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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) spoke on the House Floor in support of the Lowell Spinners. The Lowell Spinners are a Class A Short Season Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

“The Lowell Spinners and other minor league teams across the United States provide critical economic and cultural benefits to the communities they call home. I was alarmed by news that the MLB is exploring a reorganization that jeopardizes that reality. I am willing to go to bat for the Spinners, which bring so much pride and joy to the Greater Lowell Community, and urge the MLB to reconsider this devastating proposal,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

This speech was given in response to recent reporting by the Boston Globe that the nearly 25-year affiliation between the Lowell Spinners and the Boston Red Sox would end if a radical reorganization proposed by the MLB which leaked last Friday, October 18 came to pass. The proposal would shrink the number of affiliated minor league teams by 25 percent.

The proposal would also disband short-season leagues like the New York-Penn League in which Lowell plays, eliminating 42 affiliated teams in total.

WATCH Congresswoman Trahan’s remarks HERE:

The full text of Congresswoman Trahan’s remarks can be found below:

“Thank you, Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf today for millions of Americans to call “foul” on Major League Baseball.

This week, Major League Baseball is discussing a proposal to cut the number of minor league franchises by 25%.

The Lowell Spinners – a Red Sox affiliate – is among the 42 teams being “forced out.”

This plan is a betrayal of the fans and players as well as stadium vendors and employees around the nation.

And it’s an affront to the people of Lowell, who “swung for the fences” in building LeLacheur Park – one of the nation’s best minor league parks.

As the World Series gets under way, remember that the minor league system produces the talent we see on the baseball diamond.

MLB’s plan is way “off-base” and will hurt so many communities across the country that rely on a minor leagues team’s presence.

Let’s call it a “balk” and get back to rooting for the home team.

Thank you and I yield back.”

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