Frontier League becomes ‘partner league’ of MLB
Major League Baseball announced Thursday that the Frontier League has become a “Partner League” of MLB. The Frontier League, along with the American Association, join the Atlantic League as independent circuits that will now operate under the umbrella of Major League Baseball.
As partner league, the Frontier League, which includes the Washington Wild Things, will collaborate with MLB on initiatives, marketing and promotional ideas to provide organized baseball to communities throughout the United States and Canada.
Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee said in a prepared statement that, “The Frontier League is honored to become a Partner League with Major League Baseball. This partnership will be beneficial in growing our great game of Baseball in all of our United States and Canadian markets. Our teams and fans will all be excited to see the League grow in years to come. The Frontier League began in 1993, to have a relationship with Major League Baseball, is one of the greatest moments in League history.”
Minor league baseball is in for some radical changes beginning as early as next week, when it is expected that at least 42 affiliated teams will be dropped as the major leagues rework their minor-league system for next year. Among the changes are the elimination of rookie-level leagues and each major league team will have only four minor-league affiliates.
The three major independent leagues – the Atlantic League, Frontier League and American Association – now that they are under the arm of MLB, will likely see an influx of young talent next year from a scaled-down minor-league system.