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Archives: Jan. 8-14, 2007

Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look
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The new Minnesota Twins ballpark will sport a modern look. Now, if you've been following the design of the ballpark from the beginning, this shouldn't be a surprise, as the earliest drawings from HOK Sport showed a ballpark with a modern design. What is a surprise is how much internal debate has taken place in the Twins' offices over the design: Jerry Bell and Dave St. Peter have been arguing for a retro design a la Oriole Park, but the Pohlad family (owners of the Twins) has consistently held out for a distinctive modern design.
    The project is still clouded by the inability of Hennepin County and Land Partners II, a limited liability partnership with more than a hundred investors that controls part of the eight-acre ballpark site, to reach a deal. We've learned more about the dispute in recent days, and it's really not as personality-driven as other media outlets would have us believe, having more to do with the zoning of the land. Basically, the city of Minneapolis extended the downtown district to the ballpark site several years ago and rezoned it from commercial to office. Because it's zoned as office, the site has fewer restrictions when it comes to usage; in theory Land Partners II could build a skyscraper on the site -- something that could not be done on a commercial property. This zoning change, according to Land Partners II, makes the land more valuable than Hennepin County says. Another factor in the disagreement: Hines Development, which had been working with Land Partners II on a development plan for the area surrounding the ballpark, has concluded the softness in the downtown Minneapolis real-estate market makes any large-scale development an iffy proposition -- leading Land Partners II to shift gears and seek more funds from Hennepin County upfront.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Plan for new baseball park has sunken, realigned field
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Architects designing the new downtown ballpark for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) plan to orient the playing field away from a blinding afternoon sun that can make life miserable for first basemen. But even with the replacement for Cobb Field facing a different direction, baseball fans can count on breathtaking views of the Rimrocks when the field opens in 2008. The third-base line at Cobb Field runs roughly parallel to North 27th Street. The new $12.5-million ballpark, designed by Tom Tingle of HNTB Architecture (working with CTA Architects Engineers of Billings), will feature a third-base line that's rotated clockwise by about 10 degrees. The ballpark will feature a left-field fence 335 feet from home plate. The center field fence will be 410 feet from home, and the right-field fence will be 356 feet away, all enclosed with a wraparound concourse. (Fences presently are 335, 405 and 325 feet, respectively.) According to conceptual plans presented to the council, the playing field will be excavated to about 8 feet below street level, a money-saving design that allows easier access to the ballpark, especially for people with disabilities.
    RELATED STORIES: Planning for new Cobb Field gets on fast track; Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear; Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark; Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark; Join local teams in support for new ballpark; Three groups, family pledge $200K for maintenance of new Cobb Field; New vote on an old park; Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field; Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement; Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign; Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings ballpark; Cobb backers unveil campaign; Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field; Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot; Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field; Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field; Funding dominates Cobb discussion; Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field of dreams; Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs; Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs; Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure; Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal; Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field; Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate; Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million; HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation; Cobb proposals narrowed to 2; Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field

Dodgers add power with new buffet
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Right field at Dodger Stadium used to feature cheap seats. This year, there will be lots of food and seats that are no longer cheap. The Los Angeles Dodgers are converting their right-field pavilion into all-you-can-eat bleachers. Takers will have access to as many hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos and soft drinks as they want. Around 3,000 right-field seats will be sold for $35 in advance and $40 on game day with the all-you-can-eat special. Left-field tickets, meanwhile, will sell for $10. The ballpark's cheapest seats, in the top deck, will go for $10 next season instead of $6.

Cheney Stadium to get face-lift
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More improvements are on tap for Cheney Stadium, the home of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), as the Tacoma City Council approved a $1.6 million contract with Wade Perrow Construction of Gig Harbor for the work. Slated to be done this year: adding a "crown" facade atop the outside of the ballpark, installing graphics of ballplayers in action, and putting in a a wrought-iron fence, replacing the chain-link fence currently surrounding the ballpark. More work is planned for the ballpark if a state grant comes through, including revamped concessions and the addition of the multitiered patio seating.

McClatchy steps down as face of the Pirates
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Pittsburgh Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy and Chairman of the Board Robert (Bob) Nutting have requested that an official "change of control" within the Pirates ownership group be approved by Major League Baseball. Control of the Pirates will change from Kevin McClatchy to Bob Nutting, pending approval by MLB Owners.
    McClatchy, as the club's CEO, remains responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization. As Chairman of the Board and control person for the team, Nutting's role is to provide strategic leadership for the organization.
    "I am deeply and resolutely committed to the success of the Pittsburgh Pirates both on and off the field. I understand how important the Pirates are to the people of this region and I share in their passion to see this team succeed," Nutting said. "Kevin was very supportive of this change of control, and it should provide absolute clarity for our fans regarding the ownership structure of the team."  

Quakes unveil 15th anniversary logo
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The 2007 California League season will be the 15th season of Quakes baseball in the Inland Empire and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High Class A; California League) are starting the year-long anniversary party with the unveiling of a new, 15th Anniversary logo. The anniversary logo was designed by Jonathan Mercier, the Quakes’ Director of Entertainment, who had also designed the logo for the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game, to be hosted this July by the Connecticut Defenders, Mercier’s former club. "We wanted to come up with a special logo to commemorate an important milestone for our franchise and for baseball in Rancho Cucamonga," said Quakes Executive Vice President and General Manager Gerard McKearney. "Without a doubt Quakes fans will enjoy seeing this logo on team merchandise and giveaway items this coming season. We are looking forward to celebrating the past fourteen seasons throughout the coming year."

Oaks release renderings of Recreation Park enhancements
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The Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League) unveiled revised plans for the two-phase $5-million renovation of Recreation Park. Before Opening Day 2007, the Oaks will add two group and hospitality areas and upgrade existing infrastructure. The second, significantly more extensive phase of the renovation, will be ready for Opening Day 2008. The second part of the project will entail modifying and expanding the grandstand, and building a new right-field entrance and concourse replete with a number of fan amenities.
    The current plan calls for a groundbreaking in early February on two innovative group entertainment areas: a nestled Dugout Suite and Hot Corner Lounge. The Dugout Suite will be a third dugout, in addition to the two provided for the teams on the field, and will provide fans with an exciting, up-close, players-eye view of the game. The Hot Corner Lounge will adjoin the Dugout Suite and will provide an intimate group experience for groups of 50-100. Both areas will be available for nightly rentals starting immediately. Other improvements for fans include renovations to the restroom and concession facilities and a planned Kids' Play Area. Oaks players will also play under an improved, brighter lighting system, on a new playing surface and enjoy enjoy a new weight room.
    The final phase of the renovations will break ground in September 2007 to be completed for Opening Day 2008. The grandstand behind home plate will be rearranged and expanded to include enclosed luxury suites, a full shade canopy, and a brand new, state-of-the-art press box. The main entrance to the ballpark, with a dramatic two part spiral staircase will move to the right field corner and will lead to a new concourse. Several new structures, a VIP hospitality lounge, new restrooms, new concession and merchandise stands, and additional chair back seating, will sit alongside the rightfield concourse. The area beneath the souvenir shop will become the new home of the Oaks administrative offices and a large ticketing center. A grassy berm will wrap around the right field corner providing a prime destination for fans to sit on beach towels while watching the games. The Ballpark will slightly expand its footprint into Recreation Park in adding a new fan pool and kids play area in rightfield. Fans will also find a large parking lot for their convenience beyond the right field wall.
    The Ballpark Renovation Plans were principally prepared by Tom Larimer for Fehlman Labarre Architecture.

Avon nears deal with Frontier League
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A Chicago-based investment group is close to a deal that would bring a Frontier League team to the city of Avon, Mayor Jim Smith said yesterday. Smith declined to give details on the possible deal but did say that the city has been in negotiations with investors interested in forming a team for the independent Frontier League that would be based in Avon and play its games at a stadium to be built at Interstate 90 and SR 611, where the city hopes to build a sports and entertainment complex. Matt Perry, a partner in the investment group, said yesterday the negotiations with the city are ''heading in the right direction'' and that the group is optimistic a deal could get done, though he declined to give a timetable for an announcement. Perry said the group had also looked at the city of Lorain, which has been actively pursuing a professional baseball team, but at this point, it is focusing its efforts on Avon. Meanwhile, yesterday Lorain County commissioners agreed to donate $175,000 from the county's Solid Waste District budget to help pay for the bleachers and roofs for the baseball park at Campana Park in Lorain.
    RELATED STORIES: County may help fund Lorain ballpark; Avon takes a swing at baseball; U.S. Steel donates for Lorain ballpark; Baseball slides into Lorain; Foltin: Avon also eyeing ball team; Foltin faces opposition over upgrades at park

Royals to give 81 fans view from O'Neil's seat
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The Kansas City Royals are giving 81 people a chance to watch a game from Buck O’Neil’s seat at Kauffman Stadium. The club announced the "Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat Program" on Thursday. It will honor the Negro Leagues star who became a goodwill ambassador for the game, and also honor others for their community service. A different person will be selected to sit in O’Neil’s seat at each home game during the upcoming season, team spokesman Toby Cook said. The selection process will be based on nominations from the public. After O’Neil died Oct. 7 at age 94, team spokesman Toby Cook said, Royals officials were debating ways to honor him when club president Dan Glass suggested the legacy seat program.

More seating available for Twins spring games
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The Minnesota Twins will offer new seating areas for spring games this year, a move that couldn’t have come at a better time. Headlining the changes to Hammond Stadium: the addition of a Dugout Box section directly behind home plate, with two rows of seats stretching from dugout to dugout. Those seats will be available to season-ticket holders with priority given to fans who have owned season tickets the longest. Other significant additions: Drink Rail and Lawn Seats, located on a grass berm above the right-field line, next to Section 101. Hammond Stadium will now seat about 7,900, 400 more than in previous seasons.

PCL, IL announce extension of Bricktown Showdown in 07-08
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Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey and International League President Randy Mobley today announced that The Bricktown Showdown -- Triple-A Baseball’s Winner-Take-All Championship Game - will return to the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City following the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
    "It has been our plan all along to make Oklahoma City the home for this event,” said PCL President Branch Rickey. "The support demonstrated for the game and related activities by the professional baseball fans and corporate community in central Oklahoma in year one has made it clear that Oklahoma City is where this game belongs."
    The inaugural Bricktown Showdown game was held this past September before a near sell-out crowd of 12,572 and a national television audience. The Tucson Sidewinders (Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate) defeated the Toledo Mud Hens (Detroit Tigers affiliate) by a 5-2 score in a game that wasn’t decided until the final inning. It had been since the 2000 season that the two League Champions faced-off to determine a true champion of Triple-A Baseball.

Goodyear eyes noted ballpark designer
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Goodyear is negotiating with one of the nation's biggest sports architecture firms to design a new spring-training home for the Cleveland Indians. Goodyear officials are talking with representatives of Missouri-based HOK Sport to design and engineer a 10,000-seat ballpark and spring-training complex east of Estrella Parkway between Yuma Road and Maricopa County 85. HOK's portfolio includes design work for several athletic venues in the Valley, including University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale and spring-training facilities in Peoria and Surprise. The firm also is working on a new stadium for the New York Yankees and Nationals Ballpark for the Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C. Barton Malow, based in Michigan with a regional office in Phoenix, also could be on board as the general contractor.
    RELATED STORIES: Indians fan thrilled by new facility plans; $80 mil for baseball taps out sports authority; White Sox to delay Phoenix move?; Arizona commission to fund both proposed spring-training facilities; Glendale offers spring-training plan; Parties expect Dodgers, Sox deal to pan out; Leaving Tucson will be tricky for White Sox; County not eager to match baseball largess; State panel shouldn't fund White Sox move from Tucson; Goodyear ballpark plan hits funding snag; Pima County trying to avert loss of White Sox for spring training; Dodgers, White Sox reach deal with Glendale; A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix; Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark funds; What could the future hold for Dodgertown?; Glendale wants to bring Dodgers' spring training to Valley; Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to development; Goodyear finds support for spring-training plan; It's official: Indians agree to Grapefruit League move; Indians, Dodgers close to deal to move spring training to Arizona; Clock ticks on Disney-Indians deal; Cleveland says no to Cape Coral's springtime offer; Arizona move still a possibility

Baseball may be back this summer in Springfield
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Springfield (Ill.) Park District officials are practically panting about a tentative five-year deal that would allow a new Central Illinois Collegiate League team to use Lanphier Park for $300 per game, starting in June. Investors in the proposed team have a history of drawing thousands of fans by selling family-style baseball with picnic areas, cheap tickets and plenty of gimmicks aimed at filling seats. Although the investment group isn't publicly commenting, it includes Clark Eckhoff, owner of the Wisconsin Woodchucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). The Wisconsin group hopes to sign a deal with the park district as early as next week to use a ball field that, except for adult league, youth and high school play, hasn't seen games since 2004, when the now-defunct Rifles played there. The Central Illinois Collegiate League, which had seven teams last season, is now down to four.

Empty ballparks can be fun, too
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David Hall talks about his visit to an empty Petco Park and the joys of visiting a ballpark in the offseason: "I picture excited children racing up the entrance ramps toward their first major league game, season ticket-holders settling into their box seats, pitchers warming up, the smell of popcorn, the way the roar of the crowd fills the night air after a game-altering home run. Instead, what I see in the colder months is a ballpark the way it was blueprinted. No screaming supporters, no hot dog vendors, no kids working their way through college by yelling, 'Programs! Get your programs!' Nope, just a vast, immaculate, empty stadium with a swirling breeze that’s audible against the city traffic outside."

Mavericks cancel ’07 season amid ballpark negotiations
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With no agreement yet on a plan to build a $10-million ballpark on city-owned land in east Columbia, the Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier League) will take at least another year off from competition as officials discuss the future of the team. City leaders and one of the team’s owners said yesterday the franchise would not field a team this summer, pending further discussions with the local chapter of the American Legion about whether a new ballpark should be built off Broadway and east of Rustic Road. It would be the second season since the team took the field in 2003 for the Mavericks to call off play amid negotiations for a permanent home for the franchise.

Aiken awarded initial SCL All-Star Game
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The independent South Coast League of Professional Baseball will hold its inaugural All-Star game at Aiken's Roberto Hernandez Stadium on Sept. 5. The South Coast League’s All-Star festivities will take place over a two-day period. On September 4, there will be a player showcase in which all MLB scouts will be invited to attend. In the afternoon, there will be a Fan Fest, with food, entertainment, giveaways, autograph sessions, and various activities for fans of all ages. This will be followed by a Home-Run Derby featuring many of the SCL’s top homerun hitters from the regular season. The night will conclude with an awards banquet. Here, SCL officials will present numerous awards, including the MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, and top Executive as well as recognition of the South Coast League Champions. The first annual SCL All-Star game will take place on Wednesday night, September 5th. More information on tickets for Fan Fest, Home-Run Derby, and the All-Star game will become available at a later date.

Canaries seek $200,000 to remodel locker room
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The Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association) has asked the city of Sioux Falls to pitch in $200,000 to remodel the visitors' locker room at Sioux Falls Stadium in time for a July all-star game. City Council members, however, aren't willing to spend the money without some negotiation. The council heard the proposal this week. Work on the renovation would need to start this spring for a July completion, requiring the council to amend this year's capital improvement budget. A $5.6 million renovation, completed in 2000, didn't include the visitors' locker room that dates back to the mid-1960s. Officials say its 12-inch lockers and pedestal showers are woefully out of date.

Owner says building by ballpark is being sold
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After six years of promises to turn a vacant building at Monroe and Huron streets next to Fifth Third Field, the home of the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) into a restaurant, Toledo businessman and newspaper editor Myron Stewart put the building up for sale -- for $360,000 more than he paid Lucas County for it. The decision irked a few county officials, who say Stewart was less than forthcoming about his real intentions for the property.

Ballpark Notes
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The Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League) has added five new members to its growing front office, increasing its staff from three full time employees in 2006 to the current total of seven. The new arrivals hail from across the country and bring a diverse mix of talents to the organization. Elena Mendoza (Chicago, IL) holds a degree in Sports Management from Ohio State and will be the team's first Hispanic Marketing Manager. Dave Garson (Philadelphia, PA) the Manager of Media Relations, is the former CEO of Quest TV Networks and will appear on the team's radio broadcasts. New Ticketing Manager Jonathan Stone (Bloomington, IN) has held positions with Indiana and Purdue Universities. Stadium Operations Manager Mark Smith (Dallas, TX) previously served eight years in the United States Air Force in recruiting, program management, and aircraft maintenance operations. Jennifer Pendergraft (Salem, Oregon), a former collegiate softball player for Lee University will be the team's new Executive Assistant. Team President Tom Seidler, who in the past has served as the GM in Stockton and Great Falls, will oversee the team's growing staff....The third member of manager Randy Knorr’s staff has finally been determined. Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) Vice President and General Manager Bobby Holland announced today that Randy Tomlin will serve as the team’s pitching coach for the upcoming 2007 season. "We are very excited to have someone like Randy Tomlin be apart of the Potomac Nationals coaching staff," said Holland. "His experiences, especially in terms of pitching at the Major League level, will be a great asset to our team." Tomlin joins the Washington Nationals organization from his Alma matter, Liberty University, where he spent the past nine seasons as the pitching coach. He joined the Flames coaching staff in 1997 after a nine-year professional career that included five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1990-1994)....The Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Citadel Broadcasting Company announced that WHEELZ (WYLZ-FM 100.9) is the flagship radio station for the team's inaugural season in Midland. WHEELZ will broadcast all regular and post-season games for the 2007 season, which is scheduled to start on Thursday, April 5....The Tri-City ValleyCats (short season; NY-Penn League) and WVCR 88.3 FM "The Saint" announced today that a new two-year agreement has been reached, making WVCR the flagship radio station for ValleyCats baseball through the 2008 New York-Penn League season. The new deal includes exclusive radio broadcasting rights for all 76 ValleyCats regular season games and playoffs. WVCR has a 35,000 watt stereo signal that reaches a 60-mile radius around the Capital Region.

Crist backs state funding of new Marlins ballpark
Posted Jan. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As we noted, MLB was counting on the support of newly elected Gov. Charlie Crist as a key element to closing funding gaps for a new Florida Marlins ballpark, and yesterday the gov delivered in a statement that could have been written by MLB: "I'm favorably inclined to it. I view it as an economic-development issue. It's not just the players who benefit from having Major League Baseball in the community. People who sell hot dogs benefit. People who do parking benefit. And it's a point of pride for many of our communities, especially if it's a winning team like things are in Gainesville right now." Crist's emphatic support so soon after taking office last week stands in contrast to his predecessor, Jeb Bush. Initially opposed to state support for a ballpark, Bush later changed his mind but did not prove influential on the issue with a skeptical Florida Senate. A proposal for $60 million in state funding is expected to be discussed in the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature. The Marlins currently play at Dolphin Stadium, but the team has set a deadline on moving to a new facility.
    RELATED STORIES: Officials optimistic of finalizing Marlins ballpark deal in downtown Miami; DuPuy: Progress being made on new downtown Miami ballpark; Dade leaders pitch 'urban' ballpark for Marlins; New downtown Miami site explored for proposed Marlins ballpark; MLB official hopes Crist can pave way for new Marlins ballpark; Focus in Miami turns to new ballpark for Marlins; Marlins ballpark chances at Pompano considered a long shot; Pompano Park pitched as location for new Marlins ballpark; Marlins, Loria at crossroads with uncertain future; Orange County commissioner pushing for Marlins; Miami Arena owner sues to stop sale; Buyers sue Miami Arena owner; Deadline looms over proposal for Marlins ballpark in downtown Miami; Marlins officials tight-lipped on downtown Miami ballpark proposal; MLB ready to move on downtown Miami ballpark; Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to end; Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark; DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins ballpark again; Marlins ballpark suffers setback; DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new ballpark; Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial feasibility; Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks; Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins ballpark; San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now; Tough times for Marlins and their fans; Marlins players adjust to the empty seats; Marlins to view San Antonio sites: Officials will visit as planned with Florida park talks continuing; Marlins hit new lows in 8-5 loss; Failing bid for Marlins teaches Wolff a lesson; New funding plan proposed for Marlins ballpark in Hialeah; Development OK'd for potential Marlins ballpark site in Hialeah; Hopes fade in pursuit of Marlins; Marlins have until May 15 to decide about San Antonio move; Wolff plans to give Marlins a deadline; Loria wants Marlins' fate decided soon; House-hunting for Marlins on hold, for now; Willis, ballpark deal key issues for Marlins; Is Texas big enough for three MLB teams?; San Antonio makes first pitch to Marlins owner; Loria: Marlins seriously talking with San Antonio; Will Florida Marlins jump into San Antonio's net?; San Antonio officials get an invite Nolan Ryan backs San Antonio Marlins idea; City and county forming teams to lure Marlins; San Antonio bid for Marlins on hold; Wolff reveals site possibilities for San Antonio ballpark; Plan would provide $200 million toward new Marlins ballpark; Spurs looking to be part of ownership if San Antonio lures Marlins; San Antonio to Marlins: Include locals; Marlins move may spur border battle; Wolff makes ballpark pitch to Marlins; San Antonio under 'serious consideration' for Marlins relocation; Marlins front office meets with Homestead officials; Marlins to Oklahoma City?; Half-cent hike in Miami-Dade might help fund a Marlins ballpark; Owner laughs off idea of his track as Marlins ballpark site; Marlins, FAU to discuss stadium options; Norfolk session pleases Marlins; Possibility of Marlins ballpark deal called remote

P-Nats negotiating new ballpark
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Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) owner Art Silber said on Wednesday that "a memorandum of understanding" is being negotiated between the Nationals, the Prince William County Park Authority and Prince William Board of County Supervisors. The memorandum would require the approval of the board so a new ballparks can be built for the Nationals' 2008 season. The board has not approved a new stadium, but Silber said he hopes approval will come "within the next few weeks." The P-Nats would commit to a 25-year lease for a $22.5-million ballpark, with the team and county splitting the construction costs. Renovation of 23-year-old Pfitzner Stadium, where the P-Nats play, has been estimated to be more expensive than building a new facility. Silber will be unveiling artist renderings of the new ballpark at the team's  Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction, to be held on Sunday, January 21st at the Hyatt Fair Lakes in Fairfax, Va.

Revised Allentown ballpark cost released
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With most construction bids in, Lehigh County's minor-league ballpark is now projected to cost $48.4 million, according to county officials. At a meeting Wednesday before county commissioners, officials reviewed a plan to cover the 41 percent increase in expenses and the amended lease agreement with team owners. The price tag of the east Allentown ballpark, originally $34.3 million, rose precipitously because of several factors, including an outdated estimate based on a facility of smaller scope and escalating construction costs. The county will receive higher annual lease payments from Craig Stein and Joseph Finley , entrepreneurs who own the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (independent; International League), the Philadelphia Phillies-affiliated team that will play there. They will pay $1.29 million for about 30 years, which adds up to $38.6 million -- $18.3 million more than set forth in the previous agreement, according to Administration Director Tom Muller.
    RELATED STORIES: Affiliated baseball finally comes to Valley; Allentown breaks ground on new ballpark; International League approves sale of Lynx; Lynx poised to leap after 2007

Fremont, A's continue talks for new ballpark
Posted Jan. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A's co-owner Lew Wolff met again with Fremont city officials this morning, continuing their ongoing talks on a host of issues surrounding the team's planned move, City Manager Fred Diaz said. The sit-down between both parties is one of several semimonthly meetings scheduled this year. While past sessions have centered on discussing possible deal terms, today's meeting will focus more on the land-entitlement process by which Wolff plans to finance the ballpark, Diaz said. They also likely will discuss Wolff's planned presentation at the City Council work session Tuesday. Last year, Wolff twice met individually with Fremont City Council members behind closed doors. But at Tuesday's work session -- the team's first public Fremont meeting -- Wolff is expected to give a formal project overview to the city's five council members. The team currently plays at McAfee Coliseum.
    RELATED STORIES: If Selig's coming, A's must be going; Wolff ready to go public on ballpark; Cisco blending tech and baseball; Records show evolving talks between A's, Fremont; Are the A's worth it to Fremont's neighbors?; More meetings with A's slated after new year; Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A's; A's detail Fremont plans down to the letter; San Jose still ponders illusory ballpark; Transit teams try to solve Cisco Field 'challenges'; A's Fremont ballpark must field host of hurdles; A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark village in Fremont; New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech; The next big thing: the San Jose A's?; A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark; Oakland City Council grants A's extension; A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Ripken reiterates interest in buying Orioles
Posted Jan. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Cal Ripken Jr. would be interested in buying the Baltimore Orioles if Peter Angelos decides to sell the team. The Hall of Famer's firm, Ripken Professional Baseball, has owned the Aberdeen Ironbirds (short season; NY-Penn League) since 2002 and the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) since 2005. He was asked about his interest in owning the Orioles at the press conference announcing his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame: "I haven't been approached," he said. "I've thought about that, yes, and if an opportunity were to arise, if Mr. Angelos would want to sell the club, it would be an interesting thought process to go through."

Joines: Protect ticket revenue
Posted Jan. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Winston-Salem Mayor Mayor Allen Joines said yesterday that Billy Prim, the lead developer of a proposed public-private ballpark near downtown for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League), would be required to put up additional guarantees before the city invests $29 million in the project. Joines' remarks were made after several days of questions by residents and members of the Winston-Salem City Council about the city's exposure to financial risk in a worst-case scenario, such as an unexpected drop in attendance and revenue. If the city council spends public money on the project, it plans to make back part of its investment from surcharges on ticket sales at the proposed stadium. Prim had backed up the revenue from surcharges with the assets of Sports Menagerie, the company through which he and Andrew "Flip" Filipowski own the Warthogs, which would use the ballpark.
    RELATED STORIES: Council considers city help with moving expenses; Prim's word is his bond; Council postpones Winston-Salem ballpark vote; Attendance, costs at question in W-S ballpark plan; County quiet on funding for new Warthogs ballpark; W-S ballpark could avoid difficult permits since it has no creek; Traffic concerns dominate Winston-Salem ballpark meeting; City outlines routes to proposed Warthogs ballpark; W-S finance committee recommends incentives for new Warthogs ballpark; New ballpark in Winston-Salem a go; Nearing the goal in Winston-Salem; New Warthogs ballpark won't affect local streets; Winston-Salem ballpark plan takes time to stretch

Fun at the new ballpark? You can count me out this year
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John Sonderegger, whose family has purchased season tickets for several years at the old Busch Stadium and the new Busch Stadium, says he's not willing to do so again this season. Why? Because the price of a pair of tickets is now approaching $100 (not counting any PSL fees), and he says the Club Level -- normally a point of pride for a ballpark operator -- is subpar. "And the Redbird Club itself was a joke. I envisioned a much smaller club area, with places to eat and view the game. Instead, I found it to be nothing more than a glorified concourse area with concession stands offering various food and drinks at inflated prices. The restrooms were small and cramped."

Easy fix to be tried on warning track
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The Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority and the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) believe they have found a low-cost solution to drainage problems on the Dodd Stadium warning track for the coming year. The city was to have replaced the warning-track drainage system this fall and winter, but both parties agree that an expensive renovation would be fruitless one year before the entire playing surface is to be replaced. Authority member Gary Schnip has been in contact with field specialist William Dest on a proposal to use a machine that could cut fine vertical slits into the warning track to allow water to seep through to the drainage level beneath the surface material. The problem is that the top three inches of material has become packed down and too dense to absorb rain water, causing postponement of games when the playing field itself was fine.

Spring training comes at a high price
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Lee County Commissioners are being asked to approve $2.1 million of taxpayer money for renovations to the spring training homes of the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox, but is it worth it? City of Palms Park, home of the Red Sox, is asking for $800,000 to add what one official calls "pizzazz to the facility." Hammond Stadium, home of the Twins, is hoping to get $1.3 million. That money will be spent on new bathrooms, a new concession stand and a new backstop. The construction at the two ballparks is expected to be complete by mid-February.

USC riverfront ballpark clears hurdle, could open in 2008
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University of South Carolina officials received final city approval Tuesday to build a $24 million riverfront ballpark on a 29-acre tract bordered by the Congaree River and Blossom, Williams and Catawba streets. Demolition of two buildings on the site is to begin in February and the stadium will be ready for the Gamecocks’ 2008 season opener, said Charlie Jeffcoat, USC’s director of campus planning and construction. The design includes a A 30- to 45-foot "victory tower," a design with dark red brick and wrought-iron work, and seating for 8,100 seats (6,800 permanent seats and 1,800 berm seats). We hear there's a chance the ballpark could be targeted as a future home of professional baseball: at the Winter Meetings the low Class A Sally League declared placing a team in Columbia to be a high priority, and unless someone wants to build a privately financed facility, sharing the ballpark with USC would seem to be the only viable option.

Groups discuss possibility of baseball for Fairmont
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Although there is no public word from any of the parties reported unofficially to be involved -- the city of Fairmont, Marion County, the state of West Virginia, Fairmont State University, Vandalia Heritage Foundation and Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League) owners Sports Facility LLC -- Fairmont City Planner Jay Rogers was able to confirm some of the information that has leaked out to several news outlets. The $16-million facility could be built on city land, the former Sharon Steel site north of town. The new team would be established by the owners of the Wild Things, Rogers confirmed. It would be part of a planned addition of four teams to the 12-team Frontier League for the 2008 season. One must wonder where the three other teams are coming from, but we're not going to throw out a breezy response or line of bull here.
    RELATED STORIED: Frontier League looks at Fairmont, W.Va.

Keeping score is more than a game
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Potter County Memorial Stadium -- the Dilla Villa, home of the Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball) -- will turn 50 this season. As you might expect, the place is a little rough around the edges, so Dillas general manager Mark Lee appeared before Potter County commissioners Monday hoping to shed light on the ballpark's troubled electrical situation, as both the lighting system and scoreboard need immediate attention. The Dillas plan on adding a video scoreboard with instant replay, but they may want to also reinstall the ballpark's original manual scoreboard, sitting in storage.

Officials mull Point Stadium revenue generators
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Rental fees, concession proceeds, ad sales and even charges for naming rights are expected to generate revenue at Johnstown’s newly renovated Point Stadium. Officials also say sports such as football, baseball and soccer eventually will share space with concerts, car shows, rodeos and circuses at the city’s historic ballpark. City leaders discussed the ballpark’s future Wednesday as they released the first draft of their management plan. But officials also acknowledge that they face looming deadlines and a possible cash crunch when it comes to installing artificial turf – a critical component in both short- and long-term plans for the Point. Currently no pro team calls Point Stadium home.

Slippery Rock in baseball's lineup
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Small towns often court baseball's minor leagues, dipping into tax money to build ballparks for wealthy team owners. For one season at least, Slippery Rock has bucked the trend. The university town, with just 5,400 permanent residents, will play host this summer to an independent professional team from the Frontier League. Slippery Rock will not shell out so much as a nickel for a ballpark or the Slippery Rock Sliders, who will play 32 games at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University. The Sliders will hit the road for 64 games, making them the only Frontier League team that will play away from home most nights. GM Steve Tahsler said his goal is to draw 1,000 paying customers per game in a ballpark that seats about 1,500.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2007: the Slippery Rock Sliders

If Selig's coming, A's must be going
Posted Jan. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Oakland A's could become the Fremont A's, or maybe even the San Jose A's, as team co-owner Lewis Wolff plans to announce next week with Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig that the team is moving to Fremont. A source close to the negotiations said Selig will visit the area a week from today for a news conference with Wolff and executives at Cisco Systems the company controlling a 143-acre plot of land targeted for a new ballpark. The news conference could take place at Cisco's San Jose headquarters, the source said. There are no rules in baseball about a team being named for the city in which it plays; MLB did set a precedent of sorts by letting the Anaheim Angels be renamed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and with Fremont located four miles away from San Jose, a renaming -- though decried by many -- may be inevitable.
    RELATED STORIES: Wolff ready to go public on ballpark; Cisco blending tech and baseball; Records show evolving talks between A's, Fremont; Are the A's worth it to Fremont's neighbors?; More meetings with A's slated after new year; Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A's; A's detail Fremont plans down to the letter; San Jose still ponders illusory ballpark; Transit teams try to solve Cisco Field 'challenges'; A's Fremont ballpark must field host of hurdles; A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark village in Fremont; New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech; The next big thing: the San Jose A's?; A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark; Oakland City Council grants A's extension; A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Cordaro: Ballpark deal safe
Posted Jan. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
County taxpayers would be protected from ongoing repair costs at Lackawanna County Stadium, the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), under a proposed management deal with Mandalay Baseball Properties, Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro said Tuesday. With opening day for the SWB Yankees a little more than 12 weeks away, the county and California-based Mandalay still have not submitted a management agreement to baseball’s governing bodies for approval. The commissioner said talks with Mandalay went well Tuesday, and now the draft document will be sent to the New York Yankees’ attorneys for their review. Barring major changes, it would then come back to the county for submission to the International League.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2007: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees; End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium; Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty; Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows; Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax; New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark priorities; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Will Moosic get a new ballpark?; Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management firm heading to Moosic; Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna County Stadium today; Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and Pens; It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to Scranton a done deal?; Authority will consider giving Cordaro power; Yankees to SWB?

Game plan: $450M Fenway complex
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A local developer aims to team up with the Boston Red Sox on a $450 million air-rights complex plan that would deck over the nearby Massachusetts Turnpike and further transform the neighborhood around Fenway Park. Newton builder John Rosenthal yesterday unveiled plans to build a mixed-use complex across the street from the ballpark, near where there are also plans for a new rail and bus transportation hub. The proposed project features 560 apartments in two high-rises as well as more than 1,200 parking spots in two garages and a host of new neighborhood shops. Rosenthal, who has tried for years to build a signature high-rise project near Fenway, said he is also close to reaching an agreement to bring the Red Sox on as minority partners. And he’s also brought on board a big-name architect, Carlos Zapata, best known for designing the new Soldier Field in Chicago.

New for 2007: the Slippery Rock Sliders
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After a month of deliberations, 92 unique team name submissions, and nearly 1,000 votes in the Name the Team contest, Slippery Rock Professional Baseball announced "Sliders" as the team’s nickname. Sliders had the most nominations in the first round of the contest and received nearly twice as many votes as any of the other three finalists (Boulders, Rockers, and Sluggers). Also unveiled was the team logo, featuring a baseball sliding through a circle. Forest green will be the team’s primary color, accented by black and gray. The inaugural season logo and merchandise were designed by Ibistek Apparel of Butler, who will be serving as the official merchandiser for Slippery Rock Professional Baseball.

Village near Surprise Stadium likely soon
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A 69-acre compound, replete with specialty retail shops beneath 200 loft-style apartments, a 14- to 16-screen movie theater, office condominiums and other amenities, is expected to go up near Surprise Stadium, the spring home of the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals, by January 2009. At its last meeting, the Surprise City Council approved an infrastructure agreement with Millennium Properties & Development Inc. of Las Vegas to build Surprise Stadium Village. The project, bounded by Bell Road, Bullard Avenue, Paradise Lane and Parkview Place, will neighbor the city's future 25-court Tennis and Racquet Complex and the stadium. The developer has sold all but 5 acres of the development for individual projects that city planners hope will soon become "downtown Surprise."

Ballpark designers update council
Posted Jan. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Architects for the Springdale minor-league ballpark are attempting to blend a natural look into the design of the facility. HOK Sport, the firm hired to design the park, updated Springdale City Council Wednesday morning on the design phase of the project. Designers plan to incorporate the natural environment into the ballpark, making it unique. The firm is still attempting to nail down a final design cost for the $33-million ballpark, slated as the future home of the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League). Schematics include the overall structural look of the building with plumbing and electrical paths sketched in.
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Gwynn, Ripken elected to Hall of Fame
Posted Jan. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
No surprise: Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr., were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by some pretty comfortable margins. Ripken was named on a record 537 ballots, with the third-highest percentage (98.53) in the history of the voting, while Gwynn received 97.6 percent of the vote. What is refreshing about both: they represented the game well as players, they played their entire careers with single teams and have continued to be involved in what some would consider non-glamour positions -- Ripken as a minor-league owner and Gwynn as a college coach. Both were considered locks, so the more interesting news may be who didn't make it and why. Mark McGwire, whose career is now tainted by potential steroid abuse, finished ninth in the balloting. He -- along with Goose Gossage, Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris and Lee Smith -- may have a better shot at election next year when a relatively weak class becomes eligible, unless you consider David Justice and Shawon Dunston worthy of famehood. Meanwhile, Rich Maris, son of former great Roger Maris, says if steroid abuse by McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds is confirmed, the record for most homers in a season should revert back to his father.

Twig returns for 59th season in the pros
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We cover a lot of the coaching-staff announcements in our Ballpark Notes section, but this one deserves its own headline: Fort Worth Cats (independent; American Association) first-base coach Wayne Terwilliger will return for the 2007 season, the club announced today. It will be his 59th season in professional baseball and fifth year with the Cats. Terwilliger, 81, was the team’s manager from 2003-05. He was named the Central League’s 2005 Manager of the Year after leading the Cats to a franchise-best 60 wins. The team eventually won the championship that year, their first of two consecutive league titles. On June 27, 2005, Terwilliger turned 80 years old and joined the legendary Connie Mack as the only two 80-year-old managers in baseball history. When he took over the Cats in 2003, he became the oldest skipper in minor-league history.

St. John's renames ballpark after former coach
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St. John's University has announced the renaming of the baseball program's home field, from The Ballpark at St. John's to Jack Kaiser Stadium beginning in the 2007 season. The stadium's namesake, Hall of Fame coach John W. "Jack" Kaiser, has been a part of the St. John's athletics family for nearly 60 years. Kaiser began his St. John's career as a baseball, basketball and soccer player in the late 1940's, then as a coach from 1952-1973, the Director of Athletics from 1973-1995 and currently holds the title of Athletic Director Emeritus. Throughout his career at St. John's, Kaiser has been one of the baseball program's biggest supporters. He led teams to the College World Series as a player in 1949 and a coach in 1960, 1966 and 1968, then went on to provide department-wide leadership as the Director of Athletics for 23 years. The ballpark's renaming will be commemorated early in the spring when the Red Storm opens its home season in March.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Jan. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced that Jason Haeussinger has been named the team’s athletic trainer for the 2007 season. Haeussinger, 36, joined the San Diego Padres system in 1995 and most recently was the athletic trainer for the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League)....The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association today announced a 10-year agreement to continue playing all four of the state's High School Baseball Championship Games at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium through 2016....The Charlotte County Redfish (independent; South Coast League) announced four additions to the front office: Assistant General Manager Robert Ford, Group Sales Executive Michelle Creed, Corporate Sales Executive Andrew Bradley and Office Manager Allison Spriggs. Ford joins the Redfish staff after a two year stint as general manager of Blue Hills Ski Area in Canton, MA. Ford also has extensive Minor League Baseball experience working both in the Atlantic League and in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Creed is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a BS in Business Administration - Sports Management. Prior to joining the Redfish, Creed had worked for the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Waterbury Spirit (both independent; Atlantic League). Bradley is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana and Campbell University in North Carolina. In 2006, Andy worked as an intern with the Princeton Devil Rays (rookie; Appalachian League). Spriggs is currently a student of the University of South Florida. She is a junior, majoring in Marketing.....The Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) have announced the hiring of seven new members to the front-office staff. Jonathan Griffith joins the Nationals as the Assistant General Manager of Corporate Sales. Griffith spent the 2006 season with the Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) and has previously worked for the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) and the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Doug McConnell comes on-board with the P-Nationals as the Box Office Manager. A native of Malvern, Pa., McConnell comes to the P-Nats from the Delmarva Shorebirds (Low Class A; Sally League) where he served as the Box Office intern for the 2006 season. David Maier comes to the Nationals as an Outside Sales Executive from the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Low Class A; Midwest League), where he served as a Marketing Intern for the 2006 season. Jennifer Roccanti comes to the Potomac Nationals as Director of Community Relations from the New Haven County Cutters (independent; Can-Am Association), where she served as Community Relations Manager. Anthony Oppermann joins the Potomac Nationals as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations. Oppermann, a native of La Grange, Texas, spent the 2006 season with the Daytona Cubs (High Class A; Florida State League), where he served as the team’s Assistant Director of Broadcasting. Jim Johnson begins his first season with the Potomac Nationals as Director of Food Service after spending nearly 15 years with Ogden Entertainment. Carter Buschman returns to the Potomac Nationals for his second season as the Director of Stadium Operations. He spent the 2006 season with the P-Nats as an Operations Intern and Director of Food Service. Ryan Johnston will serve as the Potomac Nationals Assistant Director of Stadium Operations after interning with the team as the Stadium Operations Manager in 2006....The Mankato MoonDogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) announced the hiring of Jeremy Sullivan as the team's new assistant general manager. Sullivan, a former media relations intern from the 2004 season, is excited to be back and will bring a professional sports background to the front office. After the 2004 season, Sullivan graduated from Bemidji State University and accepted a job from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sullivan replaced Mike Then, the new GM of the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League)....The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will open their 20th season with an exhibition against the Colorado Rockies at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30th, team officials announced today. The Sox will then open up their Pacific Coast League schedule six days later at home on Thursday, April 5th at 6:05 PM MST against the PCL defending champion Tucson Sidewinders, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. This will be the 8th exhibition game between the Sky Sox and Rockies and the 7th played at Security Service Field (the two teams squared off in 1995 at Coors Field). In the seven previous match-ups, the Sky Sox hold a 5-2 advantage over their Major League affiliate. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2005 when the Sox defeated the Rockies 5-1 on April 2nd of that year.

Officials optimistic of finalizing Marlins ballpark deal in downtown Miami
Posted Jan. 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Major League Baseball, Miami-Dade County and city of Miami officials said Monday they are optimistic they are close to finalizing a deal to build a ballpark for the Florida Marlins on publicly owned land just north of the county's government center in downtown Miami. All sides admit, however, that there are still funding gaps and unidentified funding sources (how that's for a euphemism?), and most tellingly the front office of the Marlins -- which would be expected to pick up a greater share of the costs of the $500-million retractable-roof ballpark than under previous plans -- declined to comment on the proceedings. Even with some new sources of funding, there remains a $100 million or so gap between what government can provide and what the Marlins are willing to pay, unless a new study commissioned to establish the true costs of the ballpark comes in far below what everyone expects. MLB officials, we hear, are counting on the state coming through with some funds (new Florida Gov. Charlie Crist once worked for professional baseball as an attorney), but the state Legislature would need to be involved as well. MLB can push and push all it wants, but at the end of the day the Marlins will need to pry open the wallets and come up with some additional funds. More from the Miami Herald.
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Sounds fail to file lease legislation
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The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have failed to file legislation with the Metro Council in time for the team to finalize a property lease with the city and begin construction of its proposed new $43 million downtown ballpark by Feb. 1, a self-imposed deadline the Sounds last month called a "drop dead" date for starting ballpark construction -- in part because of rising construction costs. Still, both the baseball team and Baltimore developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse -- which will build a roughly $200 million hotel-residential-commercial development surrounding the ballpark -- expressed confidence Monday they would be able to meet an April 15 deadline the council set last month.
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Dave Zweifel: City ought to take Mallards' pitch
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Dave Zweifel, editor of the Capital Times (Madison's afternoon daily newspaper), says Madison should accept a proposal by the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) to renovate Warner Park with a combination of city funds and Mallards spending. The city of Madison had already planned to spend $800,000 on replacing the 1982 bleachers around the infield this coming year. The Mallards are asking that the city earmark that money instead as part of a $4 million renovation after the 2007 season that, among a host of other improvements, would rotate the field 180 degrees so that the batters aren't batting into and the fans aren't facing into the late afternoon sun. The Mallards themselves would come up with $2 million in cash and would like permission to raise the remaining $1.2 million by, among other ideas, selling naming rights to the field.
   RELATED STORIES: Mallards ask for input on ballpark

Council considers city help with moving expenses
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Members of the Winston-Salem City Council took steps yesterday to ensure that renters who might be displaced by a possible new Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark project near downtown will be given adequate financial assistance to move elsewhere. About 15 to 20 families in the area of Green and Watkins streets could be affected, officials said. Billy Prim, the project's lead developer and a co-owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs, has offered to pay $800 to $1,000 for relocation costs, but that amount probably will not be enough, officials and residents said. Relocation payments made by the city would not go directly to residents, unless they moved themselves, officials said. Relocation payments would be paid instead to such service providers as the utility companies and the mover.
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When San Antonio woos teams, it'll go slow
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Mayor Phil Hardberger and County Judge Nelson Wolff met and agreed Monday that a more deliberate, sensible approach is needed in future negotiations with professional sports teams that say they are interested in relocating to San Antonio. Hardberger and Wolff, who played central roles in failed relocation talks with the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 2005 and Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins in 2006, say talks should proceed only with the approval and involvement of NFL and MLB officials, not just team owners.  Although a high-ranking MLB official monitored the flirtations between the county and the Marlins, Commissioner Bud Selig was never directly involved. Hardberger and Wolff hope the new policy will prevent teams from using San Antonio as a bargaining chip in negotiations with their own cities to gain new facilities.
    RELATED STORIES: San Antonio to discuss ways to lure pro franchises

County may help fund Lorain ballpark
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Lorain is moving a step closer toward completing construction of an enhanced Campana Park ballpark. County commissioners have agreed to hold a special meeting this week to vote on giving the city about $175,000 from a solid waste fund to make additional upgrades to the stadium being built, Commissioner Lori Kokoski said Monday. The money will be spent on projects including the construction of retail space and a canopy roof over the seats. Cleveland State University and Lorain County Community College already have agreed to play at the stadium, and the city is hoping to attract an independent Frontier League team in the future.
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Ballpark's future is far from certain
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One possible casualty of a new downtown ballpark in Fort Wayne: Memorial Stadium, the current home of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). Some say it should be converted to a community facility and maintained as the home of the Indiana University-Purdue University baseball team, but university officials say they can't afford the ballpark as it stands right now, and especially if some needed repairs -- new seating, concrete repair and modifications for the disabled -- are made. Complicating things, the management of the Fort Wayne Coliseum (which owns the ballpark and the land) says they won't sell the ballpark site. All of this is painting a very bleak picture of the facility's future.
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Myers, two partners buy ballpark
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Spartanburg High School baseball coach Tom Myers and two business partners have purchased Greenville's Municipal Stadium, the former home of the Greenville Braves (Class AA; Southern League) and the Greenville Bombers (Low Class A; Sally League)' minor league affiliate in the city. The Greenville City Council approved the purchase on the second reading on Monday night. The ballpark, located on Mauldin Road, and its 42 surrounding acres were bought from the city for $1,955,365. Myers, along with Mike Prochaska and Greg Cassidy, formed Greenville Athletics LLC and this group will operate the facility. The plan includes the addition of five other baseball fields and an indoor hitting facility.

Discovery Place plan receives approval
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Developers with plans for multiple sports stadiums, more than a million square feet of retail space, 1,400 housing units and possibly a hotel with an indoor water park received final approval from the Laurel (Md.) Town Council on Monday night. The approval follows months of packed public hearings and controversy over 480 acres of mostly farmland that was officially annexed into the town Monday. The $500-million development will be built as a destination for youth sporting events, complete with a 12,000-seat sports arena, a 6,000-seat baseball stadium and multiple other venues, along with hotels, shopping, entertainment and permanent housing. Though the ballpark hasn't come up as the potential home of a pro team, we're guessing someone will be intrigued by the notion of placing a team in Laurel.

Ballpark Notes
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Rockford College first-year Head Coach Bob Koopmann and Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) General Manager Josh Olerud released the 2007 Rockford College Regents baseball schedule. The 32-game slate is highlighted by 17 home games, all played at RiverHawks Stadium. Koopmann is a former manager of the 'Hawks....Ever Magallanes, the older brother of 2006 Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) skipper Bobby Magallanes, was manager of the team. Ever Magallanes led the Tempe Angels to the 2006 Arizona League Championship game, where they lost to the Padres. Eric Owens returns as the Kernels Hitting Coach. Owens made his professional coaching debut with the Kernels last season. He played nine seasons in the majors with the Reds, Brewers, Padres, Marlins and Angels. Pedro Borborn, Jr. joins the Angels after a nine year major league pitching career with the Braves, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Astros and Cardinals and will be the Kernels Pitching Coach. Rounding out the Kernels field staff is trainer Mike Metcalfe....The Gateway Grizzlies (independent; Frontier League) and 1380 AM ESPN Radio announced that the two have reached a broadcast agreement for the station to continue as the flagship station of the Gateway Grizzlies radio network for the next two seasons. The 2007 season will mark the station's third season as the Grizzlies' flagship station. Joe Pott will return in 2007 for his sixth full season behind the microphone as "Voice of the Grizzlies." Pott has been a part of Grizzlies broadcasts since the team's inception, and has earned recognition as the Frontier League's Broadcaster of the Year in each of the past two seasons....Frank Kremblas returns as manager of the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) this season, the team announced on Monday. Pitching coach Stan Kyles and trainer Jeff Paxson will also return. Harry Spilman will be the team's new hitting coach, replacing Gary Pettis, who was hired by the Texas Rangers....Tony Siegle is the new senior adviser of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants in his third stint with the team. Also signing up with the Giants: former manager Felipe Alou, who will work as a special assistant to GM Brian Sabean....

DuPuy: Progress being made on new downtown Miami ballpark
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MLB President/COO Bob DuPuy tells MLB.com that progress is being made on a new downtown Miami retractable-roof ballpark, but came short of actually committing to whether a new facility is imminent. Parsing these sorts of puffy statements is always hard -- especially when it comes from MLB.com and not an independent news source -- so we did a little asking around and heard this: plans are progressing like they've been progressing over the past few months, with Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami offering the same things they've been offering all the time. What's changed is that the Marlins ownership is now committing more to a downtown location and dropping the pretense of fielding offers from Pompano Beach and Hialeah in hopes of seeing up some sort of bidding war between municipalities. MLB officials, to their credit, have been steadfast in their belief in a downtown ballpark; the real progress has come from getting the Marlins ownership onboard. UPDATE: Apparently one new source of funding has popped up: funds from Miami's Community Redevelopment Agency. By law, these funds must be used to spur economic development in ''blighted'' neighborhoods. Tax money created from a CRA stays inside the district, and it's really meant for local spending, not for large projects like a ballpark. Even so, CRA funds don't come close to bridging a funding gap for the ballpark, so what we reported earlier today stands: the basic funding plan for a ballpark remains intact, and the sides really aren't closer to a new deal.
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Reed: Interest in Senators' sale is on rise
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Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed said 20 different persons or entities have expressed interest in purchasing the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League), who were placed on the market in late October as a means to help reduce the city's budget deficit. That includes every tirekicker to come down the pike; the real number to consider is two, as in there's only two groups seriously looking at buying the team, Ivy Walls and Ripken Baseball. Reed says the team could fetch as much as $16 million, which we find to be an absolute stretch, given the problems with Commerce Bank Park and the probability that ballpark improvements won't be coming down the pike despite the availability of some state money.

Land price is tripping up Twins ballpark deal
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A dispute over the price of land where the new Minnesota Twins ballpark will be built is threatening to derail the property's sale just two months before work is to begin on the site. With construction schedules calling for workers to begin clearing the land in March, Hennepin County officials acknowledge that a sizable gap -- likely in the millions of dollars -- separates them from the property's primary owners, Land Partners II, a limited liability partnership with more than a hundred investors. Hennepin County officials say they're surprised about the increased demands from Land Partners II, but there's a very simple explanation. Land Partners II's economic model was to sell the land for a new Twins ballpark at a modest cost and then make more by developing land it owns adjacent to the ballpark. However, changing economic fortunes in downtown Minneapolis -- where the condo market is depressed -- make that business plan obsolete, so Land Partners II's new plan is to make most of its money on the sale of the Twins land. Should Hennepin County taken options on the ballpark site a year ago? Absolutely. But they were seduced by lead officials from Land Partners II, who assured county officials (and many other observers) they weren't going to hold up the project with outrageous financial demands. The county has offered over $10 million for the site; the appraised value is $8.37 million. There are also some old animosities at play here: in the past Rich Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht (heading Land Partners II) were heavily involved in conservative causes, while the political makeup of Minneapolis is very liberal. There's also a lot of posturing here on both sides, so take this article with a grain of salt.
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Prim's word is his bond
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Some members of the Winston-Salem City Council are asking questions about a proposed ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) near downtown, a project that marks the largest financial-incentive package that the city council has considered publicly. One of the key questions is about the financial guarantee that the lead developer, Billy Prim, has offered on ticket surcharges. At the heart of the question is a nagging concern about the city's exposure to financial risk should the project take a turn for the worse. Prim, who also is a co-owner of the Warthogs, has given his word to pay any financial shortfall if the ticket surcharges do not meet expectations.
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Mark McGwire, silent candidate
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From all accounts Mark McGwire lives in seclusion, eligible for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame but virtually gone from the game of baseball. He's not been in the public eye since testifying before Congress on steroid abuse and then refusing to discuss his possible use. McGwire is a vexing issue for baseball: he certainly was a legitimate power hitter (banging out 49 in his rookie season while playing at McAfee Coliseum, not exactly a home-run park), but Jose Canseco has said he and McGwire did steroids together while teammates with the A's. In fact, the former USC star has cut off ties with his alma mater. The entrance to the school's baseball stadium, Dedeaux Field, is named Mark McGwire Way. But it has never been officially dedicated because USC has been unable to make arrangements with McGwire as to an appearance.

Budig buys into RiverDogs
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Dr. Gene A. Budig, past president of Major League Baseball’s American League, has become a partner in the Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class A; Sally League). "No segment of organized baseball is more exciting than the minor leagues," said Dr. Budig, who joins Marv Goldklang and Mike Veeck as the RiverDogs’ primary owners. "And no minor league team is better run than the RiverDogs under Mike Veeck. The team was great fun for the record number of fans who visited Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park during the 2006 regular season."
    The RiverDogs established a new Charleston professional baseball attendance record in ’06 with 267,908 fans.
    "Gene is one of those people who commands respect, not only because of his very impressive background in education and the game but, of even greater importance to me, as a thoroughly decent individual," said Goldklang. "Mike and I are honored to have him as our partner."
    Budig was a university president/chancellor for 22 years before assuming the top job in the American League (1994-2000). He headed Illinois State University, West Virginia University and the University of Kansas. He currently serves as a senior advisor to Major League Baseball.

Buzz over new ballpark boosting Clippers
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Things are looking up for the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), and the team's president and general manager, Ken Schnacke, points to a corner lot in the Arena District as the reason for the optimism. It's there, where Nationwide Boulevard and Neil Avenue intersect, that Huntington Park will be built, lifting the short- and long-term prospects of the Clippers. The Triple A baseball club saw its attendance jump to near 520,000 in each of the past two seasons at aged Cooper Stadium. It had not been that high since 1996 and had slipped below 500,000 every year but one from 1998 through 2004.
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Cummings named GM of Lancaster Barnstormers
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The Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) have named Kevin Cummings, a minor league sports veteran of 17 years, as general manger of the defending Atlantic League champions. Cummings will begin his work on Jan. 15. He brings a wealth of minor-league-baseball experience to the Barnstormers, including stints as general manager of the Sarasota Red Sox (High Class A; Florida State League) and as assistant general manager of the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League).
    "We were fortunate to have had many quality candidates to choose from given the Barnstormers’ enormous success on and off the field," said Jon Danos, president of the Barnstormers. "Kevin’s deep experience combined with his personal qualities kept surfacing through the search process as being ideally compatible with the community and our staff."
    Most recently, Cummings spent two years as president of the Lowell Lock Monsters/Devils of the American Hockey League. He will replace recently-departed Barnstormers general manager Joe Pinto as Lancaster prepares to host the 2007 Atlantic League All-Star game on July 11. Cummings has twice coordinated league all-star events, in the Florida State League (1992) and the Southern League (1998).

Northern League, American Association teams to stage exhibition games
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In a sign that things may be thawing out a little in a sometimes-tempestuous relationship between the independent Northern League and American Association, the Sioux Falls Canaries announced two exhibition games against former Northern League rivals Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and Winnipeg Goldeyes. The RedHawks, who won the 2006 Northern League Championship, will visit Sioux Falls for a game on Saturday, May 5, and the Goldeyes will follow on Monday, May 7. Most other Northern League and American Association teams have not yet announced their exhibition schedules, so we don't know if this is a sign of things to come. UPDATE: It is. The Goldeyes will also be playing the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) in two preseason tilts. Last month Northern League owners rescinded a ban on their teams playing American Association teams in exhibition games, but a ban on intraleague or All-Star games remains in effect.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Jan. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Detroit Tigers announced Rob Matwick has been named the club’s Vice President, Communications. Matwick’s responsibilities will include overseeing baseball media relations, business public relations and broadcasting. Matwick joins the Tigers after spending over 21 years with the Houston Astros, serving most recently as the Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations and Customer Service. He originally joined the Astros in October of 1985 as the club’s Director, Media Relations, a position he held until being promoted to Vice President, Communications on July 22, 1999. Matwick served in that capacity until being promoted to Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations and Customer Service on January 1, 2001....The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High Class A; California League) have finalized their field staff for the upcoming 2007 season. Returning as manager is Bobby Mitchell, who led the Quakes to a 63-77 finish in his first season with the Quakes in 2006. Last season was Mitchell’s first year as a minor league manager following 14 seasons as a roving minor league instructor. Craig Grebeck returns for his second season as the Quakes hitting coach. Grebeck, 42, had a 12-year Major League career after being signed in 1986 by the Chicago White Sox as an undrafted free-agent out of California State University-Dominguez Hills. Ken Patterson will assume duties as the Quakes pitching coach for 2007. Patterson, 42, comes to the Quakes after spending 2006 as the pitching coach for the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League). Eric Munson joins the Quakes as the athletic trainer. Munson comes to Rancho Cucamonga after spending the past two seasons with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Angels’ Low-A affiliate in the Midwest League. He graduated from North Dakota State University in May of 2004 with a degree in athletic training....The Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League) announced the addition of Bart Zeller to the coaching staff. Zeller will serve as the Bench Coach and Hitting Instructor for the Miners during their inaugural season. Zeller graduated from Eastern Illinois University while playing both football and baseball. He was named All-Conference in football and 3rd Team All-American (NAIA) his senior year. After college, Zeller was signed by the St Louis Cardinals and spent seven years as a catcher in their organization reaching the Major League Club for one year as a catcher and coach. Zellar spent two years as the bench coach for Miners coach Mike Pinto with the Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association)....The Stockton Ports (High Class A; California League) announced additions to their front-office staff. Mike Palazzolo will join the team as Director of Special Projects, Danielle Alt will be the Community Relations Manager, J.P. Sneed will be the Stadium Operations Manager, Justin Gray will be the Box Office Manager and Jennifer Norris joins as a new Group Sales Account Executive. Palazzolo is a Fremont native who will embark on his fourth season in professional baseball. He spent his first three seasons in baseball with the Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). A native of Algona, Iowa, Alt is beginning her second season in professional baseball. She had previously interned for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League). Gray, who will be running the day-to-day operations in the Ports Box Office, was born and raised in Stockton. He is beginning his first full season in professional baseball after interning with the Ports during the 2006 season. Norris, a Group Sales Account Executive, also interned with the Ports in 2006 prior to landing her full-time position. Sneed, the new Stadium Operations Manager, joins the Ports after earning his MBA least May from the University of Georgia in Athens. This will be his third position in professional sports, having worked previously for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) and the Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class A; Sally League)....Tom Kotchman returns as manager of the Orem Owlz (rookie; Pioneer League). Kotchman, the only manager the organization has ever had, will mark 2007 as his seventh in Utah. In addition to Kotchman, the Owlz field staff from 2006 will remain intact, with Orem native Zeke Zimmerman returning as pitching coach and Francisco Matos as hitting coach, with Utah County resident and BYU faculty member Aaron Wells as athletic trainer.