Northwest Notes Dec. 10, 2020
Northwest League to be
revamped with six teams
The long-expected elimination of Class A Short-Season baseball became official today as Major League Baseball and its 30 MLB teams announced a significant realignment of baseball’s Minor League system, contracting from 160 teams to 120 teams across the country.
The Texas Rangers did not extend an invitation to the Spokane Indians, which had been the team's Class-A short season affiliate since 2003. The Associated Press reported that the Colorado Rockies had extended an invitation to Spokane to be its High-A affiliate, but that had not been confirmed by either the Rockies or Indians.
Part of the realignment included changing the Northwest League from 8 teams to a 6-team full season Class A league. Vancouver, Everett, Tri-City, Spokane, Hillsboro and Eugene will field teams in the revamped Northwest League in 2021.
Major League Baseball has publicly stated that it will ensure baseball will be played in all 160 communities, including Boise and Salem-Keizer.
Boise announced that it will be joining the independent Pioneer League starting next spring.
Details are still being finalized and should be announced soon.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Giants announced they would no longer be in Salem-Keizer, shifting in the realigned Northwest League to Eugene.
Bayley finishes seventh
at Outlaw Tour event
MESA, Ariz. — Derek Bayley of Rathdrum finished tied for seventh Wednesday at the Outlaw Tour's Longbow Classic at the Longbow Golf Club.
Bayley, the former Lakeland High and Washington State star, shot 74-69-64—207, 6 under par.
Eastern men add game
with College of Idaho
The Eastern Washington men's basketball team will host the College of Idaho this Friday at 2:05 p.m. at Reese Court in Cheney.
Eastern Washington (0-3) was scheduled to face UNLV on Wednesday, but the game was canceled because of the positive COVID-19 case within the UNLV program.
College of Idaho, an NAIA program from Caldwell, is 1-2 with losses coming to Boise State and Utah State.