9 THINGS TO KNOW FOR 2022

1. Normalcy returns

Welcome to a needed return to normal around the minor leagues.

For fans who caught a few games late last season, they may not have even noticed, but for players, coaches and especially minor league operators, 2021 was anything but a routine season. There were a wide array of coronavirus mitigation measures, some of which changed throughout the season. Many teams had significant attendance restrictions, especially during the first months of the season. The season started a month late because of coronavirus as well.

Even if the 2021 season had been normal, it wouldn’t have been normal because of the pandemic-canceled 2020 season. Front offices were gutted by furloughs and layoffs, and teams were unable to staff back up for a normal offseason because of the uncertain start to the 2021 season. Similarly, revenue wasn’t close to normal because teams had to provide make-goods on tickets and advertising purchased for the 2020 season.

On top of that, there was