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glenn · 08-12-2006, 03:05 PM

The commissioners of the American Baseball League called a special meeting today of the league’s owners. Calls started coming in from cities around the country regarding the selection of cities. The mayor of Pittsburgh was irate that there would be no team in Pittsburgh, one of baseball’s oldest markets. The mayor of Atlanta was outraged there would be no team in his city. The governors of Wisconsin and Minnesota both called and expressed their disappointment regarding the snub of their states.

Joe Foss started the meeting by recapping the problem, and offering a potential solution, “Gentlemen, we have both a unique problem, and a tremendous opportunity. Major League Baseball is no more. There is a feeling of hope throughout this country that the American Baseball League will step in and fill the void left by Major League Baseball. We have received calls from cities around the country, feeling ignored by our league. Cities with rich baseball tradition, such as Pittsburgh, who are angry they will not have a team to root for. I have a feeling that if we don’t fill the void in these cities, someone will attempt to step in, and fill that void for us.

The opportunity presented to us is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We not only have a chance to compete, but dominate. We can’t allow someone else to step up to the plate, and allow them to compete with us. We are not ready for competition, we have a tough road ahead, and we must build our fan base, and restore the glory to the game. We must learn from baseball’s past, to ensure it a prosperous future.

In 1959, a third professional baseball league was proposed, the Continental League. This league would operate in markets not served by Major League Baseball. While this league never played a game on the field, we should look at some of the ideology behind a third baseball league. The ultimate goal of our sport is to make money. A way to make additional money, and a long term goal of our league is to expand the number of teams in our league. However, expansion is a tricky proposition. Expansion teams chose lesser quality players from existing teams, and as a result, often suffer in early years, both on the field, and in attendance. Established teams that move to new markets, typically fair better both on the field, and with attendance. So I propose we take the idea of the Continental League, and make it better.

I propose that we form a second professional baseball league. That league will follow the same structure as ours, four divisions, five teams in each division. The teams will be placed in large markets with no American Baseball League team. The teams would operate at a level between Professional and Triple A. Each team would operate independently, and trading between their league, which I will call the Continental League, and our league would be permitted. In order to ensure American League Baseball has the best players in the world, the salaries will be half of our league. They would be required to run one minor league affiliate, at the Double A level. The American Baseball League will continue to operate a Triple A affiliate, and a Single A affiliate, but will no longer be required to operate a Double A affiliate. This will ensure that each league has an opportunity to prosper, because we need their league to prosper.

Why, you ask? Well, when we want to expand teams in the American Baseball League, we can promote the top teams from the Continental League. These established teams will have a much better chance of success, and only have to add one low level minor league affiliate. Teams can be replaced, or added through the Continental League as necessary. They will be our feeder league, not only for players, but for teams. My final point, which probably won’t go over well with everyone in the room, is if a team fails to perform on the field, and fails to draw fans to the ballpark, they can be sent down to the Continental League. Our league will not tolerate failure. If you need to rebuild, or find ways to draw new fans to the ballpark, go to the Continental League, get your act together, and you are welcome back.”

Silence filled the room, as the owners absorbed the idea. The talking and a spirited debate began shortly. At the end of the day, a vote was taken, and the Continental Baseball League was formed, by a vote of 17-3. Commissioner Foss was given the responsibility to determine potential cities and franchises. Foss was given a deadline of December 1st to finalize the details of the Continental League, and prepare for a December announcement.

08-12-2006, 03:05 PM	#41 (permalink)
glenn Major Leagues Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 407 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	September 12th, 1973 The commissioners of the American Baseball League called a special meeting today of the league’s owners. Calls started coming in from cities around the country regarding the selection of cities. The mayor of Pittsburgh was irate that there would be no team in Pittsburgh, one of baseball’s oldest markets. The mayor of Atlanta was outraged there would be no team in his city. The governors of Wisconsin and Minnesota both called and expressed their disappointment regarding the snub of their states. Joe Foss started the meeting by recapping the problem, and offering a potential solution, “Gentlemen, we have both a unique problem, and a tremendous opportunity. Major League Baseball is no more. There is a feeling of hope throughout this country that the American Baseball League will step in and fill the void left by Major League Baseball. We have received calls from cities around the country, feeling ignored by our league. Cities with rich baseball tradition, such as Pittsburgh, who are angry they will not have a team to root for. I have a feeling that if we don’t fill the void in these cities, someone will attempt to step in, and fill that void for us. The opportunity presented to us is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We not only have a chance to compete, but dominate. We can’t allow someone else to step up to the plate, and allow them to compete with us. We are not ready for competition, we have a tough road ahead, and we must build our fan base, and restore the glory to the game. We must learn from baseball’s past, to ensure it a prosperous future. In 1959, a third professional baseball league was proposed, the Continental League. This league would operate in markets not served by Major League Baseball. While this league never played a game on the field, we should look at some of the ideology behind a third baseball league. The ultimate goal of our sport is to make money. A way to make additional money, and a long term goal of our league is to expand the number of teams in our league. However, expansion is a tricky proposition. Expansion teams chose lesser quality players from existing teams, and as a result, often suffer in early years, both on the field, and in attendance. Established teams that move to new markets, typically fair better both on the field, and with attendance. So I propose we take the idea of the Continental League, and make it better. I propose that we form a second professional baseball league. That league will follow the same structure as ours, four divisions, five teams in each division. The teams will be placed in large markets with no American Baseball League team. The teams would operate at a level between Professional and Triple A. Each team would operate independently, and trading between their league, which I will call the Continental League, and our league would be permitted. In order to ensure American League Baseball has the best players in the world, the salaries will be half of our league. They would be required to run one minor league affiliate, at the Double A level. The American Baseball League will continue to operate a Triple A affiliate, and a Single A affiliate, but will no longer be required to operate a Double A affiliate. This will ensure that each league has an opportunity to prosper, because we need their league to prosper. Why, you ask? Well, when we want to expand teams in the American Baseball League, we can promote the top teams from the Continental League. These established teams will have a much better chance of success, and only have to add one low level minor league affiliate. Teams can be replaced, or added through the Continental League as necessary. They will be our feeder league, not only for players, but for teams. My final point, which probably won’t go over well with everyone in the room, is if a team fails to perform on the field, and fails to draw fans to the ballpark, they can be sent down to the Continental League. Our league will not tolerate failure. If you need to rebuild, or find ways to draw new fans to the ballpark, go to the Continental League, get your act together, and you are welcome back.” Silence filled the room, as the owners absorbed the idea. The talking and a spirited debate began shortly. At the end of the day, a vote was taken, and the Continental Baseball League was formed, by a vote of 17-3. Commissioner Foss was given the responsibility to determine potential cities and franchises. Foss was given a deadline of December 1st to finalize the details of the Continental League, and prepare for a December announcement.