Without MiLB, Lansing Creates The ‘Lemonade League’

Even with the cancellation of the minor league season, some teams will still have baseball played on their diamonds this year. Parks in the Pacific Coast and Texas leagues are hosting the Texas Collegiate League, while still others are researching options for college, high school and independent ball to fill the void.

As soon as Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer says it’s safe, the Lansing Lugnuts will be joining the fray. And in the spirit of the minor leagues, they’ll be doing things just a little bit differently.

Their take on a collegiate summer league, dubbed the Lemonade League (as in, making lemonade out of lemons) will feature several quirks not often seen in the minor leagues.

For one, games will be just seven innings. Second, when tied after those seven innings, the victor will be settled by a 1-on-1 home run derby instead of any format of extra innings. And then, there are the baseballs.

They won’t be white, or anything close to it. Instead, in a move that calls to mind Charlie Finley’s flirtation with orange baseballs, the balls the Lemonade League uses will be bright yellow. Like, you know, lemons.

“We couldn’t be more excited to present the Lemonade League,” Lugnuts general manager Tyler Parsons said. “This is going to be a ton of fun, and we’re going to mix in some exciting new rules changes that will only enhance the experience.

“At the same time, the health and safety of players, coaches, staff and fans is the most important, and we are enacting a full scale COVID-19 plan with the support of the City of Lansing and Ingham County Health Department.”

For the Lemonade League to begin its season, Michigan must move into stage 5 of its reopening plan. Once the team gets the go ahead, tickets will be $5 for most days, but $7 for premium events. The team is also planning traditional promotions like bobblehead giveaways, thirsty Thursdays and fireworks.

All games will be played at Lansing’s Cooley Law School Stadium, so the league can be as self-contained as possible during the continuing pandemic.

So far, the Lemonade League expects to field players from Michigan State, Lansing JC, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Davenport (Mich.), Wayne State, Grand Valley State, Kalamazoo College, Saginaw Valley (Mich.) State, Albion (Mich.) College, Ohio Valley, and Olivet (Mich.) College.

“From the first day we figured we’d be without Lugnuts baseball, Tyler (Parsons) and I were already trying to figure out a way to play baseball at Cooley Law School Stadium,” Lugnuts director of stadium operations Greg Kigar said. “The Lemonade League will give back to the Lansing area baseball community and certainly provide a venue for our Michigan-based college players to continue their development. To see it come to fruition, with our owner’s support, is extremely exciting. We want to give these guys a summer they won’t forget.”