While normalcy continues to return, many professional baseball teams are facing border issues plaguing opportunities to play.
The Winnipeg Goldeyes announced yesterday that the organization will start the American Association season in Jackson, Tennessee.
As many know, the Jackson Generals were not invited to be part of the new 120-team Minor League Baseball for 2021. Another piece to the dark history in Major League Baseball’s past.
“Thank you to the Jackson Generals for their willingness to provide the Winnipeg Goldeyes a home for the 2021 season,” Goldeyes’ President/CEO Sam Katz said. “We look forward to building a great relationship with Jackson, and providing the community with an exciting an entertaining brand of baseball.”
The first game between the Goldeyes and Chicago Dogs is set for May 21.
“The Goldeyes are still committed to hosting fans at Shaw Park in 2021,” General Manager Andrew Collier said. “We are in regular communication with health authorities on both sides of the border, and will continue to make adjustments as necessary.”
If everything goes to plan, the team will train at Franklin Field. Franklin Field is home to the American Association’s Milwaukee Milkmen.
“We want to express our sincerest thanks to the Generals’ organization and their front office staff for agreeing to host us,” Collier said. “And look forward to bringing the American Association’s high-level brand of baseball to the City of Jackson.”
But here is where things get a tad bit hairy for both the visiting Goldeyes and hometown Generals.
— Mayor Scott Conger (@MayorConger) May 6, 2021
Mayor Conger called the announcement “inaccurate,” noting the city owns the Ballpark, not the Generals.
“The Club had no authority to enter into its purported arrangement with the Goldeyes — a Canadian team without an A, AA, or AAA affiliation — for use of the City’s stadium this season,” Mayor Conger said. “The Club did so without the knowledge or consent of the City as owner of the facility.”
Despite this, the Goldeyes intend to head to Jackson on May 13 to complete its spring training.
You can hear Katz speak on this with 680 CJOB here: https://omny.fm/shows/680-cjob/sam-katz-on-the-goldeyes-and-jackson-tenn
Photo Credit: Sean Rice
Chelsea Ladd (@chelseabrooke) is the founder of Dugout Dish (@dugoutdish). When she is not covering all levels of professional baseball, she is a full-time multimedia sports reporter for The Paducah Sun News.