Amid baseball uncertainty, Hot Rods will return to play in BG in 2021

Uncertainty has surrounded 2020 in its entirety, and the same can be said currently for the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball’s previous professional baseball agreement expired as of Oct. 1. The MLB has officially taken over the minor league system, which in turn gives Major League Baseball control over all 160 minor league teams.

But therein lies the Hot Rods worries, as the MLB is set to remove 40 Minor League baseball teams, and shuffle the affiliation of the various remaining teams as well. While Hot Rods Assistant General Manager Kyle Wolz doesn’t see the Hot Rods affiliation ending with the Tampa Bay Rays, he understands that nothing is finalized.

“It’s really kind of up in the air to be honest. There is a good possibility that we stay with the Tampa Bay Rays, we have a great relationship with them. There is a possibility we could be moving affiliations, even leagues, but that is up in the air and we are waiting for Major League Baseball to come out with a decision on that,” Wolz said.

The Hot Rods organization has waited patiently for the Tuesday announcement from Major League Baseball. Having worked for months with the unknown affiliation in mind, Wolz knows for certain there will be competitive, professional baseball played in Bowling Green in 2021.

“Rather if we’re affiliated or not, there’s still going to be baseball in Bowling Green. We will have a product on the field, if it’s with the Rays or any other organization in the Major Leagues, or if it’s in unaffiliated baseball,”  Wolz said.

With or without Major League affiliation, the Hot Rods can continue to provide winning baseball, ample business opportunities and family fun in Bowling Green. Family friendliness and community involvement are what the Hot Rods see as focal points of their organization, focal points that they’re proud of and wish to continue.

“We strive to be active in the community. We feel as if we’re a staple in the community of Bowling Green, and we look forward to showcasing great talent on the field, but as well in being a facility we could use 365 (days) for charity events,” Wolz said.

As of right now, no changes have been made for the Rays affiliates in any capacity, including their farm teams in Charlotte, Montgomery and Durham.