THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE

August 2021 Season Preview - SNY

Against all odds, baseball remains one of the continent's most attended spectator sports, despite once being regarded as America's Pastime.

The collapse of commercial aviation, rising fuel costs and the gradual dissolution of Major League Baseball forced dozens of historic clubs to cease operations. The game itself, however, endured. The modern National Baseball League (NBL) now consists of fifteen surviving clubs, with a collegiate all-star team expected to join as the league's sixteenth franchise next season. Teams are divided between the Eastern and Western Tours, travelling regionally before meeting in the Championship Series.

Most journeys are completed by rail, coach or chartered freight aircraft, with some road trips lasting several months before clubs return home. The unpredictability of modern travel has also reshaped the league's relationship with its stadiums. Maintaining large, purpose-built venues has become increasingly impractical, leading many clubs to abandon permanent homes altogether. Instead, teams regularly rotate between municipal parks, college fields and smaller hometown ballparks, bringing professional baseball directly to local communities. For many supporters, following a club now means following its tour rather than its stadium.

The collapse of the MLB has also meant status did not mean anything anymore. So, with the collapse of former MLB Giants, a myriad of Minor League and International League teams took their place.

Current League is made up of the following teams: New York Yankees, Albany Diamond Dogs, Great Lakes Loons, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins, Boston Red Sox after a season spent on break, Buffalo Bisons, all of the Eastern Tour and then, Oakland Athletics, Portland Sea Dogs, Phoenix Sun Devils, Reno Aces, Seattle Mariners, Salt Lake Bees, Sacramento River Cats of the Western Tour. The Colorado Rockies and The Bruins All-Stars are set to join the Western Tour as expansion teams with the Toledo Mud Hens coming to the Eastern Tour to even things out.

FEATURED VENUES OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Central Park - NEW YORK YANKEES

Originally one of New York City's largest public parks, Central Park became the Yankees' permanent home after the closure of Yankee Stadium in 2015. Temporary grandstands now surround the Great Lawn each season, while fans regularly camp for several days ahead of major fixtures.

Capacity: Approx. 38,000

Varsity Field - ALBANY-COLONIE DIAMOND DOGS

Home to one of the league's youngest clubs and former to the University of Albany's Varsity Baseball Team, Varsity Field has quickly become one of the loudest venues in the Eastern Tour. Albany enter this year's Regional Finals riding a seven-game winning streak.

Capacity: Approx. 18,500

Oakland Coliseum - OAKLAND ATHLETICS

One of the few surviving purpose-built Major League stadiums still hosting professional baseball. Reduced seating has allowed administration attempt to re-develop part of the stadium, the Coliseum remains among the largest venues in the NBL.

Capacity: 46,000

Joe Etzel Field - PORTLAND SEA DOGS

A compact riverside ballpark that has become synonymous with postseason baseball. Portland are seeking their first Championship Series appearance in club history.

Capacity: 15,700

Dow Diamond - GREAT LAKES LOONS

Once a minor league stadium, Dow Diamond now hosts one of the Midwest's fastest-growing clubs.

Capacity: 12,000

Municipal Park - PHOENIX SUN DEVILS

Games in Phoenix are played almost exclusively after sunset due to dangerous daytime temperatures. The club remains one of the league's most difficult away fixtures.

Capacity: 17,500

Veterans Park - CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS

Known for its fiercely local support, Veterans Park regularly sells out despite Cedar Rapids being one of the smallest markets in professional baseball.

Capacity: 11,400

Chizek Field - MINNESOTA TWINS

The Twins relocated to Chizek Field following the abandonment of Target Field, becoming one of the NBL's founding members.

Capacity: 21,000

LoanDepot Park - MIAMI MARLINS

One of the last enclosed stadiums still in regular use. The retractable roof has become increasingly vital as summer temperatures continue to rise across Florida.

Capacity: 27,000

Greater Nevada Field - RENO ACES

Reno's altitude has earned Greater Nevada Field a reputation as the league's premier hitters' park, with home run totals consistently above the league average.

Capacity: 10,600

MAJOR STORIES

📰 Diamond Dogs' Dream Run

The Albany Diamond Dogs have stunned the baseball world, winning seven consecutive games to reach the Eastern Regional Finals for the first time in franchise history.

📰 Eleven Seasons for Central park

The New York Yankees are set to celebrate eleven-years of Central Park after their game against regional rivals Albany.

📰 Heat Delays Continue

League officials have recorded 47 weather delays this season, the highest number since the formation of the NBL. Afternoon fixtures throughout the Southwest continue to be rescheduled for evening starts.

📰 A League on the Move

NBL Commissioner Robert Alvarez has confirmed the return of the Boston Red Sox this season remains final. The Bruins All-Star team set to join the League definitively by next season.

📰 Attendance Continues to Rise

Despite a shrinking population and increasing travel difficulties, league attendance has increased for a fourth consecutive year. Many clubs now encourage supporters to camp outside stadiums before marquee fixtures, creating a festival-like atmosphere that has become one of the defining characteristics of modern NBL baseball.

📰 Is the NFL helping the NBL?

The increase in attendance could be attributed to the NFL's structure being accomodating to the NBL fixtures, analysts say.