An announcement regarding affiliated Minor League Baseball in a new Wichita ballpark could be made in December, according to mayor Jeff Longwell.
Wichita has been discussing the possibility of landing an MiLB team that would play at a new ballpark constructed at the current site of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. It was learned in October that the city had hired Beacon Sports to help lure a team, and Longwell offered about some hints about that effort on Tuesday.
During an address at an annual Chamber of Commerce meeting, Longwell alluded to the possibility of making a major announcement concerning MiLB on December 7. From The Wichita Eagle:
“I would highly recommend buying a ticket (to a Dec. 7 Chamber event) for potentially some really big news,” Longwell said.
The City Council last month hired a consulting firm to seek out available franchises to move to Wichita. Plans call for an affiliated team to occupy a new stadium where Lawrence-Dumont Stadium stands by 2020.
A current Pacific Coast League franchise is said to be in play as an option to relocate to Wichita. If Wichita does land an MiLB club, it would mark the first affiliated club to play in the city since the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) relocated to Springdale, AR after the 2007 season.
Under the plan that has been pitched by Longwell and other officials, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium would make way for a new ballpark that is constructed as part of a larger development effort. Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is currently home to the Wichita Wingnuts (independent; American Association), and is the site of the annual National Baseball Congress World Series.
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