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Originally Posted by CaramonLS
So why does the PCL not want to come back to Canada?
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The primary reason is customs hassles. The Cannons demise was finalized immediately following the new security procedures after 9/11.
Spring weather is a constant problem - the Cannons lost 20 home games in 2002 to weather.
Isolation. We are just too far from other markets. This was a major reason for the desire to relocate Edmonton. None of the other teams wanted to fly to Edmonton when the nearest PCL market is Tacoma.
Altitude. Especially in Calgary. There was a reason why our affiliates (usually) meagre pitching prospects tended to stay in AA.
These reasons, among the others, are why Calgary and Edmonton were usually the last two AAA teams to sign affiliation agreements with MLB parents from the mid-90s on. Specific to Calgary, it is why we had four affiliations in seven years from 1993-99.
Would the PCL ever consider returning to Canada? I think it would only on the following conditions:
Calgary (with a new park) AND Edmonton both showed a strong desire for baseball (ie: supporting the Northern League), and several American teams collapse at the same time so that there are no other preferable markets available.
We're about as likely to see AAA baseball return as Winnipeg is of seeing the Jets return.
