The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are about to be acquired by a company that owns dozens of other minor leagues baseball teams in the United States and Canada.

The Rumble Ponies have entered into an agreement to sell the team to Diamond Baseball Holdings.

According to Friday's announcement, the team will continue to play at Mirabito Stadium, a city-owned facility in downtown Binghamton.

The sale comes less than two-and-a-half years after David Sobotka purchased the team from John Hughes. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka during a radio interview on March 27, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka during a radio interview on March 27, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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In a news release, Sobotka said owning the Rumble Ponies had been "a dream come true." He said keeping the team in Binghamton had been a priority.

Sobotka expressed confidence that Diamond Baseball Holdings "will ensure that the Minor League baseball experience will be preserved for future generations to enjoy."

According to the announcement, Richard Tylicki, who has been the Rumble Ponies acting general manager since November, will become the club's permanent general manager.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies games are broadcast live on News Radio WNBF 92.1 FM and 1290 AM.

LISTEN: Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner David Sobotka talked about the new baseball season on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program on March 27, 2024.

An entrance to Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton on April 5, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
An entrance to Mirabito Stadium in Binghamton on April 5, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The ownership change is expected to be completed soon. Sobotka, who is Rumble Ponies president, and Karen Sobotka, the team vice president, will remain in those positions during the transition.

The Diamond Baseball Holdings website already features the Rumble Ponies as part of the company's portfolio. Its other teams include four of Binghamton's Eastern League opponents - the Harrisburg Senators, the Altoona Curve, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Portland Sea Dogs.

The Rumble Ponies players at the team season opener on April 5, 2024. Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News
The Rumble Ponies players at the team's season opener on April 5, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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