Local and national politicians, along with major and minor league baseball officials, a New York Mets executive and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies’ owner met behind closed doors Monday at NYSEG Stadium to talk about the future of Minor League baseball in Binghamton, but emerged only to say the informal get-together was “a starting point” with a long way to go before anything is definitely decided.
No specifics about any proposals or plans to save the Rumble Ponies, who play in the Eastern League, were released to the media.
“We had a productive meeting today … Rumble Ponies are such a critical part of our local economy and baseball’s rich history in our area. I am hopeful we can … bring home a win for Binghamton by keeping the Rumble Ponies a part of our community,” said Congressman Anthony Brindisi, who attended an invitation-only tour of NYSEG Stadium (no media allowed) and the closed-door session (also without media).
Some others involved in the discussion were Rumble Ponies owner John Hughes, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, deputy MLB commissioner Dan Halem, Jeff Wilpon of the New York Mets, Binghamton Mayor Rich David and Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. Other than Brindisi, none of the attendees released a statement to WEBO News.
Schumer is quoted as saying the stadium will need some uspecified repairs and enhancements before an agreement is signed. He said everyone at the table agreed baseball should remain in Binghsmtion but no one was ready to make a signed, sealed and delivered agreement.
Major League Baseball’s plan to shutter 42 minor league teams, including the Rumble Ponies, was outed last year by news reports of the proposal. Batavia Muckdogs and Auburn Doubledays are also slated to be eliminated if MLB’s downsizing is enacted by the league.
