According to a Hawaii Winter Baseball press release, Major League Baseball has decided to “consolidate” its fall operations to Arizona.  As the press release explains,

The decision essentially ends any participation in HWB by players from the MLB and its minor league affiliates.

Hawaii Winter Baseball combined a few really excellent ideas:

1. A second fall league for players, most of whom had completed A-ball seasons, who weren’t ready for the Arizona Fall League

2. An international operation that brought together American, Japanese and Korean players that would appeal to Hawaii’s own diverse population.

“It was a grand experience bringing the thrill of pro baseball back to the islands,” said Hawaii Winter Baseball league owner Duane Kurisu, in announcing the completion of the league’s three-year contract with Major League Baseball.

Kurisu, who is also a minority partner in the San Francisco Giants, and a very successful businessman, had been supporting the league financially in its second incarnation. However, meager attendance and facilities well below mainland standards doomed the league.

The HWB press release implies that MLB will open up a second fall league in Arizona, to replace the departed HWB.  Think AFL2.

I’m also a little bummed that I won’t get to run posts with that eye-catching logo anymore.