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Midwest League May Get Realigned
By Chad Gramling | August 18, 2008
Midwest League President, George Spelius, recently visited Dayton where he said he was waiting to hear from the National Association about possible realignment of the Midwest League, which potentially would also impact teams in the South Atlantic League.
“The National Association wants to do something,” Spelius said. “They came up during our All-Star break and made a presentation . . . They said they’d get back to us in a couple weeks, and it’s been four,” Spelius said of the NA.
There are 14 teams in the Midwest League and 16 in the South Atlantic League. Realignment would likely see Lake County, which is near Cleveland, and Lexington, Kentucky, leave the SAL and join the Midwest League. Reportedly, Lake County wants to join the Midwest League, but Lexington prefers Sally League. There is also speculation for three 10-team leagues, but that would take massive movement and is unlikely.
While realignment could come as early as 2009 if it does indeed occur, MWL Guru Joel Dinda (who was recently featured on MiLB.com) notes that it is hardly a new idea and 2010 would be more likely. He also mentions a team other than the Lexington team to exit the SAL in favor of the MWL.
The details are not new; the teams are the Lake County team (suburban Cleveland) and the Columbus, Georgia team (which is moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky). MiLB president Pat O’Conner hopes to have the change in place for next season, but considers 2010 more realistic. We’ll keep our eye on this; similar efforts have already fallen through a couple times, but this time there are bigger hitters involved.
Coming on the heels of the renewed PDC between Fort Wayne and the Padres which saw many bloggers and their readers consider a myriad of alternative parent clubs and affiliation scenarios, this is somewhat exciting. While the San Diego affiliation and Midwest League membership is a certainty for 2009, it would be refreshing to see a couple different teams that we’re not used to seeing.
Methinks I gots an idea (finally happened): Anyone up for Low-A Interleague play?
Topics: Midwest League |
August 19th, 2008 at 6:19 am
I think interleague play is an awesome idea maybe just for a week or two, because it would increase costs.
Be sure you snag your consulting fee.