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WICHITA, Kan. (WDSU) — New Orleans’ minor league baseball team wants to pack up and go to the Great Plains.
Wichita, Kansas, city officials made an announcement Thursday about the future of baseball in their community, including updates to their stadium.
The announcement was part of a plan to revitalize a river corridor in Wichita.
In the announcement, officials confirmed that the New Orleans Baby Cakes have filed a relocation request to Wichita. The plans to demolish an existing stadium and build a new entertainment venue are part of an effort to bring a Triple-A baseball team to Wichita, city leaders said.
Thursday’s announcement comes after news broke that the Baby Cakes were no longer planning to stay in the Big Easy after wrapping up their 2018 season.
The Baby Cakes finished the season 69-70.
WDSU sports anchor Fletcher Mackel said the team wants to stay in the New Orleans area for the 2019 season. Wichita officials want the team there for 2020.
The application is subject to approval by minor league baseball officials.
The Baby Cakes apparently have three years left on their lease at the Shrine on Airline in Metairie, a source confirmed. City and state officials in Louisiana are rumored to already be looking for another minor league team, likely a double-A one.
New Orleans’ minor league baseball team is an affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
The team has not publicly commented on the relocation request.
Wichita city officials added they do not plan to keep the Baby Cakes name.
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