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Atlantic League, Sugar Land Skeeters Update

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The Sugar Land Skeeters (a team normally in the Atlantic League) recently announced their intent to host a four-team league of their own in Texas.

Skeeters Intend to Host Four-Team Pro Baseball League at Constellation Field

(June 10, 2020, SUGAR LAND, TEXAS). – The Sugar Land Skeeters today announced their intent to host a four-team professional baseball league at Constellation Field, beginning July 3 and running through Aug. 23. Each team is set to play 28 games for a total of 56 games during the season, with all games being played at Constellation Field.

The teams will consist of former Major Leaguers and an assortment of professional players who’ve appeared at affiliated minor league levels as well as independent leagues.

“It’s imperative that we continue to serve our role in the community as a family-friendly entertainment venue and now more than ever we realize how important that role is,” said Skeeters Owner Kevin Zlotnik. “It’s also going to be critical that it’s a safe environment for our fans, staff and players and we’re working with Memorial Hermann and our local and state officials to ensure we provide that safe environment.”

Skeeters manager Pete Incaviglia and the father-son duo of Roger and Koby Clemens have committed to managing teams in the league, with the other two managers yet to be announced.

“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of this and I think the Zlotniks and the Skeeters organization are providing a great opportunity for these younger players to keep their skill sets sharp,” Clemens said.

The league and Constellation Field will be adhering to guidelines from the state of Texas as well as the CDC in regards to stadium capacity and social distancing. Players will be tested for COVID-19 at least once a week, as well as prior to their arrival in Sugar Land.

The Skeeters are currently compiling a pool of players that are set to be drafted by the managers of their respective team prior to their arrival. Announcements regarding the rosters for the teams are forthcoming.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on being an organization that gives players another chance,” Zlotnik said. “Given the unfortunate releases of hundreds of minor league players over the last few weeks, we realized there was a major need for a league like this. Already, we’ve received commitments from guys with great resumes, former Major Leaguers, former first-rounders and high-caliber prospects. I know people are going to be really impressed with the quality of play.”

There will be a total of seven games played at Constellation Field each week from the Opening Day on July 3 through the conclusion of the season on Aug. 23.  The schedule is subject to change, but single games are anticipated to be played on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and doubleheaders will be played on Saturday and Sunday.

“This is something that is going to be really special and is going to serve as a huge boost to the baseball community by providing this opportunity for players,” Incaviglia said.

Tickets for the games are not yet on sale and an announcement will be made once they’re available for purchase.

For updates on the Skeeters, please visit sugarlandskeeters.com or follow the Skeeters on Facebook, Instagram (@sugarlandskeeters) and Twitter (@SL_Skeeters).

After that announcement, the Atlantic League put out a press release of their own today.

It does appear as though the decision on the 2020 season may come as early as next week. Lancaster Online reported that the general manager for the Lancaster Barnstormers (Lancaster, PA), Michael Reynolds, stated after the league meeting that the Atlantic League is working with state governments to decide on the fate of the upcoming season.

The AL will determine next week if there will be a 2020 season, Lancaster Barnstormers general manager Michael Reynolds said after Thursday’s meeting. That may depend on state governments.

Right now, the situation doesn’t look too great. There are two teams in Pennsylvania (Lancaster and York) where attendance for sporting events is currently capped at 250. The other teams in the league (High Point (N.C.) Rockers, Long Island Ducks, Somerset Patriots, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs) all have different state and local restrictions as well.

Indy Ball Island will continue monitoring the situation of the Atlantic League and give updates when available.

Independent Ball

The Pecos and Empire Leagues Were Built For This

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We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. Sports as we know it are canceling and changing.  Who is going to save us from a summer without baseball?

Look no further than the lowest levels of independent baseball… the Pecos and Empire Leagues.

You may be wondering how these two leagues, that I just classified as the “lowest levels” of indy ball will be able to continue playing when even major league baseball is having difficulty figuring out their game plan.

It’s simple really… the Pecos League and Empire League were both built for this…  Barely (or not at all) paying players and playing in front of minimal crowds is what they are infamous for.

Prospective players pay hundreds of dollars to play in these leagues when they attend training camps and tryouts in the spring. Every year, this is where a substantial amount of revenue for the leagues is made.

It’s also where a good amount of the labor comes from as well.  The fields these leagues play on aren’t state-of-the-art facilities that require a grounds crew and workers to maintain. Most teams use their own players to take care of field and ballpark maintenance.

As for playing in front of no crowds with no gate revenue, during a “normal” season, crowds usually range in the very low hundreds if that. It won’t be too much of a change overall. 

Don’t get me wrong, I along with many Americans, will be very happy to still have baseball to follow. I will watch and support the players.  I hope that they will be able to have the recognition that they deserve for grinding through some of the roughest conditions in baseball, especially with the current world situation going on all around us.

Here are the official statements from the Pecos League and Empire League about their seasons: 

Pecos League

4/16/2020- The Pecos League is aware of the rapidly changing developments regarding COVID-19. The Pecos League was originally scheduled to have a 64 game regular season start on 5/27/2020 and end on 8/1/2020 with 12 teams in 6 states. This will not happen.

The Pecos League has adjusted its season to a 48 game season with a start date to July 1, 2020 with an end date August 16, 2020 assuming it is deemed safe by local governments to play with fans at this time.

The other option the Pecos League may have to consider is to have four teams play in one location. No travel, no hotels and likely limited fan interaction would occur. But the players who need to play in the 2020 season would be able to play.

“There are 12 cities in the Pecos League and there are 12 different opinions, two of the cities have said no baseball in 2020. We will adjust and if possible play a 48 game season beginning July 1.”

Empire League

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I do commend the Pecos League and the Empire League for attempting to play and bring baseball to players and fans who are greatly missing it.  The sacrifices these teams are all making to play at a time of such uncertainty should be recognized if they do indeed have a 2020 season.