A second summertime collegiate baseball team is coming to the twin cities

This podcast contains comments from the July 8, 2025 Bryan city council meeting. Councilwoman and attorney Marca Ewers-Shurtleff questioned deputy city manager Joey Dunn and the owner of the Ventura Sports Group, Mark Schuster.The Bryan city council unanimously approves a rental agreement for Travis Field baseball stadium where another summer collegiate baseball team will start playing next year.Click HERE to read and download presentation materials during the July 8, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.The vote followed councilwoman and attorney Marca Ewers-Shurtleff questioning deputy city manager Joey Dunn and the owner of South Carolina based Ventura Sports Group, Mark Schuster.The council's rental agreement gives the city rental income and a share of ballgame revenue. This replaces an 18 year exclusive use agreement with the Brazos Valley Bombers where the city paid utilities and received no revenue.After the council meeting, Bombers founder and co-owner Uri Geva said the team will play next year's home games at three or four venues and in 2027 will play in College Station.Original story, July 3 2025:A second summer collegiate baseball team could be coming to the twin cities in 2026.The Bryan city council will consider at their next meeting (July 8), a three year contract with Mid America League Baseball (MALB).A city news release says the league, which is part of South Carolina based Ventura Sports, approached the city after the Brazos Valley Bombers announced its intent to move to College Station.The proposed contract calls for the city to receive $32,000 dollars a year, or $1,000 dollars for each home game at Travis Field. The city news release pointed out the Bombers were never required to pay rent or utilities during its 19 seasons.The proposed contract also calls for the city to receive a share of revenue from concessions, sponsorships, advertising, and broadcasting rights.MALB's website shows this year's teams are in the Longview suburb of White Oak, Texarkana, Sherman, Abilene, Fort Smith Arkansas, and Joplin Missouri.Click HERE to read and download the proposed contract between the Bryan city council and Mid America League Baseball.Click HERE to read and download background information from the city of Bryan.News release from the city of Bryan:The Bryan City Council will consider a proposed rental agreement at its July 8 meeting that, if approved, brings a new Mid America League Baseball (MALB) franchise to Travis Major Field beginning in 2026.Ventura Sports Group approached the City of Bryan with the proposal after the Brazos Valley Bombers announced plans to relocate to a new stadium in College Station.The proposed agreement includes a three-year term starting in 2026, with an annual rental fee of $32,000 and a share of net revenue from advertising, sponsorships, concessions and broadcasting rights. Home games will be scheduled each year from May 20 through Aug. 15, with schedules provided to the city by Nov. 15.The agreement also consents to Ventura’s required independent league exclusivity clause. This clause prevents other independent league teams from using the facility but does not apply to amateur baseball and softball events, such as little leagues, high school teams or other similar groups.The Brazos Valley Bombers have played at Travis Major Field under an exclusive facility use agreement with Infinity Sports Entertainment. That agreement expires Dec. 31, 2025. During the 18 years of that agreement, Infinity has not been required to pay rent or utilities, as the City of Bryan has covered those costs.Travis Major Field, also known as Edible Field, is owned by the City of Bryan and is located in Travis Bryan Midtown Park. City staff will assume responsibility for managing and operating Travis Major Field beginning in January 2026. This responsibility includes scheduling rentals and maintaining the facility.The proposed agreement with Ventura allows the city to secure a new baseball tenant for the next several years, drawing regional teams from Texas, Arkansas and Missouri. The city views this opportunity as a business decision that supports the long-term vision for Midtown Park and maximizes the public investment in the facility, while providing citizens another quality-of-life activity.The city has invested significantly in the development of Midtown Park and is focused on ensuring public facilities are used in a way that brings the greatest value to residents.