Jackson Generals boss Marcus Sabata had a surprising reaction when he learned his Double-A Southern League franchise had been officially booted from the affiliated minor leagues:He felt relieved. Major League Baseball announced this week 119 of the 120 teams that have been formally invited to remain as minor league affiliates, chopping 40 franchises in a move that’s been anticipated for over a year. The former Rookie-level Appalachian League has been transformed into a 10-team college summer league, six teams have been invited to join the MLB Draft League for draft-eligible players, and the eight-team Pioneer League has said it will become an independent circuit that operates as an MLB partner league. He said joining an MLB partner league was among the options being considered. “We are expecting professional baseball back in Jackson in 2021,” he said.

Source: Fox News December 13, 2020 00:11 UTC