Bill Text: VA HR9 | 2020 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Major League Baseball; continuity with minor league teams.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - Left in Rules [HR9 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HR9-Prefiled.html
WHEREAS, for more than 100 years, Minor League Baseball teams have promoted America's pastime in communities throughout the nation while working with Major League Baseball to coordinate talent development and ensure a high quality of play at all levels; and
WHEREAS, the Professional Baseball Agreement, the document that governs the relationship between Major League Baseball and the various levels of Minor League Baseball teams, expires in 2020; and
WHEREAS, as part of a renegotiated Professional Baseball Agreement, Major League Baseball has proposed severing ties with 42 minor league teams, most of which are at the Rookie and Class A Short Season levels, including the Bluefield Blue Jays, Bristol Pirates, and Danville Braves in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the proposed change would have severe consequences for the Pioneer League, the Appalachian League, and the New York-Penn League, among others, and essentially consolidate the affiliated minor leagues into only four levels; and
WHEREAS, eliminating the Major League Baseball ties for these teams would place a higher financial burden on the teams themselves and potentially result in their closure, which would have an adverse impact on players, fans, and their communities; and
WHEREAS, in addition to providing affordable entertainment in markets where attending major league games may not be possible, minor league teams employ thousands of individuals, help strengthen local businesses through valuable partnerships, and support charitable organizations; and
WHEREAS, the contraction of minor league teams would undermine the overall health of the sport by damaging fan loyalty and limiting opportunities for talented athletes in lower-level leagues to achieve success as professionals; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Major League Baseball be encouraged to maintain affiliation with all current Minor League Baseball teams in the 2020 Professional Baseball Agreement; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit a copy of this resolution to Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball, requesting that the commissioner further disseminate copies of this resolution to his respective constituents so that they may be apprised of the sense of the Virginia House of Delegates in this matter.
