Two things of note

Two notes about minor league baseball.

One from last week at Big League Stew.

The Globe's Tony Massarotti reported an interesting item on Thursday that I hope simply won't be shrugged off or allowed to be minimized in any way.

According to two of Tony's sources, Major League Baseball recently denied a proposal that would have increased the amount of road meal money that minor leaguers receive each day.

Oh, it wasn't anything life changing — the daily total would only have been upped to $25 from $20 — but MLB is said to have conveniently cited the flagging economy as a reason.

Yes, the same MLB that reported $6 billion in revenue in 2007 and oversees teams handing out $161 million contracts to one pitcher is the one that's putting the kibosh on a plan that had already been approved by all 30 minor league directors and then by all 30 GMs.

I pretty sure that this is a bit more complicated than giving players $5 more in meal money a day. But, this has gone over about as well as might be expected.

And good for MLB! Times are tough for everyone, and $20 is more than enough feed yourself every day when you’re constantly on the road and eating on the go. Why, if memory serves, I believe that Subway has a special that offers “Five. Five-dollar. Five-dollar footlonnnnnnnnngs.” An ad that catchy has to be a good deal!

The other note was this...
MLB says aloha to league in Hawaii
With HWB's contract up, possibility rises of a new Arizona League

While most of the country is concentrating on its Christmas shopping this week, Major League Baseball scouts may already be looking ahead to the possibility of doing their own virtual "one-stop shopping" next fall when it comes to seeing more of the game's top prospects.

Since Major League Baseball's three-year contract with Hawaii Winter Baseball has expired, the league announced an end to their affiliation Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by HWB, once the game's GMs "voted for logistical reasons to consolidate their ... fall and winter developmental leagues ... the decision essentially ends any participation in HWB by players from the MLB and its Minor League affiliates."

So much for a Rattler Radio trip to HWB in 2009.