There will be a new summer collegiate league next year, as planning continues for the debut of the Expedition League.
Starting in May 2018, the Expedition League will embark on a 10-team, 64-game slate. As it stands, the circuit has plans in place for nine of those teams, with markets across the Great Plans region in the United States and Canada on board. Brandon, Manitoba is in the mix, along with the North Dakota cities of Minot and Dickinson; Aberdeen, Pierre, and Spearfish, South Dakota; Gering and Hastings, Nebraska; and Casper, Wyoming.
More details are expected to released on the Expedition League’s ownership groups in the near future, and work continues on finalizing the circuit’s 10th market. According to league founder and president Steve Wagner, the league is making progress on securing the last city. More from the Scottsbluff Star Herald:
“I’m not sure who the 10th team will be, but we’re making good progress with Rapid City,” Wagner said. “As we grow within the state of Nebraska, I can see North Platte and possibly Kearney joining the league in the future and maybe even a team in the Lincoln or Omaha area.”
The mix of towns in the Expedition League includes some former Minor League Baseball markets. Casper was home to the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) through the 2011 season, and the Aberdeen Pheasants (Short Season A; Northern league) were in operation for a number of years during the 20th century, with the most recent affiliated version of the team playing in 1971.