Senate Resolution No. 2351 BY: Senator ORTT URGING Major League Baseball to reconsider its consolidation proposal and maintain its robust Minor League system, including the many proud franchises in New York 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 Minor League Baseball, 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 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 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 Western New York; 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 Auburn Doubledays, Batavia Muckdogs, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and the Staten Island Yankees; 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..