MLB Offers 119 Clubs Affiliation, Await Fresno Outcome

Major League Baseball has neared completion of its extreme revamp of the minor leagues, officially offering 120 Player Development licenses to franchises that will survive as affiliated clubs and comprise a slimmed-down player-development apparatus with centralized control under MLB.  Read more here.  Read more from Forbes here and Sporting News here.

NYC Committing $5.1M to Upgrade Richmond County Bank Ballpark

New York City has committed to a $5.1 million allocation to upgrade and revitalize Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which will prime it for other uses besides baseball. The funding comes on the heels of recent news that the New York Yankees would end its affiliation with the Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

MLB Seeks Response from NYPL Teams

Major League Baseball has reportedly asked New York-Penn League teams to provide an indication whether they are interested in joining the summer wood bat league that MLB recently proposed to league members.  Read more here.  More on MLB’s affiliation revamp.

Astros Cut Ties with Greenville, Appalachian League

The Houston Astros are ending their affiliation with the Rookie Level Appalachian League, making the future of minor league baseball in Greeneville uncertain.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the news.

Columbia Professional Baseball Announces Affiliation with New York Mets

PRESS RELEASE – Hardball Capital, the New York Mets and the City of Columbia today announced that Columbia’s new Minor League Baseball team will be the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. The Mets affiliate currently plays in Savannah, GA. While located in Savannah, the team has won ten South Atlantic

B-Met, Mets Extend Affiliation

PRESS RELEASE – Binghamton Mets and New York Mets are proud to announce a four-year extension of their Player Development Contract, securing the B-Mets as New York’s Double-A affiliate through the 2020 season. Binghamton Mets president Mike Urda shared the news at the team’s “Welcome Back B-Mets” dinner on Tuesday

Daytona Cubs to Unveil New Identity Dec. 4

A new affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds will bring forth a new identity for the Single-A Daytona Cubs (Florida State League).  On Thursday, December 4, at 10:30 a.m., Daytona Baseball will unveil new logos and uniform sketches.  A name-the-mascot contest will also be launched.  Studio Simon reportedly handled the design work.  Read more here.  View press release here.

Pondering Affiliation in Joliet

This is all wishful thinking, but some would like to see affiliated ball in Joliet (IL).  First, we completely disagree with the premise that Silver Cross Field needs an affiliated club in order the fill the seats.  Second, with the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in town, there are obvious territorial obstacles.  Third, if the idea is to target those two clubs, forget about it.  The Cubs are reportedly moving their

Champaign Mayor Wants Double-A Ball

Newley elected Champaign (IL) Mayor Don Gerard is demonstrating a little naïveté about minor league baseball.  The mayor wants a Double-A club for the new ballpark he is proposing, but figures a Single-A team is more realistic.  Based on existing league footprints and available teams in the affiliated ranks, indy pro is likely the only way to go.  Read more here.

Debating the Value of Affiliation

We don’t think there is much debate out there within industry circles about the value of having an affiliation with a MLB club.  Whether a team is independent or has a MLB affiliation matters very little when it comes to the bottom line.  We would agree with Marv Goldklang’s assessment that the difference is no more than “marginal.”  That said, it doesn’t stop some news writers and those outside the industry from raising the issue.  Read more here.