Remember way back yesterday, when a controversial “Save America’s Pastime” bill was introduced in Congress?
If you don’t, here’s a good rundown. Essentially, it was legislation designed to prevent minor league baseball players from qualifying for overtime pay, and it would have basically exempted MLB teams from adhering to federal labor standards. This was a really weird piece of legislation, and the outrage was such that one of the co-sponsors has already withdrawn her support:
After hearing from you & learning more in the last 24 hours, I've immediately withdrawn my support from H.R. 5580: https://t.co/Oz0eg8g5dj
— Archive: Rep. Cheri Bustos (@RepCheri) June 30, 2016
Did she not read the bill beforehand? In any case, at least she came around on it. You might think the MLB office would have taken a look at the reaction and decided to cut their losses, but instead they released a statement that seems to double down on their position:
MLB has release a new press release about the "Save America's Pastime" bill. pic.twitter.com/bimjJmAjWb
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) June 30, 2016
That’s right, minor league baseball players are just in the midst of “short-term seasonal apprenticeships.” The reaction to this statement is almost as justifiably vitriolic as the reaction to the original legislation:
https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/748647814561939456
There is an argument MLB can make about how it would be impractical to pay minor leaguers by the hour, but they aren't making it.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) June 30, 2016
Just when you thought the NFL had a monopoly on completely tone deaf pro sports leagues, MLB drops a press release like that,
— Benno Martens (@bennomartens) June 30, 2016
I get every MLB press release in my email… I've never facepalmed an email so hard in my life.
— Kayla Chadwick (@offthemonster.bsky.social) (@OfftheMonster) June 30, 2016
That MLB press release is bad and it should feel bad.
— Sara (@gidget) June 30, 2016
It’s just not an easily defensible position, and the tactics MLB is employing do not seem to be the best way to defend it. It’ll be interesting to see where they turn next. Maybe another press release!
