A few notable moves in the sudden unannounced movement by the club include the following:
Former BBA player Jerome Pichon was released. Pichon played for the club in 2034 when he was acquired from Las Vegas but has not seen the major leagues since that time period.
Former first round pick Emilio Parades was optioned to AAA Lincoln from the active roster.
Newly signed free agent Max Hatcher was added to the active roster.
A press release was just put out by the team since the actions have taken place, and spell out some interesting dynamics for the minor league clubs moving forward.
We have decided as a team to implement some new restrictions and guidelines when handling our minor league clubs moving forward. These changes have unfortunately impacted current players in our organization and we wish them the very best moving forward.
We have been a very transparent organization since our time began at the end of the 2030 season and that will never change. It is important that our fan base understand our blueprint and what these new restrictions are so that they are just as informed as any of us. That is because you, Hawk Nation, have just as much interest and equity into our organization becoming a perennial Landis winner as we do.
Effective immediately, we have put the following rules and guidelines into place for each level of our minor league system.
No player past his first professional season may play for our rookie league affiliate the Denison Monarchs.
No player over the age of 22 at the beginning of the calendar year may play for our Short-A affiliate Hastings Haymakers.
No player over the age of 23 at the beginning of the calendar year may play for our Single-A affiliate Mankato Moondogs.
No player over the age of 25 at the beginning of the calendar year may play for our Double-A Affiliate Sioux City Explorers.
There will be no age of experience limitation for our AAA Lincoln Loggers affiliate.
This should not be a shock for players in our organization. These guidelines give each player the expected guidelines for which they should progress and eventually reach the Omaha Hawks.
This is not only a reflection on our players, but will also reflect heavily on our coaches at each level. If players are progressing as expected, something needs to change whether it be teaching methods or something else.
Full disclosure to each of you, as with any set of rules or guidelines, there are exceptions and will continue to be exceptions.
This process, while unpopular with some, is going to allow us the opportunity to build our minor league system into what it should be and allow those minor league players the very best opportunity to progress into BBA Players.
