The Pioneer League no longer exists, but Dave Baggott, President of Raptors, expects its franchise to continue to thrive in new development agreements
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Spectators watch the game and the view of the Wasatch Range as the sun sets on a Raptors baseball game at Lindquist Field in Ogden on Wednesday. July 25, 2018.
The Ogden Raptors season starts a month earlier this year. For Dave Baggott, president of the professional baseball team, that’s both too early and not soon enough to get the ball rolling.
Baggott has had an overwhelming number of new assignments since his team and brothers hit the cutting room floor in the Pioneer League – an advanced rookie league for the short season – when Major League Baseball was subordinated to their minor league last fall Contract took teams from 160 to 120.
The Pioneer League has since restructured into one of four “partner leagues” of the MLB. This means that the top league receives minimal financial support and no players are sent from the big league teams. On the other hand, the teams are no longer under the yoke of the MLB and can usually organize and promote themselves at will.
“I’m absolutely thrilled wherever we’re going,” said Baggott. “And I think we have some advantages, some things we can do about freedom, than the current 120 [minor-league affiliates] will not be allowed. “
For one, they can set their own schedule. They’ll start a month earlier than usual, with the Raptors hosting Boise Hawks, the league’s newcomer, on May 22nd. Each team should play 96 games, about 20 more than in the past.
In accordance with state rules for COVID-19 that forced the cancellation of the entire 2020 season, the Raptors will allow 70-80% capacity at Lindquist Field, depending on the size of the groups present, according to GM Trevor Wilson. Groups will be about two feet apart, and masks will be required for gatherings of more than 50 people, as per government regulations.
Tickets can be bought online or at a kiosk in the stadium. The club started experimenting with digital menus in 2019 and will continue to let fans order online. However, this year they can also request delivery to their seats. Also new this year, the Raptors will open the O-Town Beach Club, a fully stocked bar and restaurant overlooking the field.
Baggott said he and his staff have already started tracing and recruiting players and will hold a local tryout May 12-13 to spot the best talent in the area. He expects that this year he will be able to allow autograph sessions, coaches for a day and other player interactions. But even if those activities need to be scaled back, he believes the level of play will be worth the price of entry.
“You will be more experienced,” he said. “You are getting better. The game is getting faster and we are playing more games. “
Despite the surge, none of these games will be played against former rivals of the Raptors Pioneer League, the Orem Owlz. Owner Jeff Katofsky uprooted the Owlz from Utah County and relocated it to Windsor, Colorado last year. You will be inducted back into the league as the Northern Colorado Owlz in 2022.
Comments are closed.