BLEDSOE PITCHES PLAN TO PRESERVE
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN KENTUCKY
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 4, 2025)—Recent changes in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) labor agreements have benefited minor league players, including substantial salary increases and comprehensive benefits. However, Kentucky’s existing wage-and-hour laws risk conflicting with the new federally-negotiated collective bargaining agreement (CBA), potentially throwing a curveball and disrupting player development and team operations in the state.
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, stepped up to the plate and introduced Senate Bill 15 on Tuesday to remedy the conflict and exempt minor league baseball players from certain state wage-and-hour requirements. The narrowly tailored exemption, supported by the MLB and MLB Players Association, ensures players can fully benefit from the CBA without being subject to inconsistent state regulations.
“Baseball has long been America’s pastime, and now is the time to act to protect its future in Kentucky,” Bledsoe said.
Kentucky hosts several Minor League Baseball teams affiliated with MLB, including the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, playing at Louisville Slugger Field, and the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, based at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Without legislative action, the existing state wage-and-hour statute applied to minor league baseball players could dramatically alter how they are utilized and how games are played in Kentucky.
Under the new CBA, the 69 minor league players assigned to Kentucky teams annually are treated as salaried employees and receive weekly pay throughout the year, including for spring training and the offseason. The CBA included significant salary increases of 119 percent to 138 percent, depending on the player’s level.
Without this legislative fix, state wage-and-hour laws could impose requirements like overtime tracking and recordkeeping, which are incompatible with the nature of professional baseball.
“Minor league baseball is a big part of Kentucky’s communities and economy,” Bledsoe added. “This bill strikes a balance between supporting players and preserving the sport’s viability in our state, but it’s also going to assure the moms, dads and children who enjoy attending these games have more opportunities to do that. Many people enjoy visiting the ballpark to support their team as well as the social environment, and having a hot dog and snacks; it’s part of our American DNA. So, I’m glad to be able to support the game in this small but impactful way. ”
###
Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, including Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She serves as vice chair of both the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and the Senate Families and Children Committee. Additionally, Bledsoe is an ex officio member of various budget review subcommittees, including Health and Family Services; Education; Justice; General Government and Economic Development; and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. She co-chairs the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity statutory committee and is a member of the Licensing and Occupations Committee, the State and Local Government Committee, and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight statutory committee. In 2024, she co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Task Force and served on the 2024-26 Budget Preparation and Submission statutory committee.
Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate112.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Bledsoe.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more
Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel.
Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.
Follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Visit KYSenateRepublicans.com for information on caucus members and to view press releases from our office.