Courtney Minor League Baseball Legislation Advances In House

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) on Thursday joined Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA), David McKinley (R-WV), Max Rose (D-NY) and Mike Simpson (R-ID) — Felow members of the Save Minor League Baseball Task Force – in applauding the House Oversight and Reform Committee for advancing H.R. 6020, the bill they introduced to affirm the important role that Minor League Baseball teams play in the economic and cultural development of the United States.

Additionally, H.R. 6020 would commission a Government Accountability Office (GOA) Report to evaluate the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.

Courtney's particular interests lie with the Norwich Sea Unicorns, which could be affected by a proposal by Major Leagfue baseball to eliminate as many as 42 lower-level minor league teams.

"I am grateful that the House Oversight and Reform Committee voted to approve our legislation supporting Minor League Baseball," Courtney said. "Congress has historically afforded support to Major League Baseball on a wide variety of issues, but the proposal to eliminate 42 Minor League teams, including our Norwich Sea Unicorns, would have a serious negative impact on small cities and towns across the country. These teams are beloved by the cities they call home."

Courtney then took a swing at the recent cheating scandal involving the Houston Astros.

"They’ve never stolen any signs, only the hearts of our communities," he said of the minor league teams. "Eliminating them will cost us in terms of jobs, and more importantly in quality of life, and Commissioner (Rob) Manfred and his team need to take a hard second look at their proposal."

Here is a transcript of the legislation:

To require an evaluation by the Government Accountability Office of the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that—

(1) more than forty million fans have attended Minor League Baseball games each season for consecutive years;

(2) Minor League Baseball provides wholesome affordable entertainment in 160 communities throughout the Nation;

(3) in 2018, Minor League Baseball clubs donated over $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts to their local communities and completed over 15,000 volunteer hours;

(4) the economic stimulus and development provided by Minor League Baseball clubs extends beyond the cities and towns where it is played, to wide

and diverse geographic areas comprising 80 percent of the population in the Nation;

(5) Minor League Baseball is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion through its Copa de la Diversi´on, MiLB Pride, FIELD Program, and Women in Baseball Leadership initiatives;

(6) Minor League Baseball is the first touchpoint of the national pastime for millions of youth and the only touchpoint for those located in communities far from Major League cities;

(7) Congress has enacted numerous statutory exemptions and immunities to preserve and sustain a system for Minor League Baseball and its relationship with Major League Baseball;

(8) an abandonment of 42 Minor League Baseball clubs by Major League Baseball would devastate communities, bond purchasers, and other stakeholders that rely on the economic stimulus these clubs provide;

(9) Minor League Baseball clubs enrich the lives of millions of Americans each year through special economic, social, cultural, and charitable contributions; and

(10) preservation of Minor League Baseball in 160 communities is in the public interest, as it will continue to provide affordable, family friendly entertainment to those communities.

SEC. 2. G.A.O. EVALUATION.

Following consultation with the relevant committees of Congress, the Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture.