BINGHAMTON RUMBLE PONIES PRAISE CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO SAVE MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies today praised the newly created Save Minor League Baseball Task Force that has been organized by members of Congress to prevent Major League Baseball (MLB) from eliminating 42 minor league franchises, nearly one quarter of all minor league teams around the country.

“We appreciate the support of Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Massachusetts), David McKinley (R-W.Va.) and the members of the task force in standing up for Minor League Baseball and speaking out against MLB’s effort to cast off thousands of jobs, reduce affordable, family-friendly entertainment and undermine grassroots support for our great game,” said John Hughes, President of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.  Hughes also brought attention to the support given in Washington by Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) who placed the matter in a biblical context, saying, “Sometimes this might feel like a David versus Goliath type of battle, but I will remind you that David won that battle, and we will win this battle.”

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies have been identified as one of the 42 franchises facing elimination under the MLB proposal.

Minor league teams are vital to the social and economic lives of millions of Americans; they support scores of local businesses and jobs, provide accessible entertainment, help promote tourism spending and donate tens of millions of dollars in charitable contributions.

“With this proposal, MLB is willing to break the hearts of dozens of communities across the country,” said Hughes. “We are going to resist this plan and are gratified that so many in Congress are willing to join with us. Special thanks go out to all of our local, state and federal elected officials for Rumbling with MLB to support the fans and Ponies.”