Batavia Muckdogs

In 2021, Major League Baseball downsized its affiliated Minor League Baseball system, cutting the number of affiliated teams from 160 to 120. They saved some money for the rich owners but robbed 40 small American towns of having their own minor league teams and all the dreams and fun and economic benefit that goes with it. I’m sure this isn’t news to many of you on this site, but being from Canada and not paying much attention to minor league baseball, I just reading about it now.

Author Will Bardenwerper wrote a great book (Homestand) about one of the towns which lost their minor league team, Batavia, a small town near Buffalo in upstate New York.

It’s partly a feel good story about the residents of an American town facing a big loss but making the best of it and supporting a new team in an independent league to replace the mlb-affiliated team that was taken away from them due to corporate greed. The other part of the book is a take-down of the decision-making process that led to minor league contraction, and a call to support small towns whenever we can. It’s a great read. Highly recommend it.

Meanwhile, I have an opening in one of my leagues (Bush League) and in honor of these 40 towns, I’ve renamed the vacant team the Batavia Muckdogs. Message me if you’re interested. It’s a great, weird league, reserved for players you’ve likely never heard of. All players have to have less than 500 career ABs or less than 200 career IPs. Lots of fun. To check out the league, click on my name and then click on Bush League on my league list.

lf the owners get their wish, and do away with drafting High School players, there will be even less Minor League teams.

I don't think the decision to possibly not draft HS players will affect the number of minor league teams. They will simply draft more college players and they will fill those HS grad spots.
It's a weird system when they do draft HS players You have their rights until they go to college and turn them down? Not sure how that works.
They also use their instructional league A teams for a many foreign players.
It could be a boost to Independent leagues. I used to Chaplain a team and the players told me they chose independent ball on the advice of their agents. It is pretty much equivalent to AA ball from what I was told. They told me they would be the 4th outfielder on a minor league team so independent ball was better because they were starters there and got more AB's or IP to get better.

What I heard on the Rates and Barrels podcast was that players are not eligible until they reach age 20. So either play a couple of years in college or play semi-pro or something. This would be a move towards using college ball in place of Rookie or low A - like the NFL and NBA use college ball. The players won't go for it, of course, so it's a moot point.

If a player is good enough he will find his way to the majors regardless of age . Prime example is Colt Emerson of the Mariners . He is only 20 and they wrapped him up for 10 yrs and 90 plus mil before he played one game in the majors . In his 1st month he has 6 hr and 16 rbi which equates to 36-96 for a full season . He's only going to get better and his deal will look like a bargain by the end . Yes it's sad that the minors will suffer but the great talent will come thru no matter what . Watch out for sp Cade Anderson coming soon .

MLB is also asking for an International Player Draft, which I think is way overdue. I don't know what age restrictions would apply, but I don't think you'll see 12 yr old SS's in the Dominican Republic getting signed any more.

And just one more thing, I live in an area where there are a LOT of Class A California League teams in Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, San Bernardino and Lake Elsinore. I hope none of these teams are affected.

Quick ? , why do the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes have an alligator as a mascot lol

Batavia Muckdogs are still available in this awesome league. The Bush League is made up of players who had short major league careers, so they’re relegated to the Bush League, where they have a chance at a longer career against similar players. No contracts. No Fire. No Slump Buster. Just baseball for regular guys. Come join the fun!

For more info on the league:
https://www.pennantchase.com/league..


For some interesting info about the name of the team, check out the original post in this thread!

Filled.