1998 Major League Baseball expansion the American League. Following that transaction, MLB consequently altered its season structure so as to include interleague play throughout the regular season. 1998 Major League Baseball expansion The 1998 Major League Baseball expansion resulted in the establishment of Major League Baseball (MLB)'s 29th and 30th teams beginning play for the 1998 season. After initiating an expansion committee in March 1994, 27 groups representing nine cities submitted bids for the proposed expansion teams. After a yearlong process, on March 9, 1995, the league awarded the National League franchise to Phoenix and the American League franchise to Tampa. The Arizona Diamondbacks and
Baseball in Spain the cupwinner play in the various European Cup. The Spanish league teams compete in Europe under CEB most notably in the Baseball Champions League and CEB cup. The Spanish teams also compete in a domestic cup competition each year, called the Copa del Rey de Beisbol. Since 2015 there are no relegations to Primera División as teams from this league are not able to meet the requirements for promotion. For a list of teams, see List of baseball clubs in Spain Baseball in Spain The main ruling organization regarding baseball in Spain is the Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation