In conjunction with Major League Baseball’s restructuring of the minor league system, the Kansas City Royals announced Wednesday that they’ve extended an invitation to the Omaha Storm Chasers to remain the franchise’s Triple-A affiliate.
It was an expected development, considering the Chasers and Royals have maintained a partnership since 1969.
But Wednesday marked the first official step in a massive overhaul of the minors — the 30 big league clubs combined to announce a total of 119 invitations, which essentially confirmed the long-rumored disassociation from about 40 previously affiliated teams.
The Royals stated in a press release that they’ve offered farm system spots to Omaha (Triple-A), Northwest Arkansas (Double-A), Quad Cities (Single-A) and Columbia (Single-A). Those teams still must agree to MLB’s Player Development Licenses. The process will likely extend into 2021.
The Omaha Storm Chasers — along with every other minor league team — did not have a season this past summer due to the pandemic.
Photos: Omaha Storm Chasers through the years
Check out some of The World-Herald's best photos of the Omaha Storm Chasers.
April 26, 1985: City employee Terry Cuevas spreads mixture of solvent and gasoline on the infield at Rosenblatt Stadium as part of an effort to dry the field enough to cover it with a tarp. The tarp wasn't laid on the field the two previous nights and got soaked in an overnight rainfall. The Omaha Royals were unable to play the game scheduled with the Iowa Cubs.
1991: The final signing of the ownership papers for the Omaha Royals. Seated from left: John Boyer, Bill Gorman, Joe Adams, Mary Ann Luby. Standing from left, Rob Knight, Bill Ulrich, Jim Hildreth and Lary Wzorek. Boyer is the attorney for Walter Scott who bought a major share in the team. Gorman is the Royals' GM.