Baseball in Hannibal

The Hannibal Courier-Post

Hannibal may become home to a professional baseball team, a move that will be as good for the community as it is for lovers of America's pastime.

Hannibal officials met with the commissioner of the Great Lakes Professional Baseball League, which is interested in bringing a Class A baseball team to Hannibal. The league plays a 70-game schedule beginning May 30, and could draw 500 to 1,000 people to each home game.

The proposal seems to be a win-win opportunity.

The community gains another attraction for visitors and residents alike. The minor leagues provide talented teams, with athletes taking advantage of an opportunity to do what they want to do _ play ball. While there will still be interest in the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs, no longer will going to a ballgame require a long drive and fighting big city traffic.

Similarly, the team will provide a boost for our labor force, as a host of new positions will be created, ranging from ticket takers to vending sales. These are not high-dollar jobs, but will make a difference for those who gain employment. ...

The league focuses on family entertainment, which fits in with Hannibal's current tourism activity. Families will be able to attend a professional ballgame and experience the excitement, while staying close to home.

Perhaps the only drawback to fielding a minor league team in historic Clemens Field is its impact on the American Legion. ...

The details are still being worked out, but we are excited by the possibilities.

We believe a minor league baseball team will be an asset to the community both for the local community as well as providing another activity for visitors. We look forward to the summer, when the days are long, temperatures are warm and the umpires shout "Play ball."