Leadership change, league membership turnover highlight MINK Winter Meetings
An active off-season around the MINK includes new leadership and new teams coming in 2026.
The annual winter meetings featuring team owners and representatives tabbed Clifton Glidewell as the new commissioner and Bob Coons as the MINK's deputy commissioner.
Glidewell fills the role left vacant after the passing of former commissioner Ron Rodriguez in August. Glidewell brings more than four decades of baseball experience to the position at every level.
The Kansas City, MO native was drafted out of New Mexico State University in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB Amateur Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After his playing career, he moved joined the coaching ranks, working from the high school level up through junior college, NAIA, and NCAA Division I. He's also umpired high school, college, and independent professional baseball.
Coons steps into a new role as the MINK deputy commissioner after two years as the league's assigner. Coons umpired in the MINK for ten years, has worked the Missouri State Show-Me Games since 2013, and was recognized as the Missouri State High School Activities Association's Umpire of the Year in 2024.
Glidewell and Coons will take on various tasks around the MINK with a focus on helping the premier summer college baseball league in the Midwest to continue to grow.
Ky Turner of the St. Joseph Mustangs and Chris Whitaker of the Carroll Merchants were re-elected to their positions as league president and vice president, respectively.
MINK expands to Kirksville and beyond
The 2026 league schedule will have a different look with the addition of two new franchises to the MINK, and the departure of the Sedalia Bombers and Jefferson City Renegades.
The North Missouri Nattys of Kirksville will begin playing in the MINK League in 2026. The Nattys play their home games on the full synthetic turf baseball field at Kirksville High School. The complex is just three years old after the nearly $3 million sports project was completed in 2022.
The second team joining the MINK will be revealed soon.
Pearl Anniversary
The 2026 season also marks the 30th year of MINK League teams entertaining fans on baseball diamonds across the Midwest during long summer evenings.
In addition to another exciting of summer college baseball, league officials have special announcements on the horizon with a nod to MINK history.
The complete regular season and postseason schedule will be released in the coming weeks.