Swing and a Miss: Grand Teton Safe at Home After MLB Withdraws Proposal

JACKSON, WY – Major League Baseball (MLB) is officially walking off a reported plan to develop a stadium in Grand Teton National Park. Following tremendous opposition to the idea, a letter from MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred to Teton County officials noted, “it has become clear the local community does not want us to continue evaluating Grand Teton National Park as a potential site. We…will not continue to evaluate Grand Teton National Park as a potential site.”

Statement by Allison Michalski, Grand Teton Senior Program Manager for National Parks Conservation Association

“We are grateful that Major League Baseball heard the roar of the crowd and rightfully recognized that Grand Teton is already a field of dreams, filled with mountains, forests, wild nature and wildlife that attracts millions of dedicated fans each year. The bases were loaded with opposition, and this news is a grand slam for Teton county communities and the enduring legacy of Grand Teton National Park.

We greatly appreciate the role that America’s Favorite Pastime plays in our country’s culture and life. There is no need to bring this favorite pastime into conflict with our national parks, which have been called ‘America’s Best Idea’. Baseball enhances our lives; it should not be used to develop and degrade our nation’s beloved parkland.

Generations of people have dedicated their lives to protecting this special place, the wildlife that call the park home, and the opportunities the park provides for those seeking solitude, adventure, and a glimpse of the unspoiled beauty of our nation–far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Grand Teton’s preservation is a testament to the hard work of nearly a century of non-partisan, local, and national commitments.”

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