Lexington Legends no longer affiliated with Kansas City Royals, MLB
[caption id="attachment_327713" align="alignnone" width="1500"] @LexingtonLegend[/caption]
The future of the Lexington Legends and who will be playing at Whitaker Bank Ballpark are now in question.
The Kansas City Royals, Lexington's long-time MLB affiliate, have officially made offers to Omaha (AAA), Northwest Arkansas (AA), Quad Cities (A) and Columbia, SC (A) for their four affiliates, leaving the franchise's past four locations behind.
Those affiliates? Lexington, Wilmington, Idaho Falls and Burlington.
"We express our gratitude for long-time affiliates Wilmington, Lexington, Idaho Falls and Burlington," the club announced this afternoon. "Thank you for being part of the Royals family and helping develop many current and former members of the Major League squad."
With this news, the Legends are no longer affiliated with the Royals or Major League Baseball, at least for the time being. They are one of 11 full-season clubs that did not receive invitations from the MLB to join the minors in 2021.
"Being "affiliated" with a specific team never has and never will be what makes this organization and this ballpark special," Legends President & CEO Andy Shea said in a statement. "What makes the Lexington Legends special is our inclusiveness, accessibility, affordability, memories with friends & family, employees, community & corporate sponsors, stakeholders, and ever growing fanbase.
"We take great pride in what we have accomplished in the community and at the ballpark the last 20 years. We are also very proud as we reflect on what we accomplished when our 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19. In less than one month we put together one of the most exciting community focused rosters ever and constructed such with over 65% of players having ties to Kentucky. The same roster also featured players with over 40 combined Major League Seasons!
"Change can be challenging, and it can be scary, but it is certainly not always bad. We have been in constant communication with Major League Baseball and we are all very excited about what will be coming next for the 2021 season and beyond. Stay tuned!"
When asked about what's in store for 2021, the team did announce that a season of some sort will take the field in the spring.
"We will be playing in 2021," the Legends said.
What could that season look like? This summer, the Legends announced The Battle of the Bourbon Trail, a seven-week series featuring four local teams in Lexington and Florence. Lexington fielded two teams, the Legends and the Leyendas, while Florence fielded two of their own in the Y'alls and the Freedom. Games took place every Wednesday through Sunday in Lexington and Florence with limited fans in the stands.
As for the rosters, teams were made up of (but not limited to) former MLB players, Minor League players and Independent League players, with many former UK baseball players participating.
It may not be a typical season, and it may not even look exactly like the Battle of the Bourbon Trail the club put together this past summer, but there will be baseball played at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in 2021.
@LexingtonLegend[/caption]
The future of the Lexington Legends and who will be playing at Whitaker Bank Ballpark are now in question.
The Kansas City Royals, Lexington's long-time MLB affiliate, have officially made offers to Omaha (AAA), Northwest Arkansas (AA), Quad Cities (A) and Columbia, SC (A) for their four affiliates, leaving the franchise's past four locations behind.
Those affiliates? Lexington, Wilmington, Idaho Falls and Burlington.
"We express our gratitude for long-time affiliates Wilmington, Lexington, Idaho Falls and Burlington," the club announced this afternoon. "Thank you for being part of the Royals family and helping develop many current and former members of the Major League squad."
With this news, the Legends are no longer affiliated with the Royals or Major League Baseball, at least for the time being. They are one of 11 full-season clubs that did not receive invitations from the MLB to join the minors in 2021.
"Being "affiliated" with a specific team never has and never will be what makes this organization and this ballpark special," Legends President & CEO Andy Shea said in a statement. "What makes the Lexington Legends special is our inclusiveness, accessibility, affordability, memories with friends & family, employees, community & corporate sponsors, stakeholders, and ever growing fanbase.
"We take great pride in what we have accomplished in the community and at the ballpark the last 20 years. We are also very proud as we reflect on what we accomplished when our 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19. In less than one month we put together one of the most exciting community focused rosters ever and constructed such with over 65% of players having ties to Kentucky. The same roster also featured players with over 40 combined Major League Seasons!
"Change can be challenging, and it can be scary, but it is certainly not always bad. We have been in constant communication with Major League Baseball and we are all very excited about what will be coming next for the 2021 season and beyond. Stay tuned!"
When asked about what's in store for 2021, the team did announce that a season of some sort will take the field in the spring.
"We will be playing in 2021," the Legends said.
What could that season look like? This summer, the Legends announced The Battle of the Bourbon Trail, a seven-week series featuring four local teams in Lexington and Florence. Lexington fielded two teams, the Legends and the Leyendas, while Florence fielded two of their own in the Y'alls and the Freedom. Games took place every Wednesday through Sunday in Lexington and Florence with limited fans in the stands.
As for the rosters, teams were made up of (but not limited to) former MLB players, Minor League players and Independent League players, with many former UK baseball players participating.
It may not be a typical season, and it may not even look exactly like the Battle of the Bourbon Trail the club put together this past summer, but there will be baseball played at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in 2021.
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