Minor league teams are "on the brink of financial catastrophe" and bipartisan lawmakers are stepping up to the plate

The new Rocket City Trash Pandas were supposed to be last year's breakout team in Minor League Baseball. Then the pandemic hit and forced the cancellation of all games. For the Trash Pandas, that meant its new $50 million stadium would sit empty. 

"2020 was a difficult time to start a brand new baseball team," said Lindsey Knupp, the team's vice president of marketing, promotions and entertainment. The organization lost millions, she said — as much as $17 million.  "It was either shut the doors and close down and lay people off or come up with other creative ways to bring people here to the ballpark," said Knupp.