MLBPA: AZ Immigration Law “Could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players”

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

MLBPA: AZ Immigration Law “Could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players”

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New York, NY, Friday, April 30, 2010 … The following statement was issued today by Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Michael Weiner regarding the immigration law recently passed by the state of Arizona.

“The recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States. These international players are very much a part of our national pastime and are important members of our Association. Their contributions to our sport have been invaluable, and their exploits have been witnessed, enjoyed and applauded by millions of Americans. All of them, as well as the Clubs for whom they play, have gone to great lengths to ensure full compliance with federal immigration law.

“The impact of the bill signed into law in Arizona last Friday is not limited to the players on one team. The international players on the Diamondbacks work and, with their families, reside in Arizona from April through September or October. In addition, during the season, hundreds of international players on opposing Major League teams travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. And, the spring training homes of half of the 30 Major League teams are now in Arizona. All of these players, as well as their families, could be adversely affected, even though their presence in the United States is legal. Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status. This law also may affect players who are U.S. citizens but are suspected by law enforcement of being of foreign descent.

Read more: http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2010/04/mlbpa-az-immigration-law-could-have-a-negative-impact-on-hundreds-of-major-league-players.php

[AsahinaKimi]

1. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Has its farm teams in Scottsdale Arizona. I know both the Cubs and Giants play there. Maybe this is a Chance for MLB to do some good, by making some serious sanctions on the State. It would be an amazing thing if suddenly the Arizona Diamond Backs had their season cut short by this whole thing.

And, maybe the NHL will step in too, since many players come from other nations.

[damntexdem]

2. Hey, I bet New Mexico would like to host some farm clubs and training sites.

California may be too expensive, but still.

And then there's South Texas on the Gulf (well, then there's hurricane season). The Texas Tropical Trail could use some job-producing spring-training sites along it.

[Johnyawl]

3. Las Vegas has been courting the Cactus League

From the Huffington Post article April 28th:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-goldstein/could-mlb-teams-exit-cact_b_555392.html

Las Vegas has been attempting to lure Spring training camps for years, and even the mere act of publicly pursuing such negotiations would send a shock wave through local, tourism-dependent economies across Arizona.

[happygoluckytoyou]

8. American Hispanic player caught stealing second base...no birth certIficate!!!!

JUST MAKE THE DIAMONDBACKS/SUNS/ETC PLAY ALL THEIR GAMES ON THE ROAD....

arizona: working hard to keep alabama from being the dumbest state

[edbermac]

4. All the good players are coming from Japan now.

"Can I see your papers, Mr Matsuzaka?"

[nyy1998]

5. Any thoughts here about Brad Zeigler's opinion on the subject?

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_14972405

I actually happen to agree with him. Baseball(and sports in general) and politics should be separate. What did the Diamondback players or their GM/Front Office do to deserve a ban?

[SargeUNN]

6. Here is what they did

The Diamondbacks have been one of the top donors to the Arizona Republican Party. They have been donating to people like Russell Pearce, Joe Arpaio and others. If they would not do that then certainly they would be a victim, but since they have made a point of being in the political arena they will have to deal with what they did.

I am a Diamondbacks fan, live here in Phoenix and a big sports fan, but I won't see you at Chase Field anytime soon.

[nyy1998]

7. Ah didn't know that

Don't think Ziegler did either. It's too bad, since Chase Field is such a beautiful ballpark. Well then the D'backs deserve the ban.

[alp227]

9. I'm a Giants fan, and catcher Pablo Sandoval looks Afro-Venezuelan.

I'm not totally sure but he was born in Venezuela and has really dark skin. So will Hispanics with partial black ancestry not get pulled over under SB1070? Or will all black Arizonans be pulled over under the suspicion they may be from Haiti or Jamaica or the Carribean instead of native-born/descendants of slaves? :shrug: