The MiLB Invitations

The Mid-Atlantic League?

Today was the day many have been waiting for, and I've been obsessed over the news since it broke.

Today was the day that 119 teams (with one -- Fresno? -- still to be worked out) received invitations to affiliate with Major League Baseball teams in a reimagined Minor League Baseball.

There are some who are elated and some who are devastated.

Now, we already know that Hudson Valley has aligned with the New York Yankees beginning in 2021.

We also know about Somerset, Scranton/Wilkes Barre, and Tampa as the other Yankees' affiliates. These are done.

There are others who are set as well, such as the Mets, who announced their new affiliates a few weeks back.

Some have trickled out before MLB told teams to stop.

The news broke a little after noon with the list of the 119.

Because these are mostly invitations, a lot of things aren't confirmed, meaning you can't really line up leagues just yet.

There's speculation that the Renegades will wind up in a High-A Mid-Atlantic League. Well, today, we learned (confirmed, as I had a feeling) that Brooklyn (Mets), Jersey Shore (Phillies), Aberdeen (Orioles), and Wilmington (Nationals) expected -- repeat, expected -- to be a part of the new league.

But, wait, that's only five. Who's the sixth team, as promised?

There's plenty of chatter on the interwebs that closest remaining High-A team is Bowling Green.

Kentucky.

I checked, for fun (because I'm obsessed and a bit nuts). Dutchess Stadium to Bowling Green, KY is a 14-hour driving commitment. It's nearly 1000 miles between the two.

Now, that of course excites me to the point that I'd probably ask to do a game there (sponsor it as "Rob's Road Trip"). Could be fun!

(10:41 p.m. UPDATE: JJ Cooper of Baseball America, who has owned this story, posted a breakdown, saying that the Mid-Atlantic League -- the MAL, as I'm calling it -- will have 12 teams. He has more on the travel issues here. Additionally, I've seen on the interwebs that maybe Greensboro and not Bowling Green will be in the Gades' division. But this all just proves how we're really only beginning the fun.)

Then there are the Lowell Spinners, whom the Red Sox aren't putting in High-A for 2021 but are kicking the tires about a return in 2022. 

But, what needs to be recognized is that not everyone will accept these invitations once they see whatever fine print there might be. So MiLB and MLB (really, MLB) needs to have a Plan B, and I'm sure they do. They might even need a Plan C.

Now, I need to pause for a moment to recognize that a lot of people have been impacted by this news. A lot of people around teams who have given everything to baseball. A lot of cities and towns who are hurt tonight. They're feeling raw and I certainly don't want to celebrate this.

I'm reading reactions from Albany to Auburn to Norwich to Trenton and beyond.

On the other hand, I tweeted at the Wilmington Blue Rocks about my excitement to do games there (potentially, and I would drive there). They followed my account immediately.

It's a scary time. Change is brutal. Change is scary.

Could this turn out to be good? In some places, no. It's terrible.

In other places, it's great. 

But, in truth, it will all take time.

The Renegades will hold a press conference tomorrow at 1 p.m. that will air on their Facebook page. I will be watching online as well with great interest. The Yankees and Gades have promised a good show.

There are still more steps to be finalized. The leagues need to be decided. The schedules need to be drawn up. The promotions need to be decided. Travel plans need to be made. On-field questions as well.

And there's a broadcaster who is screaming to get going.

Oh, and there's still a pandemic in charge.

There's a long way to go before we hear, "Play ball."

This is really phase one of the new MiLB.