Minors are in crisis

[thomas35forever]

https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/05/19/mi...campaign=sinow
This depresses me to no end. People are going to lose their jobs, and baseball interest in small markets will die, all because Manfred wants to save money and is taking advantage of this pandemic. Manfred is doing the impossible: making Bud Selig look like Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Well done.

[whitesox5187]

Honestly, there are many times where I have to wonder "Does Rob Manfred even LIKE baseball?"

[thomas35forever]

Honestly, there are many times where I have to wonder "Does Rob Manfred even LIKE baseball?"

He likes baseball. He just wants to reshape it in his way.

[Dumpjerry]

In most towns, I would imagine the local minor league is one of the most popular entertainment venues during the summer. Stands seem to be usually full and merchandise is popular. How do they not make money? Who owns the teams? Is it the MLB franchise or is it a separate ownership group and there is a contract with a MLB team (hence the changes in affiliations)?

[Frater Perdurabo]

On one hand, I would like an effort made to save as many minor league teams as possible. And I think minor league players ought to make a living wage, including during the offseason, as well as be provided other benefits like tuition-free education (and not just traditional academic subjects, either, but also the option to learn a trade at a community college).

On the other hand, I don’t necessarily think the MLB should be compelled to maintain all their present affiliations.

There was some talk in the last year that the Astros were considering reducing the number of minor league affiliates in their system, and instead running a year-round instructional camp at their spring training facility, believing that would be more beneficial and cost-effective to maximize the talent of their prospects.

Other proposals for all of MLB have suggested that the draft be conducted later in the year, and that draftees report directly to “rookie camp” rather than an affiliate.

I get that there are die hard fans of major league teams, who will travel to see their team’s prospects play in minor league parks. The Sox are particularly lucky to have affiliates with beautiful new stadiums in Charlotte, Birmingham, Winston-Salem, and (starting this year hopefully) Kannapolis. But for the most part, the main driver of minor league attendance for minor league teams is local fans, including families. I don’t think affiliation with a major league team is that terribly important when a parent makes a decision to take the kids to a minor league baseball game; they aren’t going to choose to go to a movie instead just because their home team is no longer affiliated with a distant major league club.

[whitesox5187]

In most towns, I would imagine the local minor league is one of the most popular entertainment venues during the summer. Stands seem to be usually full and merchandise is popular. How do they not make money? Who owns the teams? Is it the MLB franchise or is it a separate ownership group and there is a contract with a MLB team (hence the changes in affiliations)?

I think most minor league teams are owned by ownership groups that are similar to major league ownership groups, sometimes owners of minor league teams own a piece of a major league team as well (like Andrew Berlin in South Bend). The teams sign contracts with MLB teams in regards to affiliations, I think they last three years or so? I was in South Bend when they changed their affiliation from the Diamondbacks to the Cubs, which resulted in a lot more merchandise being sold and I think probably more tickets as well.

[thomas35forever]

On one hand, I would like an effort made to save as many minor league teams as possible. And I think minor league players ought to make a living wage, including during the offseason, as well as be provided other benefits like tuition-free education (and not just traditional academic subjects, either, but also the option to learn a trade at a community college).

On the other hand, I don’t necessarily think the MLB should be compelled to maintain all their present affiliations.

There was some talk in the last year that the Astros were considering reducing the number of minor league affiliates in their system, and instead running a year-round instructional camp at their spring training facility, believing that would be more beneficial and cost-effective to maximize the talent of their prospects.

Other proposals for all of MLB have suggested that the draft be conducted later in the year, and that draftees report directly to “rookie camp” rather than an affiliate.

I get that there are die hard fans of major league teams, who will travel to see their team’s prospects play in minor league parks. The Sox are particularly lucky to have affiliates with beautiful new stadiums in Charlotte, Birmingham, Winston-Salem, and (starting this year hopefully) Kannapolis. But for the most part, the main driver of minor league attendance for minor league teams is local fans, including families. I don’t think affiliation with a major league team is that terribly important when a parent makes a decision to take the kids to a minor league baseball game; they aren’t going to choose to go to a movie instead just because their home team is no longer affiliated with a distant major league club.

You're right. They'll take baseball even their team is independent. The problem is a lost season will result in financial losses many teams can't afford. They're going to close up shop, and Manfred doesn't appear to want to give them any money to make sure they'll survive this pandemic. A lot of teams could be going bye-bye very soon.

[A. Cavatica]

But for the most part, the main driver of minor league attendance for minor league teams is local fans, including families. I don’t think affiliation with a major league team is that terribly important when a parent makes a decision to take the kids to a minor league baseball game; they aren’t going to choose to go to a movie instead just because their home team is no longer affiliated with a distant major league club.

There are exceptions, when the minor league team is geographically close to the parent club. Boston has long had affiliates in Pawtucket, RI (now replaced by Worcester, MA); Portland, ME; and Lowell, MA that are all in Red Sox territory. The Cubs do well in Iowa. The Braves have teams, I think, in Rome and Gwinnett County, GA. The Orioles have (or had) a team in Hagerstown, MD. These are just off the top of my head. Teams like that are natural partners, and the minor league franchises would not draw as well with different parents.

It’s been a long time since the Sox had any teams nearby. I remember we once had an affiliate in the Midwest League (South Bend, Appleton, Burlington ) but I never saw those teams play. I’d love to hear stories from people who did.

[voodoochile]

There are exceptions, when the minor league team is geographically close to the parent club. Boston has long had affiliates in Pawtucket, RI (now replaced by Worcester, MA); Portland, ME; and Lowell, MA that are all in Red Sox territory. The Cubs do well in Iowa. The Braves have teams, I think, in Rome and Gwinnett County, GA. The Orioles have (or had) a team in Hagerstown, MD. These are just off the top of my head. Teams like that are natural partners, and the minor league franchises would not draw as well with different parents.

It’s been a long time since the Sox had any teams nearby. I remember we once had an affiliate in the Midwest League (South Bend, Appleton, maybe Beloit??) but I never saw those teams play. I’d love to hear stories from people who did.

Yeah SF Giants have the SJ Giants which are the A ball affiliate I believe. And Cincinnati has the Dayton Dragons (also A-Ball I think). Those types of relationships can help build a local fan base.