Ballpark Digest
The Business of Ballparks and Baseball in Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Indy, Summer Collegiate and College
As we enter 2020, the negotiations over Major League Baseball’s proposal to contract 42 Minor League Baseball franchises are entering a crucial phase—but the war of words continues, as both sides are now competing for the hearts and minds of the public. (more…)
We may be seeing some effects from a bipartisan Congressional group opposing contraction, as the Lowell Spinners (Short Season A; NY-Penn League) are reportedly escaping an exile to an independent Dream League and instead could be upgraded to a full-season franchise. (more…)
We end 2019 with a countdown of the 10 biggest stories of the year on Ballpark Digest, as chosen by editors and partially based on page views. Today, #1: MLB proposes contracting 42 Minor League Baseball teams, drawing the bipartisan wrath of politicians across the nation. (more…)
In response to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal‘s suggestion to reexamine Major League Baseball’s anti-trust exemption should MiLB contraction move forward, MLB issued a statement arguing that a Dream League would be an acceptable substitute and that MiLB refuses to address facilities issues. (more…)
Another U.S. senator has come out against Major League Baseball plans to contract 42 MiLB teams, as Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Congress may need to reexamine MLB’s anti-trust exemption if the plan is implemented. (more…)
A proposed Minor League Baseball realignment plan that would make the franchise a full-season team has stalled lease extension talks for the Hudson Valley Renegades (Short Season A; NY-Penn League), as the uncertainty creates a holding pattern. (more…)
In a threat that was as unexpected as it was shocking, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred escalated the war of words between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball by threatening to completely walk away from MiLB. (more…)
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred today took aim at Minor League Baseball owners who oppose a plan to contract 42 MiLB teams, saying they were unwilling to negotiate an acceptable new PBA or upgrade their facilities. (more…)
Talks between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball over a proposed contraction of 42 MiLB teams continue, with more politicos weighing in on the plan and several issues clarified. (more…)
With the proposed contraction of 42 Minor League Baseball teams, the relationship between MiLB and MLB could be defined yet again. Here’s a look at the last time MiLB contraction occurred on a mass scale—and how differently the major actors worked together to save the sport. (more…)
A proposal to eliminate 42 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams and revamp the beginning stages of player development from Major League Baseball (MLB) is a hot topic on Capitol Hill, with the announcement of the Save Minor League Baseball Task Force as part of a hands-on lobbying effort yesterday and today from MiLB management and ownership. […]
Two meetings and a lobbying effort worth noting today, as talks between Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) continue, with a star cameo from contraction critic and presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). (more…)
Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) took to Twitter to oppose Major League Baseball’s proposal to contract 42 Minor League Baseball teams, saying the move would “destroy thousands of jobs and devastate local economies.” (more…)