Jackson to get a new minor league team?

[Todd4State]

Rumored to be announced on Monday and to play next season at Trustmark Park. Would be an independent league team. No idea if it is a new league as Jackson doesn't really profile geographically with any current league. Plus places like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Mobile, and Jackson Tenn. don't have teams either. Unsure if this would be a wood bat college league or what it would be?

I think independent baseball could be popular because the team could sign guys like Tanner Allen and Elijah MacNamee

We'll find out Monday I guess.

[msstate7]

I hope so.

[Pancho]

I was told this back during the high school baseball championships in May. hope it works well

[viverlibre]

Rumored to be announced on Monday and to play next season at Trustmark Park. Would be an independent league team. No idea if it is a new league as Jackson doesn't really profile geographically with any current league. Plus places like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Mobile, and Jackson Tenn. don't have teams either. Unsure if this would be a wood bat college league or what it would be?

I think independent baseball could be popular because the team could sign guys like Tanner Allen and Elijah MacNamee

We'll find out Monday I guess.

I hope so, but I can't see something like that being successful long term. Former local stars who can't make it in the minors are likely to move on with their lives into more lucrative paying jobs. It'd be interesting to see someone try to copy the Savannah Bananas.

[RockyDog]

Be nice to have a tenant rather than it rot or have to be torn down. But if a Braves affiliate can’t bring crowds in Braves country then not sure what else would.

I think the last time a Mbraves game drew more than 4k was when Chipper rehabbed there for a weekend and that was a lifetime ago.

[Tbonewannabe]

Be nice to have a tenant rather than it rot or have to be torn down. But if a Braves affiliate can’t bring crowds in Braves country then not sure what else would.

I think the last time a Mbraves game drew more than 4k was when Chipper rehabbed there for a weekend and that was a lifetime ago.

They had a good crowd when Heyward and Freeman were there.

[CaptainObvious]

Rumored to be announced on Monday and to play next season at Trustmark Park. Would be an independent league team. No idea if it is a new league as Jackson doesn't really profile geographically with any current league. Plus places like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Mobile, and Jackson Tenn. don't have teams either. Unsure if this would be a wood bat college league or what it would be?

I think independent baseball could be popular because the team could sign guys like Tanner Allen and Elijah MacNamee

We'll find out Monday I guess.

I know you were being generic in your post about "Jackson" getting a new minor league team. But to be fair to the city of Pearl, it was never Jackson's team. Less than 1% of the Braves support came from the people of Jackson. The city's that supported the MBraves were Clinton, Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood, Brandon primarily with a small faction of support coming from Pearl/Richland/Florence and a faction from Terry/Byram. Initially, when Crystal Springs Ford was a major sponsor, Crystal Springs people would buy tickets as well. But Jackson? nada! The city officials showed no desire to support a team in Pearl. I had hoped a Regional Class A team would contract to play there but no takers. The Braves ranked dead last in attendance and Biloxi ranks next to last, even less than when they were the Huntsville Stars. If you see Tim Bennett's name attached to a potential Baseball league or program locating to your community, your city leaders should run, not walk right out the door.

[Todd4State]

I hope so, but I can't see something like that being successful long term. Former local stars who can't make it in the minors are likely to move on with their lives into more lucrative paying jobs. It'd be interesting to see someone try to copy the Savannah Bananas.

Minor league baseball in general is never going to be successful long term unless you are one of the rare exceptions- a team with a long storied history like the Durham Bulls, Rochester Red Wings, Birmingham Barons, Chattanooga Lookouts, Toledo Mud Hens, etc. Otherwise the shelf life of a minor league team is about 15-20 years which is actually how long two of the three most recent affiliated minor league teams lasted- the Mets and Braves. I think the most recent version of the Jackson Senators would have lasted awhile too except they were so successful that they actually helped the Jackson area get another AA team which of course killed them.

I don't think copying the Savannah Bananas is the answer. I love the Bananas. But something like that is likely more successful long term as a traveling act. More than likely a Jackson team copying them would either end up as a cheap imitation or just another one of their teams that they play as cannon fodder. And yes, I am aware that sometimes the Bananas lose to their cannon fodder unlike the Harlem Globetrotters who just kill the Washington Generals every game.

Baseball players- it's hard for them to get playing baseball out of their system and go to work at a "real" job. It's a labor of love and they typically want to play as long as they possibly can. And then when they're out of options most of them are still involved in some way whether it's coaching or private instruction. You go to a weekend travel ball tournament and it's very common to find at least a couple of ex pros coaching some of the teams.

[Cooterpoot]

Nobody will go to those games either

[Todd4State]

I know you were being generic in your post about "Jackson" getting a new minor league team. But to be fair to the city of Pearl, it was never Jackson's team. Less than 1% of the Braves support came from the people of Jackson. The city's that supported the MBraves were Clinton, Ridgeland, Madison, Flowood, Brandon primarily with a small faction of support coming from Pearl/Richland/Florence and a faction from Terry/Byram. Initially, when Crystal Springs Ford was a major sponsor, Crystal Springs people would buy tickets as well. But Jackson? nada! The city officials showed no desire to support a team in Pearl. I had hoped a Regional Class A team would contract to play there but no takers. The Braves ranked dead last in attendance and Biloxi ranks next to last, even less than when they were the Huntsville Stars. If you see Tim Bennett's name attached to a potential Baseball league or program locating to your community, your city leaders should run, not walk right out the door.

The biggest issue with trying to attract a class A team is the Jackson metro area doesn't profile regionally with any of the current A ball leagues. That's a major issue when travel is involved. I know it was a major issue when Jackson was in the Texas League.

I would not be surprised if Tim Bennett is involved in whatever may be coming to Jackson. To me, he is a bit of an enigma. He was instrumental in Mississippi getting the Shuckers and Braves. I also think he is a charlatan.

The Mississippi Braves were drawing better than the Shuckers until this year and that's pretty easily explained by the fact that everyone knew the Braves were leaving. Pearl/Jackson Metro Area has in the past outdrawn Mobile, Jackson, Tennessee, in addition to Biloxi. The reality is as much as the media criticizes Jackson area residents for attendance it's really the same market as pretty much every city in the South it's relative size.

[Todd4State]

Nobody will go to those games either

Minor league baseball attendance is dropping cross the country in general. There is major reorganization going on and the Mississippi Braves were essentially caught up in that. Eventually I think almost all minor league teams will be operated by Diamond Holdings Group- who own M-Braves now. One of the major reasons the M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Georgia is because the Atlanta Braves want all of their minor league teams in Georgia. I think the Braves may draw better there initially but that city is again- another Jackson type minor league market that has a history of teams staying for a short period of time and then moving on. It's actually probably a worse and more unstable minor league market than Jackson honestly.

I think the whole South region has kind of gotten caught up in the reorganization cycle. I've mentioned the cities that have recently lost teams already plus you have attendance dropping in Memphis and Birmingham even plus Biloxi is not really any better attendance wise than Jackson. It's dropping in Little Rock too. If you consider New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport too there are plenty of cities regionally to form a new league. It just seems to make sense.

I also think one reason for this is because of the success of college baseball in the SEC region as well. Mississippi State, LSU, Arkansas, and etc. all have ballparks that are on par or better than minor league stadiums. And I think there are two other big things college baseball has going for it over minor league baseball in our region- the football rivalry element translates well to college baseball making for intense and interesting games. And the other thing is even with the portal fans get to know the players better because many of them are around for several seasons. Whereas in minor league baseball- "Hey the M-Braves have a dude named Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley and the team is really good- oh wait they just got called up in July to AAA and replaced with two nobodies."

As far as attendance- you can't tell me that there aren't any baseball fans in Jackson when you have how many people in that area that are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford, or Hattiesburg for a game? I know MSU's entire crowd is not from Jackson but I would imagine that significant percentage of our weekend attendance is from there. Probably as much or more than a Mississippi Braves game would draw. I know when I go to Starkville I see several people I know at every game from my hometown or people that I know are from Jackson. That tells me that minor league baseball has a disconnect problem in the region.

[Todd4State]

Be nice to have a tenant rather than it rot or have to be torn down. But if a Braves affiliate can’t bring crowds in Braves country then not sure what else would.

I think the last time a Mbraves game drew more than 4k was when Chipper rehabbed there for a weekend and that was a lifetime ago.

I think they have a decent plan. We'll see if they execute it. If I were in their shoes I would be trying to get a major college tournament there like the Sun Belt Tournament, and I would be contacting MSU, Ole Miss, USM, Jackson State, and Delta State about playing midweek games there in addition to the typical Governor's Cup, MSU/USM, Ole Miss/USM games. Like MSU vs. Louisiana Tech or someone like that. I'm sure they'll try to make sure that the high school championships are still played there.

Concerts and etc. too.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Rumored to be announced on Monday and to play next season at Trustmark Park. Would be an independent league team. No idea if it is a new league as Jackson doesn't really profile geographically with any current league. Plus places like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Mobile, and Jackson Tenn. don't have teams either. Unsure if this would be a wood bat college league or what it would be?

I think independent baseball could be popular because the team could sign guys like Tanner Allen and Elijah MacNamee

We'll find out Monday I guess.

New Orleans doesn’t have a team? Tanner Allen is out of the minors and playing independent now?

[TheLostDawg]

I think they have a decent plan. We'll see if they execute it. If I were in their shoes I would be trying to get a major college tournament there like the Sun Belt Tournament, and I would be contacting MSU, Ole Miss, USM, Jackson State, and Delta State about playing midweek games there in addition to the typical Governor's Cup, MSU/USM, Ole Miss/USM games. Like MSU vs. Louisiana Tech or someone like that. I'm sure they'll try to make sure that the high school championships are still played there.

Concerts and etc. too.

That's what biloxi does with state each year(which I know that you are aware of)

[TheLostDawg]

Minor league baseball attendance is dropping cross the country in general. There is major reorganization going on and the Mississippi Braves were essentially caught up in that. Eventually I think almost all minor league teams will be operated by Diamond Holdings Group- who own M-Braves now. One of the major reasons the M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Georgia is because the Atlanta Braves want all of their minor league teams in Georgia. I think the Braves may draw better there initially but that city is again- another Jackson type minor league market that has a history of teams staying for a short period of time and then moving on. It's actually probably a worse and more unstable minor league market than Jackson honestly.

I think the whole South region has kind of gotten caught up in the reorganization cycle. I've mentioned the cities that have recently lost teams already plus you have attendance dropping in Memphis and Birmingham even plus Biloxi is not really any better attendance wise than Jackson. It's dropping in Little Rock too. If you consider New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport too there are plenty of cities regionally to form a new league. It just seems to make sense.

I also think one reason for this is because of the success of college baseball in the SEC region as well. Mississippi State, LSU, Arkansas, and etc. all have ballparks that are on par or better than minor league stadiums. And I think there are two other big things college baseball has going for it over minor league baseball in our region- the football rivalry element translates well to college baseball making for intense and interesting games. And the other thing is even with the portal fans get to know the players better because many of them are around for several seasons. Whereas in minor league baseball- "Hey the M-Braves have a dude named Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley and the team is really good- oh wait they just got called up in July to AAA and replaced with two nobodies."

As far as attendance- you can't tell me that there aren't any baseball fans in Jackson when you have how many people in that area that are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford, or Hattiesburg for a game? I know MSU's entire crowd is not from Jackson but I would imagine that significant percentage of our weekend attendance is from there. Probably as much or more than a Mississippi Braves game would draw. I know when I go to Starkville I see several people I know at every game from my hometown or people that I know are from Jackson. That tells me that minor league baseball has a disconnect problem in the region.

1 what about Fayetteville. UA has an amazing stadium and Fayetteville has a minor league team don't they? What's their attendance.

2 no one went in new orleans. It's a rugby league stadium now I believe.

[WinningIsRelentless]

Minor league baseball attendance is dropping cross the country in general. There is major reorganization going on and the Mississippi Braves were essentially caught up in that. Eventually I think almost all minor league teams will be operated by Diamond Holdings Group- who own M-Braves now. One of the major reasons the M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Georgia is because the Atlanta Braves want all of their minor league teams in Georgia. I think the Braves may draw better there initially but that city is again- another Jackson type minor league market that has a history of teams staying for a short period of time and then moving on. It's actually probably a worse and more unstable minor league market than Jackson honestly.

I think the whole South region has kind of gotten caught up in the reorganization cycle. I've mentioned the cities that have recently lost teams already plus you have attendance dropping in Memphis and Birmingham even plus Biloxi is not really any better attendance wise than Jackson. It's dropping in Little Rock too. If you consider New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport too there are plenty of cities regionally to form a new league. It just seems to make sense.

I also think one reason for this is because of the success of college baseball in the SEC region as well. Mississippi State, LSU, Arkansas, and etc. all have ballparks that are on par or better than minor league stadiums. And I think there are two other big things college baseball has going for it over minor league baseball in our region- the football rivalry element translates well to college baseball making for intense and interesting games. And the other thing is even with the portal fans get to know the players better because many of them are around for several seasons. Whereas in minor league baseball- "Hey the M-Braves have a dude named Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley and the team is really good- oh wait they just got called up in July to AAA and replaced with two nobodies."

As far as attendance- you can't tell me that there aren't any baseball fans in Jackson when you have how many people in that area that are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford, or Hattiesburg for a game? I know MSU's entire crowd is not from Jackson but I would imagine that significant percentage of our weekend attendance is from there. Probably as much or more than a Mississippi Braves game would draw. I know when I go to Starkville I see several people I know at every game from my hometown or people that I know are from Jackson. That tells me that minor league baseball has a disconnect problem in the region.

The reason they are moving is because the 20 year lease was up and they wanted to renew but the city/spectrum wasn?t willing to continue to lease the stadium to them for nothing.

[SteelCurtain74]

Minor league baseball attendance is dropping cross the country in general. There is major reorganization going on and the Mississippi Braves were essentially caught up in that. Eventually I think almost all minor league teams will be operated by Diamond Holdings Group- who own M-Braves now. One of the major reasons the M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Georgia is because the Atlanta Braves want all of their minor league teams in Georgia. I think the Braves may draw better there initially but that city is again- another Jackson type minor league market that has a history of teams staying for a short period of time and then moving on. It's actually probably a worse and more unstable minor league market than Jackson honestly.

I think the whole South region has kind of gotten caught up in the reorganization cycle. I've mentioned the cities that have recently lost teams already plus you have attendance dropping in Memphis and Birmingham even plus Biloxi is not really any better attendance wise than Jackson. It's dropping in Little Rock too. If you consider New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport too there are plenty of cities regionally to form a new league. It just seems to make sense.

I also think one reason for this is because of the success of college baseball in the SEC region as well. Mississippi State, LSU, Arkansas, and etc. all have ballparks that are on par or better than minor league stadiums. And I think there are two other big things college baseball has going for it over minor league baseball in our region- the football rivalry element translates well to college baseball making for intense and interesting games. And the other thing is even with the portal fans get to know the players better because many of them are around for several seasons. Whereas in minor league baseball- "Hey the M-Braves have a dude named Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley and the team is really good- oh wait they just got called up in July to AAA and replaced with two nobodies."

As far as attendance- you can't tell me that there aren't any baseball fans in Jackson when you have how many people in that area that are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford, or Hattiesburg for a game? I know MSU's entire crowd is not from Jackson but I would imagine that significant percentage of our weekend attendance is from there. Probably as much or more than a Mississippi Braves game would draw. I know when I go to Starkville I see several people I know at every game from my hometown or people that I know are from Jackson. That tells me that minor league baseball has a disconnect problem in the region.

People are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford and Hattiesburg on the weekend in spring. Last I checked, midweek game attendance isn't that great at those places.

People aren't willing to go to a minor league game in the dog days of July and August and sweat their balls off to see a team they have no attachment to other than they are a local team.

[viverlibre]

Baseball players- it's hard for them to get playing baseball out of their system and go to work at a "real" job. It's a labor of love and they typically want to play as long as they possibly can. And then when they're out of options most of them are still involved in some way whether it's coaching or private instruction. You go to a weekend travel ball tournament and it's very common to find at least a couple of ex pros coaching some of the teams.

Not to be a contrarian, as I appreciate your thoughtful input, but I know several former MiLBers, after a couple years of riding busses in the minor league circuit (if they weren't surefire big leaguers), they were burned out and couldn't wait to get married and start careers in professional sales (mostly medial/pharmaceutical). They do get into travel ball and give lessons/camps on the side, but they have little desire to play professionally any longer. I think Bruce Castoria (on the other board) would agree for the most part.

[CaptainObvious]

The reason they are moving is because the 20 year lease was up and they wanted to renew but the city/spectrum wasn?t willing to continue to lease the stadium to them for nothing.

The 20 year lease is up. But they never planned to renew. It has clearly been stated that Owners of the Braves wanted ALL MiLB teams in Georgia from High A to AAA. Now they will have that. There was a sizeable offer to keep them. They will not draw any better in Columbus than in Pearl. Closing the ranks is the reason.

[Bothrops]

The 20 year lease is up. But they never planned to renew. It has clearly been stated that Owners of the Braves wanted ALL MiLB teams in Georgia from High A to AAA. Now they will have that. There was a sizeable offer to keep them. They will not draw any better in Columbus than in Pearl. Closing the ranks is the reason.

They will draw more initially and then it will taper off after a few years. Pearl was down to a couple of bus loads per game. I mean nothing! They should have built the stadium in Madison or Flowood and attendance would have been better because of the number of kids in those areas have increased fourfold over the last 20 years.

[Todd4State]

New Orleans doesn’t have a team? Tanner Allen is out of the minors and playing independent now?

New Orleans doesn't have a team anymore. They named the team the Baby Cakes and it was highly unpopular with locals who basically shunned the team at that point. There was also controversy that the name the team contest was essentially a sham and that did not sit well either.

Tanner Allen was recently released. Do not think he is playing anywhere right now. Highly suspect that he will be in Jackson next year unless Mobile gets a team.

[Todd4State]

1 what about Fayetteville. UA has an amazing stadium and Fayetteville has a minor league team don't they? What's their attendance.

2 no one went in new orleans. It's a rugby league stadium now I believe.

Based on what I could find their attendance has been dropping. It has always been well below what Arkansas draws for their games.

https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/t-nn13408

The Zephyrs were around for years and were popular. And yes the baseball field is used for rugby.

[Todd4State]

People are willing to drive 2 hours to Starkville, Oxford and Hattiesburg on the weekend in spring. Last I checked, midweek game attendance isn't that great at those places.

People aren't willing to go to a minor league game in the dog days of July and August and sweat their balls off to see a team they have no attachment to other than they are a local team.

Of course midweek attendance isn't great. If I lived in Jackson and wanted to go to a game at MSU on a Tuesday in Starkville I would have to probably leave work early that day to have a chance to get to the game by first pitch without driving somewhat recklessly. And then if the game ends around 9:00 I would be looked at getting back home around midnight assuming I ate supper in Starkville or 11 if I ate at the ballpark. And then have to get up and go to work the next day. And not many people are willing to do that for MSU/Austin Peay. That said- look at the attendance for the Governor's Cup, MSU/USM, MSU games in Biloxi and etc. and those games are usually higher than AA games as well.

And even then- I would guess the attendance to a MSU midweek game against North Alabama even would be attended just as well or better than a typical midweek game with the crowd being mostly from Starkville or students and maybe a few diehards from the local area.

[Todd4State]

Not to be a contrarian, as I appreciate your thoughtful input, but I know several former MiLBers, after a couple years of riding busses in the minor league circuit (if they weren't surefire big leaguers), they were burned out and couldn't wait to get married and start careers in professional sales (mostly medial/pharmaceutical). They do get into travel ball and give lessons/camps on the side, but they have little desire to play professionally any longer. I think Bruce Castoria (on the other board) would agree for the most part.

Every player is different. I'm sure there are some that get tired of the minor league lifestyle and leave in part because of that. But many want to play as long as they can-which is why there are several independent leagues around. They will find plenty of players. The ones that want to get married and sell pharmaceuticals will not be the ones playing or trying out.

[Todd4State]

They will draw more initially and then it will taper off after a few years. Pearl was down to a couple of bus loads per game. I mean nothing! They should have built the stadium in Madison or Flowood and attendance would have been better because of the number of kids in those areas have increased fourfold over the last 20 years.

Exactly. And the Diamond Holdings Group has no desire or need to promote the M-Braves. So of course attendance is going to decrease.

[TheLostDawg]

New Orleans doesn't have a team anymore. They named the team the Baby Cakes and it was highly unpopular with locals who basically shunned the team at that point. There was also controversy that the name the team contest was essentially a sham and that did not sit well either.

Tanner Allen was recently released. Do not think he is playing anywhere right now. Highly suspect that he will be in Jackson next year unless Mobile gets a team.

They also had it in a terrible spot by the airport. People coming into town weren't going to travel out there for that (which I'm not sure many would have gone anyway) and the locals weren't going all the way out there regularly for a minor league baseball game. The stadium also needed upgrades.

[TheLostDawg]

Of course midweek attendance isn't great. If I lived in Jackson and wanted to go to a game at MSU on a Tuesday in Starkville I would have to probably leave work early that day to have a chance to get to the game by first pitch without driving somewhat recklessly. And then if the game ends around 9:00 I would be looked at getting back home around midnight assuming I ate supper in Starkville or 11 if I ate at the ballpark. And then have to get up and go to work the next day. And not many people are willing to do that for MSU/Austin Peay. That said- look at the attendance for the Governor's Cup, MSU/USM, MSU games in Biloxi and etc. and those games are usually higher than AA games as well.

And even then- I would guess the attendance to a MSU midweek game against North Alabama even would be attended just as well or better than a typical midweek game with the crowd being mostly from Starkville or students and maybe a few diehards from the local area.

The tournament this year with state, new orleans and usa was well attended in biloxi. Not sure the stats.

[CaptainObvious]

They will draw more initially and then it will taper off after a few years. Pearl was down to a couple of bus loads per game. I mean nothing! They should have built the stadium in Madison or Flowood and attendance would have been better because of the number of kids in those areas have increased fourfold over the last 20 years.

Ah yes! Another shot at Pearl. You do understand the fit was better there due to location. If people want to go to Minor league baseball, driving 15 miles and having easy access to the park made that corner of Pearl the perfect location. Bass Pro, The Outlet Mall and the Ball Park were all a part of the Master Plan. They were also supposed to get a Hotel-Convention Complex, but the Rankin County laws on Liquor sales in 2005-2006 kept that from happening. Then Dogwood kept expanding and growth on 25 kept expanding northeast. And Renaissance was built in Ridgeland, and that little corner of Rankin County became an afterthought. Jimmy Foster was the best mayor Pearl ever had for development. The 2 most recent mayors just wanted the job for the status! They have no marketing skills at all to take advantage of the city's location and access to Interstates and the airport.

[Bothrops]

Ah yes! Another shot at Pearl. You do understand the fit was better there due to location. If people want to go to Minor league baseball, driving 15 miles and having easy access to the park made that corner of Pearl the perfect location. Bass Pro, The Outlet Mall and the Ball Park were all a part of the Master Plan. They were also supposed to get a Hotel-Convention Complex, but the Rankin County laws on Liquor sales in 2005-2006 kept that from happening. Then Dogwood kept expanding and growth on 25 kept expanding northeast. And Renaissance was built in Ridgeland, and that little corner of Rankin County became an afterthought. Jimmy Foster was the best mayor Pearl ever had for development. The 2 most recent mayors just wanted the job for the status! They have no marketing skills at all to take advantage of the city's location and access to Interstates and the airport.

It's not a shot at Pearl. The location just didn't make sense long term. Jackson was at the beginning of its final stage of decline, and I could have told you in 2004 that Madison, Ridgeland, and Flowood was where future economic and residential development was headed. At any rate, 20 years seems like a long time for a AA baseball team to stay in one place.

[RockyDog]

So, Frontier League it is. Good luck to them. Unless they have a southern expansion model coming that it yet to be announced, this move makes close to zero sense other than keep the stadium occupied.

These poor guys on this team are looking at 8, 11, 17, 20+ hour bus rides. The closest "West" division team, which i assume the team will be in, is Evansville Indiana which is 8 hours away. All of the eastern teams are in NY, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Canada.

[viverlibre]

So, Frontier League it is. Good luck to them. Unless they have a southern expansion model coming that it yet to be announced, this move makes close to zero sense other than keep the stadium occupied.

These poor guys on this team are looking at 8, 11, 17, 20+ hour bus rides. The closest "West" division team, which i assume the team will be in, is Evansville Indiana which is 8 hours away. All of the eastern teams are in NY, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Canada.

Concur, this makes zero sense with out some southern teams to play.

I think using the stadium for tournaments and other events would be better than another team. If the Braves didn't draw well, then it's time to give up on that dream.

[Todd4State]

So, Frontier League it is. Good luck to them. Unless they have a southern expansion model coming that it yet to be announced, this move makes close to zero sense other than keep the stadium occupied.

These poor guys on this team are looking at 8, 11, 17, 20+ hour bus rides. The closest "West" division team, which i assume the team will be in, is Evansville Indiana which is 8 hours away. All of the eastern teams are in NY, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Canada.

Was not expecting it to be a Frontier League team. But this isn't a bad that outside of the geographical fit. It's a MLB Partner League and therefore very stable.

The Southern Division thing makes the most sense to me. The mid south region has been losing teams recently and it is starting to go untapped.

There are easily 8 cities that could be in a southern division in this league that don't have a team now that are about the size of Jackson.

[SilentSteel16]

Too bad we couldn’t get the Banana league to start a team around here. Those guys sell out MLB ballparks.

If you haven’t seen them Google Savannah Bananas… you are welcome

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Too bad we couldn’t get the Banana league to start a team around here. Those guys sell out MLB ballparks.

If you haven’t seen them Google Savannah Bananas… you are welcome

I know the Savannah Bananas draw huge crowds, but I can’t watch that crap. It is so stupid it’s not even entertaining. You couldn’t pay me $1000 to sit through one game (and I do mean that literally).

[SilentSteel16]

I am a diehard traditionalist in baseball. But let me tell you that was the most fun I have ever had watching a baseball game. Some of those rules makes you wonder why those rules haven’t been implemented. If you get a chance to go, it is a great family atmosphere and very very entertaining. It is loaded with retired major leaguers as well.

[CaptainObvious]

They are supposed to announce Team 18 for the Frontier League this week. Hopefully it is a southern city so the Mud Monsters have a rival.

[Todd4State]

They are supposed to announce Team 18 for the Frontier League this week. Hopefully it is a southern city so the Mud Monsters have a rival.

If it is Mud Monsters is that a catfish or is it a crawfish?