Spokane Indians seek government aid for minor league baseball

Doug Nadvornick from SPR reports.

Last weekend, the Spokane Indians baseball team canceled their last two home games for the 2021 season due to Covid concerns with players from the visiting team, the Tri-City Dust Devils.

That was the final blow to a team that had a canceled season in 2020 and this year had to prepare to serve fans in a pandemic-riddled world.

But Indians see some financial support on the horizon, if only they can get the attention of Congress.

Indian senior vice president Otto Klein says minor league baseball teams are working collectively to curb funding related to the pandemic.

“These things were devastating. From 19 to 20 we as an industry lost 93% of our sales. That’s important. So we hope members of Congress look at this and realize that minor league baseball is not the only institution in all of these cities, but it is one of the most important, ”he said.

Klein says teams like his provide great seasonal summer jobs and affordable entertainment for families.

“We’re one of Spokane’s lifeblood. Indians baseball has been around here for over 119 years and we want to continue that. We are confident that it will stay that way. This would just be an extra relief that could help us, ”he said.

The Indians ask fans to speak to their members of Congress on behalf of minor league baseball. The club says fans can find out more here.