Caps closer to Hershey shift – The Wash. Times
This is kind of old news, but when it comes to hockey, you can wait a few days. There is a strong possibility that Washington Capitals will align themselves with the legendary Hershey Bears AHL franchise. This would mean that two minor league affiliates of D.C. teams would be in the Pennsylvania capital region. Hershey is 15miles from Harrisburg, which is home of the Senators, the Nationals AA team.

Somehow, this ties into the decision to name three seperate highways (I-81, I-83, PA 581) the encircle Harrisburg (pahighways.com) as the Capital Beltway. I blasted the move back when it happened in the late 1990s, calling them a bunch of poseurs or worse. I guess it would be fair to say that it appears to be working out for them, but it was stupid to use that name. At least they are not using inner and outer loop or “inside the beltway” in local jargon.

Of course, this may all be a moot point if/when the Senators make the jump to AAA. There is speculation that when Baltimore’s contract with their current AAA team is up, they will align with Harrisburg. It makes a whole lot of sense for both sides and really opens up south-central Pennsylvania to Baltimore. I advocated for this course for Baltimore, rather than the “cowardly welfare mama” method that worked too well.

Also, as we read above, the Nats may have designs on Richmond for AAA (or vice versa) after the New Orleans contract is up. However, this would all just make so much sense, I cannot actually seeing it happen.