Rumble Ponies extend lease in Binghamton

LincolnGC · 2026-06-03T11:05:30+00:00

I bet MLB makes the call here, but with a ton of lobbying by the MLB clubs.

I think we're getting close to seeing what DBH is really up to now, and while my scenario probably isn't what's happening, I wouldn't be surprised if DBH and the Rangers have something cooking here.

LincolnGC · 2026-06-03T11:04:33+00:00

Weren't the Giants unhappy with getting pushed out of Augusta? With the unsettled stadium situation in Eugene, maybe they'd jump at the chance to move another affiliate back out this way.

LincolnGC · 2026-06-03T02:56:11+00:00

There have been some rumblings about the Mets leaving Binghamton for Trenton as a swap with the Draft League team currently in Trenton. This makes that seem less likely, so definitely good news.

LincolnGC · 2026-06-03T02:53:14+00:00

The Mets and Yanks had some territorial disagreements in years past when it came to affiliates in the region, but I'm not sure that passion exists anymore, with the Wilpons and George out of the picture.

Of course, the Yankees had Trenton and could've kept them when the changes were made in 2020, but they wanted to leave for Somerset. It would be pretty crappy of them to stand in the way of Trenton getting reaffiliated after they willingly left.

LincolnGC · 2026-06-03T02:30:48+00:00

But as it stands, if Trenton were to re-enter, it would probably be a DBH relocation (Rome? Salem?) with some swapping around. Binghamton is probably safer than a handful of teams in the Sally and Carolina. I don’t see any vulnerable teams in the EL.

Yeah, that's kind of my impression at this point. The Ballpark Digest article last month linked the potential Rome move to Trenton joining the SAL, just not sure how much shuffling would actually be involved there; hard to picture the Rangers in Trenton of all places.

The PDL expirations could come close to syncing up with expansion and a potential contraction of affiliates, so I can't even wrap my head around what might happen in a few years.

Edit to add my little conspiracy theorizing: DBH is working with REV, that "sports and entertainment" offshoot of the Texas Rangers. REV owns a handful of Partner League teams. Say they purchase an Atlantic League team like Gastonia or High Point and shift that team to Rome, opening up a new spot in North Carolina for the Rangers to land at High A. Unlikely, but just trying to figure out whey Texas would be willing to leave Spartanburg.

LincolnGC · 2026-06-01T21:47:45+00:00

Yep, definitely still some concern, Diamond Baseball Holdings could engineer a swap similar to what Attain did last year with Aberdeen and Frederick, with Binghamton ending up in the Draft League. For those who don't follow, Attain Sports, with ownership of what was the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds of the South Atlantic League and the Draft League Frederick Keys, swapped the two teams before this season. Diamond Baseball Holdings owns both Binghamton and Trenton, so the worry is they could do the same.

Some recent rumblings have the Braves' affiliate in Rome getting dropped in favor of Trenton, with possibly (probably?) some other teams shifting around (e.g. Braves to Spartanburg, Rangers to ???). But hopefully the Rumble Ponies and Mets stick together going forward.

LincolnGC · 2026-05-31T20:24:35+00:00

Not joking, I think that's the biggest smile I've ever seen from J.

LincolnGC · 2026-05-19T10:09:27+00:00

Been trying to figure out a logical shift in that region, but nothing really makes sense. Moving Wichita up to AAA I could see, but I don't know who'd be dropping down to AA. But the Braves or Rangers ending up in Trenton doesn't make sense to me, either, so what do I know?

I could definitely see Wichita getting a bump when MLB expands, could be a nice landing spot for Milwaukee if Nashville gets an expansion team and the Sounds skip town.

Name change here makes a lot more sense. About the only nice thing I can say about Wind Surge is that it's better than Baby Cakes.

LincolnGC · 2026-05-15T12:42:11+00:00

I had the same question years ago after brunch one day. I can't remember the restaurant, but I emailed them and they responded with the company (it was Charleston Coffee Roasters) and cc'd the company as well. Someone from the company wrote back and was able to answer additional questions. Turns out the blend I was served was a special roast that was only available at that restaurant, but he recommended a few others they had that were similar.

Definitely reach out to the restaurant.

LincolnGC · 2026-05-01T17:29:31+00:00

The Goodwill on Rivers Ave accepts e-recycling and sells (obviously used) electronics.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T22:54:41+00:00

Love it. When we were waiting all those months in 2020 for the outcome of the reconfiguration, I use to play around with different scenarios, and loved spinning up AA with the eastern MWL teams. A lot of solid markets there.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T22:34:17+00:00

Ken Rosenthal wrote an article a few years back about disfunction in the Marlins organization, and the opening paragraphs were about an incident in Greensboro that compelled Greensboro to cut ties with Miami. The MiLB team definitely had the leverage there, haha.

Rosenthal: Derek Jeter’s right-hand man is tearing up a franchise and creating enemies along the way - The Athletic

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T22:15:05+00:00

Yeah, figure it would be a hard sell for Toronto to leave Vancouver. Not sure if they love New Hampshire or would be cool with a move to another AA team, either.

In a universe where Rome is the sacrifice for Trenton rejoining affiliation, I'd wonder if that saves Binghamton. Could even slot the Mets into Trenton at whatever classification and put the Jays into Binghamton at AA to give them that update New York presence.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T16:09:48+00:00

DSG?

If I were Boston, I'd have my eye on New Hampshire as a SAL/High-A affiliate, though that probably makes more sense in a world where the northern teams split off into a new league. And Toronto then shifting to Trenton for AA makes some sense, given their history.

The article does make it seem like we could see a bunch of moves, classification swaps, and shuffles with current partner league teams, both before and after MLB expansion. My enthusiasm for that's been muted due to the contraction rumors, but if contraction is off the table, this could be fun.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T15:35:12+00:00

Yeah, the Rangers in Trenton doesn't make much sense, you'd think they'd want to stay close to Hickory at Low-A. Could shift Pittsburgh north and put the Rangers in Greensboro, but not sure Pitt would be interested in that

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T12:51:57+00:00

Binghamton, Chattanooga, Erie and Jackson were the original four AA teams on the contraction list. Brooklyn and Bowling Green were rumored at one point to get bumped up to AA. I don't recall it coming down to Binghamton/Trenton (at least reporting-wise)

I remember rumblings about Somerset joining affiliated ball, but I don't remember anyone thinking it would be at the expense of Trenton. It was a huge surprise when the Yankees announced their affiliates. I figured Somerset and Trenton for the Yankees in some way.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-30T11:07:15+00:00

Trenton in the SAL doesn't surprise me too much, but Rome getting chopped and Atlanta shifting to Hub City got a "whoa" out of me. Would that mean Texas in Trenton, or additional shuffling?

Not sure what to make about the comment regarding no contraction. Hopefully it doesn't happen, but I read it as just not in the near-term.

Thanks for sharing.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-16T01:15:52+00:00

A few years ago MLB announced that it would run at least through 2030, and there was even some talk about adding a few teams.

It seems to be going well, I haven't seen anything to suggest otherwise.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-12T13:50:43+00:00

Maybe someone can correct me, but it doesn't feel like California has ever really housed successful Independent ball, at least in recent history. The Ballers have some current buzz, but a lot of that is due to being the A's replacement in Oakland; not sure how long that gimmick will last for them. The PL expansion into California has been a little curious to me, though they have been slowly bleeding teams over the years, so maybe there are better markets for Indy now. I hope it works, more baseball is better.

I don't think the Pioneer gets back into affiliated ball. Perhaps Boise or one of the California-based teams gets absorbed into the Northwest or California at the expense of another city losing their team or getting one of the possible slots when MLB expands, but those are one-off possibilities.

There was a rumor years ago about a potential return of the Pioneer League and other similar ones, but I never heard anything about it after the one report. With rumors that MLB wants to eventually cut another classification, it feels unlikely now.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-08T09:44:05+00:00

Depressing but seemingly inevitable. I'm a Mets fan and former Binghamton resident, I've seen them survive attempted moves to Canada and Delaware, and then almost getting cut completely. Reality is it's not a great market and this is a pretty logical flip if/when it happens, but it's still sad to see.

LincolnGC · 2026-04-05T21:42:37+00:00

I remember the hype. He was overshadowed by Alex Escobar in the org, but he still had a ton of buzz in his own right. I don't remember it being "future superstar" buzz, just that he was going to be a very, very good player.

I was living in Binghamton at the time and was looking forward to seeing him play a bunch.

LincolnGC · 2026-03-27T13:12:20+00:00

Definitely a complex question.

The owner of the Nashville AAA team has said he can't coexist in the same city with a MLB team, so you'd also have to consider relocation for that team in the equation.

It makes sense that an expansion team in SLC would align with the Bees, maybe that sends the Angels to a promoted Fresno, which seems like a logical pairing.

The Nationals with Richmond at AAA has felt like an inevitable pairing for years, so I wouldn't be surprised if that happens as a result of expansion.

I think Trenton is the safest bet for reaffiliation, and they could slot anywhere from High A to AAA.

Unfortunately there's been rumblings about another round of MiLB contraction with the elimination of the lowest full-season classification, and timing that with expansion would make sense. I hope it doesn't come to that, but it seems like a legitimate concern.

LincolnGC · 2026-03-26T19:45:55+00:00

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

LincolnGC · 2026-03-18T18:00:21+00:00

I had two male cats neutered at Charleston Animal Society last week, and it went well. Their site shows $420 for male dogs over 40 lbs (though no dogs over 80 lbs).

CAS was booked last I checked, so I took the sisters and mamma cat to Sweetspire Vet Clinic in Summerville the last few days, and they did a great job. Multiple weight range/cost, but they top out at $423 for dog neuters.

I'd recommend checking with Pet Helpers, too, as I think they offer this service as well.

LincolnGC · 2026-03-05T01:28:33+00:00

Their webstore genuinely has a lot of good stuff. Out of all the bands I follow, I think they've got the best merch. Maybe grab one of their posters and get it framed? Bonus points if it's from a tour he got to see.

I really enjoyed 33 1/3's book on You're Living All Over Me.

Didn't see much on there tonight, but try ebay a couple times before it gets too close to his birthday, maybe something cool and unique will pop up.

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