Minor League Territoriality

[sonderweg]

I know that the radius for minor league baseball territoriality is 35 miles. However, I am wondering, does that radius allow a team to prohibit ALL potential competitors or only ones that would be of equal or lower classifications? In other words, can a AA team block all teams within 35 miles, or only ones at AA or below?

[Nashvol]

I believe the rule applies only to teams in the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, which would not include independent leagues.

That's why you have the Florence Freedom, a team in the independent Frontier League, only a short distance from Cincinnati Reds.

Likewise, the Ft. Worth Cats are close to the Texas Rangers, and the St. Paul Saints are close to the Minnesota Twins; both are in the new independent American Associatoin.

There are many independent leagues that do well, and many compete with minor league teams that have been established for some time.

Says a lot about America's thirst for baseball, doesn't it?

[efin98]

I believe the rule applies only to teams in the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs, which would not include independent leagues.

That's why you have the Florence Freedom, a team in the independent Frontier League, only a short distance from Cincinnati Reds.

Likewise, the Ft. Worth Cats are close to the Texas Rangers, and the St. Paul Saints are close to the Minnesota Twins; both are in the new independent American Associatoin.

There are many independent leagues that do well, and many compete with minor league teams that have been established for some time.

Says a lot about America's thirst for baseball, doesn't it?

How about the American Association's counterpart league- the Canadian American Association.

Their teams in Brockton, MA and Worcester, MA are within limits of the Pawtucket Red Sox(AAA, Red Sox) while their team in Nashua, NH is close to the New Hampshire Fishercats(AA, Blue Jays), and their team in Lynn, MA is close to the Lowell Spinners(A, Red Sox).

[sonderweg]

Um...I was only asking about classified (i.e., NAPBL) baseball.

[Nashvol]

Then the answer is that all teams in the NAPBL, no matter what classification, have to adhere to the 35 mile radius rule.

A few years ago the Appalachian League was sending out feelers to add a franchise in Lebanon, TN, about 30 miles from Nashville. Although the deal never got too far past the preliminary stage, the AAA PCL Nashville Sounds would have had to give their approval.

[sonderweg]

Then the answer is that all teams in the NAPBL, no matter what classification, have to adhere to the 35 mile radius rule.

A few years ago the Appalachian League was sending out feelers to add a franchise in Lebanon, TN, about 30 miles from Nashville. Although the deal never got too far past the preliminary stage, the AAA PCL Nashville Sounds would have had to give their approval.

Thanks! That's the answer I was looking for. :)

[efin98]

Then the answer is that all teams in the NAPBL, no matter what classification, have to adhere to the 35 mile radius rule.

A few years ago the Appalachian League was sending out feelers to add a franchise in Lebanon, TN, about 30 miles from Nashville. Although the deal never got too far past the preliminary stage, the AAA PCL Nashville Sounds would have had to give their approval.

Stupid question, but does that also include Major League franchises? By that I mean can a major league team refuse to allow a minor league franchise to move within the 35 mile radius of them?

[Nashvol]

Stupid question, but does that also include Major League franchises? By that I mean can a major league team refuse to allow a minor league franchise to move within the 35 mile radius of them?

I believe that the major league teams are not members of the NAPBL (it was organized for the benefit of MINOR league baseball) and the major league teams have their own organization: MLB.

However, I am sure that the NAPBL would not want to take on MLB by allowing a team in close proximity. Surely, if there is not a written rule between the two organizations there must be an 'unwritten' one.

[Brian McKenna]

organized baseball includes the national association and major league baseball - you can be assured that proximity requirements are formally written plus the 30 parent clubs own or control or by agreement dictate policy to lower classifications

often the parent club will permit nearby placement for various reasons - the orioles have moved many of their affiliates to maryland over the last decade or so (one of them even playing in memorial stadium)

when the dodgers moved to los angeles, they had to compensate wrigley who controlled that territory - i think they may have traded territories (perhaps houston)

[bluezebra]

organized baseball includes the national association and major league baseball - you can be assured that proximity requirements are formally written plus the 30 parent clubs own or control or by agreement dictate policy to lower classifications

often the parent club will permit nearby placement for various reasons - the orioles have moved many of their affiliates to maryland over the last decade or so (one of them even playing in memorial stadium)

when the dodgers moved to los angeles, they had to compensate wrigley who controlled that territory - i think they may have traded territories (perhaps houston)

The Cubs took Mesa, AZ, where they're still training. There was an Independent Team in the PCL, the Hollywood Stars, which wasn't involved.

Bob

[Gamingboy]

I also remember reading somewhere that cities that lose their teams retain their territory for 5 or so years, in order to make the movement of another team or a expansion team there easier should it occur. Not sure if that's true or not.

[bluezebra]

If there's a 35-mile limit, the California League is in violation.

Inland Empire (San Bernardino) to Rancho Cucamonga = 22 miles

Bob

[efin98]

I believe that the major league teams are not members of the NAPBL (it was organized for the benefit of MINOR league baseball) and the major league teams have their own organization: MLB.

However, I am sure that the NAPBL would not want to take on MLB by allowing a team in close proximity. Surely, if there is not a written rule between the two organizations there must be an 'unwritten' one.

I was wondering because within the last few decades Lynn, MA has had minor league teams(all not affiliated with the Red Sox) and the city is only about 15 miles from Boston.

[efin98]

If there's a 35-mile limit, the California League is in violation.

Inland Empire (San Bernardino) to Rancho Cucamonga = 22 miles

Bob

I believe there's also a few teams in the New York/Penn League and the International League that are in violation as well, especially those midstate and along the Hudson River.

[sonderweg]

I believe there's also a few teams in the New York/Penn League and the International League that are in violation as well, especially those midstate and along the Hudson River.

I'm guessing those teams already in existence when the 35-mile was instituted are "grandfathered." It's only 25 miles between Frederick and Hagerstown, but obviously those two teams exist.

Any idea what happens if, say, Hagerstown loses its team? Would that five-year rule mentioned in an earlier post still apply (if it is even an actual rule)?

[efin98]

I'm guessing those teams already in existence when the 35-mile was instituted are "grandfathered." It's only 25 miles between Frederick and Hagerstown, but obviously those two teams exist.

The International League teams are ancient but some of the other teams are fairly new(within the last 20 years) and the two in New York City have only been there for about five or so years...

[Biggtone23]

Brooklyn Cyclones and Staten Island Yankees are within 35 miles of eachother, heck they may be within 3 to 5 miles of eachother. But I think teams have the option of waiving their rights if they feel it will help them to have a rival that close.

[Beer2Share]

The Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins affiliate) and the Palm Beach Cardinals (St. Louis) play - practice in the same stadium in Jupiter, Florida.