A debate over stadium funding in Memphis quickly turned into a debate over the future of baseball itself.
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During a city council committee meeting this week, Memphis Councilman Chase Carlisle raised eyebrows when he questioned whether investing millions of dollars into a Triple-A baseball stadium still makes sense in 2026.
His reasoning?
"People are playing pickleball," he said, per WREG News 3.
The comments came as city leaders discussed a request for $5 million tied to repairs and long-term renovation planning at AutoZone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of MLB's St. Louis Cardinals.
According to reports, the funding would help address infrastructure needs and begin planning for a larger renovation project that could eventually cost tens of millions of dollars.
Carlisle said the conversation should go beyond repairing the ballpark and focus on whether baseball remains the best use of the facility.
"I've been to many Redbirds games," Carlisle said. "But the world has changed. That was 30 years ago. People are playing pickleball. They're not going to baseball games. They are sure as heck not going to minor league games."
The remarks immediately became one of the most talked-about moments of the meeting.
Carlisle argued that city leaders should evaluate whether the stadium could serve multiple purposes rather than functioning primarily as a baseball venue. He questioned whether Triple-A baseball still delivers the economic impact many cities once expected from minor league franchises.
Not everyone agreed. Councilman Edmund Ford Sr. pushed back on the idea that baseball has lost its place in the community.
"It was baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and a Chevrolet," Ford said. "People go to the baseball game if you don't go nowhere else."
Ford also reminded fellow council members of Memphis' long baseball history before delivering a blunt message of his own.
"Y'all can do what you want to do," he said. "But please, y'all quit being foolish around here."
