Communities lose teams as affiliated minors shrink to 120
FILE - In this May 21, 2015, file photo, the St. Paul, Minn., skyline is visible beyond CHS Field as the St. Paul Saints hold their baseball season opener against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at the new stadium. Major League Baseball went through with its plan to cut to 120 farm teams. As part of the reorganization, the Saints, which had been an independent team, will become the Triple-A team of the Minnesota Twins. (Aaron Lavinsky/Star Tribune via AP, File) Aaron Lavinsky
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2007, file photo, members of the Frederick Keys celebrate after they defeated the Salem Avalanche in the deciding game of the Carolina League championship in Salem, Va. The Keys lost professional status, in a reorganization of minor league baseball. The team, which had been a Baltimore affiliate, will be part of the Draft League that was announced last month for prospects ahead of the amateur draft. (Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times via AP, File) Stephanie Klein-Davis