There could be as many as 40 MiLB teams that "may struggle to make it through the season ... without significant help from the government or others" as a result of missed games, according to J.J. Cooper of BASEBALL AMERICA. Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds Owner Peter Freund: "We're a small business. There are going to be some really hard decisions made in the next 30-60-90 days that are very uncomfortable. We are realistically looking at a situation where we may not operate this year." A source said, "I wouldn't be surprised if some teams are looking into small business loans." Cooper noted most MiLB teams' revenue is "received during the season." Some season-ticket and sponsorship revenue already may have been received, but many deals "are usually paid over the course of the season." Additionally, without any "significant income from media contracts, fan-less games would only add to MiLB teams' financial issues" (BASEBALLAMERICA.com, 3/19).
POTENTIAL ISSUE FOR WOO SOX: In Boston, Alex Speier noted city officials on Monday suspended "all construction projects" shortly after the "first steel beams were raised on the site of the future Polar Park," the soon-to-be home of the Triple-A Int'l League Worcester Red Sox. Expanding that to other parts of the state, like Worcester, "could jeopardize the hope to have Polar Park ready" for the start of the the club's inaugural '21 season. The team believes an "ambitious construction schedule would permit Polar Park to be ready" next April, but that "might prove difficult, perhaps even impossible," with any delays (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/18).
