Few communities in our State are fortunate enough to have such a strong commitment from local ownership. I'd like to thank Governor Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and the B-Met's owners for working with me to make this happen. Because of their efforts, professional baseball and more importantly, the Binghamton Mets, will remain in our County for generations to come. I am very pleased the Mets organization has committed to the 10 year agreement to give our residents the greatest pastime of all baseball. We're grateful for their vision and decisive action in keeping this exceptional asset in our community.
Baseball is the cornerstone of our diverse recreational and cultural amenities.
It's truly a significant advantage as we market our city and region to prospective businesses and residents. I'd like to thank Senator Libous and Governor Pataki for batting cleanup' and making this deal a reality. Binghamton has always had a strong baseball tradition and we're proud to be a part of it. The agreement calls for the Binghamton Mets to remain in Binghamton for the next four years, with the very strong possibility that their stay in Binghamton will be guaranteed for the next decade. It also guarantees that some form of minor league baseball will remain in Binghamton for the next decade.