Will a
New York-Penn League (NYPL) team be relocating in 2019? I hope not, but news out of Malden, Massachusetts may cause some speculation.
Boston area developer
Alexander Bok plans to break ground on a new baseball stadium in Malden later this year. Plans for the
ballpark have been in the works for several years.
BaseballparkDigest reported on February 8, 2017, that Bok is hoping to bring a minor league team to Malden. Previously, Bok had talked about using the facility for a team in the independent
Atlantic League.
The new plan would require the approval of the Boston Red Sox and Minor League Baseball. Bok was quoted in local
Malden news reports that there are several owners in the New England region interested in selling a club to him. Malden is located 9 miles from Fenway Park and 28 miles from LeLacheur Park, home of the Lowell Spinners of the NYPL. I would think that both the Red Sox and Spinners would have concerns about another professional baseball team located so close.
Could there be interest in relocating one of NYPL franchises currently for sale to Malden?
There are currently three NYPL teams for sale: Batavia, Auburn, and Aberdeen. Batavia seems the most likely to be sold and relocated. Here’s some background on each team’s situation.
Aberdeen Ironbirds: Back on September 16, 2016, the
Baltimore Sun reported that the Ripken brothers were interested in selling a majority interest in the Ironbirds, to focus on their youth baseball initiatives. Since the Ripken’s would remain minority owners, it is unlikely that the Ironbirds would leave Aberdeen.
Auburn Doubledays: The city of Auburn owns the Doubledays. Back in October, 2016, they
hired an advisor to help find a buyer who is committed to keeping the franchise in Auburn. The team is reportedly valued at $6 million. Founded in 1957, the team has been a member of the NYPL since 1958. The city took over the team and assumed its debt in 1982 (it was managed by the non-profit Auburn Community Baseball until the recent reorganization). The city advanced an $80,000 line of credit to the team in 2016. In January, 2017, a limited liability corporation was formed to be the manager and operator of the team on behalf of the city. Also in January, the Auburn City Council authorized a $150,000 interest-free
loan to the Doubledays. Auburn attendance has increased by 23% over the past three years, averaging 1,427 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. Their player development contract with the Washington Nationals runs through 2018.
Batavia Muckdogs: Except for 1960, there has been a minor league baseball franchise in Batavia every year since 1939. The Muckdogs were
almost sold and relocated last year to a group in Waldorf, Maryland. The sale fell through when they were not granted permission to relocate from the leagues and teams (AA Eastern League, A Carolina League, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles) that have territorial rights in Waldorf. The Rochester Red Wings (of the AAA International League) operate the Muckdogs. Batavia's attendance has been at or near the bottom of the NYPL over the last several years and averaged only 811 fans during their 37 home dates in 2016. The Muckdogs player development contract with the Miami Marlins expires in 2018.
There have been many relocations in the NYPL since the league was formed in 1939. Only two teams from the 1990 season are still in place - Auburn and Batavia. Every other team from that season has since relocated. The most recent team to relocate was the Jamestown (NY) Jammers (in 2015), who are now the West Virginia Black Bears. The Black Bears play in a beautiful new ballpark and have strong fan support.
I wish Mr. Bok the best of luck with his ballpark project, but I hope that the NYPL teams in Auburn and Batavia stay put. Both cities have rich baseball histories. Minor league baseball belongs in both cities. But Auburn and Batavia are on my road trip list for 2017, just in case it doesn't work out.
Photo credits: greaterbostonballpark.com, Malden Field of Dreams
The Stedler Report is not affiliated with Minor League Baseball or the New-York-Penn League
