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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Fine Print |
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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: Oct.
29-Nov. 4, 2007
Haymarket Park offers food for thought on ballpark
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Omaha
officials were in nearby Lincoln to tour Haymarket Park, the home of the Lincoln
Saltdogs (independent; American Association) and the University of Nebraska
Cornhuskers, to gather information as they debate a new home for the College
World Series. Now, Haymarket Park is a perfectly pleasant ballpark, with a
wraparound concourse and seating for 4,500 (and room for 1,500 more on a berm).
But Omaha officials are slightly delusional if they think they can take much
away from that ballpark as they plan a 23,000-seat facility. Yeah, a 4,500-seat
facility feels all cozy and homey, especially when there's room for wide
concourses. Add another 19,000 seats to the equation and all the additional
services needed (restrooms, concessions, multiple clubhouses, entertaining space
for NCAA bigwigs, lots of suites), and your little ballpark suddenly isn't very
intimate. We're actually amazed Rosenblatt
Stadium works as well as it does.
RELATED STORIES:
Save Rosenblatt
Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee;
NCAA's feelers out
for CWS sites;
Omaha mayor's public
pitch for ballpark begins;
More options
introduced for new home of College World Series;
Skeptics of Omaha
ballpark proposal look for return on funding;
Public to have say on
Omaha ballpark proposal;
Omaha restaurant
owners vow opposition to ballpark tax;
Omaha mayor unveils
$117-million ballpark plan;
Rosenblatt group
sends petitions to NCAA;
Omaha and the CWS: City
bids for 20-year deal;
Omaha Royals support
plan for new ballpark;
NCAA ties College World
Series to new ballpark;
Today's video:
Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium;
Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest;
Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner;
Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark
suggestions;
Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt;
Could Indy someday be host for CWS?;
New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes;
Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed
downtown ballpark;
Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before
ballpark work;
Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
Working from groundskeeper up
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Murray
Cook, a consultant to Major League Baseball, is helping with the construction of
the Wukesong Olympic Baseball Fields in Beijing. President of Columbia-based
Brickman SportsTurf, Cook and his staff helped design fields for Ripken Baseball
in Aberdeen and the 4,500-seat stadium being constructed here in Charles County
for the minor-league Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, scheduled to begin play in
2008.
CBL looks at Maryland expansion
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Ballsy
move. Officials from the independent Continental Baseball League were in
Maryland's Anne Arundel County to explore the possibility of expanding to Joe
Cannon Stadium. Now, the CBL didn't release attendance information for its four
teams playing at three high-school venues in 2007, but league founder Ron Baron
says the league averaged around 600 fans a game. (They didn't sell beer, either,
so we're not sure how they could be profitable.) Baron says he's looking at new
markets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia and West Virginia, which
suggests to us the league may someday abandon its Texas roots. Indy ball in the
Mid-Atlantic region and north is a crowded field: the Frontier League and the
Atlantic League already do business in the best markets and are established
entities, and with the startup Atlantic Coast League maneuvering for a piece of
the pie, we're not sure there's enough markets and venues for all to survive.
Ballpark Village's fate to be decided by Thanksgiving
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No
decision has been made on the fate of the downtown Dayton development project
Ballpark Village. Officials hope to make a decision about the $230 million
project by the end of November, potentially by Thanksgiving, said Richard
Neumann, president of baseball development for Mandalay Entertainment Group.
Mandalay owns the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League) and is one of the
lead developers on the project.
Mud Hens want in on A-Rod sweepstakes, make him offer
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The
Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) playfully offered free agent
Alex Rodriguez a deal yesterday -- a contract proposal that includes a bonus for
hitting 75 home runs next year and leading them to 10 straight International
League titles. Rodriguez recently opted out of his $252 million, 10-year
contract with the New York Yankees. That prompted Hank Steinbrenner, son of the
Yankees owner, to remark to the New York Times: "Does he want to go into the
Hall of Fame as a Yankee, or a Toledo Mud Hen?" The Mud Hens conjured up an
offer to find out, said Jason Griffin, a spokesman for the Detroit Tigers’ top
farm team.
Ballpark Notes
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Riley
Gostisha has been promoted to assistant general manager of the Beloit
Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League.) Riley joined the Snappers' front
office in December of 2004. He was hired on as the Director of Corporate Sales
and held that title for the Snappers until this recent promotion. Originally
from Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, Gostisha graduated from High Point University in
North Carolina with a degree in Sports Management. Riley served as the assistant
general manager for the Alexandria Beetles (summer collegiate; Northwoods
League) in 2004...The Burlington Bees announced three additions to their
front-office team: Jared Schjei, Whitney Henderson and Kourtney
Kelso. Schjei joins the staff as the assistant general manager for
sales/marketing. He spent the last three years as GM of the Thomasville
HiToms (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League). Henderson will serve as
the team's director of group outings. She worked the last four years in several
capacities for Walt Disney World; her father Mike played for the Bees in 1977.
Kelso is the new director of tickets/merchandise, a newly created position in
the organization.
A race to the finish for Dodgers' spring-training site
Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (feedback)
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If
the Los Angeles Dodgers' new spring-training facility in Glendale, Ariz., is
completed in time, it will be done so with few days to spare. Construction of
the complex, which will be shared with the Chicago White Sox, started Monday and
should be completed for spring training in 2009, according to project manager
Tom Harrison of M.A. Mortenson Co. Site preparation was done last week, while a
groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively set for Nov. 19. Harrison said his
construction company is targeting Feb. 27, 2009, as the day that the Dodgers and
White Sox could occupy the ballpark. Adjacent practice fields should be
completed in time for spring-training workouts, which start in mid-February.
This is still not totally a done deal: the Dodgers haven't formally informed
Indian County and Vero Beach officials of their plan to move, and the White Sox
still need to clear up their lease at Tucson Electric Park.
New for 2008: Champion
Stadium
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Another
year, another name for the spring home of the
Atlanta Braves. A massive deal between Disney and
Hanesbrands, the parent company of Champion
activewear, will result in a new name for the
former Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of Sports:
Champion
Stadium. Longtime spring-training fans will
recognize this is actually the fifth name for the
venue (Disney Field, Cracker Jack Stadium,
Disney's Wide World of Sports and The Ballpark at
Disney's Wide World of Sports), which opened in
1997. There wasn't a lot of signage at the
ballpark in the past -- in fact, within Disney
World there really isn't any separate signage for
the ballpark at all; visitors must look for signs
pointing the way to the Wide World of Sports
complex -- so we don't expect much to change at
the ballpark.
Cohen Stadium in danger of
failing inspection code
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Some
$175,000 of renovations and improvements need to
be done at Cohen Stadium, the home of the El Paso
Diablos (independent; American Association), in
order for it to pass its next building code
inspection, city engineers said Wednesday.
Appearing before the City Council, City Engineer
Alan Shubert said it was imperative for the panel
to approve funding so the stadium could remain in
compliance. Most of the problems are with the
electrical and plumbing systems throughout the
facility, Shubert said. There are wiring problems
such as exposed cables and leaking sewage lines,
he said.
Point of contention
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It's
a big decision from Johnstown (Pa.) officials:
whether to enter into a lease for Point Stadium
with a startup independent league. Point Stadium
hosted affiliated and indy ball in the past, but
that was before an $11 million renovation of the
facility. One issue for city officials: committing
to the Atlantic Coast League. This article reports
that the independent Frontier League has expressed
interest in placing a team at Point Stadium as
well.
Ballpark Notes
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The
St. Louis Cardinals announced that John
Mozeliak, a key architect of Cardinals teams
to reach the postseason six times this decade
while winning a World Championship and a National
League pennant, will become the 12th man in more
than 100 years of Cardinals baseball to serve as
the club's general manager, effective immediately.
Mozeliak, a 12-year veteran of the Cardinals front
office, was introduced as the new GM on Wednesday
by Bill DeWitt, Jr., Cardinals chairman of the
board and general partner. Mozeliak, who will
carry the title of vice president and general
manager, spent the past six seasons serving as the
Cardinals' assistant general manager. He replaces
Walt Jocketty, who stepped down from the GM
post last month....Ria Cortesio, pro
baseball's only female umpire, was released by the
minor leagues this week. Earlier this season, she
became the first woman in nearly 20 years to call
a major-league exhibition game....The Toledo
Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League)
will move their radio broadcasts to WCWA-1230
AM starting next season....Speaking of the
Mud Hens: Larry Parrish will return as
manager in Toledo next season. He'll be joined by
pitching coach A.J. Sager and hitting coach
Leon Durham. Mike Rojas, who guided the
Mud Hens back to the playoffs last year as the
interim manager, will take a promotion to Minor
League field coordinator. The Tigers also
announced other organizational assignments.
Matt Walbeck returns as manager of the Erie
SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League); he'll be
joined by pitching coach Ray Burris and
hitting coach Glenn Adams. Tom Brookens
returns as manager of the West Michigan
Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League); he'll
be joined by pitching coach Alan Mills and
hitting coach Benny Distefano. Andy
Barkett is the new manager of the Lakewood
Flying Tigers (High Class A; Florida State
League); he'll be joined by holdover coaches
Joe Coleman and Larry Herndon....Hoffman
Wolff is the new director of operations for
the Atlantic City Surf (independent;
Atlantic League). Wolff will oversee media
relations and stadium/game-day operations for the
club. Wolff comes to the Surf after spending the
2007 season as the general manager of the
Little Falls Miners (summer collegiate; New
York Collegiate Baseball League). The club
increased its attendance over 60 percent from the
previous season. Prior to Little Falls, Wolff
spent time as an athletic media relations
assistant at the University at Albany, as the
director of media relations for the
Canadian-American and Central Leagues, and as an
operations assistant for the Burlington Indians
(rookie; Appalachian League). Yes, he's Miles's
son....The Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA:
Eastern League) in conjunction with the Maine
Children’s Cancer Program, TD Banknorth, and WMTW
TV-8 have concluded the 2007 "TD Banknorth
Strike Out Cancer in Kids" fundraising
campaign. The 2007 season saw Sea Dogs’ pitchers
record 1,080 strikeouts including playoff games
bringing the total amount raised for the program
in 2007 to a record $337,796.18. The contributions
through this program have helped make the Maine
Children’s Cancer Program at Maine Medical Center
one of the premier children’s cancer treatment
centers in the country....
New for 2008: the Casper Ghosts
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Unveiled
today at the Wonder Bar: The Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League), formerly
the Casper Rockies. The new identity is part of a 14-month creative overhaul of
the Casper franchise.
"Without any additional features, I believe our new logo
would be a trendsetter and among the most popular in baseball," said Casper
Ghosts CEO Kevin Haughian. "As the first professional baseball club with a
glow-in-the-dark on field cap, we're ready to become America's best selling
minor league baseball cap."
The Casper Ghosts' new look features a Glow-In-The-Dark
mystical ghostlike logo with baseball stitches and western-style "Casper Ghosts"
lettering. (Check
out a Flash animation showing how the caps will change color in the dark.)
Glow-In-The-Dark, silver, rust orange and black make up the club's official
colors, paying tribute to Wyoming's cowboy heritage. The club will also over
merchandise featuring one of America's favorite animated characters, Casper the
Friendly Ghost.
In 1998, Haughian spearheaded the design of the Lake Elsinore
Storm cap, the longtime number-one seller in Minor League Baseball.
The redesigned home uniforms feature sleeveless tops and
showcase the team’s "Ghosts" lettering across the chest. All jerseys and pants
will have Rust Orange and Black trim. The black home cap featuring the club's
ghostlike baseball with a 'secret' Glow-in-the-Dark "G." The black road cap
features a Rust Orange bill and Glow-in-the-Dark ghostlike baseball, and a white
alternate cap also features the Glow-in-the-Dark logo.
The Ghosts' makeover is the work of Plan B. Branding, a San
Diego-grown creative ideas company specializing in storytelling and branding
ideas. Partners Casey White & Jason Klein dreamed up fresh looks for the
Cincinnati Reds, the World Series and many prestigious Minor League Baseball
clubs. Many of these clubs broke franchise merchandising records with Plan B.
The development process began in August 2006 when Klein and
White met with fans, staff and community members to learn about the stories,
history, and personality of Casper, Wyoming. Plan B developed the logos,
uniforms, and is providing ideas to enhance the 2008 fan experience.
Fans can purchase the new merchandise, including
Glow-in-the-Dark game caps, online at www.GhostsBaseball.com The Ghosts will
unveil the new uniforms for the 2008 season at a later date.
This week's podcast:
Ballpark votes, nostalgia in LA and the Red Sox
roll on
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback)
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On
this week's Ballpark Digest podcast: voters
decide on ballpark measures; the Red Sox machine
continues to roll in the offseason; the Dodgers
look at a game at the Coliseum; Portland debates a
new ballpark; and we discuss one of the most
interesting people in the minors, John Henry Moss. Publisher
Kevin Reichard and Senior Editor Dave Wright
discuss the hot topics in the baseball and
ballpark worlds in the weekly Ballpark Digest
podcast. To directly
subscribe to the feed using Firefox or Internet
Explorer,
go to this page and click on the "Subscribe Now"
button. You
can listen directly to the podcast on your own PC
via this link
(it's a standard MP3 file), or
you can subscribe
via iTunes, Feedburner or your personalized Google
home
page. (We're finding out from the stats that
subscribing via Google is proving to be a very
popular option.)
Comments are welcome.
More information on Ballpark Digest podcasts here.
Marlins' share key to ballpark deal
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A
panel of Miami-Dade County commissioners gave the go-ahead Tuesday to continue
negotiating a deal for a Florida Marlins ballpark at the site of the Orange
Bowl, but three commissioners said they will balk if the team lowers the amount
it committed to the project earlier this year. Members of the Airport and
Tourism Committee said they support building a ballpark, but only if the county,
city of Miami and team are partners and meet the commitments already pledged.
They may have already heard what we alluded to last week: Marlins officials are
warning (privately last week, publicly this week) that the team may commit less
to the project than promised because they argue the revenue potential at the
Orange Bowl site is not as rosy as a downtown ballpark location. Now, if you're
running the Marlins, you want to pay as little as you can for a new ballpark,
and this may all be a negotiating ploy. But as we've said all along: this is far
from a done deal, and we wouldn't be surprised if there was not yet another plea
for state money before contracts are signed.
RELATED STORIES:
DuPuy: Marlins
ballpark top priority;
Ho hum: Marlins hand
county yet another ballpark deadline;
Marlins may get $50
million for new ballpark;
DuPuy meets with
Crist about new Fish ballpark, says MLB will make use of Dodgertown;
Marlins about to
bring ballpark deal in from the bullpen;
Selig receptive to Orange Bowl site for new
Marlins ballpark;
UM exit from Orange Bowl paves way for new Marlins
ballpark;
Selig: Relocation an option if ballpark issue not
settled;
University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by '08;
Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?;
Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring
training;
Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark:
muted;
State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when
session ends;
Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins
ballpark;
Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix;
Vote on Marlins ballpark financing again comes
late in legislative session;
New Marlins ballpark
bill likely to strike out;
State House endorses $60 million for Marlins
ballpark in Miami;
Marlins' pitch for ballpark cash apt to fall short;
Dade lawmaker unsure about Marlins subsidy;
Miami officials offended at Loria's insistence on
downtown ballpark
New info on Twins ballpark unveiled
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback)
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New
information about the design of a
downtown Minnesota Twins ballpark was presented to Hennepin County
commissioners yesterday. Nothing dramatically new was detailed; rather, it's
clear the current plan is merely a refinement of the original designs presented
by HOK Sport and the Twins. Among the changes: the addition of a family picnic
area in center field (replacing a club), the addition of seats jutting over the
warning track in right field, the addition of some left-field seating, and the
move of a sports bar from left-center field to the left-field corner. Otherwise,
the signature items contained in the original plans -- the limestone exterior,
the Norway pines in the outfield, the heated concourses -- remain.
More from AP and the
Star Tribune.
Nick Coleman is
predictably dour.
RELATED STORIES:
Final price tag for
Twins ballpark land: $28.5 million;
Mediator will try
to find a ballpark land solution;
Hennepin County makes insulting offer to Twins
ballpark landowners;
Landowners make settlement offer in Twins ballpark
dispute;
Twins finally hold groundbreaking for new ballpark;
Landowners to appeal valuation of Twins ballpark
parcel;
A new dispute on ballpark
land figures;
Twins ballpark site worth $23.8 million, says
condemnation panel;
Greed circles the plate at Twins ballpark site;
Hennepin County, land owners remain far apart on
value of ballpark site;
Taxpayers' costs
for Twins ballpark may be going up;
Ballpark land was low-balled;
Ballpark designers seek green label, but say
effort alone counts;
Twins ballpark parcel worth $65.375 million, say
owners;
Twins ballpark
draws development interest;
Pohlads lining up land near ballpark;
Hennepin
County takes control of ballpark land, reaches agreement with railroad;
Twins, Hennepin
County sign ballpark agreement; now the fun begins;
County: Twins' extra donation for ballpark is
confidential;
Twins
unveil ballpark plans;
Hennepin County, Twins reach land agreement; vote
slated for today;
Twins ballpark meeting is delayed;
Ballpark impasse solution may be near on Twins
ballpark;
Twins moving ahead
with ballpark plans;
Pohlads step up to plate to help county save deal;
Possible fix for Twins ballpark impasse arises;
Are Twins working to end ballpark impasse?;
Building a ballpark may hinge on having the Twins
pay more;
County officials, landowners of Twins ballpark
site remain in a holding pattern;
County looking at two new sites for Twins ballpark;
Official says changing site of Twins ballpark
would mean delays;
A great ballpark divide;
Twins postpone ballpark unveiling;
Hennepin County, Twins say they'll look for a new
ballpark site;
Draft environmental review for Twins ballpark
unveiled;
Judge rules Twins ballpark has public purpose;
sides still apart on price;
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
Council won't ask to add Rosenblatt supporter to ballpark group
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Members
of Save Rosenblatt were hoping that the City Council could help the group secure
a spot on the committee that is reviewing Omaha's ballpark options. But it
appears they will be left on the bench. The council on Tuesday rejected a
nonbinding resolution asking Mayor Mike Fahey to appoint Save Rosenblatt
Chairman Jason Smith to the ballpark review committee. The eight-member
committee is examining eight different ballpark options for either a new
downtown stadium or improvements to Rosenblatt
Stadium, as well as financing mechanisms. Its goal is to have a ballpark
recommendation by late February.
RELATED STORIES:
Save Rosenblatt
Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee;
NCAA's feelers out
for CWS sites;
Omaha mayor's public
pitch for ballpark begins;
More options
introduced for new home of College World Series;
Skeptics of Omaha
ballpark proposal look for return on funding;
Public to have say on
Omaha ballpark proposal;
Omaha restaurant
owners vow opposition to ballpark tax;
Omaha mayor unveils
$117-million ballpark plan;
Rosenblatt group
sends petitions to NCAA;
Omaha and the CWS: City
bids for 20-year deal;
Omaha Royals support
plan for new ballpark;
NCAA ties College World
Series to new ballpark;
Today's video:
Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium;
Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest;
Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner;
Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark
suggestions;
Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt;
Could Indy someday be host for CWS?;
New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes;
Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed
downtown ballpark;
Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before
ballpark work;
Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
Purchase of 51s pending
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Derek
Stevens of the Stevens Baseball Group reached an agreement to buy the Las Vegas
51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) from Mandalay Baseball Properties and CEO
Ken Stickney. Stevens is a real-estate developer in Detroit and southern Nevada;
he's expected to pursue a new ballpark for the team; it's no secret Mandalay has
sought a replacement for Cashman Field for some
years now, and given Stevens' development background you can expect to see a
plan for a ballpark anchoring a larger development somewhere in the Las Vegas
suburbs. The sale still needs to be approved by the PCL, MiLB and MLB. As part
of the deal, president and GM Don Logan will stay with the team -- a nice show
of continuity for Las Vegas baseball fans.
Champion buys naming rights to Disney ballpark
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback)
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Looking
to keep growing its Hanes and Champion brands, Hanesbrands Inc. said Tuesday it
has signed a wide-ranging marketing deal with the Walt Disney Co. that includes
product co-branding, attraction sponsorships and signage at Disney parks and
resorts. The Champion name will become part of the new name of
The Ballpark at Disney's Wide World of
Sports, the spring home of the Atlanta Braves. It's not the first time
Disney sold naming rights to the facility: at one point it was known as Cracker
Jack Stadium.
McCourt has made Dodgers a mess
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback)
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We're
not entirely sure the premise of this column from Bob Keisser is accurate.
Before Frank McCourt bought the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team was in pretty bad
shape: we encountered numerous bad attitudes at
Dodger Stadium and the team didn't show
a whole lot of life. The Dodgers are now making some overdue changes to
Dodger Stadium,
and the hiring of Joe Torre will generate some headlines for the team. (We're
not sure Torre will be a good fit, though; a young team might need a firmer hand
than that shown by Torre in recent years.)
Cuba tight-lipped on WBC plans
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Cuban
officials confirmed Tuesday it has received an invitation to play in the 2009
World Baseball Classic, but they wouldn't say whether the county plans to
participate. Jose Ramon Fernandez, a Cuban vice president and head of the
island's Olympic Committee, told Associated Press that officials received an
invitation from Major League Baseball to compete in the second installment of
the international tournament. Cuba lost in the championship round of the
inaugural event, but participated only after MLB officials lobbying the U.S.
government, which had barred Cuban players.
Groundbreaking ceremony for Warthogs' ballpark signals new day for fans,
possible boost for downtown
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With
the sounds of a marching band, the smell of popcorn and the crackle of
fireworks, the area around First and Green streets had a feel of baseball
despite the October chill yesterday. The Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A;
Carolina League) held a groundbreaking ceremony for their new downtown ballpark
with a special guest, baseball great Hank Aaron. The party was open to the
public and attracted government officials, suit-and-tie business leaders and
families looking for something to do.
Apathy doomed Cutters from start
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Dave
Solomon examines why the New Haven County Cutters (independent; Can-Am
Association) called it quits. Perhaps the lesson to be taken here is that you
can do everything right and still fail. The team owners made some necessary
changes to Yale Field, adding
family-friendly features and creating a pleasant atmosphere. The marketplace
didn't respond. Solomon also takes a shot at out-of-town consultants who worked
with the Cutters on their brand; that seems a little churlish, as the
consultants never had a chance to enact a marketing plan.
RELATED STORIES:
New Haven County
Cutters folding
Baseball hits home run in Manipur
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Apparently
baseball is proving to be a hit of sorts in Manipur, India. Two coaches from
Major League Baseball are scheduled to hold a 10-day training camp there next
week. This is the second such camp organised by First Pitch Baseball, a US-based
body which has a few Manipuri members. Twenty baseball clubs with 183 registered
players have come up since the first camp held last year. The state is also set
to get the world’s first floating ballpark. Nandinee Phookan, an MIT-graduate
from Assam now based in New York, has been roped in to design it. "The Manipur
government has sanctioned land to the state sports ministry to construct a
dedicated ballpark as per MLB specifications for holding tournaments. Since the
allotted land is in a low-lying area, we are planning to build the ballpark on
stilts, the way most houses are traditionally built in Manipur. We borrowed the
concept from the hamlets on the Loktak lake built on floating vegetation," said
Somi Roy, a First Pitch Baseball official. Now, we're not entirely sure why
anyone is targeting Manipur for baseball; it's a poorer, mostly agricultural
area in India. But we can't wait to see the plans for the floating ballpark.
Is Miller Park the busiest restaurant in Milwaukee?
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We're
not sure it is, but that doesn't stop the folks at OnMilwaukee to sit down with
the execs from SportService and discuss how 2.8 million Brewers fans at
Miller Park were fed. The food at the
ballpark is pretty good -- the brats are tasty and the High Life is cold -- and
it's clear what people expect, according to Jon Clope: "About 90 percent of our
business is compressed into about three hours. Variety isn't always your friend.
Our top 10 items are probably 80 to 85 percent of our business. It's probably
like that in every ballpark, every year. The other 50 or 60 items fit into that
15 percent of your business. It never really wavers. When people come to
Miller Park, they're going to have a brat.
It's part of the experience. You have to make that available to them."
ULS approves upgrades for Tech's J.C. Love Field
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback)
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Louisiana
Tech's J.C. Love Baseball Stadium will be getting a new look in upcoming months
as the Bulldogs continue their athletic facility improvements while also
preparing to host the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Tournament next May. The
University of Louisiana System approved Tech's request to enter into a lease
with the Louisiana Tech Foundation for the purchasing and installation of new
scoreboards and a pavilion on the northeast edge of the ballpark. Tech's new
baseball scoreboard will feature a clock with the Tech logo on the face centered
on top of the scoreboard and two Bulldog cutouts -- one wearing No. 2 and
honoring Dick Foster and one wearing No. 27 honoring late Bulldogs coach Pat
"Gravy" Patterson.
Ballpark Notes
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The
Akron Aeros (Class AA: Eastern League) announced the addition of two
staff members for the 2008 season. Kim Usselman-Fogel returns to the
Aeros as the director of ticket pperations and her husband, Ken Fogel,
takes over as director of corporate sales and public relations. Kim had
previously worked for the Aeros from 1999 through the 2005 season. Ken has
worked for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Lake County Captains in the
Northeast Ohio area. Both have had more than 14 years experience in the industry
and return to Akron after bouncing from coast-to-coast over the last two seasons
working for teams in the California League and the Carolina League....Dave
Brundage is expected to return as manager of the Richmond Braves
(Class AAA; International League)....Joe Girardi is the new manager of
the New York Yankees....Joe Torre is expected to be named manager
of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a position that opened up with the
resignation of Grady Little....
Sarasota officials mum on ballpark property tax
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback)
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Sarasota
voters will be asked on Nov. 6 to approve $16 million in additional property
taxes to renovate Ed Smith Stadium as the
spring-training venue of the Cincinnati Reds. But city leaders don't seem to be
too enthusiastic about the proposal. Commissioners have not joined Reds
supporters in wearing "Vote Yes" T-shirts around town. Even the project's
biggest cheerleader, sports facilities manager Pat Calhoon, is barred from
advising residents on how to vote. The current proposal is for a $53-million
modernization of Ed Smith Stadium and the
current spring-training complex, scaled back considerably from the original
plan. If the Sarasota vote fails, don't be surprised if the Reds front office
casts about for a new spring-training home, perhaps at
Dodgertown.
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New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
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to $62 million;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities
New Haven County Cutters folding
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It's
official: The
New Haven County Cutters (independent;
Can-Am Association) franchise is folding immediately. This is a little surprising: the
team had been working on a branding makeover and been aggressive in promoting
their team and Yale Field. If no team fills
the void left by the Cutters it will mark the first time in 15 years a
professional baseball team has not competed in Greater New Haven. It would also
mark the first time in 109 years that a professional sports team, either
baseball or hockey, did not operate in Greater New Haven. A member of the
independent baseball Can-Am League, the Cutters were unable to create a buzz
with their product, despite an active involvement in community. Our Michael
Pastore took in a game this season at Yale Field
and was impressed with what the Cutters were doing; we're a little surprised at
the suddenness of the move. It means the Can-Am Association is down to a eight-team circuit:
Atlantic City Surf, Brockton Rox, Grays (traveling team), Nashua Pride, New
Jersey Jackals, Les Capitales de Québec, Sussex Skyhawks and Worcester
Tornadoes. A note sent out by the team includes the following:
It is with deep regret and
sadness that we inform you that the New Haven County Cutters will not be playing
baseball at Yale Field in 2008. Since relocating to New Haven in early 2004, we
have enjoyed a number of successes both on and off the field which would not
have been possible without your loyal support, enthusiasm and friendship. For
that, we will always be grateful and have fond memories of our years in the Elm
City....Our mission has always been to provide a fan-friendly venue where
families and friends could gather to spend a relaxing summer evening outdoors
enjoying America’s pastime, cheering for home team heroes, and living their
dreams. Off the field, our goal has been to partner with youth and
not-for-profit organizations to support them in the realization of their goals
and dreams. We stood for family values, wholesomeness and inclusivity.
A few words with John Henry
Moss
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With
his amazing and successful 50 years of league
leadership coming to an end, John Henry Moss
admits he picked a bit unusual time and date to
officially retire from his remarkable career.
Moss, founder and president originally of the
Western Carolina League -- now the South Atlantic
League -- chose high noon on Jan. 1, 2008 as his
official resignation time.
Moss will
be leaving his Sally League presidency only a few
hours after a new president of the National
Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL)
takes office. "It will give me the opportunity to
serve under eight National Association presidents
-- and that will be only the 11th in history, you
know," Moss said in an interview. We're pleased to
be honoring Moss at the Winter Meetings;
read on
to see what he had to say to our Jim Robins.
Curve unveils 10th anniversary logo, throwback unis
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Ten
years have passed since Altoona, Blair County and the entire Central and Western
Pennsylvania region unexpectedly landed a Double-A Eastern League expansion
franchise. Now, in preparation for the upcoming 2008 baseball season, the
Altoona Curve are planning a season-long celebration to honor the
accomplishments and great moments from the franchise’s first decade and to pay
tribute to their loyal fans.
Curve President and Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg and General Manager Todd
Parnell announced several season-long promotions tied to the franchise’s Tenth
Anniversary in 2008.
Among the highlight promotions set for the 2008 season will
be the unveiling of an Official Curve Tenth Anniversary team, which will
celebrate the top players over the first decade of the franchise. The process
for selecting the members of the club’s Tenth Anniversary team will rely heavily
on fan balloting at Blair County Ballpark and online at
AltoonaCurve.com, and in conjunction
with media partners and participating sponsors. Specific details about the
selection process and announcement of the Curve’s Tenth Anniversary Team will be
revealed at a later date.
The Curve will also celebrate their anniversary by turning
back the clock and reliving the first nine seasons in franchise history with
specific theme nights dedicated to each year in team history. For example, “1999
Night” will include highlights and special moments from the club’s inaugural
season, special video features on the 1999 team, team facts and other special
team-related content dealing with that year. In addition, the ballpark
atmosphere will return to that particular season in Curve history, featuring
video clips, music, fashion and other pop culture references from that specific
year.
In addition to the promotional tie-ins to the Curve’s Tenth
Anniversary season, the franchise also announced the creation of a special Tenth
Anniversary Logo, which will appear on the club’s home and away jerseys and in
team promotional materials, and a brand-new Sunday home throwback uniform, which
is based on the style used by Major League Baseball teams in the late 1920s
featuring baggy pants worn just below the knees.
"What's unique about our new Sunday throwback look is that we
didn't just try to come up with a cool new uniform, but instead decided to think
outside the box and trace the history of baseball uniforms to create a style
that the Altoona Curve would have worn had we been around in the late 1920s,"
said Greenberg.
The uniform color is "natural" and not white since bleaching
wasn't used in the washing process during that era. The hat color is Cardinal,
which is one of the Curve's existing primary colors. Cardinal is also used for
the color of all lettering and trim on the uniform. The uniforms were researched
and designed by Plan B. Branding.
Lincoln, Omaha councils to meet about ballparks
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback)
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Omaha
City Council members will get a firsthand look this week at some of the
amenities available in a modern ballpark. The council is meeting with the
Lincoln City Council at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Haymarket Park, Lincoln's
4,500-seat stadium that is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln baseball
team as well as the Lincoln Saltdogs (independent; American Association).
Haymarket, which opened in 2001, has at least one key feature Mayor Mike Fahey
is looking for in a new downtown stadium for the Omaha Royals and the College
World Series: open concourses. Open concourses provide field views, allowing
fans to catch the baseball action while not in their seats.
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plan for new ballpark;
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Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
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Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
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Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
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ballpark work;
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Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
Dave Wright: Six-team
Northern League a scheduling nightmare?
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback)
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The
2008 Northern League schedule was released
recently. You may recall that, after considerable
posturing back and forth, it was announced that
Edmonton and Calgary were leaving for the warmer
climate (and presumable warmer feeling) of the
Golden Baseball League. This left the original
independent league back where it started with six
teams. The difference now is that, in 1993, the
longest trek was from Thunder Bay to Sioux City --
a 643-mile drive. The new six-team configuration
stretches from Winnipeg to Schaumburg -- some 843
miles as the crow flies. That stroll down the
highway makes the drive to Fargo -- four hours
away -- seem like a trip to the suburbs. Mix those
cities in with the three Chicagoland cities
(Schaumburg, Joliet and Gary) and you have the
potential for a very messy schedule. Not wishing
to show weakness, the league is bravely going
forward with the same amount of games as in the
recent past -- 96 games. But, after scouring the
schedule a bit, one wonders how it will take
before weariness takes a toehold in the league.
Dave Wright looks at the perils of a spread-out
six-team league.
Vipers, 'Cats hiss over franchise fees
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A
recent lawsuit filed by the owners of the Calgary Vipers and the Edmonton
Cracker-Cats has them going to bat against the league they played in the last
two years. The two Alberta have decided to pursue the $1.8 million they felt
they were owed in franchise fees by the Northern League last week for the sunny
coastlines in the Golden Baseball League, where teams are located in California,
Nevada and Utah. Northern League commissioner Clark Griffith said the two clubs
were offered their franchise fees, but, in return, the league would gain
ownership of the Alberta franchises. Griffin compares their demands to buying a
suit from a department store, wearing it for two years and asking for their
money back without returning the suit. Again, the issue is going to be if the
two teams jumped or if they were pushed.
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Cracker-Cats officially leave Northern League
Ceremony for ballpark heralds change downtown
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The
Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) held a groundbreaking for
a new downtown 5,500-seat ballpark, slated to open in 2009 as a replacement for
Ernie Shore Field. The ballpark site isn't
exactly in the best part of town unless you're looking to score some crack, so
city leaders are eager to see the project.
Red Sox not the only Fenway champ
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback)
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Even
with a World Series sweep in hand, the offseason has yet to begin at
Fenway Park. There's still money to be made by
the owners of the Boston Red Sox, and much of it has nothing to do with
baseball. The ownership group of the Red Sox also runs Fenway Sports Group, or
FSG, a sports marketing firm that in February this year bought half of one of
the top racing teams in NASCAR, Roush Racing. FSG also has signed a number of
other marketing clients, including Boston College, which has the No. 2 ranked
college football team in the latest polls.
Cost doubles to move fire station
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Moving
Reno's downtown fire station for a new ballpark will cost the city more than
twice the initial estimate, since officials want to build two new stations. City
staff wants the Reno City Council to proceed Thursday with a $2.92 million
building plan for a temporary fire station at Valley Road and Fourth Street and
on Grand Sierra Resort land. The $3.6 million cost includes design and moving
the computer technology department from the fire station basement to city hall.
The stations must open before the end of February so the current station can be
bulldozed to build a ballpark for the relocated Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League).
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project;
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in Reno;
Sparks still in hunt for Triple-A team
Ballpark Notes
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The
Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League) will have a new
voice on the team's radio broadcasts for the 2008 season. Scott Gierman
joins the Miners as the new play-by-play announcer and media relations
director. Gierman spent the previous three years with the Savannah Sand Gnats
(Low Class A; Sally League). While in Savannah, he headed up the media
relations and creative departments. He also called the play-by-play for all
Gnats home games over the Internet. Following the 2006 season, his first as
media-relations director, Gierman received the honor of South Atlantic League
Media Relations Director of the Year....Jake Tyler of the Toledo Mud
Hens (Class AAA; International League) took down the top honors this year at
the Triple-A level in the annual Sports Turf Managers of the Year Awards
for his outstanding work in preparing Fifth Third
Field. The awards, sponsored by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA),
will be presented at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Nashville, TN next month.
This is the second straight year that Tyler has brought home the award in the
Triple-A category....Annie Huidekoper has been promoted to vice president
of community partnerships and customer service for the St. Paul Saints
(independent; American Association). Entering her ninth season with the Saints,
Huidekoper’s duties include cultivating and growing partnerships with key
community leaders and organizations as well as finding ways the Saints can be of
help at games and in the Twin Cities community. She will also handle all
customer service-related questions at Midway Stadium.
Warm weather allows headway on new Billings ballpark
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Thanks
to weeks of favorable weather, construction crews are making headway on the new
downtown ballpark for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). The
ballpark is on schedule for completion in late June 2008 for the start of the
Pioneer League season. Ballpark supporters also have whittled a projected
$500,000 funding shortfall to about $60,000, thanks in part to private donations
that have been raised in recent weeks. The buff-colored block walls for
the home clubhouse on the western edge of the ballpark have been erected. The
building will soon have a roof, and masonry crews are focusing their efforts on
restrooms and the administration building that will be built along the west side
of the ballpark near North 27th Street.
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HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation;
Cobb proposals narrowed to 2;
Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field
Dodgers looking at one-game return to Coliseum
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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We
alluded to this last week. The Los Angeles Dodgers are exploring a return to the
Los Angeles Coliseum, site of "Moon
Shots,'' for one game next season. If it works out, the game will be part of the
team's 50th anniversary in Los Angeles. The Dodgers played in the Coliseum for
four years after moving west from Brooklyn in 1958. They shared the stadium with
football tenants Southern California, UCLA and the Los Angeles Rams. The
baseball team moved to Chavez Ravine when Dodger Stadium opened in 1962. The
football field at the Coliseum makes
for a strange baseball configuration. When the Dodgers played there, they
installed a 42-foot screen in left field to compensate for the foul pole being
only 250 feet from home plate.
San Jose Giants future in doubt
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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San
Jose officials have negotiated a lease extension for the San Jose Giants (High
Class A; California League) to continue playing at Municipal Stadium through
2013 in a deal that provides for minor repairs to the ballpark but leaves the
team's long-term prospects unanswered. The new deal, to be considered by the
city council Nov. 6, gives the Giants $200,000 from a city parks fund to repair
water leaks and replace seats, and allows the team's $1,000 monthly rent
payments to remain in a stadium repair fund. Previously, the rent went to the
city's general operating fund. The lease extension means "from our standpoint
we're moving forward with the assumption that we're staying in San Jose,
although we all understand that may or may not change," said Jim Weyermann, the
team's president. The current lease expires at the end of the 2008 season. The
long-term questions are rooted in the planned move of the Oakland A's to Fremont
and the possibility that Major League Baseball would require the Giants to leave
San Jose. Whether that would happen remains unresolved: The answers are tied to
uncertainty about whether the Fremont project will be approved, and to the
peculiar rights held by the minor league and major league Giants to Santa Clara
County.
Rodriguez opts out of contract
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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New
York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez opted out of the final three years of
his contract, as he and agent Scott Boras seem determined to test the free-agent
waters. It's a huge gamble: he's making $25.2 million annually, and we're not
sure anyone will exceed that amount today. Indeed, there are a handful of teams
that could afford such a deal (the Red Sox, both Los Angeles teams, both New
York teams), and the Yankees planned to make Rodriguez an offer that gave him a
raise over the $25.2 million average annual value of his current contract, and
they wanted to tie him up until 2015, when he will turn 40.
Bill Price says the Mets should make a play for A-Rod.
The bidding will remind fans in Minnesota, Tampa and Oakland there's no true
parity in baseball.
Supporters hope stadium plan leads to big-league ball
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Portland
Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) owner Merritt Paulson is milling a
plan to renovate PGE Park to MLS standards and finding a new home for his Bevos.
In turn, a new 10,000-seat ballpark could be used as a lure for an MLB team. We
inevitably get asked this when cities discuss the prospect of building a
minor-league ballpark that can be expanded to major-league specs and serve as
the long-term home of an MLB team: it's only happened twice in modern times.
Bloomington's Metropolitan
Stadium was built for the American Association's Minneapolis Millers and
expanded when the Washington Senators moved to the Twin Cities, and Turnpike
Stadium was built for the Texas Spurs and expanded when the Washington Senators
moved to the Metroplex. (We're not
counting the Seattle Pilots' one-year run at
Sicks' Seattle Stadium or the Los
Angeles Angels' one-year run at Wrigley Field because it was clear those would
never be more than temporary homes.) Fort Mills'
Knights Stadium was designed to be
expanded should a MLB team move to Charlotte and need a temporary home.
Otherwise, the economics don't really allow for a 10,000-seat facility to be
expanded to 40,000; you might as well tear down the minor-league park and start
fresh.
RELATED STORIES:
Portland: Choose
baseball or soccer for PGE Park
Today's video: Denver baseball history
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Yeah,
it was a bummer of a World Series for the Colorado Rockies, as the team was
swept in the World Series by the Boston Red Sox. But that doesn't diminish from
the amazing run enjoyed by the Rox and their fans. It also doesn't diminish from
the long history of baseball in the Mile High City. Baseball goes back a long
ways in the Denver: the Denver Bears franchise was a mainstay of several minor
leagues (Western League, American Association), and Bears Stadium has an
interesting history. Built for baseball, Bears Stadium was expanded several
times over the years and eventually was renamed Mile High Stadium, serving as
home to both the Bears and the NFL's Denver Broncos. That's why it was so
appropriate the facility served as the original home of the Colorado Rockies --
baseball was literally coming home in the years before
Coors Field opened. This footage from the local CBS affiliate
shows some vintage shots of Bears Stadium and the Bears.
Rockies not playing well with neighbors
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Speaking
of Coors Field: more
on the action by Coors Field
officials to seek height restrictions on buildings near the home of the Colorado
Rockies. For the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District, the
issue is simple: they want fans to have a view of the snow-capped Rockies. For
landowners, the issue is simple: they want a maximum value for their land, which
means building up. Who will win? Our money is on the stadium district. Indeed,
it seems a little churlish for local landowners to see more when Coors Field
already dramatically increased the value of their land.
Cougars ballpark bid set for Tuesday
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Bids
for a renovation of Elfstrom Stadium, home
of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League), will be opened
tomorrow at the Kane County Forest Preserve District Headquarters, but the
results will not be revealed to folks over the phone afterward. This is to cut
down on other vendors calling to try and gauge the forest preserve’s price range
for future bids, Finance Director Bob Quinlan said. A contract that the Cougars
and the Kane County Forest Preserve District, which owns
Elfstrom Stadium, signed last year promised
an upper deck of suites and increases in the size of the concession, gift shop
and office areas. The work was set to start in fall 2006. Then it was postponed
until the end of the 2007 season, but then delayed again until 2008.
Royals' new video boards could add $4M by 2009
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Kansas City Royals could generate an additional $4 million in advertising
revenue by 2009, when their new scoreboard and LED system is fully operating at
renovated Kauffman Stadium. The team invested $10 million for the new sign
package containing a 100-foot-high, 85-foot-wide center-field video screen, a
left-field fence LED display and about 500 linear feet of ribbon boards in the
upper deck and in the outfield above what will be a new restaurant and Hall of
Fame. The center-field board and the left-field wall screen open for the 2008
season. The ribbon boards will have their debut in 2009.
Pro baseball coming to Oakland County
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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More
on the proposed ballpark in Waterford Township -- in suburban Detroit -- for an
independent Frontier League team. The issue here is if the Detroit Tigers will
oppose the proposal like the team aggressively opposed a similar proposal in
Troy. The team says it won't lobby against the ballpark, but there's a big
reason for this: there are no tax subsidies on the table for the privately
financed venue.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark would be
real hit in Waterford;
Group buys land for
new ballpark;
Waterford
ballpark is a go
You're right, we can't handle a ballpark
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Chris
Klug is the local sports editor covering a proposed independent Frontier League
ballpark at McHenry County College, and he unleashes a pretty fierce attack on
ballpark opponents, saying that if they oppose a ballpark they must fear
progress. The proposal did have some fundamental flaws: residents feared traffic
(always a given when it comes to ballparks) and pollution in Crystal Lake. Plus,
the financial stability of the plan was questioned, although the team offer
($250,000 annually, plus a share of the revenues) was pretty generous.
RELATED STORIES:
MCC expansion plan
worth second look;
Crystal Lake Council
bats down MCC expansion;
Executives go to
bat for plan;
Ballpark
opposition organizes in Crystal Lake;
Will Crystal Lake
let MCC play ball?;
Building a ballpark
tests a community;
Crystal Lake rejects MCC expansion plan, new
ballpark;
Crystal Lake wants outside opinion on ballpark;
Crystal Lake bats around ballpark;
Major boom for minor-league ball;
McHenry County College, Frontier League close to
agreement for new ballpark;
McHenry County pulls off a double play;
MCC ballpark for
Frontier League gets OK;
McHenry to vote on new ballpark; private group looks at area facility;
Plans for minor league team 'moving in right
direction'
Internet brings major change to minor leagues
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback)
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If
you're wondered how independent teams procure talent, here's a look at how Greg
Tagert lures players to the Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern
League). Today the Internet is a core part of that recruitment process: Tagert
can see immediately what players are available and pitch them quickly.
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