APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There may not be fans in the stands when Major League Baseball returns…but that’s not an option for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
“Financially we’d just add more costs with no revenue,” said Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav. “We pretty much have all agreed that we’re not gonna be playing games with no fans.”
Minor League Baseball only lasts for 70 days a year on average. Minor League Baseball’s Director of Communications Jeff Lantz says some teams may not make it.
“A little corner store in Appleton might be a small business by what everybody envisions as a small business, but that small business is probably open 360 days a year whereas Minor League Baseball teams are a small business that’s seasonal and we only have 70 days a year to make as much money as we can,” said Lantz. “Unfortunately this coronavirus could end up costing us a few teams across the country.”
Major League affiliates aren’t obligated to prop up their Minor League farm teams. Zerjav doesn’t think you’ll see baseball this season at Fox Cities Stadium.
