Recent
Visits |
Al Lang Field, Tampa Bay
Rays
St.
Pete's Al Lang Field has been in the news a lot
lately, but for the wrong reasons: the Tampa Bay
Rays will train there one last time in 2008 before
shifting spring operations to Charlotte County in
2009, and the old ballpark is slated to be torn
down to make way for a new waterfront home of the
Rays. Now, Al Lang Field isn't the same venue it
was in the 1940s and 1950s when it was a landmark
in spring training, but it's still a great place
to catch a spring-training game. We hope the Rays
catch the spirit of the original Al Lang in their
designs for a new ballpark, For the rest of us, a
trip to Al Lang Field will be a mandatory event in
Spring Training 2008.
Trustmark Park, Mississippi
Braves
There's
nothing wrong with Trustmark Park, the home of the
Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League).
The wraparound concourse, luxury
boxes, big scoreboard and varied concessions are
all standard issue for a new minor-league ballpark
these days. So why aren't we more excited about
the two-year-old ballpark? Because there's nothing
unique about it: except for a few Southern menu
items at the concessions, there's nothing to link
the ballpark to its surroundings. At a Mississippi
Braves game, you could be watching a game anywhere
-- and going local is one of the great joys of the
minor leagues. Dustin Mattison reports.
Alliance Bank Stadium,
Syracuse Chiefs
The
biggest news at Alliance Bank Stadium, the home of
the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International
League): the current artificial turf will be
replaced by real grass. That's good news for
Syracuse baseball fans in terms of aesthetics, as
well as players who need to field on an old,
sometimes unpredictable surface. Otherwise,
Alliance Bank Stadium is a perfectly serviceable
ballpark: the Chiefs front office does things the
old-fashioned way (i.e., not much in terms of
between-innings shenanigans), but the ballpark is
a comfortable place to watch a game, and the food
is pretty good. Steve Kapsinow reports.
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The
Fine Print |
Obligatory legal information:
This site is copyright 1998-2007 Kevin Reichard/August
Publications. All rights
reserved. My wife is a lawyer, so she will come and chop off
your hand in a legal fashion if you rip off this site
in any form. All logos are the property of their respective
owners. |
Broadcasts |
Virtually every MiLB team now streams broadcasts over the
Internet, which makes it easy to follow your favorite team when
you're on the road. In addition, you can catch MLB game broadcasts at
MLB.com or via XM Radio.
More
on Internet radio and TV broadcasts here! |
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Archives:
Jan. 22-28, 2007
Hohokam Park upgrades set
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The Mesa HoHoKams are matching or exceeding the
amenities offered at newer Cactus League parks in
the West Valley, updating
Hohokam Park with three
scoreboards in a $500,000 project and expanded
concession choices. The main board was updated
with new lighting and capacities and two smaller
boards are posted over first and third base. One
immediate gain is that fans sitting in lawn seats
will be able to see the smaller scoreboard.
Ovations was brought in to upgrade the concessions
as well; we're hoping Old Style will be more
readily available throughout the ballpark.
Hohokam Park is the spring home of the Chicago Cubs.
Of course, we're three weeks away from the start
of spring training, but a little more than a month
away from the start of any games.
Work on Lackawanna County
Stadium progresses
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Along with the franchise it houses, Lackawanna
County Stadium is in the process of a makeover.
Converting to accommodate the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA;
International League), some of the ballpark’s work
is finished, some is in the process of being
completed and some is being put on hold. Most
notable and noticeable among the changes is the
field conversion from turf to natural grass.
Because of the weather, the process is in the
midst of its scheduled winter break, but team vice
president Jeremy Ruby said everything has
progressed as planned. Meanwhile, the corners of
the ballpark have seen significant changes with
the lower deck bleachers being replaced by seats
from the top rows of the upper level, and with the
bullpens being replaced by party boxes. The
bullpens are being moved to behind the outfield
wall, while the left- and right-field corners
where the bullpens used to be are being converted
into field boxes designed for group parties.
RELATED STORIES:
New for 2007: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees;
End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium;
Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty;
Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows;
Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax;
New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark
priorities;
Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in
minor-league teams;
Will Moosic get a new ballpark?;
Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management
firm heading to Moosic;
Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna
County Stadium today;
Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and
Pens;
It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to
Scranton a done deal?;
Authority will consider giving Cordaro power;
Yankees to SWB?
Seeking edge in China,
Yankees put baseball first
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The New York Yankees believe there is talent to be
cultivated in China, and when future prospects
have a choice of where to sign, the Yankees want
their brand and reputation to stand out. The
Yankees have been working with the Chinese
Baseball Association for more than six months to
forge a relationship that would allow the Yankees
to send coaches, scouts and trainers to China.
Cashman and three other executives -- Randy
Levine, the team president; Jean Afterman, the
assistant general manager; and Michael Tusiani,
the vice president for corporate sales and
sponsorships -- accepted an invitation to travel
to Beijing next week. Levine said the Yankees
could eventually sponsor an academy in China, on
their own or with Major League Baseball. He added
that it was “not out of the question” that
baseball could eventually stage games in China.
With a billion people and some profitable inroads
already made by the NBA, China is an attractive
market for MLB. China isn't the only Asian country
making waves in international baseball;
this article details how Nippon Professional
Baseball must progress in coming years.
Topeka baseball talks in
'very preliminary stages'
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The city of Topeka is in the “very preliminary
stages” of talks that could result in bringing a
professional baseball team here, city spokesman
David Bevens said today. Topeka residents have
been talking with the independent United League
Baseball about a new ballpark and expansion
franchise, and those efforts are now coming to
light. Bevens said the city wasn’t releasing any
information today other than to say that the
owners Bunten talked about were among several
people who have met with city officials in recent
months to discuss the possibility of bringing
professional baseball here. Topeka last was home
to a minor league baseball team in 1961, when the
Topeka Reds competed as a farm club of the
Cincinnati Reds.
Please welcome Dave Wright to August Publications
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Please welcome the newest
member of the August Publications family: Dave
Wright. Many of you in baseball know Dave as the
former PR director of the St. Paul Saints
(independent; American Association); he spent lots
of time at Midway Stadium from 1992 to 1997 and
then from 2003 to the end of last year. He may be
the hardest-working person in sports: you can
often find him working at some sort of sporting
event in the Twin Cities, whether it be a crew at
a local college game or a Minnesota Wild match.
He'll be working on a variety of projects for us,
including regular writing at
Arena Digest
and Ballpark Digest as well as two future book
titles.
Ballpark project may not sit
well with builder's ex
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Lorain's rush to build a ballpark by April faces a
possible setback because of a bidder's divorce in
Texas and its fallout in the bleacher industry.
Another bidder questioned Thursday whether work on
the 1,300-seat ballpark can be accomplished in two
months, no matter which bidder wins the contract,
and suggested the work could take as long as six
months. City officials will announce the winning
bid today for the $540,000 bleacher project at
Campana Park. Cleveland State University's
baseball team is scheduled to open its home season
at the park April 3. The issue is complicated. For
years, Sherrill and Jo Ann Geurin Pettus, ran
Southern Bleacher Co., a strong player in the
bleacher market. However, the couple divorced in
March 2005, and Sherrill Pettus left the company
and started a competing bleacher company, Steel
Stadiums, about two miles away. Southern Bleacher
sued in November, saying Steel Stadiums stole its
design and competitive-bidding models. A judge has
ordered Steel to stop mimicking Southern
Bleacher's work while the case is pending. If
Steel Stadiums wins the bid, it could be blocked
as part of the lawsuit. We know of one other
summer-collegiate ballpark depending on work from
Steel Stadiums; in addition, the firm did the
design and installation of the newest
Finch Field,
the home of the Thomasville Hi-Toms (summer
collegiate; Coastal Plain League).
RELATED STORIES:
Avon nears deal with Frontier League;
County may help fund Lorain ballpark;
Avon takes a swing at baseball;
U.S. Steel donates for Lorain ballpark;
Baseball slides into Lorain;
Foltin: Avon also eyeing ball team;
Foltin faces opposition over upgrades at park
IronPigs offer
to pay fine for local woman
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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA;
International League) are offering to pay the $200
fine and the $58.50 court costs levied on
Elizabeth Yanoski, of Lansford, Pa., yesterday. District Judge Casimir Kosciolek ruled
Yanoski in violation of a borough ordinance by
keeping pot belly pigs in her home -- a violation
she was already fined for one year ago. The offer
made by the IronPigs has only one tail attached --
Yanoski must finally agree to abide by the
ordinance. "I hope she realizes this is no pig in
a poke," said IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes,
who was happier than a pig in mud to find an ally
in Carbon County. "A friend of a pig is a friend
of ours -- so we are sincerely willing to cover
Ms. Yanoski’s fine so long that she will follow
the ordinance in the future."
More on the fine here.
More from the Allentown Morning Call.
A 'board to end boredom
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Total
Sports Entertainment's Bob
Masewicz is in Modesto this week to show the
management of the Modesto Nuts (High Class A;
California League) staff the endless possibilities
of the $500,000 piece of hardware soon to be
erected above the left-field fence at John Thurman
Field. The board (the rendering is shown below) was funded as part of the $3
million in ballpark upgrades coming to the
ballpark as part of a recently negotiated 10-year
lease agreement. It's a structure 41 feet wide and
30 feet, 6 inches tall, with the middle 360 square
feet devoted to a state-of-the-art video board.
The video capability means that the Nuts will be
hiring and training a crew to produce visual
elements to be shown before, during and after
every Nuts' home game.
Sox, Roush close to NASCAR
deal
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It's hard
to see how this benefits the Boston Red
Sox, as the demographics for the BoSox and NASCAR
are very different, but if all goes according to
plan, John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group might
sponsor a Red Sox car with NASCAR powerhouse Roush
Racing for a portion of the 2007 season. Roush
said he and Henry will make a “big” announcement
on Feb. 14 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona
Beach, Fla., four days before the Daytona 500.
If Henry decides to sponsor a car for the entire
2007 season, the price tag is estimated between
$15 million to $20 million. This may just be a
personal thing for Henry -- he's a NASCAR
fan -- or purely a financial move.
Ballpark's future subject to
study
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Fort Wayne city officials and Indiana
University-Purdue University Fort Wayne hope to
work with Allen County officials to determine what
will happen to Memorial Stadium if a new ballpark
is built downtown. The Allen County commissioners
are expected today to discuss whether to enter
into an agreement with the city and IPFW to
complete a study of the existing ballpark. Both
Mayor Graham Richard and Chancellor Mike Wartell
have signed the written agreement. Memorial
Coliseum leases Memorial Stadium to the Fort Wayne
Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). As part of
the lease, Coliseum staff control parking, the
events calendar and also heating-cooling systems
and security systems. That could change if another
organization were to lease the ballpark.
RELATED STORIES:
Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark;
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
Building the public square;
Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans;
Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne;
Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
unpopular;
Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you
remember;
Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
Playing ball downtown;
We need to build ballpark downtown;
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?;
Learning by example from Dayton;
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Field of dreams in Fort Wayne?
Friendly confines
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Tom Seidler spent 10 days last summer touring 10
of the best minor league baseball stadiums in the
country. The Visalia Oaks (High Class A;
California League) owner returned to town with a
borrowed idea and a new one to implement into the
first phase of a $5 million, two-year renovation
project at Recreation Park, the smallest venue in
all of minor league baseball. The ballpark
currently seats 1,800. Other Class A ballparks
across the country average 5,000 to 7,000 seats.
Revised first-phase plans call for the addition of
two group hospitality areas -- the Dugout Suite
and the Hot Corner Lounge -- and upgraded
infrastructure before the start of the season in
April.
RELATED STORIES:
Oaks release renderings of Recreation Park
enhancements
Bullfrogs selling quality of
play
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The Green
Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods
League) will be selling the quality of plan in the
Northwoods League in their inaugural season, as
the team continues to market itself and make
enhancements to
Joannes Field.
Bullfrogs owner Jeff Royle points out something
important: Green Bay is the second-largest market
in the Northwoods League. Only Battle Creek is
larger, so this season the summer-collegiate
league has added two new franchises in what will
be the
league's largest markets, depending on how you
classify Mankato and St. Cloud (at times both are
considered part of the greater Minneapolis-St.
Paul market). (Disclaimer: Ballpark
Digest editor Kevin Reichard sits on the
Northwoods League's Board of Advisors.)
Tide baseball buys own
version of the Big Board
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University of Alabama baseball players who helped
build up their power reputations by clearing the
scoreboard at Sewell-Thomas Stadium will have a
more difficult time doing so this season.
Otherwise, the Crimson Tide couldn’t be happier
with its new massive scoreboard, which was erected
this week and towers over the left-field wall
behind the 365-foot mark. Highlighting the
approximately 40-foot high structure is a large
video screen that will profile players and display
their pictures throughout the course of games.
Speaking of NCAA baseball: the college season is
already underway, with many teams in action this
weekend.
River Eels
announce sponsor for inaugural season
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The Plymouth River Eels announce Tracy Chevrolet
of Plymouth as the "home team" dugout sponsor for
their inaugural professional independent baseball
season. As a sponsor, the Tracy Chevrolet name and
logo will be prominently displayed on top of the
River Eels dugout throughout the entire season.
According to a River Eels press release, the
family-owned car dealer’s sponsorship is the first
in an extensive list of area businesses supporting
America’s pastime in America’s hometown. No work
yet on when the team's planned 5,000-seat ballpark
will begin construction or what league the team
will play in.
Red Sox may serve sushi; other Fenway changes on deck
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Sushi could join peanuts, Cracker Jacks and Fenway
Franks on the menu this season at
Fenway Park,
with a planned revamp in the ballpark’s culinary
lineup. Jonathan Gilula, vice president of
business operations, said the team is considering
the addition of the raw-fish dish as part of a
response to fan requests for more healthy fare.
The nod to Japanese cuisine also comes as the Sox
prepare for the first season with Japanese
pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka and the
legions of Japanese fans and media expected to
follow him to Fenway Park. The talk of new
ballpark fare comes as Sox executives yesterday
unveiled the latest round of improvements at
Fenway Park. The Sox ownership group is in the
midst of a $100 million-plus overhaul of the old
ballpark that features the addition of thousands
of high-priced seats. One highlight of this year’s
improvements: a new "Third Base Deck" behind the
grandstand seats in left field. Created in part by
demolishing a wall that had separated the ballpark
from the neighboring Jeano storage building,
Fenway Park’s newest feature will include the
first-ever women’s bathroom on the third-base
grandstand concourse and a new concession area.
More from South Coast Today
and the
Boston Globe.
Here's a full list of
the improvements.
Gwinnett baseball back in
the game
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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A dream of bringing minor-league baseball to
Gwinnett County got to the on-deck circle
Wednesday with the approval of a study of the
feasibility of building a new stadium in the
county. In a unanimous vote, the Gwinnett
Convention and Visitors Bureau agreed to spend up
to $100,000 to determine the economic viability of
building a baseball complex in the county and
landing a minor-league team. The Gwinnett County
Commission initially discussed paying for the
study, but decided to cut it from the county
budget earlier this month. Commissioners asked the
Convention and Visitors Bureau to pick up the tab.
Williams, general manager for Gwinnett Arena,
conducted a preliminary inquiry of his own and
presented the board with an outline laying out the
"scope" of a possible study. Williams said the
study likely will end up costing GCVB considerably
less than the allocated amount, perhaps only
$70,000. Gwinnett County is a rapidly growing
suburb of Atlanta.
RELATED STORIES:
Whiff! Baseball study out on strikes;
Gwinnett explores minor-league baseball
Nats ballpark cost tops cap,
council members say
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District of Columbia officials acknowledged
yesterday that the city will have to pay more than
$18 million to upgrade streets near the Washington
Nationals' new ballpark, and some council members
said the expenditure would push spending on the
ballpark beyond the council's $611 million cap.
News of the additional cost came during testimony
from the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission
at a council oversight hearing. The commission's
chief executive, Allen Y. Lew, said that though
the stadium is proceeding on schedule for an April
2008 opening, the budget does not include money to
handle transportation planning at the 41,000-seat
ballpark. Several council members criticized Lew's
testimony and charged that the additional public
cost would constitute a violation of the ballpark
spending limit. The members said they feared that
allowing the change would open the way for
spiraling costs on a project whose spending cap
has grown from $535 million in December 2004 to
$611 million.
RELATED STORIES:
Nats owners to pay $20 million for ballpark
upgrades;
With new Nats ballpark, name of the game is money;
D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages;
The D.C. ballpark parking debate;
Severe penalties await city if parking garages
aren't provided, Gandhi warns;
Ballpark garages proposal rejected;
Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight
over new Nats ballpark;
New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for
2008 opening;
Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC
ballpark;
Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking;
DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in
country;
Legislation would revive condo and garage
development at new DC ballpark;
New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking;
D.C. parking issue threatens budget;
Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat;
Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk
Hub plan goes to Legislature
Feb. 5
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Four Nassau
County committees voted to preliminarily accept an
agreement between the county executive and
developer Charles Wang that gives Wang standing to
advance his proposal to redevelop the 77-acre
parcel around Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum,
known as the Nassau Hub. The committees sent the
agreement on to the Legislature, where it will be
put to a vote on Feb. 5. Wang, who owns the
Coliseum's primary tenant, the New York Islanders,
has proposed spending $200 million to overhaul the
arena by adding dozens of luxury boxes, expanded
public concourses and several additional ice rinks
for public use. His proposal also includes the
construction of a new luxury hotel, dozens of
high-end condominiums, an outdoor retail concourse
and a minor league ballpark on the site. While the
precise details of the proposal have not been
finalized, the estimated price tag is $1.5
billion.
RELATED STORIES:
Deal for Nassau County ballpark moves forward;
Reckson-Wang group lands development rights to
Nassau Coliseum;
Reckson signs MOU to bring Atlantic League team to
Nassau County development;
Islanders add new ballpark to Nassau Coliseum plan;
Either way, Nassau can't lose;
Mets make the cut in Nassau County redevelopment
project;
Suburban renewal in Nassau County;
Mets toss changeup in Nassau County proposal;
Future of Nassau County ballpark to be decided in
December;
Mets proposing new minor-league ballpark in Nassau
County
NDC gets deal for Pirates'
spring-training renovations
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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A company with local affiliations begins
demolition work on Monday as part of improvements
to the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring training
facilities. The National Development Corp.
Construction Co., a Florida affiliate of the
Oakland-based National Development Corp., is the
holder of an $18 million contract to renovate the
Pirates' spring training facilities in Bradenton,
Fla., according to company president Ron Allen.
The improvements will include new dormitory and
office space for the residential complex known as
Pirates City. Bradenton's McKechnie Field, the
baseball diamond built in 1923, will be getting
new lighting and clubhouses.
RELATED STORIES:
Florida finalizes five spring-training grants;
Pirates to get 30-year lease, lights at McKechnie
Field;
Florida makes preliminary decision on state
spring-training grants;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities
Developers push Yonkers to
OK financing plan
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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As they prepare to spend $40 million on property
acquisition and design plans, developers of a
downtown redevelopment project want the City
Council to decide by Feb. 13 whether it will back
a unique plan to finance $160 million in public
improvements. The request comes as residents urged
the City Council last night to require Streuver
Fidelco Cappelli, LLC to consider the project's
impact on the surrounding community, including the
height of residential towers along the Hudson. The
$1.2 billion plan would transform Yonkers'
downtown with two 50-story residential towers
alongside an 11-story residential and office
complex, about the size of the City Center in
White Plains, and a 6,500-seat ballpark for an
independent Atlantic League team.
RELATED STORIES:
Yonkers downtown plans unveiled;
Yonkers closer to launch of $3.1 billion agreement;
Yonkers redevelopment deal still hanging fire;
Yonkers council seeks revised waterfront plan;
Yonkers to court council, public on $3.1B
development plan;
Cappelli, partners unveil $3.1 billion plan for
downtown Yonkers;
Cappelli expected to team with Struever on Yonkers
ballpark
Murcer reassures fans,
points to spring training
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The Oklahoma drawl sounds as healthy and
lighthearted as it's ever been, which made it even
harder to believe Bobby Murcer was diagnosed with
a malignant brain tumor two weeks ago. The Yankee
announcer is fighting for his life against
ferocious odds, but he spent a half-hour on ESPN
Radio on Tuesday afternoon, comforting his fans
instead of the other way around. "Spring training
is in my plans, I'm looking forward to the 2007
season," Murcer said on the air. "What a great
future we have in front of us." Only a man of
faith could make such a proclamation; brain tumors
are found in just 1.4 people per 10,000, so it
would be easy for Murcer to have said, "Why me?"
Instead, he told host Michael Kay's listeners
about the "sense of calm" that's guided him
through initial chemotherapy and radiation
treatments.
P-Nats clamor for new
minor-league digs
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Built mostly of aluminum before the minor league
baseball boom of the 1990s, 23-year-old Pfitzner
Stadium’s clubhouses are cramped, so much so that
there’s one toilet and three showerheads for more
than two dozen players and coaches. A batting cage
is tucked behind a grill for the team’s concession
stands. The playing field drains like a stopped-up
bathtub when it rains. There isn’t one luxury box
in the entire stadium, and only a few hundred
seats have backs. Potomac Nationals (High Class A;
Carolina League) owner Art Silber pitched Prince
William County officials on a new 6,500-seat
ballpark to a location adjacent to Pfitzner
Stadium in time for the 2008 season. The $22.5
million price tag would be split by the county and
Silber, who anticipates the sale of naming rights
to the ballpark could significantly defray costs.
More from the Potomac News.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark talk shifts to Woodbridge;
P-Nats negotiating new ballpark
Defenders seek to make trip
to ballpark more affordable
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Charles Dowd, general manager of the Connecticut
Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League), told local
officials Wednesday that the team plans to make a
trip to its Norwich ballpark more affordable this
coming season. Dowd said the team will soon
announce a plan in which children, dressed in the
uniform of their local youth league, will be
allowed to attend some games free when accompanied
by an adult. Earlier, the team announced plans to
reduce prices at the concession stands. Addressing
the Southeastern Connecticut Council of
Governments, Dowd asked town officials to work
with the team in developing more fund-raising
events in which tickets sales can be used as an
incentive to generate charitable donations.
Lake County
Captains unveil new uniforms
Posted Jan. 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The Lake County Captains (Low Class A; Sally
League) will have new style uniforms for the 2007
season. The home uniform, road uniform and batting
practice jersey have all been updated. The home
jersey will have the most subtle changes of all
the jerseys. There are some slight changes to the
home uniform, the most obvious being the shift
away from the color red. The original intent of
the organization was to maintain the colors navy
blue and old gold. The road uniform reflects a move toward
a more traditional style.
New clubhouse for Rascals
could be delayed
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O'Fallon may strike out on an agreement to build a
team clubhouse in time for the River City Rascals
(independent; Frontier League) opening day on May
25. All seven bids opened by city officials
Wednesday for the construction of the shower and
changing facility for the minor-league baseball
club at the city-owned stadium were more than
$200,000 over the anticipated $250,000 budget,
City Administrator Robert Lowery Jr. said. More
than $40,000 in unanticipated engineering and
architectural costs and other expenses make it
unlikely that the council will award a bid to one
of the vying construction companies, he said. The
council was scheduled to take action on the bids
at tonight's regular meeting.
Dillas broker deal to
acquire lease
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The Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League
Baseball) are expected to gain control of the
Potter County Memorial Stadium. At Monday's Potter
County Commissioners Court meeting, Dillas General
Manager Mark Lee told commissioners ACE Baseball
Academy, the current lease holder, would be
signing the lease over to him. But simply
requesting Potter County hand the lease to the
Dillas could cause a legal snag. Assistant County
Attorney Dave Kemp said if ACE simply cancels the
lease, the county would be legally required to put
the lease up for bid. Lee said if the lease is put
out to bid, the Dillas would pursue it.
Off the hook in Edmonton
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The name Telus Field could soon disappear from the
Edmonton sports landscape. Edmonton Cracker-Cats
(independent; Northern League) owner Dan Orlich is
getting ready to go corporate shopping, offering
the naming rights to the ballpark with the hope of
getting a better deal. The 11-year naming-rights
agreement with Telus -- which is believed to be
worth an estimated $100,000 per year -- ends on
March 1. "What we're looking for mainly is someone
who will take more of an interest in the ball
team," said Orlich, who wants the rights holder to
bring more employees through the turnstiles. "And
maybe they will take an interest in mailing out
some of our literature with their (customer)
bills."
Bombers start building team
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There's about four months and a whole lot of work
until the Battle Creek Bombers take the field for
the first time as a member of the
summer-collegiate Northwoods League. Rick Lindau,
the Bombers general manager, moved to town late
last week and immediately began mowing down the
never-ending list of tasks when building a new
franchise. Selling advertisements, hiring staff
members and a bus company, and finding host
families are just the beginning of approximately
248 impending issues.
OSU decides to leave grass
behind and install FieldTurf at Goss Stadium
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Renovations
to Goss Stadium, the baseball home of Oregon
State, include the installation of FieldTurf --
but only in the infield. These arrangements always
look a little odd --
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
features such a layout -- and not everyone is
thrilled. "It kills me to take the grass out,"
said head coach Pat Casey. "That's why we are
keeping it in the outfield. We are the grass seed
capital of the world, so that part bothers me."
Ballpark
Notes
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The
Casper Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League)
announced their front-office staff for 2007:
Seth Mathews, Matt Warneke, Matti
Tahja and Tina Nations. Mathews enters
his third year with the Rockies, and will be
taking a larger role in 2007. Warneke has spent
the past few years with the NBA league office, the
Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Coyotes.
Taking over as Director of Ticket Operations this
upcoming year will be Matti Tahja. During the 2006
season Tahja spent his time in Tennessee interning
in all aspects of the business with the Tennessee
Smokies (Class A: Southern League). Tina Nations
will be coming on board with the Rockies as the
Office Manager and bookkeeper....The
Salem Avalanche (High Class A; Carolina
League) have added four new staff members to the
team’s front office as well as promoting three
current employees. The four additions are
Steven Lawhorn, Jeremy Long, Giles
Cochran and Michael Bouscher. In addition,
Assistant General Manager Allen Lawrence
has been named Senior Assistant General Manager,
while Director of Sales and Marketing Josh
Eagan and Director of Group Sales Jeremy
Auker, have both been named Assistant General
Managers. Lawhorn joins the Avalanche as a
Corporate Sales Representative. Concord University
graduate joins the club from the Wilson Tobs
(summer collegiate; Coastal Plains League where he
served most recently as the team’s general
manager. Long joins the Avalanche as Assistant
Director of Group Sales. The Memphis native
previously spent three seasons with the Memphis
Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) in
various capacities. Cochran joins the Avalanche as
an Account Executive, and will be involved in all
facets of game operations this summer. Bouscher
joins the Avalanche as an Account Executive as
well, and will be actively involved with team
operations this summer....The
Frederick Keys (Class A; Carolina League)
announced the promotion of Tami Hetrick to
Finance Manger. Hetrick has spent the last 10
years as the Keys Bookkeeper. The Mt. Airy, MD
native will head up the financial operation for
the Keys organization. The Keys also
announced the hiring of Account Manager Jeff
Wiggins and two interns, Kalie Potter
and Blayne Wilson. Wiggins is a Pittsburgh
native who graduated from Bowling Green University
with a degree in Sports Management. In 2006,
Wiggins worked as an intern with the Washington
Wild Things (independent; Frontier League)....The
River City Rascals (independent; Frontier
League) welcome back Phil Giubileo as their
Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for
the 2007 season. Giubileo spent 2002-2004 with the
Rascals and received many accolades for his work,
including the opportunity to handle the television
play-by-play of the 2004 Frontier League All-Star
Game for FOX Sports. Giubileo will spend the 2007
season (from May-early September) with the Rascals
while on hiatus from his hockey play-by-play job
with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL), where he
will return following the baseball season....The
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA;
International League) announced Wednesday a
five-year agreement with Bold Gold Media Group
to broadcast all 144 of the team’s regular-season
games on WICK 1400 AM in Scranton, WYCK 1340 AM in
Wilkes-Barre, WPSN 1590 AM in Honesdale and WFBS
1280 AM in Berwick. Kent Westling will be
back to the Lackawanna County Stadium booth
for his 19th season....Original Blue Jay Alan
Ashby will be joining Toronto's broadcast
team, joining Jerry Howarth in the radio
booth for the 2007 season. Ashby formerly
broadcast Houston Astros games, and some think his
criticism of the team led to his release by the
franchise....Angel "Papo" Davila is the new
manager of the Laredo Broncos (United
League Baseball). The native Puerto Rican was
introduced on Wednesday at a press conference by
general manager Jose Melendez and ULB
president Craig Brasfield....
A's owner not sweating lack
of BART at Fremont ballpark site
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The Oakland A's are nearing completion on a
traffic and parking plan for their proposed
stadium in Fremont that could be presented
privately to city officials in a few weeks. A's
co-owner Lew Wolff wouldn't offer details of the
plan during a luncheon with San Jose business
leaders Tuesday, but assured them that "there are
ways to handle the traffic.'' He also wasn't
worried that the nearest BART station stands four
miles away from the proposed Fremont site. The
majority of A's fans, Wolff said, drive to the
team's current home in Oakland, even though it is
adjacent to BART. "If BART was as effective as we
thought they would be, the parking lots wouldn't
be as crowded,'' he said. That's a fairly harsh
statement: we've seen the crowds heading to
McAfee
Coliseum on the BART, so we know they exist. One
wonders if Wolff hasn't figured out there's no way
to monetize fans coming in on the BART, rather
than forcing fans to pay for mandatory parking at
the ballpark.
More from Inside Bay Area.
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Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose;
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Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into
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A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials
say;
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Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in
Fremont;
A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont
ballpark;
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The San Jose A's of Fremont?;
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A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06;
A's owner's new plan for ballpark;
Talks for new A's ballpark sputter;
Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball
plan;
A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion
team for San Jose;
Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension;
A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision
stage;
Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose;
San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark;
Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost
$100 million;
San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property;
Fremont will consider a pitch for A's;
Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark;
Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win
allies, public funds;
Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions;
Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near
Coliseum;
A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep
team in Oakland;
Have A's settled on new ballpark site?;
Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine;
A's think small with stadium plans;
Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's;
A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible;
Athletics announce committee
to plan new Oakland ballpark;
Another San Jose site eyed
for baseball;
The time has come for new
A's ballpark;
No specifics on new Oakland
ballpark, but plans in the works;
San Jose quits discussions
on cannery;
Wolff about to take over;
Going to bat for A's is big
opportunity for San Jose mayor;
Wolff: A's ballpark already
in works;
Deal near for San Jose
cannery site;
For A's, way to San Jose
paved with uncertainty;
San Jose baseball crusader
makes his pitch;
A's sale could happen
quickly;
Sale of A's to heighten San
Jose intrigue;
BART to the ballpark, what a
vision;
Another San Jose pitch for
baseball;
San Jose mayor makes his
pitch;
Q&A with A's new owner Lew
Wolff
Sport complex at Kannapolis
ballpark in the works
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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A new
sports complex at
Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium is in
the planning stages. The City of Kannapolis and
the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally
League) are working together to come up with plans
for a multi-field sports complex that would
complement the minor-league ballpark. Tim Mueller,
vice president of the Kannapolis Intimidators,
said the project has gained steam because of the
“rebirth of Kannapolis” and new ownership of the
team. Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Director
Gary Mills said three 400-foot baseball fields,
three 300-foot softball fields and three 225-foot
baseball fields are being studied. The outfields
on the 400-foot fields would be large enough to
accommodate soccer pitches. The exact cost of the
complex is unknown, but figures of $12 million to
$13 million have been discussed.
Marlins ballpark plan only
latest of projects seeking CRA funds
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Miami Mayor Manny Diaz may be too late in his bid
to use Community Redevelopment Agency money in the
Overtown area to help build a downtown ballpark
for the Florida Marlins. A host of proposals have
been made for using the limited pot of money
available for spending on projects in the Overtown
area, the target site for the ballpark. The agency
has three separate taxing districts -- Overtown,
Omni and Midtown. An estimation last year of what
the agency's total available revenue would be if
Miami-Dade County officials extended the agency
until 2027 was about $340 million. James
Villacorta, executive director of the agency, said
only $128 million from that pool could be spent in
the next 20 years in the Overtown area, which the
mayor wants to expand to include the 9 acres next
to the Stephen P. Clark Center targeted for a
ballpark. Of that, 40 percent could be used for
housing, 50 percent for infrastructure and 10
percent for historic preservation, Villacorta
said.
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MLB official hopes Crist can pave way for new
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Pompano Park pitched as location for new Marlins
ballpark;
Marlins, Loria at crossroads with uncertain future;
Orange County commissioner pushing for Marlins;
Miami Arena owner sues to stop sale;
Buyers sue Miami Arena owner;
Deadline looms over proposal for Marlins ballpark
in downtown Miami;
Marlins officials tight-lipped on downtown Miami
ballpark proposal;
MLB ready to move on downtown Miami ballpark;
Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to
end;
Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark;
DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins
ballpark again;
Marlins ballpark suffers setback;
DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new
ballpark;
Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial
feasibility;
Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks;
Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins
ballpark;
San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now;
Tough times for Marlins and their fans;
Marlins players adjust to the empty seats
Minor League Baseball
interested in DAP
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Durham officials and representatives of Minor
League Baseball conferred on Tuesday about the
possibility of developing historic
Durham Athletic
Park into a museum and a possible training site
for umpires and other baseball employees. The
meeting -- the follow-up to a trip Mayor Bill Bell
and City Manager Patrick made to Orlando, Fla., in
early December to attend Major League Baseball's
winter meetings -- involved Minor League Baseball
Chief Operating Officer Pat O'Conner and Executive
Director of Business Operations John Cook.
O'Conner said the talks were in the "embryonic"
stages but said he envisioned the facility as a
possible headquarters as well as a Minor League
Baseball museum of some type.
RELATED STORIES:
Durham ballpark may get second wind;
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MLB TV deal gets fuzzy
reception
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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According to The New York Times, MLB is close to
handing DirecTV the exclusive rights to Extra
Innings -- which allows fans to watch many
out-of-market games -- for $100 million per year
over seven years. InDemand, which distributes the
package currently, has upped its offer, but,
according to the Washington Times, its deal would
pay about $30 million less per year. There have
been some complaints about switching the plan
exclusively to DirecTV, which would require fans
to switch as well. Still, a million dollars a year
is hard for MLB teams to pass on.
Homeless center plan may
doom proposed Dallas ballpark
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Dreams
of a minor-league ballpark in downtown Dallas are
fading, officials close to the negotiations say,
citing concerns about the planned construction of
a homeless assistance center nearby. "It's going
to have to make us stop back and take a look at
our options," said Scott Berry, president of
Southern Independent Baseball, which owns the
rights to add a Dallas club to the 10-team
independent American Association. "The general
feeling is that from a baseball standpoint, you’re
giving people a reason not to some to that area by
putting [the homeless assistance center] there."
Berry added that he’s considering ballpark sites
outside of the downtown Dallas area, including
within other nearby municipalities. Officials from
the independent United League Baseball, which had
also approached Dallas officials about a downtown
ballpark, could not be reached for comment.
Time to name Revolution's
wall
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League(
is scheduled to open Sovereign Bank Stadium in 112
days and unveil the tallest wall in professional
baseball -- a near 38-foot tall behemoth in left
field. The big fence still doesn't have a name, so
Revolution owner Peter Kirk opened the wall naming
game to the public -- asking for suggestions. The
current plan is to paint the wall green (but not
the exact green as Boston's Green Monster -- that
paint formula is proprietary and unique to Fenway
Park), but that could change if the right nickname
emerges.
Blowfish to
host 2007 Coastal Plain All-Star Game
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The Columbia Blowfish have been awarded the
Coastal Plain League All-Star Game for the 2007
season. It will be held July 17, 7:05 p.m., at
Capital City Stadium in Columbia S.C. Celebrating
its 11th season, the CPL is the largest summer
league in the country, featuring 15 teams playing
in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
The CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and
gives college players the chance to refine their
skills with wooden bats during the summer season.
More from The State.
Confederate flag ban: It's
status quo
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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An NCAA committee decided Tuesday it will not
expand its ban on postseason championships in
South Carolina and Mississippi, where Confederate
imagery is displayed on Statehouse grounds. The
Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee
said the NCAA should continue its moratorium on
bringing predetermined events like NCAA basketball
regionals to South Carolina. An expansion of the
ban could have shut out South Carolina and
Clemson, two of the country's strongest baseball
programs, from hosting regionals. South Carolina's
athletic department is constructing a new $24
million ballpark that's supposed to open in time
for the 2008 season.
RELATED STORIES:
NCAA considers extending flag ban
Book to pay tribute to
Alpine Cowboys, ballpark
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Alpine's Kokernot
Field is a fondly remembered facility: Alpine's
population was 6,500, but from 1947 to '58, the
hand-built stadium was the proclaimed "best little
ballpark in Texas." And it hosted one of the
state's finest semiprofessional teams, the Alpine
Cowboys. Among the Cowboys' expansive roster, the
names of Gaylord Perry and Norm Cash were
indelibly inked with the $1.5 million ballpark.
Here's a description from former player Doyle
Stout: "A 10' granite wall surrounded the stadium.
... World-class infield dirt was purchased in
Georgia and brought to Alpine by train. Every
touch of the stadium was 'hand made' with lamps
topped with handmade baseballs to include the
detail of the stitches and painted accordingly."
In memoriam: Wilfred
"Lefty" LeFebvre
Posted Jan. 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Wilfred "Lefty" LeFebvre died earlier this month
at his home in Florida. He was 91. As a child
growing up in Pawtucket, he was a standout pitcher
for the former Pawtucket High School (Tolman) and
Holy Cross College before he embarked on a
professional career, first with the Boston Red Sox
and later with the old Washington Senators. After
serving in World War II, he retired from playing
and began a coaching career at Brown University.
Following 15 years in the Bears’ dugout, he served
as an area scout for the Red Sox for 28 years.
McCoy Stadium was one of his usual stops to scout
young talent, and he became close friends with
Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International
League) owner Ben Mondor and team president Mike
Tamburro.
Ballpark
Notes
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The
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern
League) announce several front-office promotions
hires. Promotions within the front office staff
include Danielle Matteau taking on a new
role as Assistant Director of Marketing & Public
Relations. She is continuing her work with the
corporate sales department but will focus much of
her duties during the season on organizing and
promoting player and mascot appearances and
handling the team's community relations efforts.
Sam Boudle has been promoted to Director of
Stadium Operations. Sam oversees daily operations
of Merchantsauto.com Stadium to include all
non-baseball related activities and entertainment.
Brian Weigler will add promotions and
community relations to his existing duties in
ticket sales and merchandise as he takes on the
position of Community Relations and Baseball
Operations Assistant. Kelly Spain joins the
staff as the team's Office Manager. A familiar
face around the ballpark, Brian Cronin
joins the Fisher Cats sales staff full-time after
working as a part-time usher the past two seasons.
Joining the front office staff as the Executive
Vice President of Business Operations is Daryl
Jasper. Daryl spent the past 12 years with the
Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International
League). Kristin Beernink has joined the
Fisher Cats as Director of Marketing and Public
Relations. The Fisher Cats mark the fifth minor
league team Kristin has worked with, most recently
coming from the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High
Class A; California League). Mike Ramshaw
joins the Fisher Cats as Director of Ticket Sales.
Mike joins the team after spending 10 years
working in sales for Nestle and Poland Springs.
Kaitlyn Tomasello joins the team as the new
Box Office Manager. She has spent the past four
seasons working with the Connecticut Defenders
(Class AA; Eastern League). Another addition
to the ticket sales department as Ticket Sales
Account Executives includes Stephanie Livoli.
Last season Stephanie worked for the Portland Sea
Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League). Filling the role
of Assistant Director of Stadium Operations will
be Ross
Rodriquez.....It’s been well
documented that working in professional baseball
doesn’t exactly lend itself to the healthiest of
eating habits, especially during the season when
French fries, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers
seemingly form their own food group. In an effort
to battle back against unwanted pounds six members
of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A;
Carolina League) front-office staff have formed a
not-so-lean, but mean team which will compete in
the 2nd Annual "Choose to Lose – Corporate
Challenge" hosted by the Myrtle Beach Recreation
Department. For the next 12 weeks, 20 different
businesses along the Grand Strand will battle
against each other to see which team can lose the
most weight. During the competition each member of
each team will be required to weigh-in every other
week to track the progress of each participant. At
the end of the 12 weeks the team with the most
combined weight loss will be crowned as the
“Choose To Lose” Champion. Throughout the
competition the Pelicans will update their website
to show how the team members are faring.
It's official: Yanks to host
'08 All-Star game
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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After three
years of discussion and planning, the Yankees,
Major League Baseball and New York City are ready
to formalize one of the area's worst-kept secrets.
At a news conference a week from Tuesday, two
people familiar with the situation told Newsday,
Yankee Stadium will be officially announced as the
host of the 2008 All-Star Game. This 2008
Midsummer Classic in the Bronx has been in
discussion since 2005, when reports first surfaced
of such a plan. It took time, however, for all of
the logistics to be finalized, and then the
dignitaries needed to find a common date for the
news conference. It's a nice sentimental choice;
although the current Yankee Stadium really isn't
The House That Ruth Built, it's still a ballpark
that's seen plenty of history.
Ballpark proposed for U.S.
31, Ransom
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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SunCoast Baseball LLC submitted a plan Jan. 9 to
construct a 3,800-fixed-seat baseball stadium and
multi-use facility at the northwest corner of
Ransom Street and U.S. 31 in Holland Township,
Michigan. The
two-story baseball facility, according to the
application, would be constructed in two phases,
the first to be completed in June 2008. It would
also include creation of 1,200 parking spaces.
"We're making great progress in our quest to bring
professional baseball to Holland," said John Weitzel, who co-founded SunCoast Baseball along
with Ed Mayo Jr. and his son, Dobb. The firm had
proposed a slightly larger facility when it was
pursuing an independent Northern League team; at
the smaller size, you're probably talking about a
Frontier League or Northwoods League team.
Judge rules Twins ballpark
has public purpose; sides still apart on price
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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In a
hearing that actually did little to clear up
differences between landowners and Hennepin
County, Hennepin County District Judge Stephen
Aldrich authorized the county's possible
condemnation of the property in downtown
Minneapolis and said the 40,000-seat, open-air
ballpark served a "public purpose" under the law.
No surprise: the two sides had already agreed to
those two provisions before the hearing, leading
the landowners to announce they would not contest
the project's public purpose or appeal the judge's
final condemnation ruling.
Though there's been a lot of talk and bluster from
the Twins front office and the landowners (whose
relationship has always been at arms' length, at
best), the real issue here is the valuation of the
land. Hennepin County's own valuation puts the
land cost at $13.35 million, while Land Partners
II puts the valuation much higher based on its
current zoning. Hennepin County actually had an
option on the land at a lower price but failed to
close the deal; a total of $90 million is budgeted
for ballpark site acquisition and preparation, so
there is a little wiggle room.
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schedule;
Twins pick ballpark designers;
As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations
push on;
Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010;
Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax;
It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to
KSTP-AM;
Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons;
Twins seek partners for naming rights,
sponsorships;
Twins searching for trademark ballpark design;
Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins
ballpark;
Naming rights options scary;
More than a ballpark in Minneapolis
Goodyear plans more than
just baseball for spring-training complex
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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Now that Goodyear has landed a spring-training
complex for the Cleveland Indians, city officials
are thinking outside of the batter's box. They're
working with designers to make the new spring
training facility more than just baseball. The
stadium and nearby practice fields off Estrella
Parkway and Yuma Road can serve double duty.
Besides being the spring training headquarters for
the Indians, they also boast potential for
tournaments, concerts, a community park and other
activities. The perks of a year-round facility:
Residents get another place to play, and the city
can maximize its investment.
RELATED STORIES:
Goodyear inks deal on spring-training facility;
Goodyear eyes noted ballpark designer;
Indians fan thrilled
by new facility plans;
$80 mil for baseball taps out sports authority;
White Sox to delay Phoenix move?;
Arizona commission to fund both proposed
spring-training facilities;
Glendale offers spring-training plan;
Parties expect Dodgers, Sox deal to pan out;
Leaving Tucson will be tricky for White Sox;
County not eager to
match baseball largess;
State panel shouldn't fund White Sox move from
Tucson;
Goodyear ballpark plan hits funding snag;
Pima County trying to avert loss of White Sox for
spring training;
Dodgers, White Sox reach deal with Glendale;
A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix;
Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark
funds;
What could the future hold for Dodgertown?;
Glendale wants to bring Dodgers' spring training
to Valley;
Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to
development;
Goodyear finds support for spring-training plan;
It's official: Indians agree to Grapefruit League
move;
Indians, Dodgers close to deal to move spring
training to Arizona;
Clock ticks on Disney-Indians deal;
Cleveland says no to Cape Coral's springtime
offer; Arizona move still a possibility
St. John's honors a legend
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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We've
reported on this before, but it's a good story
that bears a second telling. Days after coaches
picked the Red Storm as Big East favorites,
officials at St. John's University announced this
month that it is renaming its diamond after Jack
Kaiser, a player and coach who led St. John's to
four College World Series from 1949 to 1968. The
80-year-old legend said throwing the ceremonial
first pitch at the new Jack Kaiser Stadium could
be both embarrassing and emotional.
Kaiser, who also was the university's athletic
director for 23 years, remains active at St.
John's and with the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball
League, which inducted him into its Hall of Fame
in 1991. A little trivia: the ballpark was home to
the Queens Kings (short season; NY-Penn League) in
2000.
Ballpark
Notes
Posted Jan. 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Bradenton Juice (independent; South Coast
League) announced the hiring of two new staff
members. Brett Myers has joined the Juice
as Assistant General Manager and Amy Dox
was brought on board as Director of Group Sales
and Ticket Operations. Myers spent the previous
two seasons with the Evansville Otters
(independent; Frontier League) and the Cincinnati
Reds respectively, where is took on many different
tasks. Dox, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Sport Management from the University of
Minnesota, will be entering her fourth year in
professional baseball. She was a member of the
Minnesota Twins' Guest Services Staff in
2003....The New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League) announced that Jack Voigt
has been named as the team’s hitting coach,
while Mark Brewer has been named pitching
coach, Brian Chicklo will be the team’s
trainer and Kenny Coward will be the
strength coach. They will join new manager Ken
Oberkfell on the 2007 Zephyrs coaching
staff....Joining Hector De La Cruz's staff
on the Visalia Oaks (High Class A;
California League): pitching coach Jeff Pico
and hitting coach Jay Gainer....
Twins ballpark land deal now
goes to court
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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A
disagreement between Hennepin County and
landowners over the price of land slated for a new
Minnesota Twins is heading into the courtroom.
Hennepin County's move to condemn land for the
40,000-seat ballpark in downtown Minneapolis will
go before a judge today for the first time. With
preliminary work to begin in mid-March, and with
the stadium projected to open in three years, the
county has asked to be given title to the land as
early as Jan. 30. The owners of the land west of
the Target Center where the open-air stadium would
be built -- a limited liability partnership with
more than 100 investors -- has rejected the
county's initial offer, and both sides appear to
be tens of millions of dollars apart on a sales
price. There are a lot of red herrings out there
(some of which made it into this article,
including the now-discarded possibility of
including offices and condos in the ballpark), but
the basic story lies in a very real disagreement
over the worth of the land: because of some zoning
issues, Land Partners II believes the land is
worth more than Hennepin County does. It's really
as simple as that.
RELATED STORIES:
Community leaders eager to see Twins ballpark
design;
Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look;
Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins;
New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin
County shoppers;
Ballpark players ironing out use, development
agreements;
Twins release more details on new ballpark;
New Twins ballpark bypasses standard reviews;
Ballpark's link to downtown Minneapolis
inadequate, group says;
Ballpark should be held to high standards;
Twins formally announce design team for new
ballpark;
Firms lined up early for stadium work;
Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark
land;
Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark;
Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field;
A freeze frame for Twins;
Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins
ballpark;
Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off
schedule;
Twins pick ballpark designers;
As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations
push on;
Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010;
Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax;
It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to
KSTP-AM;
Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons;
Twins seek partners for naming rights,
sponsorships;
Twins searching for trademark ballpark design;
Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins
ballpark;
Naming rights options scary;
More than a ballpark in Minneapolis
Durham ballpark may get
second wind
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Executives
with Minor League Baseball will travel to Durham
this week to talk with local officials about
creating a baseball museum or training facility at
the old Durham Athletic Park. The Florida-based
organization is the administrative arm for minor
league teams across the country. Executive
Director John Cook and Vice President Pat O'Connor
will meet this week with Durham boosters to flesh
out some preliminary ideas, said Jim Ferguson,
Minor League Baseball's media relations director.
The Minor League Baseball group may discuss using
part of the ballpark as a training center where
umpires, groundskeepers and other employees could
learn their trade, Ferguson said. Durham officials
have been discussing possible uses of the old
ballpark with various developers; a local
university baseball team has already committed to
playing there. The idea of a minor-league museum
has also been floated, but they'd need to work
fast to do anything in conjunction with a planned
25th-anniversary Bull Durham celebration
this summer.
RELATED STORIES:
Businessman warns against remake of park area;
Old ballpark renewal plan progresses
Glitzy plans often pushed
with funds for renewal
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Last week, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz told reporters
that the city's inner-city redevelopment strategy
may include spending Community Redevelopment
Authority money on a new ballpark for the Florida
Marlins. CRA Chairwoman and City Commissioner
Michelle Spence-Jones said other community needs
must be addressed first. Having a stadium jump to
the front for CRA funding would be ''shameful,''
she said. Other South Florida CRAs, such as
Hollywood's, are finding that urban renewal
spending can be controversial. One example: Last
year, Hollywood commissioners were close to
writing a $100,000 CRA check to bring a Starbucks
to downtown. Protesters thwarted the move. The
still-sketchy ballpark plans call for the city to
deed property to Miami-Dade County so the Marlins
-- which would lease the ballpark -- could receive
a tax break. And it requires money from the state
Legislature.
RELATED STORIES:
Agency head says city hasn't sought permission for
ballpark deal;
Crist backs state funding of new Marlins ballpark;
Officials optimistic of finalizing Marlins
ballpark deal in downtown Miami;
DuPuy: Progress being made on new downtown Miami
ballpark;
Dade leaders pitch 'urban' ballpark for Marlins;
New downtown Miami site explored for proposed
Marlins ballpark;
MLB official hopes Crist can pave way for new
Marlins ballpark;
Focus in Miami turns to new ballpark for Marlins;
Marlins ballpark chances at Pompano considered a
long shot;
Pompano Park pitched as location for new Marlins
ballpark;
Marlins, Loria at crossroads with uncertain future;
Orange County commissioner pushing for Marlins;
Miami Arena owner sues to stop sale;
Buyers sue Miami Arena owner;
Deadline looms over proposal for Marlins ballpark
in downtown Miami;
Marlins officials tight-lipped on downtown Miami
ballpark proposal;
MLB ready to move on downtown Miami ballpark;
Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to
end;
Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark;
DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins
ballpark again;
Marlins ballpark suffers setback;
DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new
ballpark;
Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial
feasibility;
Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks;
Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins
ballpark;
San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now;
Tough times for Marlins and their fans;
Marlins players adjust to the empty seats
Ballpark proposal in limbo
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Township officials say a developers' interest in
building a minor-league ballpark on Route 33 has
waned.
However, Steve Kalafer, owner of the Somerset
Patriots (independent; Atlantic League) who
proposed the project with developer Jack Morris,
CEO of Edgewood Properties, says plans are very
much alive. Township Engineer Ernie Feist said
this week that Morris has told him that the
project, which was to include housing, retail and
the ballpark, likely would include only retail. He
said a task force created to review the project,
called the Market Place at Monroe, and several
other proposed developments along Route 33 has not
met since April because there has been no activity
on any of the sites.
A naming-rights bubble?
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Companies are rushing to pay top dollar to put
their names on new ballparks, stadiums and arenas.
Three deals in the New York area alone have been
announced in the past few months with the
sponsorship dollars totaling nearly $1 billion.
And potentially the biggest deal, naming rights
for the new shared home of New York's Giants and
Jets football teams, is yet to come. Those
involved in naming-rights fields negotiations say
the deals make sense, even for the sponsors
without a broad customer base. The planned
ballpark that has perhaps the greatest naming
rights potential is the new Yankee Stadium now
under construction across the street from the
existing park. But while fans can expect to see
various gates, concourses and banks of seats, such
as the bleachers, carrying sponsors' names, one
executive involved in the planning of the ballpark
insists that the team will not put a corporate
name on the park itself.
Sounds deal looks a bit
shaky
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Everybody
on all sides of the proposed Nashville Sounds
(Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) downtown
ballpark says the deal is not falling apart, but
it sure sounded rickety last week. The Sounds side
says shovels have to be shoveling by February in
order to be playing ball by May 2008. If the ball
club can't move in by that date, the deal may be
off. Construction costs are going up, so delays
will cost more money, and the Sounds would have to
cover any overruns. Their lenders might balk. But
their development partner, Struever Bros. Eccles &
Rouse, sees no harm in the ballpark being ready in
July 2008, or even April 2009. (Indeed,
they think the price of steel has peaked and
construction costs will actually go down.) The
proposal the Metro Council approved never
guaranteed a ballgame would be played by May 2008.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark financing lag worries Sounds;
Sounds fail to file lease legislation;
Council approves lease extension for Nashville
ballpark development;
Sounds unveil ballpark plans;
Metro agrees to deadline extension on Sounds
project;
Sounds' project
team huddles to nail down a deal;
Sounds get jump-start on ticket sales for new
ballpark;
Sounds ballpark developer needs to score soon;
Ballpark financing not set as deadline approaches;
Struever mulling ballpark-area changes in
Nashville;
Sounds unveil ballpark plans;
PCL president applauds Nashville ballpark deal;
Yaeger calls stadium plan flexible and
fan-friendly;
Sounds settle on 2008 opening date for new
ballpark;
Ballpark opening date up in air, Sounds say;
Nashville Metro Council approves new Sounds
ballpark;
Company says Sounds deal sets stage for Frank
project;
Sounds send commitment letter to Council;
Caucus continues pressure for minorities' role in
stadium;
Nashville Council Black Caucus wants more minority
work on ballpark;
Sounds are rounding third;
Sounds remain at bargaining table;
Nashville Sounds one vote away from new ballpark;
Council should give Nashville ballpark their
support;
Sounds woo minority business owners for ballpark
project;
Sounds ballpark vote delayed;
Museum, dining wanted at new Sounds ballpark;
Sounds move ahead with ballpark design;
Sounds weak;
Sounds ballpark proposal passes first test on
Council;
Opposition to Nashville ballpark gears up on
council;
Many good questions raised over Sounds deal;
Chamber of Commerce backs Sounds ballpark plan;
Downtown merchants rally for Sounds;
Board seeks information on Sounds ballpark deal;
Neighbors of Nashville ballpark expect project to
spark development;
Sounds, Nashville sign agreement for new ballpark;
Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan;
Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size;
New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt;
Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until
fall;
Sounds deal stalls, but still in play;
City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan;
Sounds ballpark negotiations slow;
Will ballpark make SoBro soar?;
Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark;
Sounds win city approval for new ballpark
Ballpark talk shifts to
Woodbridge
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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More on the
attempt by the owners of the Potomac Nationals
(High Class A; Carolina League) to procure a new
ballpark.
Art Silber, the flamboyant millionaire owner of
the team who often takes batting practice with the
players and sometimes coaches first base, has been
trying to persuade Prince William officials to
share the cost of a new facility. He wants a
6,500-capacity ballpark (designed by HKS) ready
for the 2008 season, which means the county would
have to approve funding for it within the next
couple of months. Some board members said that the
ballpark is a luxury that the state's
second-largest county cannot afford at a time when
they have to make difficult decisions on which
services to cut or whether they can afford to hire
teachers, police officers and firefighters to keep
up with the population growth. A meeting is
scheduled to discuss the proposal on Tuesday, but
no vote is planned.
More from the Potomac News.
RELATED STORIES:
P-Nats negotiating new ballpark
Poll backs downtown
development, not new ballpark
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Seven of 10 Allen County adults believe it is
important to revitalize downtown Fort Wayne, but a
similar percentage thinks a new downtown ballpark
for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest
League) isn’t needed, according to a poll
commissioned by The Journal Gazette and Indiana’s
NewsCenter. The numbers didn’t come as a surprise
to city officials, who said they must do a better
job selling the Harrison Square project. The $125
million private-public downtown investment
includes a new hotel, retail, housing and the
city-owned ballpark. There's some question as to
the validity of how the poll was set up (it split
the issue of the ballpark away from the rest of
the development, but supporters say there are no
plans to split the two). Jason Freier, CEO of
Hardball Capital, the owner of the Wizards that
would partner in the Harrison Square project, said
he understands why some people would be reluctant
to build just a ballpark, as the survey question
might suggest.
RELATED STORIES:
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
Building the public square;
Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans;
Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne;
Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
unpopular;
Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you
remember;
Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
Playing ball downtown;
We need to build ballpark downtown;
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?;
Learning by example from Dayton;
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Field of dreams in Fort Wayne?
Officials hold brief meeting
on ballpark options
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Representatives of Richmond and the surrounding
counties met briefly yesterday to discuss their
options for a new minor-league ballpark or a major
renovation of The Diamond for the Richmond Braves
(Class AAA; International League). But it didn't
last long, as officials determined they had little
information on the options available. the
incomplete information includes the cost of
potential options for a new or renovated ballpark,
and other details, such as what kind of parking
the ballpark would require. Among the issues they
expect to discuss is what kind of extension to
negotiate with the Braves' owner for playing at
The Diamond beyond this season. The current lease
expires after this season, but regional officials
say they cannot renovate or build a ballpark in
time for the 2008 season.
RELATED STORIES:
Plans pitched for R-Braves ballpark on Boulevard
Defenders to handle
concessions
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League)
announced that it will take over all of its
concession operations, giving the baseball team's
management more direct control over pricing,
service and presentation. Concessions at Dodd
Stadium feature four main stands, two auxiliary
stands and the picnic area. The Defenders are
considering additional specialty stands during the
season and will be more aggressive with vending on
large nights. The skybox level will also undergo a
complete overhaul of items and services, including
Lou's Lounge, the new suite-level sports lounge
that opened last season.
In memoriam: Vern Ruhle
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Vern Ruhle, a former major league pitcher and
coach for several teams, died after a yearlong
battle with cancer. He was 55. Ruhle died Saturday
at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston of
complications from treatment for multiple myeloma,
a cancer of the bone marrow, the Cincinnati Reds
said Sunday. Ruhle pitched for Detroit, Houston,
Cleveland and the California Angels from 1974-86,
going 67-88 with a 3.73 ERA. He was a pitching
coach with Houston, Philadelphia and the New York
Mets before joining the Reds organization in 2004.
McNeese baseball stands to
be demolished and new stands constructed
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Erosion and deterioration of the structural
supports under the McNeese State ballpark
grandstand will result in the demolition of the
existing seating and the installation of
temporary, bleacher-style seats for the 2007
baseball season. The canopy over the seating area
and the press box will remain and concessions will
be available. A project to replace the eroding
structural supports has been in the planning
stages since the problem was discovered in 2001,
according to Candace Townsend, McNeese director of
public information and communications. "Initial
estimates put the total cost of the project at
$300,000 and funding for the project was an issue
from the beginning, because the state does not
typically provide funding for athletic buildings
and stadiums," Townsend said.
NCAA considers extending
flag ban
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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South Carolina's baseball team is scheduled to
move into a $24 million, riverfront ballpark for
the 2008 season. And it might sit empty in late
spring each year when the NCAA regionals begin. An
NCAA committee will meet today and Tuesday in
Indianapolis to discuss broadening its ban on
postseason championships in South Carolina and
Mississippi, the two states that display the
Confederate battle flag. The ban, which took
effect in 2001 at the urging of the National
Association of Basketball Coaches and the Black
Coaches Association, prohibits those states from
serving as hosts for the NCAA's pre-assigned
championships, such as men's and women's
basketball regionals or football bowl games.
New UK ballpark in planning
stages
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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A new home is in store for the University of
Kentucky baseball team as the university is
expected to release the planning stages of the
soon-to-be state of the art new baseball stadium
in this year's Baseball media guide. UK is
currently in the planning process of building a
new ballpark that will replace the old Cliff Hagan
Stadium by 2009. The old ballpark, which seats the
least amount of visitors in the Southeastern
Conference, was exposed to major traffic issues
during the magical 2006 run. The new designs,
which will be laid out in the upcoming 2007 media
guide, call for the new park to be placed over by
the current softball field off Alumni Drive, which
would be close enough to Commonwealth Stadium for
additional parking.
UTSA leaders are making a
push for $60-million sports park
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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It
is an ambitious effort that would require a lot of
money and some confluence of thinking among city,
county and business leaders. But supporters of
that plan to create a $60 million sports
facilities park on San Antonio's Northwest Side
say it would provide much-needed venues for the
University of Texas at San Antonio's athletic
programs, while positioning San Antonio to chase
after a number of regional, national and even
international sporting events. The plan includes a
4,000-seat
ballpark,
training facility, practice fields, locker-room
and spectator facilities and surface parking for
at least 1,000 vehicles.
Centennial
League set for 2007
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Four
baseball teams have officially formed the amateur
Centennial
Baseball League: the Arizona Diamondjaxx,
Bisbee Kings, San Luis Athletics and Tucson Stars.
The D’Jaxx, Kings and Stars participated in last
year's Border Series. The majority of the players
will come from college programs with some former
professionals dotting the rosters. CBL teams must
maintain a minimum number of local players. The
CBL represents the 100-year anniversary of the
beginning of the States of Arizona and New Mexico.
Also announced today: the National Baseball
Congress has awarded the CBL a qualifying
tournament that will be played in Bisbee, Arizona.
The tournament will be known as the Copper
Tournament and will be held July 19-22. The Copper
Tournament champion will receive a berth into the
2007 NBC World Series. The NBC will hold its
73rd annual NBC World Series, held each year at
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita, Kansas. The
NBC is the highest association of
amateur/semi-professional leagues. Along with the
CBL teams, teams from California and Arizona have
expressed interest in attending the 2007 Copper
Tournament.
Ballpark
Notes
Posted Jan. 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Derek Ingram returns as the voice of the Daytona
Cubs (High Class A; Florida State League) in
2007. Three newcomers will join Ingram, the
Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for
the upcoming All-Star season. Dan Watson
and Matt Martinez join the Cubs as
Co-Assistant Directors of Broadcasting for their
first season in professional baseball. Jeanine
Jiannetti has also been added as the Assistant
Director of Media Relations. A native of Bowling
Green, Mo, Ingram, 25, returns to Daytona for his
second season with the Cubs. He was selected to
broadcast the 2006 Florida State League All-Star
Game. Watson, 22, is a 2006 graduate of Otterbein
College where his experience is extensive with
respect to collegiate sports. Martinez, 24, is a
2006 graduate of San Francisco State University.
At the University of San Francisco, Martinez was
the lead broadcaster and webcaster for the
volleyball team. Jiannetti, 23, enters her third
season in professional baseball and second in the
Florida State League. She was part of the event
production staff for the Tampa Yankees for the
2006 season and was a broadcasting/marketing
intern with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2005....Roberto
Kelly is returning as manager of the
Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally
League).
Kelly,
a former major league all-star, will return with
his coaching staff from last season, including
hitting coach Andy Skeels, pitching coach
Ross Grimsley and trainer Dustin Luepker.
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