Adjusting to college, becoming Sports Editor of the school newspaper and switching to online school as a result of a global pandemic took most of my attention this past year. I wrote throughout the year for the Trinitonian — you can read my articles here — but I just didn’t write as much as I would have liked on my blog. However, I am excited to say that I am done with my first year at Trinity University and ready to use this summer to return to regular blog postings.
In my first post of the summer, I want to discuss the increasingly likely scenario in which 40 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams are eliminated. According to The New York Times, Major League Baseball (MLB) released a proposal last year that would cut 42 MiLB teams as MLB believes players are in the Minors are dealing with inadequate facilities and conditions. MLB is also unhappy with the arrangements requiring they pay the salaries of MiLB players.
The idea to cut MiLB teams sparked lots of conversation, including on Capitol Hill. Congresswoman Lori Trahan introduced H.R. 6020 “To require an evaluation by the Government Accountability Office of the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.” The legislation, which places Congress firmly on the side of protecting MiLB, passed the House of Representatives through voice vote and now sits in the Senate.
Losing 40 MiLB teams would be a travesty. Hundreds of players will lose opportunities to play professionally, thousands of jobs will be lost and dozens of communities will be devastated. Of the 40 teams lost, a majority will come from the lowest levels of MiLB including Class A Short Season and Rookie Affiliate Leagues, but some Double-A and Class A teams are also among those that could be lost. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a good amount of MiLB games, and my personal experiences make me think this decision is wrong in so many ways.
Last summer, on the heels of completing our journey to all 30 MLB stadiums, my family took off on a road trip to visit some MiLB stadiums. In just under two weeks, we saw eight games in eight stadiums across seven states, and we had an absolute blast. From a glamorous new Triple-A stadium in metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee to a tiny Class A field in Rome, Georgia, Minor League Baseball provided us with endless amounts of fun. Overall, I’ve seen a game in 15 MiLB ballparks across the country, including many Missions games in my hometown of San Antonio.
It became clear to me last year that MiLB is the purest form of baseball. In the MLB, most players have their contracts cemented and see themselves as doing their daily job. In the Minors, players are hustling their hearts out trying to achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the highest level. With small stadiums in small communities, fans get the chance to interact more with players and feel closer to the game. On our adventures to MiLB games, I don’t believe we ever paid more than $15 dollars for tickets, and even the cheapest tickets led to seats within good views of the game. At Major League stadiums, $15 might get you standing room only or seats in the upper deck that are miles away from the action if you’re lucky to even get in the park while paying that low a price. With lower ticket prices, the Minor Leagues are much more family-friendly. Paying for tickets, parking and concessions adds up for families, and for many people, Major League prices just aren’t affordable.
From mid-game biscuit tosses in Montgomery to Flying Chanclas in San Antonio, MiLB teams come up with wild promotions and even wilder mascots to appeal to fans. On top of the experience at the stadium, MiLB attract visitors like myself that would otherwise never go to cities like Rome or Lawrenceville, Georgia. When we go to games, we also have to stay at a hotel and eat at restaurants, so we contribute to the local economies of these towns. If 40 cities lose their MiLB teams, that’s 40 communities that will lose massive boosts to their economies.
Lastly, you would think a sport that is losing lots of fans in the United States to the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) would want to increase its visibility across the country. Instead, by cutting 40 MiLB teams, MLB is eliminating the chance for young people everywhere to be introduced and fall in love with baseball at an early age.
While Congress seems ready to fight on behalf of MiLB, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the the dynamic of the conversation. MiLB faces the possibility of no 2020 season, meaning massive revenue losses that makes negotiations with MLB all the more difficult. On April 21, the Associated Press reported that MiLB was “prepared to agree to Major League Baseball’s proposal to cut guaranteed affiliations from 160 to 120 next year.” Just like that, 40 MiLB teams seem to be on the brink of extinction.
Commissioner Rob Manfred is playing a dangerous game. Unfortunately, it looks like he will get his way and get rid of 40 MiLB teams, resulting in a real loss for baseball fans everywhere. I sincerely hope MiLB finds a way to save its teams before it’s too late.