The cost of doing business

The Class AA Eastern League 31 years ago today approves plans by the Harrisburg Senators’ owners – a quartet of investors from suburban Philadelphia – to move the franchise to Springfield, Mass., following the 1996 season.

The move never happens, though, as then-Harrisburg mayor Stephen Reed appeals to the National Association, which gives the city a chance to makes its pitch to purchase the team to keep it in Harrisburg.

The city eventually pays $6.7 million to keep the team, a purchase price that at the time is a record for a Class AA team.

As for Springfield, the folks there never did get their minor league team.

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