[Page H8397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

  (Mrs. TRAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of millions of 
Americans to call ``foul'' on Major League Baseball.
  This week, Major League Baseball is discussing a proposal to cut the 
number of minor league franchises by 25 percent. The Lowell Spinners, a 
Red Sox affiliate, is among the 42 teams being forced out.
  This plan is a betrayal of the fans and players as well as stadium 
vendors and employees around the Nation. It is an affront to the people 
of Lowell who swung for the fences in building LeLacheur Park, one of 
the Nation's best minor league parks.
  As the World Series gets underway, remember that the minor league 
system produces the talent we see on the baseball diamond. MLB's plan 
is way off base and will hurt so many communities across the country 
that rely on minor league teams' presence.
  Let's call it a balk and get back to rooting for the home team.

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