Time to Double Down on Doubledays

Citing recent reports that the Major League Baseball (MLB) plans to restructure their minor league affiliates, Senator Pam Helming today joined with Assemblyman Finch and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill to launch a petition encouraging the MLB to keep the Doubledays in Auburn. The Doubledays are a community institution and have a significant positive economic impact on our entire region.

“The Auburn Doubledays are part of the fabric of our community. Generation after generation have made their games a family tradition. The City of Auburn and State of New York have invested significantly in upgrading the stadium to ensure that it remains amongst the safest and most accessible and modern in the Penn-League. Mayor Quill and the City of Auburn have been strong partners in promoting the Doubledays and the sport of baseball. It's important that we continue this partnership to grow the sport and highlight what a great community Auburn is. The amount of support the Doubledays have is unrivaled and together, we are going to come together and send a loud and clear message to the MLB that we support our Doubledays and will fight to keep them here,” said Senator Helming.

“To give you an idea of how rich Auburn’s baseball tradition is, the team’s namesake invented the sport. For a legion of fans, summer in Auburn means perfect nights at Falcon Park. I hope Commissioner Manfred considers how many lifelong MLB fans had their first thrilling live baseball experience cheering on the Doubledays. It’s a tradition we need to protect. I’m proud to join Senator Helming and Mayor Quill in this fight,” said Finch.

"Minor League baseball has a long history in Auburn and it is a significant contributor to our upstate NY economy. We take pride in Auburn for our baseball history as well as our first class facility, Falcon Park, which has seen numerous improvements and investments over the years to meet baseball standards. We look forward to maintaining baseball in Auburn for years to come," Mayor Quill said.

According to a recent Auburn Citizen Article, “MLB's proposal is part of negotiations with Minor League Baseball for a new professional baseball agreement. The agreement dictates the relationship between MLB and the minor leagues. The current contract expires in September 2020. Reports about the plan surfaced in October and mentioned that MLB's plan would phase out the lowest levels of the minor league system, including short-season teams like the Doubledays.” To sign the petition, please visit helming.nysenate.gov. In December, the petitions will be shared with MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr.