MLB to Small Town America: Drop Dead

Apparently the Sounds ownership group is not a part of the MLB bidding group so they're going with Stars. Alas.

History. Opportunity. Vision.

 

And Nashville Cats belongs to John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful. Although I've long wondered if the increase in population since 1966 means there are more than 1,352 guitar pickers in Nashville.

 

From the Midwest League, it's no surprise to see Burlington and Clinton dumped (sorry, community owned teams).

Kane County surprises me. Last time I checked, they did pretty well drawing fans on the outskirts of Chicagoland.

 

Kane County was 4th of 16 teams in Midwest League attendance in 2019.
I'd guess the franchise will survive in some incarnation; it may take a couple years for things to shake out.

 

And it appears they've seen the writing on the wall in Fresno. EDIT: And with this move, Lancaster loses its team.

 

I went to a game in Lexington, terrific little park. One dollar beers in a certain inning until three outs are made. You are hoping for a long, long inning there.

 

I can't believe Beloit survived.

EDIT: Just read that they are getting a new ballpark and have new ownership, so that must've factored into the Marlins' selection.

Happy to see the Midwest League move up to High-A ball.

 

Curious what the "criteria" was. Great that the Northwest League is long A - not great that about half the teams starting play in April play on natural grass.

 

A lot of doubleheaders in June and July. Plus, a six-team league playing a 138/140-game schedule? They're going to be very familiar with each other by Labor Day.

 

Also - Eugene shares it's ballpark with the Oregon Ducks. Going to fun squeezing in practice times.

 

Lancaster was a fun little team. That's too bad.

 

I read that MLB didn't like the location because the high winds made it hard to evaluate players, especially pitchers.