Several local communities are swinging for the fences in an effort to keep minor league baseball around, and they're getting an assist from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.
He brought the COO of the Mets and deputy commissioner of Major League Baseball to NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton on Monday. Both Jeff Wilpon and Dan Halem did not speak with the media.
However, Senator Schumer said during their meeting, the group discussed how there are still changes that need to be made to NYSEG Stadium. Despite $10 million of investment from the city of Binghamton and team President John Hughes, it sounds like there will need to be even more improvements to the facility.
Of the more than 40 minor league teams on the chopping block, this is the first stadium officials have visited.
"We all came to an agreement that we want to see the Rumble Ponies stay in Binghamton as an affiliated club. We all agreed that it would take some doing. Every one of us agreed that each one of us is not going to get everything we want. But that everyone would come together so that we could keep them here," said Senator Schumer.
Owner of the Rumble Ponies, John Hughes said the group will reconnect in six-to-eight weeks to have more discussions.