Trump Administration Considers MLB Proposal for Ballpark in Grand Teton National Park

<figure><img alt="Trump" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/K464ERDM6RHRZF7N5MLYDJZZ5M.JPG?auth=e544d1461a603089eb7002c765e6b15bc14264fe17479c7f5f16db2445ec8e53&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2857&amp;height=1607" /><figcaption>Evan Vucci / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>The Trump administration is evaluating a proposal from Major League Baseball (MLB) to host a professional baseball game in Grand Teton National Park. </p><p>According to a report by the Washington Post, MLB officials have contacted administration representatives regarding the construction of a ballpark within the park. </p><p>Frank Lands, Deputy Director of the National Park Service, visited the park this week to assess three potential locations for the proposed game. </p><img alt="Grand Teton is known for its stunning views. / Kaylee Greenlee / REUTERS" height="5426" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/FYDQ32VKCNADTKIPRRSYVYYNXA.JPG?auth=f369a42b52aa5387002f657eb119e45169641ed665d3d90242592d6138f866f3&amp;smart=true&amp;width=8135&amp;height=5426" width="8135" /><p>An MLB official indicated that the idea was inspired by the league’s successful Field of Dreams game in Iowa.</p><p>The White House released a statement clarifying that the project is not a directive from the President and is not a priority for the administration. The statement noted, “If the MLB wants to go on site visits of national parks, that is their prerogative.”</p><p>Environmental experts have expressed concerns regarding the proposal. Betsy Buffington, a regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association, stated that the location would be inappropriate. </p><img alt="Grand Teton is one of the most visited National Parks in the country. / Kaylee Greenlee / REUTERS" height="5357" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/D6ZWATAF7ZH4DE7DYD6LC3DEEQ.JPG?auth=eebb620398542fe6762215fd747b4366ccd3841dd36424b397e33c388ba1fe9c&amp;smart=true&amp;width=8031&amp;height=5357" width="8031" /><p>“It is irreplaceable. There is no other Grand Teton that is home to bears and wolves and bison, elk and pronghorn,” Buffington told the Post. “So the idea that we would put a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park is just — what would the word be? — ludicrous. Crazy. Ridiculous. I mean, I just can’t fathom.”</p><p>Local officials have also raised concerns about the proposal. </p><p>Luther Propst, a county commissioner for Teton County, Wyoming, met with Lands during his visit and noted that federal officials have not sought local input regarding the proposal. Propst described the idea of a ballpark as “a radical departure from the tradition of national parks.”</p><img alt="" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/7SXGZZFXZBCFFDJRS4HPXVX3MA.JPG?auth=2b98c29c9359328bcccb8f0982b82d95278bcec89de3ae4fe5e490728df16a58&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4929&amp;height=3311" /><p>The MLB has previously hosted games at unconventional venues, including Fort Bragg and Bristol Motor Speedway, but none have been held within a National Park, especially as this proposal would require new construction rather than utilizing existing infrastructure. </p><img alt="The Trump administration has already made massive cuts to national parks. / Jonathan Ernst / REUTERS" height="3676" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/Z73XVQTQJ5BZVORWPAGPG5M72Q.JPG?auth=7cace46eb54b9f0e42901bcf6ae37370ad85525f6a5d463dee75877613d49ff0&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5500&amp;height=3676" width="5500" /><p>The consideration of a ballpark in Grand Teton National Park comes amid reports that the Trump administration has made significant cuts to national park budgets and staffing. There have also been proposals to transfer parkland to private developers, including a plan to allow a private developer to build a road in Yosemite National Park in exchange for private land of equal value.</p><p><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-goons-scout-grand-teton-national-park-for-mlb-ballpark-at/">Read more at The Daily Beast.</a></p>