The speculation in recent weeks about whether the California League will lose some of its clubs to the Carolina League has been a major topic of discussion in the Minor Leagues. But while those two leagues have been busy talking, the Midwest and South Atlantic Leagues have been busy taking action.The two Class A circuits, along with the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, announced on Tuesday that the South Atlantic League is going to transfer two of its franchises -- Bowling Green and Lake County -- to the Midwest League prior to the 2010 season. The Bowling Green club, formerly known as the Columbus Catfish, will be moving from Georgia to Kentucky and will play its final SAL season there in 2009.
How will a 16-team MWL look?
"We haven't even discussed it," [MWL President George] Spelius said. "We said we would start mapping out divisions and playoffs and all that when they said it was finally a done deal. So there's been no talk at all. We want to take our time and do it right."
Spelius said that originally it was the Indians that approached the Midwest League and the NA about having Lake County join the league earlier this decade. But at the time a 16th team wasn't available so Lake County joined the South Atlantic League. Lake County had been the Columbus (Ga.) RedStixx from 1992-2002 before moving to Ohio prior to the 2003 season.
Here is a word from Eric Krupa, the SAL president.
"I think the worst aspect of all our travel that people don't realize is the life of the umpire. They have to drive everywhere on their own. They're not hopping on a bus with someone else driving. We have eight umpiring crews and they are traveling about 11,000 miles a season."
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