Alabama’s three minor league baseball teams have accepted invitations to join a new system restructured by Major League Baseball.
It’s an expected move by the teams in Birmingham, Madison and Montgomery made official Friday with an announcement from MLB. The announcement included no information about plans for fans to be in the stands this season.
The Birmingham Barons, Rocket City Trash Pandas and Montgomery Biscuits will continue to compete in the same league with five other familiar rivals in what’s now known as Double-A South – formerly the Southern League. The league will include teams in Chattanooga, Pensacola, Biloxi, Kodak, Tenn. (near Knoxville) and Pearl, Miss. (near Jackson).
The Barons and Trash Pandas will be in the North Division along with Chattanooga and the Tennessee Smokies in Kodak. The Biscuits will be in the South Division with Pensacola, Biloxi and the Mississippi Braves in Pearl.
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The three teams were among 120 teams nationwide in December to receive invitations from MLB to become Professional Development League license holders. Every team invited accepted, MLB said. As part of the restructuring, 40 minor league teams were not extended invitations.
One former Southern League team, located in Jackson, Tenn., did not receive an invitation. Another Southern League team, located in Jacksonville, Fla., became a Triple-A team in the restructuring.
The three Alabama teams will maintain their MLB affiliations: The Barons with the Chicago White Sox, the Trash Pandas with the Los Angeles Angels and the Biscuits with the Tampa Bay Rays. Each affiliation agreement is for 10 years.
With the finalization of the revamped minor league system, teams will be able to move forward with making plans for the upcoming season.
“We are thrilled to continue our strong relationship as members of the Angels family,” Trash Pandas President & CEO Ralph Nelson said in the team’s announcement. “We can’t wait to finally bring professional baseball back in North Alabama in 2021. We’ve been working more than three years on developing a one-of-a-kind fan experience at Toyota Field, and are excited to be part of the elite player development system of the Los Angeles Angels.”
Biscuits CEO and managing owner Lou DiBella looked ahead to when fans will be able to return to the stands.
“I am pleased to have signed our PDL and I’m looking forward to working more closely with MLB in a new and exciting era for your Montgomery Biscuits,” DiBella said in a statement. “We are thrilled to extend our long standing relationship with the Tampa Bay Rays, and continue to bring the next wave of Major League players through Montgomery.
“It’s been a long wait and we are excited to be nearing the day that we can welcome Biscuits fans back to Riverwalk Stadium.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in the announcement it “modernized” the minor league system to prioritize “the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field.”
That restructuring included shifting some minor league teams closer to their parent club affiliates, though that did not affect the three Alabama teams. MLB also said that the changes ensured better facilities and working conditions for players as well as raising player salaries. MLB also touted reduced travel for players and coaches.
“We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors, but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”
Updated today, Feb. 12, 2021, at 3:42 p.m. with statement from the Biscuits.