A Joplin franchise has been added to the MINK League for 2026, according to Ky Turner, president of the League, which includes other Missouri and Iowa teams.

“There will be a team in Joplin,” he said Wednesday. “We love Joplin, just the footprint in the Midwest, that’s really exciting for us.”

The Joplin Outlaws, who now are members of the Mid-America League, at one time played in the MINK League.

David Schmoll, a member of the four-person ownership group of the Joplin team, said they hope to have an announcement on the team name soon. He also said they have signed a letter of intent to play at Wendell Redden Stadium in Joplin, and are working to finalize the lease.

Schmoll also said that Brian Flynn is the new team president. Flynn was the owner and president of baseball operations for the Joplin Outlaws in 2025.

Donovan Harns, of Joplin, has been named the general manager.

“The Joplin area is the perfect place for summer collegiate baseball,” Schmoll said.

League officials announced a number of changes last month, including naming Clifton Glidewell as commissioner. A Kansas City native, he was drafted out of New Mexico State University in the 30th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After his playing career, he coached at various levels, including high school, junior college, NAIA, and NCAA Division I. He’s also umpired high school, college and independent professional baseball.

Besides Joplin, the league in 2026 will consist of the four other Missouri teams — the St. Joseph Mustangs (owned by Turner), the North Missouri Nattys of Kirksville, the Nevada Griffons, the Chillicothe Mudcats, and two Iowa teams, the Clarinda A’s and the Carroll Merchants.

The Sedalia Bombers and Jefferson City Renegades have departed for another league.

The 2026 season also marks the 30th year of the MINK League.