October 3rd, 2026Heinrich Statement on Major League Baseball Reversing Course on Plan to Host Baseball Game in Grand Teton National Park

MLB withdraws proposal after Heinrich sent a letter urging MLB to back down from their plan to host a baseball game in the treasured national park WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement in response to Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Robert Manfred withdrawing the league's interest in hosting a baseball game in Grand Teton National Park after Heinrich pressed Manfred to withdraw his proposal. “This week, I sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Manfred urging him to stand down on pursuing a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park. While I’m glad that he has listened and agreed not to pursue this Grand Teton National Park plan, I am concerned that MLB may still be considering other National Park locations,” said Heinrich. “Let’s be clear: our national parks are no place for hosting professional sports games. Building stadiums in our national parks defies logic and is just plain wrong. I’ll continue to demand answers on whether other national park sites are being considered for any MLB games.” In his letter to MLB Commissioner Manfred, sent Tuesday, September 29, Heinrich urged MLB to withdraw its proposal to build a baseball stadium in Grand Teton National Park, citing concerns over national park preservation and the precedent hosting a baseball game would set for future national park land use. “Since 1916, the mission of the National Park Service has been to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife in the parks, and to provide for their enjoyment in a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations of Americans. This all makes national parks sacred ground and not a proper venue for a stadium built for a single commercial event. As Americans, we have an obligation to protect and preserve our national parks at every turn,” Heinrich wrote. Heinrich also expressed concern over the lack of public input from MLB or the Trump administration in making this decision. Recent reporting from The Washington Post found that National Park Service (NPS) Deputy Director for Operations Frank Lands recently visited Teton County, but made no mention of hosting an MLB game in Grand Teton National Park. “The public and local communities deserve an opportunity to voice their concerns about visitor safety and the protection of federal lands and ecosystems. Neither MLB nor the Trump administration has sought public input,” Heinrich continued. “MLB has its choice of at least 30 different stadiums all over the country to host a baseball game. Hosting a baseball game at a national park, however, should not be one of those venues given the heightened threat to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. I therefore request that you withdraw your proposal to host a baseball game at a national park and instead pursue a more viable alternative venue,” Heinrich concluded. Yesterday, MLB Commissioner Manfred responded to Heinrich’s letter, sharing that MLB will no longer be considering Grand Teton National Park as a potential site for a baseball game, but making no commitments regarding other National Park sites. Read the full text of Heinrich’s letter here and below. Dear Commissioner Manfred: I write to express strong opposition to Major League Baseball (MLB) hosting a baseball game at a national park. I strongly urge you to withdraw your proposal. According to recent reports, MLB has approached the Trump administration about hosting a major league baseball game in Grand Teton National Park. This news is highly concerning. Grand Teton National Park holds a singular place in our nation’s conservation history. First protected by Congress in 1929, the park preserves the Teton Range, the valley of Jackson Hole, and one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. It is home to grizzly bears, moose, bison, and it sustains the pronghorn’s ancient migration route, one of the longest land migrations in North America. The same land that makes the area attractive to construction is the same habitat these animals depend on for grazing, calving, and passage. Since 1916, the mission of the National Park Service has been to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife in the parks, and to provide for their enjoyment in a way that leaves them unimpaired for future generations of Americans. This all makes national parks sacred ground and not a proper venue for a stadium built for a single commercial event. As Americans, we have an obligation to protect and preserve our national parks at every turn. The public and local communities deserve an opportunity to voice their concerns about visitor safety and the protection of federal lands and ecosystems. Neither MLB nor the Trump administration has sought public input. According to The Washington Post, Deputy Director Frank Lands recently visited Teton County, but made no mention of hosting an MLB game in Grand Teton National Park. Baseball is a treasured American pastime – drawing millions of fans to ballparks every year. MLB has its choice of at least 30 different stadiums all over the country to host a baseball game. Hosting a baseball game at a national park, however, should not be one of those venues given the heightened threat to local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. I therefore request that you withdraw your proposal to host a baseball game at a national park and instead pursue a more viable alternative venue. Sincerely, ###