The Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) are hoping that renovations to UPMC Park, including improved player facilities, will help the team avoid contraction by way of Major League Baseball‘s proposal to eliminate 42 MiLB teams. (more…)
Tag Archives | MiLB contraction
Congressional Resolution Introduced in Support of MiLB
A group of bipartisan Congressional lawmakers has introduced a resolution calling on Major League Baseball to retain the existing Minor League Baseball structure, rather than move forward with the proposed contraction of 42 MiLB teams. (more…)
Mayors Join Battle Against MLB’s MiLB Contraction Plan
The battle against MLB’s plans to contract 42 MiLB franchises sees a new set of participants with the establishment of a task force made up of 30-plus U.S. mayors, many of whom from cities not in danger of losing their minor-league teams. (more…)
MiLB Contraction Talks in Crucial Phase as 2020 Begins
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…)
Contraction in Flux, as Lowell Spinners May Escape Dream League
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…)
Best of 2019, #1: MLB Proposes Contracting 42 MiLB Teams
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…)
MLB Doubles Down on Dream League, Facilities Argument
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…)
Sen. Blumenthal to MLB: Stop MiLB Contraction
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…)
PBA Talks Stall Renegades’ Lease Extension Negotiations
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…)
Manfred: We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Minor Leagues
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…)
Manfred Takes Aim at MiLB Owners, Says They Are Unwilling to Negotiate
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 Over MiLB Contraction Continue; Don’t Expect Quick Resolution
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…)
The Last Great MiLB Contraction
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…)