Omaha. Oma-wha?

I know that the Omaha Royals and the city of Omaha, Nebraska are having some issues over getting into a new downtown stadium, but the possible replacement leagues seem a bit far-fetched. (may require registration at the link)

If the Omaha Royals say goodbye to Omaha, the city isn't likely to say hello to another minor league team with a major league affiliation.

That's according to the presidents of the three leagues that might be considered a geographic fit for the city.

The Royals are in negotiations to use a new downtown stadium. But if an agreement isn't reached and the team leaves, the city's best bet for a replacement is likely to be an independent league team, which would lack ties to a major league organization and would offer a lower level of play.

It's hard to gauge the likelihood that the Royals would leave Omaha.

So, we'll do a story about it anyway.

The reporter got in touch with the PCL, the Texas League, and the Midwest League? THE MIDWEST LEAGUE?!?!

Midwest League President George Spelius, whose league extends into Michigan and Ohio, was surprised at the suggestion of Omaha joining that league.

"I've never had any thought of that, because it's not too often that you've had a city with a triple A team for that many years that suddenly wants to come to our league," he said. "Our farm directors (representatives from major league teams who oversee their minor league players' development) and the operators of our league would have to decide if they would want to go that far west."

Left out of the equation is the fact that there aren't any Midwest League franchises that happen to candidates for moving. I know everyone brings up Beloit. But, that ain't gonna happen. Also, a 15-team league would be just a tad unwieldy.

Head over to the link and read a little about the inside baseball stuff of baseball business.