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Archives: Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2007

Haymarket Park offers food for thought on ballpark
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 2, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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.

Marlins' share key to ballpark deal
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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?
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 31, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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.
    RELATED STORIES: Reds ballpark decision delayed; For Reds, no rush to vacate Sarasota; Reds spring ballpark deal dealt a major blow; Ballpark negotiations over; now to sell it; Reds official sizes up Sarasota; Replacement for Dodgers in Vero may be near; Sarasota approves Ed Smith project vote; Ballpark issues in Sarasota; Reds spring ballpark plan hinges on 3 votes; Significantly scaled-back plan is weighed for Reds' spring home; Why Sarasota may spurn baseball; What is spring training worth to Vero Beach?; Reds: We're interested in Vero Beach; New Reds spring-complex deal on life support; Delaying puts Reds spring complex in jeopardy; Task force confident in Reds ballpark deal; Finance plan for Reds spring-training facility in place -- maybe; Looking at a Plan B for new Reds spring complex; Sarasota looking to cut spring-training complex cost; Fair officials respond with new spring-training plan; New Reds training facility in some doubt; 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 sign 30-year lease to train in Sarasota; Sarasota, county OK Reds ballpark pact; Deal for new Reds spring-training facility close; Sarasota ballpark hopes for home run; Sarasota sends ballpark pacts to state; Sarasota County agrees to tax increase to fund new Reds spring facility; County tees up for baseball hearing; Sarasota ballpark plan stirs resistance; Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark; For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck; Reds swing and miss; New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M short; Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million 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
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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.

Curve unveils 10th anniversary logo, throwback unis
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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.
    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

Vipers, 'Cats hiss over franchise fees
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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.
    RELATED STORIES: Griffith: No return of Edmonton franchise fee; Calgary announces move to GBL, vows lawsuit against Northern League; Calgary to join Golden Baseball League; Edmonton to announce same tomorrow; Vipers, 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) (submit story) (discuss)
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
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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).
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark already bringing business to Reno; Triple-A baseball OK'd for Reno; New Reno team: Fierce or friendly?; Reno approves new downtown ballpark; Reno council OKs downtown ballpark deal; Baseball owners could get tax break; Two sites OK'd for Reno ballpark; Two Reno ballpark sites to go before city planners; PCL approves Sidewinders sale; Reno gets site; Reno officials want 8-acre site near Evans Avenue for ballpark; Reno City Council to consider plan to build new ballpark; It's all over but the blaming; Sidewinders sold; expected to be in Reno in '09; Announcement on Reno's Triple-A team delayed; Washoe County approves PCL ballpark; Reno is closer to Triple-A baseball; Guinn OKs bonds for marina; State tourism panel aids Sparks marina project; Sparks Council OKs proposal for 92 acres of marina project; Officials still hold hope for Triple-A franchise in Reno; Sparks still in hunt for Triple-A team

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 30, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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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Dodgers looking at one-game return to Coliseum
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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) (submit story) (discuss)
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.
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Internet brings major change to minor leagues
Posted Oct. 29, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
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.