Realignment Reality Check

Forget the Houston Astros moving to American League: Jim Crane ownership groupnot interested

Are baseball's divisions and logos about to be switched all around under a newrealignment plan?
There are reports that the Houston Astros would be the team asked to jump to theAmerican League.
The ownership group of Jim Crane (shown here at Minute Maid Park with his wifeFranci) is not interested in changing leagues according to a CultureMap source.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchlightGroup.com

The Houston Astros will not be moving to American League if the new Jim Crane ownership group has anything to say about it.

That's what a source close to the group tells CultureMap in the wake of a wildly speculative Saturday that brought a slew of stories on the Astros possibly moving to the AL if Major League Baseball realigns. It all started with a report from ESPN's Buster Olney in which two anonymous "highly ranking executives" cited the Astros as the most likely team to jump from the National League to the American League under a plan that put 15 teams in each league rather than the current 16 to 14/NL to AL split.

"Jim is a businessman first, but he's also a traditionalist in many ways," the ownership group source tells CultureMap. "He's a pitcher (in college) and he loves the National League game. He grew up in St. Louis. This is not something he's looking for. This group certainly didn't buy the team with the intention of it becoming an American League franchise."

Crane's group still needs to be formally approved by MLB — with sources continuing to tell CultureMap that the official nod should come around June 28 — and as Olney pointed out in a tweet, Bud Selig could theoretically make switching leagues a condition of purchase, but that's a highly unlikely scenario, according to CultureMap's source.

"You don't spend $680 million on something and have a third-party come in an dictate new terms after the agreement's been ironed out," the ownership group source says. "Even Major League Baseball. These are extremely complicated deals. A lot of work goes into them. They are not something you can just go in and change in that significant of a manner."

While a move to the American League might create a natural rivalry with the Texas Rangers as many stories have suggested, the gates brought in by AL powers like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox making regular appearances at Minute Maid Park would actually be the more financially attractive part of a league switch. CultureMap's source says that would be more than negated by having to compete in the often bigger-dollar world of AL baseball however.

Crane has not commented on AL speculation himself yet, but when he talked to CultureMap after his introductory news conference he cited the NL San Francisco Giants and the way they built through homegrown pitching as something of a model franchise.

CultureMap previously broke the story of who Jim Crane's high-powered business partners in the new ownership group are. These include Kinder Morgan co-founder Bill Morgan and Hines real estate empire CEO Jeff Hines, highly successful business tycoons who would have their own strong feelings on any Astros' league switch.

But what do you think? Do you agree with the Jim Crane ownership group's NL preference or would you like to see the Astros make a big leap to the other league?

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings