southlandvikings.com

The Midwest Collegiate League’s Commissioner, Don Popravak, has announced that effective immediately, the Will County CrackerJacks and the Illinois Lincolns baseball clubs have resigned from the League.

Jamie Toole, Owner, President and General Manager of the CrackerJacks and the Illinois Lincolns, notified the Midwest Collegiate League’s Board of Directors of his decision to resign from the League at approximately 6:35 p.m. tonight. Commissioner Don Popravak stated that “each club in the League has a financial obligation to meet its debt payments to the League throughout the year.” He added, “It is most unfortunate that Mr. Toole has made this decision.”

Commissioner Popravak further stated the following: “In our opinion, Jamie Toole’s decision to voluntarily resign his clubs from the League during the season significantly impacts the fifty-or-so college baseball players, managers and coaches that were recruited for his CrackerJacks and Illinois Lincolns teams. These baseball players, managers and coaches are the ones who are paying the very high price of not being able to continue their baseball development this summer. Additionally, it affects the communities that supported these players and clubs.”

The Midwest Collegiate League’s six remaining clubs -- the Chicago Zephyrs, DeKalb County Liners, DuPage County Hounds, Rockford Foresters and Southland Vikings -- are revising the League’s remaining schedule and will release it on Friday, July 20th. Its 46-game schedule this year runs from June 1st through July 29th. Post-season League playoffs begin on July 31st.

The MCL League will continue to look for expansion franchises across the Midwest for the 2013 season and beyond. “We are looking for experienced owners and operators who share our vision of creating a top pre-minor league baseball destination filled with potential Major League Baseball prospects and who can recreate the family fun excitement and experiences that are seen at the Minor League venues,” stated Commissioner Popravak.