Major League Baseball has dropped 40 cities as professional affiliates as part of its plan to cut to 120 farm teams.

The New York-Penn League, which started in 1939, was eliminated and the Pioneer League, founded the same year, lost its affiliated status and became an independent partner league.

The Appalachian League was converted to a college summer circuit for rising freshmen and sophomores.

Each franchise's top four affiliates will include one team each at Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Low-A. Additional clubs are allowed at spring training complexes and in the Dominican Republic.