‘It would be detrimental to the community.’ State College Spikes could lose MLB ties under new proposal
The State College Spikes are one of 42 minor league baseball teams that could have their affiliation with a major league team severed under a new MLB proposal, according to a New York Times report.
The radical proposal would convert some teams from the lower-level minor leagues — short-season, rookie ball and lower Class A — into a Dream League of undrafted players, the NYT reported.
Teams would be co-owned and operated by MLB and MiLB, which would be a departure from the current system. The vast majority of teams are independently owned and operated.
Spikes Communications Director Joe Putnam declined to comment and referred questions to the MiLB office, which did not respond Monday.
“It would be detrimental to the community. We believe that the Happy Valley community — with a growing resident base and a growing visitor base — would be an illogical place to cut a franchise,” Happy Valley Adventure Bureau President and CEO Fritz Smith said Monday. “... A first class community should have a baseball team.”
Part of the proposal could include a plan to halve the amateur draft, which would reduce the player pool by about 600 and eliminate the need for about 20 teams, the NYT reported. The current operating agreement expires September 2020.
The Spikes averaged 123,231 fans per year during the past five seasons, according to the MiLB website.
That mark places them sixth in the 14-team New York-Penn League, trailing the Brooklyn Cyclones (200,446), Hudson Valley Renegades (152,069), Tri-City ValleyCats (143,605), Aberdeen IronBirds (132,783) and Lowell Spinners (125,196).
The Spinners and Williamsport Crosscutters are among nine NYPL teams listed in the report. The Erie SeaWolves are the only other team in Pennsylvania listed in the proposal, the report said.
“That would be a tragedy if they go in that direction,” Centre County Commissioner Mike Pipe said. “These minor league teams build communities. It’s just good, wholesome baseball. They give a lot back to the community.”
The commissioners hope MLB’s process is transparent and offers communities an opportunity to argue why their local team should keep its affiliation — something Centre County is “well-positioned” and “ready” to do, Pipe said.
Happy Valley as a “destination” and the county’s hotel tax rate — which the commissioners doubled this year to generate additional revenue — are two factors the county would lean on if given an opportunity, Pipe said.
MLB is committed to a “significant” change because officials feel about 25% of minor league teams are not operating at a high-enough standard for modern athletes, the NYT reported.
They are also insisting some minor league teams upgrade their facilities so top prospects are not working in substandard training rooms with poor nutrition programs, the NYT reported.
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park — home to the Spikes and Penn State baseball — is “fairly” new, Pipe said, and does not need large-scale renovations. The stadium opened in 2006.
The stadium is owned by the university and operated and leased by the Spikes. Penn State is aware of the proposal and has been in touch with the Spikes, university spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.
The lease is scheduled to expire September 2025, though Powers said “there has not been any discussion” with the organization about modifying its terms.
This story was originally published November 18, 2019 at 11:50 AM.