MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL MAY BE AMERICA'S NEXT ENDANGERED SPECIES

MINOR LEAGUE SEASON NOW CANCELED BY BILLIONAIRE

MLB OWNERS

@MiLB - June 30 Tweet

Major League Billionaire owners have now officially canceled the baseball season for 160 minor league affiliates. The decision came down to the COVID19 pandemic that threatens all of the heartland. The owners see a Minor League season as a bigger loss than what they can sustain. Each of the Major League team subsidizes their minor league affiliates in cities, towns and municipalities across the country. Now these teams are seen as non-essential to the economies of these communities and place a hardship on the players.

 

This has the earmarks of  a "lockout" of the lowest paid professional players. It amounts to more than an income. A canceled season is a major league kick in ass for these young players hopes and dreams to get to the "shoe." 

 

Is the protection of the bottom line more important than the damage to the minor players and their families necessary? The answer is no for some meaningful reasons. And MLB owners will find loss of season will be detrimental. In fact, they owe it to their players.

 

• The COVID19 stay-at-home order pressured Congress to pass the stimulus package for those out of work. Unemployment benefits received a $600 subsidy thru July. Major league owners are paying their minor league players a "stipend" of only $400 per week.
• Smaller cities across the country depend on America's pastime for more than a century. They are more than the local economy. The Durham Bulls, Toledo Mud Hens ...are the pride of their fans.
• One-hundred sixty minor league franchises are essentially facing a "lock out." This is a practice by big business when contract negotiations with labor unions break down. The players are not striking! 
• Owners must subsidize at least 40 teams to allow their top prospects develop their skills. This works only to their own benefit. Minor league salaries are a pittance to that of the millionaires and would be rock bottom when prorated.
• The plan in effect for the restart of the season is for MLB teams begin with a 60 man roster that has already been reduced to 30 players. Those that do not make the roster will be assigned the role of a "taxi squad" that will workout and play inter-squad simulation games. It's not really productive over game competition.
• Many minor league teams are scrambling to create alternative events to make use of their facilities. Some have begun configuring drive-in movie theaters. 
• Minor League teams can do a much better job with social distancing if the time arrives where fans are allowed. 

There is little doubt there are more reasons that managers and coaches can list where shutting out the minor league players is detrimental. 

The drawn-out negotiations between players and owners has irritated the wide base of fans. The game has been damaged. The owners owe it to players and fans at every layer to protect and promote the national pastime. Play Ball!