Establishes the empire state baseball trails program

Title of bill

An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to creating the Empire State baseball trails program

Purpose

To develop within the Department of Economic Development an Empire State Baseball Trails program to promote tourism around the theme of minor league baseball in New York.

Summary of provisions

Section one of the bill sets forth the Legislature's intent to increase tourism and economic development by increasing public awareness of New York's thirteen minor league and independent league baseball teams, the teams' game schedules and other baseball attractions. Section two of the bill directs the Commissioner to create a baseball trails program.

Justification

Professional baseball has historically played an important role in the economic and cultural life of the state. The public is generally familiar with the two Major League Baseball teams in New York City, as well as with the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. There is much less public awareness that New York State is also the home of thirteen minor league or independent league teams throughout the state. Teams are located in Auburn, Batavia, Binghamton, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Jamestown, Long Island, Oneonta, Rochester, Staten Island, Syracuse, Troy and Wappinger's Falls. Collectively, the teams play hundreds of games annually, each of which could be a tourist attraction event. Greater public awareness of these minor league and independent league teams and their game schedules has the potential to significantly add to the state's tourism trade.

The thirteen minor league and independent league teams are small businesses themselves, and could help to draw in-state and out-of-state tourists to their respective areas of New York, thereby increasing hotel, restaurant and other tourist-related small businesses.

A coordinated program of systematically promoting minor league and independent league baseball as a New York tourist attraction could be a valuable, cost effective tourist promotion and economic development tool. Such a program may include other venues and events such as Major League Baseball games and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

The Empire State Baseball Trails program is modeled on existing statutory programs promoting the golf, wine and brewery industries in New York. The program should be user friendly, easy to access and easy to follow. The program should also link together other attractions and venues along such trails in order to attract visitors with a simple and efficient travel plan.

Legislative history

2008: S.8560/A.11288

Fiscal implications

Minimal cost would be offset by increased sales tax generated by greater economic activity.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.