After indicating that they could shift to affiliated or summer collegiate baseball, the Normal CornBelters are now planning to remain in the Frontier League.
As we noted last week, the CornBelters were considering a move to either affiliated Minor League Baseball or one of two the summer collegiate circuits–the Prospect League or the Northwoods League. Though a move to MiLB would not have happened as quickly, the prospective switch to summer collegiate baseball could have happened as soon as the 2018 season.
However, CornBelters president Steve Malliet now says that the team is planning to stay in the Frontier League. Malliet confirmed that preliminary discussions with both the Prospect and Northwoods leagues took place, but says it was determined that staying put was ultimately the best decision for the club. More from The Bloomington Pantagraph:
Yet after exploratory discussions with the Northwoods League and the Prospect League, Malliet said Thursday that Normal will not join one of the wood bat college leagues and will remain part of the independent professional Frontier League.
“It was just a formality from my perspective,” Malliet said. “It’s hard to make changes. We’ve got a comfort level, and our fans have a comfort level, too. We’re happy to be in the Frontier League where we should be.”
The CornBelters have been members of the Frontier League since their inaugural season in 2010.
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