Venezuelan Nationalization's Effects on Baseball?

[texascub]

I know that this movement is more geared towards industry, but the political unrest in the country has already caused MLB teams to pull their developmental teams out of the VSL. If their government decides that they want all American influences out of their country and gets rid of all ties to American baseball, what effect do you think it would have?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mephisoteles posted this story a while ago:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/263059.html

 

Just 10 years ago we had over 10 academies set up and running there--a lot of time and money invested," said one scouting director from a National League club. "Four years ago we had three, and as of last year we pulled out completely.

 

"We still scout the country heavily, but even that is riskier than it's ever been. And the cost to run academies there just isn't worth it for small to mid-market teams."

 

Much of that cost comes in taxes, but Venezuela also hits clubs hard in building and maintenance fees, as well as a separate tax on foreigners working in the country.

 

The Chavez regime has limited flights to and from the country, and crime in Venezuela is at an all-time high, making security an issue, not only for each club's scouts and personnel, but their players as well.

 

"It's very difficult to even get in there now," a scouting director from an American League team said. "And there's more and more crime--especially against Americans. And now you hear it more often against native Venezuelans who work for clubs."

 

By the way, the Cubs are getting a joint-VSL team running this year with the Twinkies.

[Jon]

The non-baseball talk has been split to here (premium).

[texascub]

Mephisoteles posted this story a while ago:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/263059.html

 

Just 10 years ago we had over 10 academies set up and running there--a lot of time and money invested," said one scouting director from a National League club. "Four years ago we had three, and as of last year we pulled out completely.

 

"We still scout the country heavily, but even that is riskier than it's ever been. And the cost to run academies there just isn't worth it for small to mid-market teams."

 

Much of that cost comes in taxes, but Venezuela also hits clubs hard in building and maintenance fees, as well as a separate tax on foreigners working in the country.

 

The Chavez regime has limited flights to and from the country, and crime in Venezuela is at an all-time high, making security an issue, not only for each club's scouts and personnel, but their players as well.

 

"It's very difficult to even get in there now," a scouting director from an American League team said. "And there's more and more crime--especially against Americans. And now you hear it more often against native Venezuelans who work for clubs."

 

By the way, the Cubs are getting a joint-VSL team running this year with the Twinkies.

 

Good to hear that we'll actually be having a team this year, but how will splitting a team with the Twins work? Will we each sign our own prospects and then play them together on the team?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mephisoteles posted this story a while ago:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/features/263059.html

 

Just 10 years ago we had over 10 academies set up and running there--a lot of time and money invested," said one scouting director from a National League club. "Four years ago we had three, and as of last year we pulled out completely.

 

"We still scout the country heavily, but even that is riskier than it's ever been. And the cost to run academies there just isn't worth it for small to mid-market teams."

 

Much of that cost comes in taxes, but Venezuela also hits clubs hard in building and maintenance fees, as well as a separate tax on foreigners working in the country.

 

The Chavez regime has limited flights to and from the country, and crime in Venezuela is at an all-time high, making security an issue, not only for each club's scouts and personnel, but their players as well.

 

"It's very difficult to even get in there now," a scouting director from an American League team said. "And there's more and more crime--especially against Americans. And now you hear it more often against native Venezuelans who work for clubs."

 

By the way, the Cubs are getting a joint-VSL team running this year with the Twinkies.

 

Good to hear that we'll actually be having a team this year, but how will splitting a team with the Twins work? Will we each sign our own prospects and then play them together on the team?

 

Yeah, neither team has enough players to field a full VSL team so they two teams will pull their VSL-level prospects on one team.

[hardcorecubfan]

Chavez is a baseball fan like his idol. It did not affect BB in the early 80's when the governernment started the take over. It is a source of national pride and a way Chavez can push his agenda.