NEW YORK CITY - Major League Baseball today announced that all 120 Minor League Clubs offered an invitation to become Professional Development League (“PDL”) license holders have officially agreed to accept. These teams, selected as partners by Major League Clubs and being announced in full today, will provide both facilities and communities that are essential to the development of the next generation of big-league stars.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said: “We are excited to unveil this new model, which not only provides a pipeline to the Majors but continues the Minor Leagues’ tradition of entertaining millions of families in hundreds of communities. In modernizing our Minor League system, we prioritized the qualities that make the Minor Leagues such an integral part of our game while strengthening how we develop professional athletes on and off the field. We look forward to demonstrating the best of our game throughout local communities, supporting all those who are working hard to grow the sport, and sharing unrivaled technology and resources with minor league teams and players.”
As a part of MLB’s realignment, many Minor League affiliates will be in significantly closer geographic proximity to the Major League Clubs with which they are associated. On average, Major League Clubs will now be over 200 miles closer to their Triple-A affiliates. By creating better geographical synergy between a Major League Club and its affiliates, more fans will be able to watch an organization’s players progress in their careers from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues in their home region.
Each MLB Club will provide Minor League players and staffs to their four affiliates – one at each of the Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A levels. Minor League Clubs will receive PDL licenses from MLB that entitle them to operate in the Professional Development Leagues, ensuring a new set of standards in terms of facilities and player working conditions. The licenses will create many improvements to the experience and lifestyle of Minor League players, such as:
- Player salary increases ranging from 38-72% for the 2021 season.
- Modernized facility standards better suited for professional athletes.
- Improved amenities and working conditions for players and staff.
- Reduced in-season travel for players and coaches.
- Better geographical alignment.
This announcement follows other recent announcements made by Major League Baseball detailing elements of its new comprehensive player development system. The new system will better serve fans, players, and Clubs throughout the United States and Canada; preserve high-level, sustainable baseball in nearly every community where the game has historically been played; and position the sport for growth in future years. In combination, the integrated player development system now includes 179 teams across 17 leagues in 43 states and four provinces. Including the Arizona and Gulf Coast Leagues, there are 209 teams across 19 leagues in 44 states and four provinces.
More teams will be joining the broader MLB player development system and other baseball leagues in the coming weeks and months, further enhancing the landscape for fans to continue to cheer on future stars. MLB has nearly completed its work towards ensuring baseball’s presence in almost all of the previously affiliated communities.
CLOVIS - CJ Albertson, cross country coach at Clovis Community College, has broken the 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) world record by one minute and eight seconds. Fighting the wind and rain on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, California, Albertson completed 125 laps in 2 hours, 42 minutes and 30.28 seconds. 
FRESNO - The Bulldogs' long-awaited 2020 season opener was met with disappointment Saturday night as Fresno State fell 34-19 to Hawai'i at Bulldog Stadium. The Rainbow Warriors took advantage of four Bulldog turnovers with an offense that was primed to fire, racking up 552 yards. 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mountain West has announced the indefinite postponement of all scheduled fall sports contests and MW championship events in response to ongoing challenges with the effective mitigation and management of the COVID-19 virus in conjunction with athletic competition. The MW Board of Directors prioritized the physical and mental health and well-being of the Conference's student-athletes and overall campus communities in its decision - as it has done throughout the course of the pandemic.
FRESNO - Bob Bennett, Fresno State Baseball's winningest head coach, passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 86. 
FRESNO –
OAKLAND - Last week, Raiders quarterback, Central Valley native and Valley Children’s advocate Derek Carr unveiled a specially designed set of cleats as part of an NFL initiative called “My Cause, My Cleats.” The initiative gives NFL players the opportunity to raise awareness for a cause of their choosing by wearing the cleats on game day. The cleats are then auctioned off at NFL Auction; 100% of the funds raised are donated to the players’ chosen charities.
