In the first professional stop of what would become a Hall of Fame career, the Dodgers sent him to their minor league team in Bakersfield. The league’s expansion is part of a realignment in two of the three leagues that make up the high A level in Minor League Baseball.
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“It is with great regret and reluctance that the Mavericks are one of two teams being contracted from the California League, as the Mavericks would prefer to remain in Adelanto as members of the California League”, High Desert owner Dave Heller said in a statement.
The website has links for the Name the Team contest, where fans can help select a nickname for the new franchise, for 2017 season ticket information, and for Kinston Baseball and Texas Rangers merchandise. Prior to that time, Texas had not been affiliated with the Carolina League since having a farm club in Salem, VA in 1986.
The city lost its minor league team in 2011 when the Kinston Indians moved to Zebulon.
“This step was taken with the best interests of Minor League Baseball, both leagues and our Major League Baseball partners in mind”, said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner said in a press release. “We are very grateful to the Texas Rangers organization for bringing professional baseball back home to Historic Grainger Stadium where folks from all over eastern NC will enjoy America’s favorite pastime once again”.
The two new Carolina League markets still need to be determined, but one of the new teams will for sure be placed in Kinston, N.C.
Kinston has fielded teams in the Carolina League in 1956-57, 1962-74 and 1978-2011. Kinston has fielded teams in the Carolina League for years and has been actively trying to get a team to return to the city. Work was recently done to put down new sod at Grainger Stadium. Fayetteville served as the home of a Carolina League club from 1950-56, and as the home of a South Atlantic League club from 1987-2000. That uncertainty is simply unacceptable to the team, the other members of the California League, the Texas Rangers and Minor League Baseball.
Fayetteville officials signed a memorandum of understanding to outline negotiations with the Houston Astros last week and have been working on plans for a $33 million new stadium on Hay Street in downtown. Minor-league baseball debuted in the city in 1921.
“Realignment doesn’t happen often, and we are excited to be a part of this process that addresses some issues important to our industry”, said Carolina League President John Hopkins. The newspaper reports the vote caps nearly two months of negotiations. The Adelanto City Council this year said the Mavericks were a financial drain on the city and tried to evict the team from its ballpark.
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That means the city could begin hosting baseball as early as next year.
