The summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League is continuing to expand its footprint in the South.
In early June the CPL announced the addition of a 16th franchise in Macon, Ga. The most recent franchise added to the league, in 2016, also was based in Georgia: the Savannah Bananas.
The CPL has two teams in Virginia, 10 teams in North Carolina, two teams in South Carolina, and with the addition of the Macon franchise, will have two teams in Georgia starting in 2018.
“Obviously our footprint is in the ACC, SEC area,” CPL chief operating officer and commissioner Justin Sellers said. “We wanted to put our footprint down in there and create the opportunity to bring future CPL markets on board.”
The Macon franchise will move into historic Luther Williams Field after a $2.5 million renovation. The ballpark last hosted the South Atlantic League’s Macon Braves in 2002 and has had two short-lived independent league teams play in it since.
Luther Williams Field was also featured in the movies “42” and “Trouble With the Curve” and the TV show “Brockmire.”
This story is from the July 21 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 21 2017 edition of Baseball America.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound