Asa Hutchinson: “In Arkansas, we do not have major league baseball in the State, but we have minor league baseball and we have a great…”

“In Arkansas, we do not have major league baseball in the State, but we have minor league baseball and we have a great baseball tradition. This bill that is before us has been agreed to by the players and the owners, but, more importantly, in my judgment, it is a bill for the fans. The fans want to see the boys of summer out on the field. They want to see them play ball. This has been a great year for the fans and we want that to continue without interruption. This bill...provides baseball players with the same rights already afforded the National Football League and the National Basketball Association players. So they can act as their counterparts do in other fields of endeavor. But this also recognizes the importance of an antitrust exemption for certain aspects of the game so team owners may continue to cooperate on issues such as league expansion, franchise location and broadcast rights, without fear of lawsuit. So it protects and helps minor league baseball that is important in my State. Mr. Speaker, baseball is America's pastime and it is my State's as well.”