To the Editor:
Is Major League Baseball running the government?
Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Alta Vista Stadium in Spokane, Gesa Stadium in Pasco and Funko Field in Everett all get state of Washington money to live up to Major League Baseball standards.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has a policy that Minor League (MiLB) teams have to pay a fine if their stadium isn’t up to snuff. And unless new stadiums are built or existing stadiums renovated, teams threaten to leave local communities.
Taxpayers are made to pay for MLB-approved stadium facilities.
Cities are held hostage.
In Everett, a new $100-$130 million stadium is in the works.
If the AquaSox pay the fine, they can continue renting Everett Memorial Stadium and keep paying more than $100,000 per year in rent to the Everett Public School District.
Are cities afraid teams will leave?
Is Major League Baseball holding the cities hostage?
Organizations that hold other organizations hostage are often called terrorists.
Is Major League Baseball an economic terrorist?
Maybe it’s time for citizens to start running their government, instead of letting Major League Baseball do it.
John E. Martin
Mountlake Terrace
