Minor League Changes More Likely

Big changes are coming to minor league baseball. After a summer when the pandemic forced the season to be cancelled, with some parks redeployed as alternate training sites, the picture will be different again in 2021. The resignation of MiLB president Pat O'Conner likely means that the strongest obstacle to Rob Manfred's plan to reduce affiliated clubs from 162 to 120 will disappear. There's no question that the economy of sports has taken a huge hit in 2020. With businesses closing in many places, we shouldn't be surprised to see ballclubs fall by the wayside. There's no way to sugarcoat the pain in places such as Hudson Valley (above) and Binghamton, New York (below), who are expected to be sliced from the current farm system.

That will take away the chance for fans to see such attractions as Tim Tebow -- seen playing for the Mets' Binghamton club in 2018 -- and weaken connections between The National Pastime and smaller cities.

The news isn't all negative. Three-quarters of the current minor league map will survive. Such strong outposts for baseball as Richmond, Hartford and Reading will keep their teams -- although some proposals may swap the parent clubs. Richmond, Virginia (below) isn't all that accessible to San Francisco. The same for Hartford and Denver. Adjusting those relationships could actually be a productive step.  

Hartford, with an impressive five-year old park with first-class amenities, could at some point, even move up to Triple A status. Connecticut's capital city is ideally situated -- two hours from New York and 90 minutes from Boston. It's also reasonably convenient for Montreal, should that city return to the majors.

Reading, Pennsylvania, is a perfect example of what works. An hour and 15 from Philadelphia, it's been a vital step to the majors for dozens of familiar Phillies over the last 50 years.

Plaques in the ballpark's concourse honor Phillies farm system graduates such as Ryne Sanberg and Mike Schmidt. Another tips a cap to Jim Bunning, who managed at Reading after his playing days. Just part of why this is an appealing place to play.

Enthusiastic fans, strong ties to the parent club and effective local marketing add up to a virtual blueprint on how to do the minors right. Hopefully, next summer, this American tradition can be restored, though there will be lingering animosity over cities -- and even an entire state, West Virginia -- that MLB plans to clip off the minor league map.