2021 Birmingham Barons
The 2021 Birmingham Barons was the 8th Barons team to play in downtown Birmingham's Regions Field, and was the follow-up to the 2019 Barons, as the 2020 season was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The season marked the Logan family's 14th season as team owners and the team's 34th year as a Chicago White Sox AA affiliate. That relationship was extended under Major League Baseball's new "Professional Development League" system, announced on February 12, 2021.
The new organization eliminated the former minor leagues system, dissolving the Southern League. In its place, the Barons played as part of the North Division of the 8-team "Double-A South". Division rivals included the Chattanooga Lookouts, Rocket City Trash Pandas, and Tennessee Smokies.
Field manager Justin Jirschele began his tenure after a year's delay. He was joined by new hitting coach Cameron Seitzer, athletic trainer Hyeon Kim, and performance coach George Timke. Pitching coach Richard Dotson returned for a third season with the team.
Roster
Schedule
The 2021 schedule was shortened and reconfigured to reduce travel as the Coronavirus pandemic lingered. Opening day was moved to April 4, with each team playing 120 games rather than 140. Each match-up was extended to a six-day series, with one day off.
References
- Gattis, Paul (February 12, 2021) "Trash Pandas, Barons, Biscuits join revamped minor league baseball system." The Birmingham News
- Gattis, Paul (February 17, 2021) "Opening Day set for minor league baseball in Alabama, report says." The Birmingham News
External links
- Birmingham Barons website