I don't even know where to start with this...

But, then again...it is Bleacher Report.*

I'm still digesting the topics and thoughts in this article: Heartland League (High-A) Could Work for AL & NL Central

The central premise...

Are you a fan of a team in the middle of the country? For some portion of us, the subject of minor league team affiliations is, for whatever reason, a fascinating one.

In this article, I offer some rationale for several of those teams (Astros fan, here) to begin working toward formation of a new high-A league, largely based on two midwestern independent leagues' success.

Join me on this journey if you dare...

Where Eagles Dare is an awesome movie. Where Mehring dares is...well, just click and try to follow the thread.

Basically, the idea -- I think -- is to move AL Central and NL Central High-A teams out of the three current High-A Leagues to replace cities in the Midwest that already have Independent League teams. And it is all based on attendance!

Also...Astros fan?!?! Hey, we found one!!!!

I can't fault the author for writing a 'think piece' but realities of leases and PDCs and business models and the National Association and current ownership of the affiliated teams and current ownership of those independent teams and territories and a host of other issues put this piece out around Jupiter.

Stupid reality!

Sorry.

*-A note for Cardinals fans and others who are humor impaired. This post is laced with sarcasm. It may be above your recommended daily allowance. Also, please keep in mind the tags on this post.

I was thinking about ignoring this....

But, a writer by the name of Kurt Hunzeker over at Seamheads.com has started a series of posts called POD '10. The POD stands for Project Opening Day 2010. The thesis from his first post called How to Build a Team in One Year:

Beginning today and for the next 12 months leading up to Opening Day 2010, I will provide you with an insider’s look into the development and inner workings of a professional baseball franchise, focusing exclusively on the off-the-field operations: ticket sales (group, season and individual), sponsorship sales and corporate marketing, media relations, fan development, community affairs, etc. And since every aspiring player begins his Major League dream in the Minors, that too is where my story will start.

I will enlist the help of consultants comprising today’s top baseball executives to provide their thoughts and hands-on experiences to help shape my fictional franchise. I will hire my staff, hand-picked from colleagues in the industry and from actual applicants to help bring my vision to life. Hell, I may even print business cards.

Post number two is titled Snapping Up a Franchise......you see where this is going? Just go read it for his justification.

I popped into the comments...because I had nothing better to do at 10pm on a Friday night.

I know this is all hypothetical, but as the beautiful saying over at despair.com goes....

Never be afraid to share your dreams with the world, because there's nothing the world loves more than the taste of really sweet dreams.