Baseball In Montana Undergoes Changes
After an agreement was announced on Monday, Nov. 30, it appears that Montana’s minor league baseball fans can continue cheering on their teams.
Beginning in 2021, the Pioneer League including the Billings Mustangs, Missoula PaddleHeads and Great Falls Voyagers will be designated as a “partner league” with Major League Baseball. All of Montana’s teams will maintain their existing team names and brands and will collaborate with MLB on operating expenses, marketing, ticketing and fan engagement opportunities. They will also have a procedure in place with opportunities for players to transfer to MLB clubs.
“Professional baseball in Montana helps bring our communities together and drive our local economies,” U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said. “I’m very glad that after months of negotiations, MLB and Montana’s minor league teams have come to an agreement to allow Great Falls, Missoula and Billings to continue playing professional baseball in their communities. It was my privilege to fight for the future of Montana’s minor league teams, and I look forward to seeing the success of the league.”
Daines has been working to save Montana’s Minor League teams since MLB announced they would be cutting ties with 42 minor league teams across the country.
On Sept. 30, Daines sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Connor urging them to come to an agreement to preserve Montana’s three baseball clubs and provide MLB clubs the option of having up to five MLB affiliates.
