Northwest Notes Dec. 11, 2020

Indians officially announce partnership with Rockies

The Spokane Indians and Colorado Rockies made official Thursday what The Associated Press reported on Wednesday — the Indians will become a High-A long-season affiliate of the Rockies in 2021.

This affiliation, through Major League Baseball's newly formed Player Development System will continue through a minimum of the 2030 season.

"We are thrilled to have received an invitation to partner with the Colorado Rockies organization," Indians senior vice president Otto Klein said. "Our goal is to continue to provide affordable family entertainment to the Inland Northwest. We're looking forward to what the next chapter of Spokane Indians Baseball holds for our community, fans, and organization."

This potential Rockies partnership would mark the first time Spokane has been affiliated with Colorado, and the ninth different MLB affiliation in team history.

"The Colorado Rockies proudly invited the Spokane Indians to join with us in the development of our future Major League players," said Zach Wilson, Colorado Rockies Assistant General Manager, Player Development. "We are excited about this new partnership and look forward to bringing exciting baseball to Spokane and positively impacting the community."

For the past 18 seasons, the Indians have been the Short-Season A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, though the Indians didn't play in 2020 as minor league baseball was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spokane's previous affiliation history since 1958: 1995-2002 Kansas City Royals, 1983-94 San Diego Padres, 1982 California Angels, 1979-81 Seattle Mariners, 1976-78 Milwaukee Brewers, 1973-75 Texas Rangers, and 1958-72 Los Angeles Dodgers.

The High A level is two levels above the Short-Season A baseball the Indians have played since 1983. Prior to playing short season baseball, Spokane played Triple-A baseball for parts of three decades, starting in 1958.

Under this new Player Development System, High-A teams are expected to play 132 games. It's a significant increase from the 76 games played in Short-Season A, with the season starting in April rather than June.

Spokane was among six of the eight Northwest League teams invited to move up to the High-A league. The others are the Tri-City Dust Devils, Eugene Emeralds, Hillsboro Hops, Everett AquaSox and Vancouver Canadians.

The Boise Hawks and Salem-Keizer Volcanoes were not invited; their status for 2021 is uncertain.

Many specifics about the 2021 season are still being finalized.

Bronco men add

Weber State to schedule

BOISE — Boise State's men’s basketball team (3-1) added a home game against Weber State (2-0) to its schedule. The Broncos will host the Wildcats on Sunday, at 2 p.m. MST at ExtraMile Arena.

Weber State was scheduled to play at Utah State on Saturday, but that game was canceled earlier Thursday.

Boise State’s previously scheduled game against Santa Clara for next Tuesday has been canceled.