By Scot Bertram/Illinois Radio Network

SAUGET, Ill. – Independent minor league baseball in Illinois could be threatened without help from lawmakers in Springfield.

That’s according to Tom Ysursa, general counsel for the Frontier League, which has teams in six cities across the state. League officials support a measure that recently passed the state Senate which would exempt certain minor league players from Illinois’ minimum wage requirement. He argues it comes down to how employees are classified.

“The issue for the Frontier League is not about anything to do with any proposed raising of the minimum wage [rate] in Illinois,” Ysursa said. “The issue for the Frontier League is to get Illinois law the same as federal law when it comes to whether employers of seasonal employees are to comply with the Minimum Wage Act.”

The Frontier League season runs from mid-May until early September. Ysursa said owners need this change to keep players on the field.

“If their seasonal employees, which is what they are, are not exempt, the costs associated with that threatens the business model and threatens to leave many municipal stadiums empty without tenants,” Ysursa said.

Pete Laven, president of the Schaumburg Boomers franchise, said he believes this is a reaction by the league to litigation filed by various minor league players across the country. One lawsuit in particular was filed by two former Frontier League players for what they say is low pay that violates federal law.

Laven says he’s heard of players asking to get paid for activities in which they aren’t even at the stadium, such as workouts or travel time.

He argues teams take care of players in other ways, such as finding living arrangements with nearby families and supplying meals throughout the season.

A bill in the state Senate passed unanimously and now moves to the House for debate.

The Frontier League includes the Normal CornBelters as well as teams in Joliet, Crestwood, Schaumburg, Sauget, and Marion.