At this week’s Atlantic League All-Star Game in Bridgeport, Conn., President Rick White painted a confident picture for the 18-year-old, eight-member independent baseball league, of which he has overseen since January '14. White, a former MLB and Nike exec, said revenues are ahead of budget, and that the league is in an “active expansion mode and getting much closer” to adding another team in the Southwest and in the East. The expansion fee is $3M. “It’s critical for our league to have a second team in Texas (in addition to the Sugar Land Skeeters)," he said. Seven of the league’s teams are in the East, with Virginia Beach slated to be added if it gains additional funding and builds a ballpark. Meanwhile, the Atlantic League quietly signed the first working agreement with MLB of any independent minor league. The agreement has made player transfer easier and could impact franchise valuations in the long run. “This legitimizes our league," White said, noting that with standard pricing for transfers, the Atlantic League has made 35 player transfer to affiliated minor league teams this season versus 25 at this time last year. The Atlantic League introduced new baseballs at the All-Star Game with red and blue stitching, which will become its everyday ball. The first red, white and blue ball used Wednesday was sent to the Baseball HOF. The AL used similar balls prior to '34.
