The New Jersey Jackals, Adirondack Lumberjacks and Massachusetts Mad Dogs could someday play baseball against the hometown Schaumburg team with the merger announced Thursday of two independent minor leagues.
The three teams are members of the Northeast League, which with the Northern League announced Thursday that they plan to merge beginning with the 1999 season. The Northern League recently agreed to expand so a team can play in Schaumburg.
Peter Heitman, the leader of a group of investors who would own the Schaumburg team, said the merger will not affect his plans to bring a team to the northwest suburbs.
“In fact, it probably will add a little excitement at playoffs at the end of the season,” Heitman said.
Dan Moushon, executive director for the Northern League, said details of the merger have yet to be finalized. But he said the two leagues may operate under one name with Eastern and Midwestern divisions. The leagues now have 18 teams total.