Sale of BayBears approved by Minor League Baseball

The acquisition of the Mobile BayBears by an Arizona based investment group has been approved by Minor League Baseball. Next to this news comes the confirmation that the city of Madison, AL is interested in attracting an affiliated minor league team.

The Arizona-based BallCorps, LLC has been working to complete a purchase of the BayBears, with the intention of eventually relocating the team. Even though there is still an AA facility near Madison, in Huntsville AL, Joe Davis Stadium, the former home of the Huntsville Stars, the team that moved to Biloxi to become the Shuckers, it is expected that BayBears will stay in Mobile for the 2018 season.

In the meantime, AL.com stated that Madision is interested in attracting a minor league baseball team, considering building a stadium and in talks with an ownership group about relocating a team in the Huntsville suburb.

The mayor of Madison, Paul Finley, confirmed his city is looking for a multi-use facility to attract an MiLB team. Finley stated the following:

“As Madison continues to enjoy tremendous growth, we are committed to enhancing our thriving economy by providing destinations and entertainment options for our citizens.  We have an exciting opportunity to build a multi-use venue in our city that would provide much needed conference, meeting, and event facilities as well as position us to offer the fun, regional entertainment option of minor league baseball.

We anticipate and expect that the construction of a multi-use venue would attract additional family-friendly entertainment as well as new shopping and dining options, which is a request I get from the community every day. We are working hard with our City Council to explore this opportunity to enhance our tax base and develop this project in a way that will add to our quality of life.”

Not so long ago, the city of Mobile announced they will try everything that is in their power to keep the BayBears where they are. Even though the current home of the BayBears, Hank Aaron Stadium is 20 years old, the city of Mobile has said that if a new ballpark is the major reason for the move for the new owners, the construction of a new ballpark can be an option.