a vote was held for the Board of Directors. The Board’s goal is to act as a prime landing spot for many of the markets that will be greatly affected by Major League Baseball’s contraction plans in the near future.
In the release, it states ALPB may accept anywhere from two to four new markets. The first to be approved and awarded a membership is located in Gastonia, North Carolina – led by developer Brandon Bellamy. Bellamy leading Gastonia is significant on its own.
Gastonia will have the only Black majority owner in professional baseball. The last team to have a Black majority owner was the South Atlantic League’s Savannah Cardinals, owned by Tom Lewis from 1986-87.
There is a newly constructed ballpark for Gastonia, which is a part of the FUSE Gastonia District. The ballpark is currently on schedule to be ready for play in the 140-game 2021 season. Gastonia is a city of 75,000 that is approximately 20 miles west of downtown Charlotte. Bellamy’s Velocity Companies will run the ballpark, own the team and also develop the area that surrounds the ballpark’s location.
For those who are interested in becoming members of ALPB, the league is encouraging possible owners and interested parties to contact Rick White via email.
The league currently has eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas. They have served as a leader in baseball innovation and a gateway for professional baseball players to reach Major and Minor League Baseball clubs. During its 23-year history, the league has sent more than 950 players to MLB organizations.
With an exclusive partnership with MLB, the league often tests out future rules and equipment before the highest level of professional baseball makes the shift to implementing. Examples include: home plate umpires being assisted by a TrackMan radar tracking system, pitchers facing a minimum of three batters – or reaching the end of an inning, the time between innings and pitching changes reduced from 2:05 to 1:45, and no mound visits permitted by players or coaches other than for pitching changes or medical issues.
While many communities could benefit from having an Independent League team in the heart of their cities, only time will tell which will make the jump. With the previously mentioned MLB contraction plan for MiLB organizations, it’s also quite safe to say many of the teams on the list might look into an expanding league. And if there is ever a league that would fit perfectly with an ex-MiLB team, ALPB is the one for the job.