Title: A resolution supporting Minor League Baseball.
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
This resolution supports the preservation of Minor League Baseball clubs in 160 American communities across the United States.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 507 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 507

                   Supporting Minor League Baseball.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 27, 2020

 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
    Leahy, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Brown, Mr. Manchin, Mrs. 
  Gillibrand, Mr. Grassley, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Ernst, Ms. Warren, Mr. 
 Moran, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Cotton) submitted the following resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                             Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
                   Supporting Minor League Baseball.

Whereas, each season for 15 consecutive years, more than 40,000,000 fans have 
        attended a Minor League Baseball game;
Whereas Minor League Baseball provides wholesome, affordable entertainment in 
        160 communities throughout the United States;
Whereas, in 2018, Minor League Baseball clubs--

    (1) donated more than $45,000,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to the 
communities in which those clubs were located; and

    (2) completed more than 15,000 volunteer hours;

Whereas the economic stimulus and development provided by Minor League Baseball 
        clubs extends beyond the cities and towns where Minor League Baseball 
        games are played to a wide range of diverse geographic areas in which 80 
        percent of the people of the United States are located;
Whereas Minor League Baseball is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion 
        through--

    (1) the Copa de la Diversion initiative;

    (2) the MiLB Pride initiative;

    (3) the Fostering Inclusion through Education and Leadership 
Development Program (commonly known as the ``FIELD Program''); and

    (4) the Women in Baseball Leadership initiative;

Whereas Minor League Baseball is the first touchpoint with the ``national 
        pastime'' for millions of youth, and the only touchpoint for youth 
        located in communities far from cities in which Major League Baseball 
        clubs are located;
Whereas Congress has enacted numerous statutory exemptions and immunities to 
        preserve and sustain--

    (1) a system for Minor League Baseball; and

    (2) the relationship between Minor League Baseball and Major League 
Baseball;

Whereas the proposed 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 that those Minor League 
        Baseball clubs provide;
Whereas Minor League Baseball facilities not only house the affiliated team, but 
        also serve as venues for community events and other sporting 
        competitions;
Whereas Minor League Baseball clubs enrich the lives of millions of people in 
        the United States each year through economic, social, cultural, and 
        charitable contributions; and
Whereas the preservation of Minor League Baseball clubs in 160 communities 
        across the United States is in the public interest, as those clubs will 
        continue to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment to those 
        communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the preservation of Minor League Baseball 
        clubs in 160 communities across the United States;
            (2) recognizes the unique social, economic, and historical 
        contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to the lives 
        and culture of the people of the United States; and
            (3) encourages the continuation in 160 communities across 
        the United States of the 117-year foundation of Minor League 
        Baseball through the continued affiliation of the Minor League 
        Baseball clubs in those communities with Major League Baseball.
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