HUNTINGTON — The Appalachian League has contracted the Tri-State Coal Cats.

Tri-State officials confirmed the summer college league baseball team is one of two the league is folding, reducing it to eight teams. The other contracted team was in Bristol, Tennessee.

Coal Cats president Mike Kirtner said Tri-State ran into difficulties coordinating with Marshall University for using facilities at Jack Cook Field, where the Coal Cats played from early June to the end of July.

Coal Cats general manager Christian Palmer said he is sad to see the team contracted.

“We just couldn’t get it worked out,” Palmer said. “We’ve looked at bringing in another summer league.”

Requests for comment from Appalachian League officials and a Marshall spokesman were unsuccessful before deadline.

The Frontier

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