Senate Resolution No. 2351

BY: Senator ORTT

URGING Major League to reconsider its consolidation proposal and maintain its robust Minor League system, including the many proud franchises in State

WHEREAS, New York State is proud to be the "Birthplace of Baseball", after Union Army Officer Abner Doubleday invented the sport in Cooperstown in 1839; and

WHEREAS, New York has a long tradition of , with the famous New York-Penn League forming in Batavia in 1939; and

WHEREAS, New York currently boasts 10 Minor League teams in cities and towns across the State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body urges to reconsider its consolidation proposal and maintain its robust Minor League system, including the many proud franchises in New York State; and

WHEREAS, New York's only Major League teams compete in New York City, therefore Minor League teams serve as the only opportunity to see professional baseball for many fans across Upstate and ; and

WHEREAS, Minor League baseball teams are an important piece of the cultural heritage in cities and towns across New York State, and provide an affordable means of family fun; and

WHEREAS, Minor League baseball teams play an important role in local economies by attracting tourists, filling hotel rooms and restaurants, and creating jobs; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Major League Baseball is considering a consolidation of Minor Leagues that would eliminate 42 of those teams, including the , , Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and the ; and

WHEREAS, Losing these teams would strike a large cultural and economic blow to many small cities across New York State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of Minor League baseball and wishes to see it grow in New York State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pauses in its deliberations to urge Major League Baseball to reconsider its consolidation proposal and maintain its robust Minor League system, including the many proud franchises in New York State; and be it further RESOLVED, That Copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred, Minor

League Baseball Commissioner Pat O'Conner, all Major League Baseball clubs, and all of New York State's Minor League Baseball clubs.