Bees Remain In Salt Lake With Invitation To Continue Affiliation With Angels
Dec 9, 2020, 11:44 AM | Updated: 12:22 pm
Smith's Ballpark in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Los Angeles Angels announced they have extended an invitation for the Salt Lake Bees to remain affiliated with them.
The announcement came Wednesday morning, assuring the Bees will remain in Salt Lake as the Triple-A affiliate of the Angels.
The invitation also included the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Tri-City Dust Devils and Inland Empire 66ers.
The Angels have invited the Salt Lake Bees, Rocket City Trash Pandas, Tri-City Dust Devils and Inland Empire 66ers to become our affiliates for the 2021 season. pic.twitter.com/J8j2tboLJP
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) December 9, 2020
“We are proud to continue our relationship with Salt Lake, Rocket City and Inland Empire and are excited to welcome the Tri-City franchise to the Angels family,” said Angels General Manager Perry Minasian. “I would like to thank the ownership groups and staffs of each of these great franchises for their help in establishing these long-term partnerships. We would also like to express our gratitude to the residents of Salt Lake City, Madison, Pasco and San Bernardino for welcoming Angels Baseball into your communities.”
The Salt Lake Bees didn’t play a 2020 season, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. No potential start date for the 2021 season has been announced but according to Bees general manager Marc Amicone, the organization is excited for next season at Smith’s Ballpark.
“The Salt Lake Bees are excited to be invited by the Los Angeles Angels to continue as their Triple-A affiliate. For the past 20 years, the Angels have been our partners in fielding competitive teams with great players and coaches while enhancing our community with fun, family experiences at the ballpark. It’s an honor to be considered one of the best places to play Minor League Baseball at its highest level, with a beautiful stadium, great team operations and outstanding support from our fans. We are hopeful to have a finalized agreement with Major League Baseball soon so we can continue to bring professional baseball to Smith’s Ballpark and Salt Lake City in 2021,” read a statement from Amicone.
Minor League Baseball In Utah
The invitation to the Bees from the Angels comes on the heels of two minor league teams in Utah being forced to go independent – the Orem Owlz and the Ogden Raptors are no longer affiliated.
The Orem Owlz moved out of Utah and will now play in Windsor, Colorado.
Yeah… moving to Windsor.
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) November 30, 2020
