The Pacific Coast League, one of only two leagues to play at the Triple-A level, has officially withdrawn from the former minor league baseball structure. The departure of the PCL comes on the eve of a deadline set for Friday by Major League Baseball for 120 minor league teams that agree to keep moving forward to remain an official MLB affiliate.
The PCL is the first league believed to have left MiLB, or as it is technically called, the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. On the one hand, this exit had become an inevitability, as the overall structure of the MiLB, as well as the individual leagues of the minors, are being dissolved and reorganized, even if some names are retained. (For example, the terms “Pacific Coast League” and “Minority Baseball League” are expected to continue, but will refer to completely new configurations).
But the PCL’s decision caused waves on Thursday night between the minor leagues …