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Archives: Oct. 22-28, 2007

Nashua Pride to return in 2008
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In a somewhat surprising move, owner John Stabile announced the Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) would be returning for the 2008 season. Although the team ultimately fell short of its goal of selling 830 season tickets, the 2007 Can-Am League Champions will enter the 2008 season with the largest season ticket base in team history, with over 500 season tickets sold. "The people of Nashua responded. We’re getting near the number that we’re looking for," Stabile said. "This will translate to my sponsors and advertisers that there are going to be people in the seats. With the outstanding support the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce has shown, we should be able to increase sponsorships as well." No word on how the sale of $800,000 in limited partnerships is going.
    RELATED STORIES: Pride announces season-ticket drive; Hobson's future in doubt; Pride looks ahead; Pride to return in 2008 -- maybe

Cordaro claims a role in minor-league turnaround
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And some people outsider wonder why professional baseball hates having public ownership of teams: beside the obvious issue of not wanting to make financial data public, dissuading public ownership of teams also means politicians can't get involved with running ballparks. After years of watching the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Phillies (Class AAA; International League) struggle under public ownership, the fortunes of the franchise changed considerably this offseason under private management. A press conference yesterday -- ginned up purely for political reasons as county commissioner elections loom on the horizon -- showed why politicians shouldn't be allowed near the front office. Lackawanna County Commissioner Robert C. Cordaro raised eyebrows when he claimed at least partial credit for the New York Yankees’ highly publicized recommitment to minor league player development. "As many of you remember, Columbus was a team, the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate prior to coming here, that was mired in last place for a number of years," Cordaro said. "One of the steps that Commissioner [A.J.] Munchak and I and the Stadium Authority board asked the Yankees to take was to work through their minor league system and to revitalize it. They have done so, from top to bottom." Now, we're pretty confident the Yankees were committed to a revitalization of the farm system before they shifted their Triple-A affiliation to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and we're more than a little skeptical the Yankees front office is taking marching orders from a Lackawanna County commissioner. Ironically, Cordaro's shenanigans overshadowed the bigger news of the day: the new management deal yielded $1.5 million in profits, split between Mandalay Sports, the Yankees and the stadium authority. More from Chad Jennings and the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.
    RELATED STORIES: Is PNC Field debt-free? Sides disagree; Commissioners postpone decision on baseball suit; Yankees set to break attendance record; Law firms hired in Yankees flap; Mandalay eyes expansion; Value of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees questioned; Sale of Harrisburg franchise raises questions about Yanks; Luzerne County officials finally out of the bullpen; County rejects Triple-A agreement; Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved; Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals; Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored; Potential sale of the SWB Yankees approved; Lackawanna County minority commissioner wants stadium authority to pay off county; Yanks filling seats in Moosic; Once again, it’s all about the Yankees; New for 2007: PNC Field; Work on Lackawanna County Stadium progresses; 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?

DuPuy: Marlins ballpark top priority
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MLB COO Robert DuPuy says a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins continues to be a top priority for baseball, as he works the phones to put together a deal. He didn't provide many specifics of his discussions with Miami-Dade County and the Marlins -- which isn't a surprise -- but the real issues seem to center around the price of a new retractable-roof facility on the Orange Bowl grounds and whether it can be ready for 2011. (Not under consideration: an open-air ballpark.) With a price tag, it can then be determined how much is expected out of the Fish. Again, this isn't close to a done deal.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Griffith: No return of Edmonton franchise fee
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As expected, the owners of the Edmonton Cracker-Cats yesterday announced the team would be joining the independent Golden Baseball League and discussed a possible lawsuit over the return of expansion fees paid to the independent Northern League, Fine, says Northern League commissioner Clark Griffith: we'll return the expansion fees in exchange for the team's player contracts, the stadium lease and territorial rights. Since that's not going to happen, we're back to discussing whether Calgary and Edmonton will have a legal basis to recover their original expansion fees. If the teams were pushed from the league because of arbitrary actions (i,e., letters of credit not demanded of every team), they will have a case. If the letters of credit were demanded because of concern over the team's futures -- as Griffith says -- then the case is much weaker. By the way, the six-team Northern League released its 2008 schedule; as you might expect, certain teams will get to know one another fairly intimately. For example, Kansas City will play Schaumburg 22 times. We discuss the Golden Baseball League's move into Western Canada in this week's podcast. More from the Edmonton Sun.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Golden Baseball League realigns
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Speaking of the independent Golden Baseball League: With the addition of Calgary and Edmonton the league will be realigning, with Calgary, Edmonton, Reno and Chico in the North Division and Orange County, Long Beach, Yuma and St. George in the South Division. Lost in all the excitement about the addition of Calgary and Edmonton and the possible further expansion in Canada is the future of the Reno Silver Sox. The Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are moving to a new downtown ballpark in 2009, which would seem to preclude the GBL staying in the market. GBL officials say they'll wait until the PCL comes to town to decide on the future of the Silver Sox, but one possible future move is to Western Nevada College's Harvey Field in Carson City.

Grasshoppers expanding First Horizon
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Nothing like three years of record-breaking crowds to make a team happy. The Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) are expanding the suite level at First Horizon Park. The development will create space for two additional open-air party decks, giving the ballpark a total of three. "This is a significant investment on the part of our ownership and demonstrates their continued commitment to the guest experience at First Horizon Park," said Grasshoppers President and General Manager Donald Moore.
    The original Yes! Weekly Party Deck, which was occupied every home game of the 2005 and 2006 season, was created to offer a unique option for groups entertaining 35-75 guests. The expansion will be managed by Lomax Construction of Greensboro and is scheduled to be completed by early March. This is the second major improvement to the park in its short, three-year history. At the conclusion of the inaugural season the team redesigned Natty’s Hill, the grass berm in left field, to enhance the view of the playing field, as well as the seating comfort and capacity. More from the Greensboro News & Record.

MLB finalizing games in China, Japan
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MLB.com is reporting that MLB is close to announcing spring-training games in China and an opening series in Japan that would fall squarely in traditional spring-training season. A pair of exhibition games at the Olympic venue in China are tentatively slated for the weekend of March 14-15, with the season-opening two-game series at Tokyo Dome on March 22-23. No word on what teams would be involved, although we expect San Diego, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox to be involved. MLB.com is also reporting several games in the annual preseason Freeway Series against the Angels may be staged at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (honoring the Dodgers' move to Los Angeles, we assume) but those games don't show up on the spring schedule released the other day by the Angels.

JetHawks unveil new logo, identity
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The Lancaster JetHawks (High Class A; California League) introduced its new team identity system during an open house World Series party at Clear Channel Stadium. The new identity represents the first change to the team’s logos and color scheme since prior to the 2001 season. The new primary logo pays tribute to the Antelope Valley’s rich tradition of aerospace and military history while providing a sleek, updated image for the 13-year-old franchise. The primary colors will be navy blue, brick red, tan and cool gray. The primary logo features a statue-like hawk’s head displayed between two military-style wings underneath the words "Lancaster JetHawks" and over two crossed baseball bats and centered baseball.
    "We are proud to begin a new chapter in JetHawks history with the introduction of this team identity," explained JetHawks General Manager Brad Seymour. "We feel the new logo and color scheme provide us not only with a great updated image that will be popular in our community, but it also honors the local history by which our team is named for."
    The new identity was developed by Louisville, Kentucky-based Studio Simon, the sports branding firm also responsible for the previous two versions of the club's logos in 1996 and 2001. This PDF contains all the new logos, uniform designs and more. More from the Antelope Valley Press.

Save Rosenblatt Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee
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The Save Rosenblatt Committee wants a representative on Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey's ballpark review committee and hopes the City Council will secure a seat at the table for the group. The council will consider a nonbinding resolution Tuesday requesting that Fahey appoint Save Rosenblatt member Jason Smith to the ballpark review committee. The resolution is being sponsored by Councilman Garry Gernandt, who is a Save Rosenblatt member, and Councilman Jim Suttle. Fahey's deputy chief of staff, Don Thorson, said the mayor doesn't plan to make any changes to the ballpark review committee, even if the council resolution passes.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Kasten: Parking no problem
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This sort of thing frequently happens when a sports team moves from a facility with acres of parking to a more urban locale, so we're not surprised to see disagreements over the extent of parking at the new Washington Nationals ballpark. Team president Stan Kasten says there will be plenty of parking in the area, and to make sure things go smoothly the team wants to arrange parking at RFK Stadium. D.C. officials say an agreement isn't finalized, but it's in everyone's self interests to make a deal happen.
    RELATED STORIES: Nationals make effort to address parking woes at new ballpark; On deck: Playing field for new Nats ballpark; Goals unmet on ballpark construction jobs for D.C. workers; RFK is full of concrete memories; Nationals choose Centerplate to manage concessions at new ballpark; Lessons for the Lerners: what to steal from other ballparks; Nats ballpark to have extensive seating for wheelchairs; Metro, District and Nationals talking possible 'ballpark fare'; Signing off on the last beam; Top price for ducats at new Nats ballpark: $400; Nationals' transition extends off field; National crisis: Capital franchise in turmoil; Ballpark brings hope but no guarantee; Nationals ballpark 'on time, on budget' for 2008 opening; Future distinctly on rise for Nationals; District not over park cap; New Nats ballpark to feature cherry blossoms beyond left-field fence; As ballpark rises, battles over land continue; For Nats' home, a rapid ascent; Nats ballpark cost tops cap, council members say; Nats owners to pay $20 million for ballpark upgrades; With new Nats ballpark, name of the game is money; D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages; The D.C. ballpark parking debate; Severe penalties await city if parking garages aren't provided, Gandhi warns; Ballpark garages proposal rejected; Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight over new Nats ballpark; New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for 2008 opening; Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC ballpark; Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking; DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in country; Legislation would revive condo and garage development at new DC ballpark; New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking; D.C. parking issue threatens budget; Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat; Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk

Commerce City warming up if Brighton voters don't play ball
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Commerce City officials say they might go ahead with a ballot initiative to fund a new ballpark if a November referendum in Brighton fails to approve a hike in the city's sales tax to pay for a new ballpark for an independent American Association team. Brighton and Castle Rock were targeted as locations of new ballparks in Denver area; we've not heard of much serious opposition to the Brighton ballot measure.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark tax on Brighton ballot; Commerce City council advocates caution on new ballpark; Brighton settles on site for proposed ballpark; Brighton council approves ballot measure; Residents will be asked to help fund minor-league ballpark; Brighton, Castle Rock join in baseball team search; Baseball cost: fair or foul?; Investors pitch baseball idea for The Ranch; Commissioners back study of ballpark at The Ranch; Another baseball contender in Fort Collins: the American Association; Ballpark battle beginning in Fort Collins?;  Foxes still seeking location for their new 'Den'; Minor-league baseball for Castle Rock, Col.?

Fenway eatery on the menu
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Once the final out of the 2007 World Series is in the scorebook, Boston workers will begin a number of remodeling tasks at Fenway Park, including the construction of a year-round field-level restaurant tucked into the some 4,000 square feet of vacant space under the center-field bleachers. The project, dubbed "The Bleacher Bar" restaurant, is expected to be finished for a March 2008 opening, and stands to be the most talked-about change in the evolving and beloved Back Bay architectural icon. According to staff architect Janet Marie Smith, the grand overseer of sprucing up Fenway Park, the restaurant will inhabit the space behind the huge garage door in center field and will allow patrons (approximately 150 maximum) to sit at dining tables and peer out to the field. No word on whether the door will actually be open during a game. New bleachers are on the agenda as well.

White likes the Naturals view
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Frank White stood where home plate will be at Arvest Ballpark, the new home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League) looked out to the outfield and was immediately impressed with the $33-million park that is currently under construction. White was in town Wednesday to tour the home of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and to attend a World Series watch party for season ticket holders of the Naturals. He sounded pretty impressed with the new ballpark.

Thunder mark 15th season with commemorative logo
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The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) released the team’s complete 2008 schedule as well as a new logo commemorating the 15th Season of Trenton Thunder baseball on Thursday. The 15th Season logo features Waterfront Park’s signature cupola and brick façade that adorn the stadium’s picturesque front. The 15th Season logo was designed by Studio Simon, the same designers who worked with the Thunder to create the new primary logo, alternate logo and word marks that were unveiled last August. The 2008 season begins on April 3 in Binghamton, NY as the Thunder will face the Binghamton Mets.

Charlotte 49ers ballpark dedication a roaring success
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The Charlotte 49ers officially dedicated their brand new $5.9 million baseball facility, which includes concession stands, ticket windows, onsite restrooms, a spacious press box, hospitality suites, radio and TV booths, improved dugouts and bullpens and seating for over 1,100 fans in two levels of seating. The playing surface, Tom and Lib Phillips Field, remains relatively unchanged, but the amenities now available to the student-athletes and fans have given the program a first-class feel. Loren Hibbs, who has coached the 49ers for 15 years, said he often dreamed of this time and thanked current and former coaches and players as well as the many donors for their part in making the facility a reality. A crowd of nearly 300 friends of the program, faculty and staff as well as former players, parents and fans all got a chance to take part in touring the facility.

Ole Miss to begin ballpark expansion
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Work will begin immediately on expanding the Ole Miss ballpark after bids were approved today, the school announced. Panola Construction Company of Batesville was awarded the project after making a low bid of $13.9 million. The expansion will double the chair-back seating capacity at Oxford-University Stadium to 6,000 seats, including 880 seats in the club level. The expected completion date is February of 2009.

Ballpark Notes
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The Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class A; Sally League) announced the hiring of four new employees on the club’s front-office staff: Lavon Alls is the new Director Community Relations; Michael Petrini is the new Sales Manager; Will Lindsay is the new Food and Beverage Director; and Michael DeNicola is the new Assistant Food and Beverage Director....The front-office staff and grounds crew of the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) will spend today granting the wish of an eight year-old boy through the Make-A-Wish Foundation by building a baseball field in his backyard. Eight-year-old Ben has wished to have a baseball field in his backyard, and although his yard isn't big enough for a regulation field, it's spacious enough for a "mini" regulation park complete with a Green Monster fence. Ben has Histiocytosis (a rare blood disease) which has qualified him to receive a wish from the Make-A- Wish Foundation, but he fights to not let his illness slow him down....Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League) General Manager Ross Vecchio has been selected to receive the Italian Heritage Society of America’s Medallion of Honor as the Italian-American Sports Celebrity of the Year in Pittsburgh. Vecchio is being honored for the quality of excellence, leadership, and compassion he has achieved as a person of Italian origin....The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have promoted De Jon Watson to assistant general manager, player development and Todd Tomczyk to assistant athletic trainer....In a somewhat surprising move, Andy Etchebarren, who had coached or managed in the Baltimore Orioles organization for the past 14 seasons after a successful playing career with the club, has been relieved of his duties as manager of the Aberdeen IronBirds (short season; NY-Penn League)....Brady Bogart is the new manager of the Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball)....The Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) announced changes to the front-office staff for the upcoming 2008 season. Returning for his third year with the P-Nats as the team’s new senior vice president is Bobby Holland. Holland joined the team prior to the 2006 season and served as its vice president and general manager for the past two seasons. Jonathan Griffith, who served as the club’s assistant general manager, corporate sales during the 2007 season, has been promoted to general manager. Griffith becomes the sixth general manager since Art Silber took over the team in 1989. Anthony Oppermann, who spent 2007 as Potomac’s director of broadcasting and media relations, has been promoted to assistant general manager, marketing and media. The 24-year-old becomes one of the youngest AGMs in professional baseball and one of the few to also serve as a team’s lead play-by-play voice. John Legacy returns for this third season with the Potomac Nationals and has been promoted to director of group sales. Doug McConnell returns for his second season as the team’s director of ticket operations. Andrew Stinson has been hired to serve as a group sales account executive working in the ticket sales department. Carter Buschman will return along with Ryan Johnston to lead the team’s operations department. Buschman will once again serve as the director of stadium operations while Johnston again will serve as assistant director of stadium operations. Jim Johnson returns as the team’s director of food services. He previously worked with Ogden Entertainment.

Barons release new logo, uniforms
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The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) today unveiled new team logos and uniforms in preparation for the 2008 season at Regions Park. The changes mark the first significant alterations to the team’s logos and on-field uniforms since 1993.
    Since moving to Hoover prior to the 1988 season, the Birmingham Barons have been associated with a traditional script logo. The club featured red accents in their uniforms until 1992, since then the Barons have been identified by their black, white, and silver color scheme. In anticipation of the team’s 21st season in Hoover in 2008, and following a series of extensive improvements to Regions Park, the organization commissioned an overhaul of the logo and uniforms that had been a staple of one of the most celebrated and historic franchises in all of Minor League Baseball.
    "We have made every effort to honor our past, while modernizing and energizing the Barons brand as we move into the future," said General Manager Jonathan Nelson. "The addition of red in our color scheme is a nod to the Barons’ uniforms of the 1980’s and early 1990’s, while our new, gray, road uniforms are strikingly similar to those of the Birmingham Black Barons, a uniform we also wore at the Rickwood Classic in 1999."
    This marks the first new uniform for the Barons since 1993, and the first adjustment to the club’s primary logo since 1988. The new, red, alternate jersey marks the first time since 1992 that the Barons have used a color other than black, white, or silver as a primary jersey color. The Barons will don their new uniforms for the first time when they open the 2008 season.

Yankees to extend PDC in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
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The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners is holding a press conference today to announce the extension of PDC between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League with the New York Yankees to 2010. This isn't actually anything new -- the two teams were already committed to a partnership through 2010 -- but this will be the formal announcement. (You can read the latest on the affiliation front here.) Perhaps the more important news coming out of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre concerned the fireworks at the Lackawanna County Commissioners’ meeting, where those opposed to a sale of the SWB Yankees to Mandalay Sports Entertainment once again brought up a plan where the team would be owned by a local nonprofit, with the New York Yankees retaining a 1 percent share and receiving all the profits after stadium lease obligations were met. It sounds like a wacky plan; when it was first presented there was no response from the New York Yankees or Mandalay Sports Entertainment. The concern is that the SWB Yankees could be moved, but we don't think anyone is eager to move the team after the success experienced this season.
    RELATED STORIES: Is PNC Field debt-free? Sides disagree; Commissioners postpone decision on baseball suit; Yankees set to break attendance record; Law firms hired in Yankees flap; Mandalay eyes expansion; Value of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees questioned; Sale of Harrisburg franchise raises questions about Yanks; Luzerne County officials finally out of the bullpen; County rejects Triple-A agreement; Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved; Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals; Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored; Potential sale of the SWB Yankees approved; Lackawanna County minority commissioner wants stadium authority to pay off county; Yanks filling seats in Moosic; Once again, it’s all about the Yankees; New for 2007: PNC Field; Work on Lackawanna County Stadium progresses; 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?

Calgary announces move to GBL, vows lawsuit against Northern League
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Jeff Gidney, the owner of the Calgary Vipers, officially announced the move of his team to the independent Golden Baseball League and vowed a lawsuit against the team's former circuit, the independent Northern League, over $800,000 in initial expansion fees. (The Edmonton Cracker-Cats will announce today they they, too, will be joining the GBL.) Gidney's beef: that the Northern League asked for $500,000 in letters of credit this offseason. While league bylaws do provide for expansion teams requiring letters of credit, it's not clear whether the league can unilaterally demand them of two teams and not all the teams after a certain point. (Indeed, if Commissioner Clark Griffith were to demand $500,000 letters from credit from all the teams in his league, we're guessing at least two -- and probably three -- teams could not do so.) The question is whether the Alberta teams jumped or if they were pushed. Golden League officials are expected to meet with officials in Kamloops, B.C., and Saskatoon later this week to discuss further expansion for 2007, while Regina and Victoria have also come up as possible expansion cities. We discuss the Golden Baseball League's move into Western Canada in this week's podcast.
    RELATED STORIES: Calgary to join Golden Baseball League; Edmonton to announce same tomorrow; Vipers, Cracker-Cats officially leave Northern League

Nationals make effort to address parking woes at new ballpark
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The Washington Nationals announced that all season ticket holders will be offered parking for games at the new ballpark. Fans purchasing season ticket packages, including full season, half season and partial game plans, will be able to purchase parking in the area surrounding Nationals Park. Available surface parking spaces and/or garages are currently being designated, and the process is an ongoing one. For fans without season tickets that choose to drive to Nationals Park, or season ticket holders who choose not to purchase parking, there will be free parking at RFK Stadium with a free roundtrip shuttle service to the games. More from the Washington Post, which is reporting that city officials haven't yet signed off on the deal.
    RELATED STORIES: On deck: Playing field for new Nats ballpark; Goals unmet on ballpark construction jobs for D.C. workers; RFK is full of concrete memories; Nationals choose Centerplate to manage concessions at new ballpark; Lessons for the Lerners: what to steal from other ballparks; Nats ballpark to have extensive seating for wheelchairs; Metro, District and Nationals talking possible 'ballpark fare'; Signing off on the last beam; Top price for ducats at new Nats ballpark: $400; Nationals' transition extends off field; National crisis: Capital franchise in turmoil; Ballpark brings hope but no guarantee; Nationals ballpark 'on time, on budget' for 2008 opening; Future distinctly on rise for Nationals; District not over park cap; New Nats ballpark to feature cherry blossoms beyond left-field fence; As ballpark rises, battles over land continue; For Nats' home, a rapid ascent; Nats ballpark cost tops cap, council members say; Nats owners to pay $20 million for ballpark upgrades; With new Nats ballpark, name of the game is money; D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages; The D.C. ballpark parking debate; Severe penalties await city if parking garages aren't provided, Gandhi warns; Ballpark garages proposal rejected; Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight over new Nats ballpark; New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for 2008 opening; Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC ballpark; Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking; DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in country; Legislation would revive condo and garage development at new DC ballpark; New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking; D.C. parking issue threatens budget; Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat; Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk

Huntley on deck for new ballclub?
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If Crystal Lake rejects a proposed to bring an independent Frontier League team to McHenry County College, the nearby village of Huntley says it has plenty of land for a new ballpark. The deal between investors and MCC was a fairly unique one, calling for the team to commit to $250,000 in yearly lease payments plus a percentage of the revenues. Huntley is a rather small village -- the 2000 population tally was 5,730, but the 2006 population estimate was 20,047 -- and part of the appeal to the MCC plan was that the college could finance the new ballpark. We're not sure Huntley is in a position to take on $9 million or so in debt for a new ballpark. More on the MCC expansion from the Chicago Daily Herald.
    RELATED STORIES: MCC expansion plan worth second look; Crystal Lake Council bats down MCC expansion; Executives go to bat for plan; Ballpark opposition organizes in Crystal Lake; Will Crystal Lake let MCC play ball?; Building a ballpark tests a community; Crystal Lake rejects MCC expansion plan, new ballpark; Crystal Lake wants outside opinion on ballpark; Crystal Lake bats around ballpark; Major boom for minor-league ball; McHenry County College, Frontier League close to agreement for new ballpark; McHenry County pulls off a double play; MCC ballpark for Frontier League gets OK; McHenry to vote on new ballpark; private group looks at area facility; Plans for minor league team 'moving in right direction'

Coors, Fenway are ballparks that challenge
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Both the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies were adept this season at maintaining home-field advantage, thanks to the many quirks found at Fenway Park and Coors Field. Fenway Park is a place that rewards veterans who understand the many odd angles in the outfield, while the spacious outfield at Coors Field is best navigated by young legs.

Ho hum: Marlins hand county yet another ballpark deadline
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Miami-Dade County officials say they need to wrap up negotiations with the Florida Marlins over a new ballpark at the Orange Bowl site within the next couple of weeks, but the feeling here is that this is yet another false deadline in a long line of false deadlines. Indeed, the history of the Marlins' efforts to build a new ballpark should teach us that setting a deadline is really a waste of time. No, the Miami Dolphins are not going to kick the Fish out of Dolphin Stadium, and we've heard the two sides aren't as close on the specifics of a financial deal as they were at the beginning of the year. For all you Marlins fans who wrote in the last few weeks and took us to task for not declaring this a done deal: it's not over until it's over.
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You've gotta have faith? Colorado Rockies at play in the fields of the Lord
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This is a story that will get a lot of attention in the next two weeks: the Colorado Rockies are a team built around "character," and for many (but not all) that means Christianity. In a postgame interview after the Rockies won a one-game playoff against the San Diego Padres to earn a wild-card ticket to the playoffs, star hitter Matt Holliday thanked God for the victory and the blessings of the season. When the interview was posted on the Major League Baseball Web site, however, the mention of God was gone. "We try to present what the players are saying in the clearest and most concise way possible for the fans," Matthew Gould, spokesman for MLB.com, said of the excised references to God. "Space on the Web site is limited." Space on MLB.com is limited? The servers don't have enough space for 20 seconds or so of audio? That's a pretty weaselly thing to say. We really don't care if Todd Helton wears a cross or if the Rockies are the only team in the major to employ a chaplain.

Baseball fans weigh in on pitch for new A's park
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If the Oakland A's move to Cisco Field and become the A's of Fremont, will their loyal Oakland fan base make the move south? We're not sure they will, and we're not entirely sure the A's really care. The whole point of moving to Fremont is attracting a more affluent fan base in San Jose and the Silicon Valley; if the current A's ownership was really concerns about catering to the current fans they wouldn't have a picked a ballpark site so inconvenient for an Oakland resident. That's just the sad truth: it's just business. Ray Ratto opines.
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Mini stadium proposed for North Chicago site
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The North Chicago City Council is considering a a pitch for the redevelopment of Sheridan Crossing, 40 acres of recently bulldozed commercial and industrial property at Sheridan Road and Martin Luther King Drive. North Chicago native Rickey Bulls and McShane Corp. signed a contract with the city two years ago to redevelop the site. McShane has pulled out of the deal, but Killen, Ala.-based Bulls Development is pushing ahead, said attorney Sanford Stein. The company is close to signing a hotel chain for the site and is also exploring the addition of a "mini" stadium with between 2,000 and 3,000 seats on eight acres. Given the size, we're guessing it may be more suited for a summer-collegiate team rather than an independent Frontier or Northern League team.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 24, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Greensboro Grasshoppers announced the selection of Vice President of Baseball Operations, Katie Dannemiller, as the 2007 South Atlantic League Woman of the Year. Dannemiller was presented with the award during the eighth annual South Atlantic League Awards Luncheon on October 18, in Asheville. An eleven-year veteran of professional baseball, Katie has spent the majority of her career working in several capacities with Cleveland Indians affiliates, including a position with the big league club itself. During her two seasons in Greensboro, the Hoppers have consistently ranked among the top 25 teams in Minor League Baseball for attendance. Additionally, they were recipients of the 2006 and 2007 South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award. A nice award for one of our favorite people in baseball.... The Minnesota Twins announced the coaching lineup for their minor-league affiliates. Stan Cliburn will begin his third year as manager of the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League); he'll be joined by pitching coach Stuart Cliburn, coach Riccardo Ingram, roving instructor Rich Miller and trainer Tony Leo. Bobby Cuellar will begin his first year as manager of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), after spending the past two seasons as the Pittsburgh Pirates' bullpen coach. He'll be joined by pitching coach Steve Mintz, coach Floyd Rayford and trainer Chad Jackson. Jeff Smith takes the reins of the Ft. Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League); he'll be joined by pitching coach Eric Rasmussen, coach Jim Dwyer and trainer Larry Bennese. Nelson Prada will begin his first year as manager of the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League). He'll be joined by pitching coach Gary Lucas, coach Rudy Hernandez and trainer Alan Rail. Ray Smith returns as manager for the Elizabethton Twins (rooie; Appalachian League). Jim Shellenback returns as pitching coach, Jeff Reed returns as a coach, and Ryan Hedwall returns for his third season as trainer. Jake Mauer will begin his first season as manager of the rookie level Gulf Coast League Twins and will also run the Twins' extended Spring Training. Mauer, 28, spent the last two seasons as a coach for the GCL Twins after playing five seasons in the Twins' Minor League system. Ivan Arteaga will begin his third season as pitching coach. Milt Cuyler returns for his sixth season as a coach, specializing in baserunning and outfield play. Chris Johnson returns for his third season as trainer for the GCL Twins....The Atlanta Braves announced that the club has signed two-year contract extensions with three members of its baseball operations administrative staff. The extensions, which run through the 2009 season, were announced by Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren, and include Kurt Kemp, Roy Clark and Johnny Almaraz. Also signed through 2009 is Bruce Manno, who was named yesterday as the club's assistant general manager....Mel Stottlemyre is the new pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners. It's quite the story: he suffers from multiple myeloma, but doctors cleared him to go back to work....Eddie Dennis has stepped down as the manager of the Harlingen WhiteWings (independent; United League Baseball)....The New Hampshire Fisher Cats announced that Northeast Delta Dental will serve as the title sponsor for the 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game, which will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester....

Staying in Oakland out of the question for Athletics
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Oakland Athletics managing owner Lew Wolff says there's no way his team will stay in Oakland, even if ambitious plans for a baseball village in nearby Fremont fall through. The team has no interest in playing in McAfee Coliseum, and Wolff says there are no other sites in Oakland that meet the team's needs (i.e., a ballpark surrounded by lots of development -- the Fremont plans call for a 32,000-seat ballpark on a 200-acre complex that would include a shopping mall, a hotel and 3,000 housing units). Development of any large project moves slowly, and this is a pretty complex project when you take into account the inclusion of local schools and freeway access. Judging from this interview Wolff has been frustrated by the slow pace the development has taken, and he doesn't expect final approval to be announced until a year from now. So, realistically, 2012 may not even be a firm date when it comes to a new A's ballpark opening. More from the San Jose Mercury News and the San Francisco Chronicle.
    RELATED STORIES: Oakland's dream ballpark, or traffic nightmare?; Fremont not ready to declare proposed A's 'baseball village' utopia; A's revised plan for ballpark village gets warmer reception; A's ballpark village plan moves school away from the landfill; Preview of Oakland ballpark plan isn't a home run; Ex-mayor: Ballpark still makes no sense; A's ready to make noise and not just ballpark construction; A's ballpark vision takes shape; Wolff takes hands-on approach to A's Fremont ballpark; A's Wolff sees new ballpark as super site; A's sign contracts for land in Fremont to build new ballpark; Entitlements key in funding Cisco Field; Study: A's ballpark worth $109 million to economy; Toxic hazard creates bump in road to new A's ballpark; A's tout Cisco Field in ticket mailer; Will global warming swamp AT&T Park, new A's ballpark?; A's owner not sweating lack of BART at Fremont ballpark site; A's owner raises more questions than answers; Wolff seeks tax rebate for new ballpark village; Oakland A's owner buys office park near proposed Fremont ballpark; Fremont, A's continue talks for new ballpark; 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

Baseball league makes pitch to Johnstown
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A revived independent Atlantic Coast League is making overtures to Johnstown (Pa.) officials about placing a team in a renovated Point Stadium, according to city officials. Point Stadium formerly housed affiliated and Frontier League teams; it was recently remodeled to the tune of $11 million. The Atlantic Coast League originally debuted in 1995 and folded after three weeks, but Michael Harden says the new effort will is slated to launch in 2009 with teams in Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. That's a pretty big footprint for an independent league, and given that the Frontier League, the South Coast League and Coastal Plain League are now established entities in the southeast, we're not so sure there are a lot of good open markets just waiting for baseball. Johnstown may be one of the few; Spartanburg is another, but we've heard the South Coast League is interested in placing a team at a renovated Duncan Park Stadium.

Calgary to join Golden Baseball League; Edmonton to announce same tomorrow
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
No surprise. We've confirmed the Calgary Vipers will announce today that the team is jumping from the independent Northern League to the independent Golden Baseball League, and the Edmonton Cracker-Cats will do the same tomorrow. The agreements didn't become final until this week -- despite what some reporters have written -- and one big factor for the Alberta teams making the switch was the GBL's willingness to look at additional Canadian markets for expansion. Kamloops is mentioned in this article, and we'd be surprised if cities like Regina, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon and Victoria weren't under consideration as well. Given the strength of the loonie and the generally good economy in western Canada (thanks to the strong price of oil), teams in western Canada probably have a good shot at making it if ballpark issues can be worked out; some of the cities mentioned fielded teams in the rookie Pioneer League, the short-season Northwest League and the ill-fated Canadian Baseball League.
    RELATED STORIES: Vipers, Cracker-Cats officially leave Northern League

NCAA's feelers out for CWS sites
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The NCAA has sent out some subtle hints that it will put the College World Series in play after its agreement with Omaha ends in 2010. Realistically, there aren't many cities that could handle the event because of the NCAA's specific needs. Three cities are mentioned in this article -- Indianapolis, Orlando and Oklahoma City -- but none are a great fit. We'd be surprised if minor-league teams in Indianapolis and Oklahoma City would readily agree to expanding their ballparks to over 23,000 (a key NCAA requirement) and dramatically expand clubhouse and entertaining space; they probably wouldn't be thrilled with the multiweek road trips while the CWS is played, either. Orlando represents an intriguing choice: while a 23,000-seat ballpark might sit empty for most of the year (though one could see it used for spring training and college tourneys), the city probably doesn't have the money to build it after committing $1.4 billion to a new NBA arena and other downtown redevelopment. Plus, the NCAA really does like being a big fish in a midsized pond, and Orlando is an awfully big pond these days when it comes to tourism. Really, the CWS is Omaha's to lose at this point.
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Ready for business near the ballpark
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Efforts to ensure a safe, clean environment around the Washington Nationals' new ballpark got a kick-start yesterday when the new Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District officially began operating. Before a throng of political and business leaders in an office building overlooking the new stadium in Southeast, Mayor Adrian Fenty signed an executive order allowing the business improvement district, or BID, to begin sprucing up the ballpark area, which is already becoming a hotbed for commercial development along the Anacostia River waterfront. Local business are paying for the district.
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Can't stop fun at ballpark
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago Sun-Times' Carol Slezak says Major League Baseball is succeeding despite itself and the no-fun suits in the front offices. Fair enough: we regularly take potshots at those running America's Pastime for exerting too much control over things. But on one level you've got to give those suits a lot of credit for really changing the way baseball does business. Compare going to a game today versus going to a game 20 years ago. Back then, a game was geared almost solely for the hardcore fan; if you didn't like watching the game, you were out of luck. Today, a game experience is considerably more varied: yeah, if you're a hardcore fan you may not appreciate some of the bells and whistles at a modern ballpark, but on the whole it's a much better experience.

Ballpark tax on Brighton ballot
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Voters in Brighton, Col., on Nov. 6 will decide whether to enact a sales tax to fund a new ballpark for an independent American Association team. The $18 million ballpark would cost two cents for every $10 purchase in the form of a two-tenths of 1 percent increase in sales tax. The city council is endorsing the ballpark as a way to promote family values, noting that it won't just host the 45 home games to be played by the Brighton team. It would be available 20 times a year at no cost to Brighton high school teams, local youth sports leagues, the Performing Arts Commission and the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
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Fans shell out $2 million for Tiger Stadium seats
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The final tally of the sale of seats from Tiger Stadium is in. Fans bought 6,909 pairs of seats for a total of just over $2 million. Once the cost of removal and shipping is deducted, the City of Detroit, which owns the ballpark, will net about $366,000 from the sale. An equal amount will go to the companies handling the sale. Add in the $192,729 raised from the online auction of stadium artifacts, and the total raised for the city will come to roughly $559,000. The proceeds will help the city defray the cost of demolishing the ballpark. Tiger Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.
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Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Naples native Jeff Smith is the new field manager for the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A; Florida State League). Smith becomes the eighth field manager in club history and is the first to ever both play and manage the Miracle. He was a member of the 1997 Miracle....Andy Haines, the 2007 Frontier League Manager of the Year, has agreed to return to manage the Windy City ThunderBolts in 2008....The Camden Riversharks (independent; Atlantic League) have named David Keller as head of baseball operations, Riversharks general manager Adam Lorber announced. Keller and manager Joe Ferguson will work together to assemble the 2008 roster and scout and procure talent for the club....Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International league) broadcasts are moving back to Sportsradio 620 WHEN. Chiefs' games are returning to WHEN for the first time since the 2001 season. Chiefs games that conflict with broadcasts of the New York Yankees will be aired on Nova 105.1 FM....Jason Verdugo is the new manager of the Evansville Otters (independent; Frontier League). He was an assistant coach last season with the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association)....

Demand knocks out Rockies website; Series ticket sales suspended
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
You didn't need a crystal ball to predict this would be a bad idea. The Colorado Rockies suspended World Series ticket sales Monday after overwhelming demand crashed their computer system. On Monday, there were 8.5 million attempts to connect with the computers in the first 90 minutes after sales started, and only several hundred tickets had been sold before the system had to be shut down. The Rockies put as many as 60,000 tickets up for sale online only, and team officials said their computers were ready to handle the expected crush. But two hours after tickets went on sale, many fans reported they could not get access to the ticket-sales Web site. The Rockies use Paciolan for online ticket sales as opposed to the MLB-owned tickets.com; we're guessing Paciolan has never been involved with an event of this magnitude. UPDATE: Tickets go on sale at noon Mountain time. Good luck.

Business lawsuit, divorce create legal and political woes for Winnipeg mayor
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Canadian Press weighs in on the financial and business issues facing Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; Northern League) majority owner Sam Katz, who also happens to be Winnipeg mayor. One issue raised by Katz deserves further discussion. Katz says the Crocus Fund never loaned the team money; rather, the now-failed fund was an equity investor in the team via debentures: "Crocus was not expecting any interest, they were expecting capital growth," Katz said in an interview. Because of the value of the team has shrunk as the Northern League contracted, Katz now says the Crocus investment should be revalued accordingly. This is a surprising argument on so many levels. First, we're more than a little skeptical the value of the team has declined to the extent Katz claims: if he were to put the Goldeyes up for sale tomorrow at $4 million -- more than he claims the team is worth -- he'd have potential buyers lined up around the block. Second, Crocus Fund receivers clearly consider their money to be a loan; they are specifically suing for interest. We'd love to see the specific terms of the loan/investment: from the team's viewpoint a debenture would be an ideal way to raise capital because it's basically an unsecured loan, leaving the investors free to pledge other assets as collateral for additional loans. But it's still a loan and not a equity investment. Gordon Sinclair Jr. weighs in.
    RELATED STORIES: Fish $4M in debt, Katz says; Katz says he tried to settle debt; Hearing to decide fate of "explosive" Crocus report; Fish fry Crocus shareholders; Goldeyes' financial situation too shaky to pay Crocus loan?

Blake Street Boys boost bottom line
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
LoDo will be rocking Oct. 27 when the first-ever World Series game at Coors Field is scheduled. For Denver, the ascension of the Rockies is a great story on so many levels, and local businesses cashing in on the team's success is a big part of that. The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau predicts the city's tourism industry will get a $2.4 million to $5 million bump from the Rockies' participation in the World Series, but the real payoff will come next year; attendance at Rockies game should go up significantly if history is any guide. As we all know by now, Fenway Park will host the first two games of the World Series after the Red Sox trounced Cleveland last night. (Poor Cleveland: after the team has a pretty good season only a single fan -- Barb Kovalski -- showed up to meet the team at the airport.) Speaking of the Rockies: here's a look at the team's first minor-league affiliate, the Bend Rockies (short season; Northwest League) and its owner, Jack Cain.

Omaha mayor's public pitch for ballpark begins
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey is speaking before Omaha groups to pitch his vision for a new downtown ballpark to house the College World Series and the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The tour is short on specifics and long on arguments why Omaha needs to retain the College World Series. But that's a given; the devil is in the details and so far there's enough dislike for the specifics (a 2 percent entertainment tax) to generate a lot of opposition. Fahey will need to do a lot more convincing before other elected officials come onboard.
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Ballpark would be real hit in Waterford
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The local newspaper comes out in favor of a new privately funded ballpark for an independent Frontier League team in Waterford Township, Mich. The plan is for a $9 million ballparks seating around 4,000. That the Frontier League has had a lot of success with ballparks of this size and price is encouraging; the Northern League, the Frontier League and affiliated ball have sought to put a team in the Detroit suburbs, and it looks like the Frontier League will win that race.
    RELATED STORIES: Group buys land for new ballpark; Waterford ballpark is a go

MCC expansion plan worth second look
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago Daily Herald says a controversial plan to build a ballpark for an independent Frontier League team at McHenry County College is worth a second look, but really doesn't give a compelling reason for a reevaluation. The plan was opposed because locals were concerned about traffic (which is a given with almost any ballpark project) and pollution in Crystal Lake. The solution floated by the newspaper is that the team kick in more money to address pollution concerns, but given the fact the team has already committed to a pretty spendy lease ($250,000 a year plus a percentage of the revenues) we don't think that will happen.
    RELATED STORIES: Crystal Lake Council bats down MCC expansion; Executives go to bat for plan; Ballpark opposition organizes in Crystal Lake; Will Crystal Lake let MCC play ball?; Building a ballpark tests a community; Crystal Lake rejects MCC expansion plan, new ballpark; Crystal Lake wants outside opinion on ballpark; Crystal Lake bats around ballpark; Major boom for minor-league ball; McHenry County College, Frontier League close to agreement for new ballpark; McHenry County pulls off a double play; MCC ballpark for Frontier League gets OK; McHenry to vote on new ballpark; private group looks at area facility; Plans for minor league team 'moving in right direction'

Columbus may annex Cooper Stadium site
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Columbus City Council will consider annexing the Cooper Stadium site as Franklin County officials continue to look for a buyer for the 47.2-acre property. The ballpark has served as the longtime home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), but the team is expected to move into a new ballpark for the 2009 season. The annexation allows the site to be more easily redeveloped.

Abandoning public ownership opens door to 'sports welfare'
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If we read this article correctly -- and, given how poorly it's written, is not a certainty -- James Keeler argues that the Lackawanna County Stadium Authority should renege on an option it granted Mandalay Baseball to buy the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). But one of the reasons the authority wants to sell the team is because public ownership of the Yankees didn't work: Lackawanna County needed to step in and make payments on a ballpark loan because the team failed to generate enough in profits. So while Keeler argues the team should remain under public ownership because the new owners may ask for a new ballpark, the track record has been the team hasn't generated enough in profits. This is a very illogical argument: essentially, it's better for the county to subsidize a team it owns than to possibly renegotiate a ballpark lease.

N.J. city pushes national park status
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If More on the efforts among Paterson, N.J. residents to improve their city, which includes a renovation of Hinchliffe Stadium, the former home to Negro Leagues baseball in the city. We've written often about the efforts to renovate Hinchliffe, which is currently owned by the local school district, but a story equally compelling is now Paterson -- which some argue was America's first industrial city -- is being reimagined for today's world. Hinchliffe Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The San Francisco Giants have named longtime minor-league manager Shane Turner coordinator of minor league instruction. The former big-league outfielder and infielder assumes the role Fred Stanley had before his promotion to director of player development. Turner is completing his 13th season in the Giants organization, having spent the past year as a roving outfield and baserunning instructor. He has posted a 598-646 lifetime record in 10 seasons as a minor-league manager....