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Archives: Feb. 5-11, 2007

Hennepin County, Twins say they'll look for a new ballpark site
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In a move that's been rumored for the last few days, Hennepin County officials say they'll look at alternative sites for a new Twins ballpark, as the county and the owners of a key piece of land at the downtown Minneapolis site continue to be at loggerheads over the property's value. When the Minnesota Legislature was debating the idea of a new ballpark, the leaders of the Land Partners III group controlling the land -- Rich Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht -- assured legislators they wouldn't have any problems coming to a sales agreement with the county. At that time, however, their economic plan was to tell the land to the county and then retain development rights to the area surrounding the ballpark. Now, with the downtown condo market slowing down and development partner Hines saying they don't foresee any immediate development in the area, the economic model used by Land Partners III calls for them to make as much money on the Twins project as possible because returns from associated development may not come quickly. One idea that seems to be gaining some steam: locating the new ballpark near the Metrodome. Ironically, the eastern part of downtown Minneapolis is trendy these days -- the Metrodome never did much to stimulate the area, but the new Guthrie Theater, some popular restaurants and a slew of condo projects near the waterfront have instilled a new sense of life to the area. Some large chunks of land are expected to be available once the sale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune is finalized, and there's plenty of open sites between the Metrodome and the riverfront. (In fact, there may be some attractive sites right on the riverfront.) Potential competition for a suitable site: the Minnesota Vikings, who already have expressed a preference for a new stadium in the area. Is all of this political? Sure. Hennepin County officials want to remind the landowners who is driving this train. But both sides are capable of playing hardball, and what's lost in all these discussions is the status of Pogin and Lambrecht as longtime conservative activists -- a status that many in the DFL-controlled Minnesota Legislature remember all too clearly, so getting state approval for a switch may not be as difficult as some believe. More from the Star Tribune and Sid Hartman.
    RELATED STORIES: Draft environmental review for Twins ballpark unveiled; Judge rules Twins ballpark has public purpose; sides still apart on price; Community leaders eager to see Twins ballpark design; Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look; Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins; New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin County shoppers; Ballpark players ironing out use, development agreements; Twins release more details on new ballpark; New Twins ballpark bypasses standard reviews; Ballpark's link to downtown Minneapolis inadequate, group says; Ballpark should be held to high standards; Twins formally announce design team for new ballpark; Firms lined up early for stadium work; Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark land; Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark; Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field; A freeze frame for Twins; Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins ballpark; Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off schedule; Twins pick ballpark designers; As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations push on; Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010; Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax; It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to KSTP-AM; Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons; Twins seek partners for naming rights, sponsorships; Twins searching for trademark ballpark design; Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins ballpark; Naming rights options scary; More than a ballpark in Minneapolis

Sounds delay ballpark opening until 2009
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The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be unable to open their proposed downtown ballpark until April 2009 -- a year later than the planned April 2008 completion date -- and the ballpark's cost may be higher than the $43 million originally estimated, team officials confirmed Thursday. The news comes on the heels of the Metro Council’s decision in December to give the Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse a four-and-a-half month extension to complete financing for the stadium, moving an original, contracted deadline from Dec. 31 to April 15 this year.

Citi Field construction on budget, on time
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Jeff Wilpon said the construction progress at Citi Field is on time and on budget, and that the New York Mets' new ballpark is set to open in 2009. "I am very pleased with how things are progressing," the Mets' chief operating officer said yesterday. "We are on schedule. The winter has been pretty good to us, so we might actually be ahead of schedule." Wilpon said the project, which will cost $800 million, is currently within 1 percent of its budget. Construction began in right field and will move clockwise. Already the framework for a stair tower has been built, and cement supports for the installation of several foundation beams have been poured. Wilpon said by Opening Day the steel girders for the first level will be up, and by June the exterior facing on the first level will be raised. You'll be able to see things well from Shea Stadium. More from the New York Times and Newsday.
    RELATED STORIES: Business will get personal around Citi Field; Naming rights are all about the money; Boro buzzes with talk of new Mets ballpark; Mets break ground on new ballpark; New Mets ballpark to be called CitiField; Yankees, Mets bond sales set, both teams rated junk; Bronx group goes to court vs. new Yankee Stadium; New York City receives IRS approval on ballpark bonds; New York Agency approves ballpark financing for Yankees, Mets; MTA pressed to create shortcut to Shea; Is Steinbrenner house, which Ruth built, poor?; NY City Council easily passes Yankees, Mets ballpark bonding bills; Squeeze play on Mets ballpark; Mets: Forget about naming new park after Jackie Robinson; New Mets ballpark deal is stalled; Squeeze play on the Mets; Strike one for new Mets ballpark; Mets park's name will fetch millions; Mets unveil plans for new ballpark; Yankees, Mets closer to new ballparks; City goes to bat for Yankees, Mets ballparks; State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets ballparks; Ebbets' echoes in Queens; At Mets' park, you'll think you're in...Pittsburgh?; State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets ballparks; Mets to go old school in new park

Ripken out of running in Harrisburg; Ivy Walls still under consideration
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The city of Harrisburg has decided to continue negotiations to sell the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) with two groups, we've learned; Ivy Walls Management is reportedly one of the two firms, but apparently the bid from Ripken Baseball did not make the cut. Only four entities bid for the Senators, far fewer than the 20 or so suitors the Harrisburg mayor had promised, and there's still a sense from the city and local officials we talk with that the team may not end up being sold after all. We believe the other group whose bid is still under consideration is an existing minor-league operator with teams at the Class AA and Class A levels. Ivy Walls Management owns the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League). 

A's tout Cisco Field in ticket mailer
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By spending nearly $50,000 during the next four years, you too can have the best seats at Cisco Field. That's the deal the Oakland A's are offering prospective season ticket holders in a flier mailed to fans this week. The mailer offers "seating priority" for a high-end package of four "MVP Infield" seats that top out at an annual price of $12,489. Less expensive season ticket packages also will give fans ticket access to Cisco Field, which may open as soon as 2011. However, exact seating requests are not guaranteed, the flier's fine print reads. In short, fans who purchase season tickets for games at Oakland's McAfee Coliseum and continue to renew their season tickets until the proposed Fremont ballpark opens will be given first priority, A's spokesman Jim Young said.
    RELATED STORIES: 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; 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

Appalachian League to operate with nine teams in 2007
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The rookie Appalachian League will operate with nine teams in 2007 as a five-month search to replace the Pulaski Blue Jays fell short. The opening in Pulaski was created with the departure of the Toronto Blue Jays as that city's major league affiliate with the conclusion of the 2006 Appalachian League season. Numerous efforts to find either a new major league affiliate for Pulaski or replace the Blue Jays with some other sort of team acceptable to league directors have gone unrewarded. "Without a doubt, this has been a very unfortunate sequence of events that has left Pulaski without a team for the upcoming season. Since they returned to the league in 1997, they have made over $1.6 million worth of improvements to their ballpark and have met every requirement that has been set before them. Everyone associated with our league has spent countless hours trying to find a solution for this dilemma," said league president Lee Landers in making the announcement. He added that it is always better for the league to operate with an even number of teams and that he would remain focused on the hope of finding a major-league partner for Pulaski for the 2008 season.
    RELATED STORIES: Pulaski searching for sub; Pulaski loses Jays as parent; negotiations underway for replacement; Blue Jays inform Appy League of plan to pull from Pulaski

Ballpark Village developer gets its way: It's the firm's call on condos
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The Ballpark Village proposal that St. Louis's Board of Aldermen is poised to approve today gives the developer, Baltimore-based Cordish Co., exactly what it wanted early on: the ability to back out of building condos. The reworked plan, made public Wednesday, does not require Cordish to build 250 residential units that were originally part of the first phase. Other aspects in the revised proposal, which aldermen have been given less than three days to digest, would allow Cordish to shrink the amount of retail space in the entertainment district. There are also slight changes to sections of the deal on everything from signs to security, as well as components that help to protect the city, too. Ballpark Village is a mixed-use development from the St. Louis Cardinals and Cordish on the former Busch Stadium site, next to the new Busch Stadium.

Prim: I'll run figures in offer
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The lead developer of a proposed ballpark complex in downtown Winston-Salem said yesterday that he is not sure if he will accept a tax-incentive proposal offered by Forsyth County. Billy Prim, a co-owner of the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League), said he received the county's latest economic-incentive offer and is working with financial models to see if the deal makes financial sense. Prim spoke after leaving a closed-door meeting yesterday afternoon with county commissioners to discuss the county's incentives offer. He said he would likely comment on the offer next week. The county has offered incentives worth half of the property-tax revenue that would be generated by the proposed ballpark complex. At that rate, the county could pay as much as $11.3 million over 25 years if the entire $189 million development is built; Prim had asked for $14 million. The Warthogs currently play at Ernie Shore Field.
    RELATED STORIES: County's ballpark offer in; New museum part of Winston-Salem ballpark?; Winston-Salem approves new Warthogs ballpark; county is next; Joines: Protect ticket revenue; 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

Selig is cleaning up his image
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As MLB prepares for the 2007 season, Bud Selig is making the rounds and touting his accomplishments over the last few years. The premise here is that he's getting lots of credit for improvements in baseball and really not to blame for things like steroid abuse. There's a germ of truth to it -- the players' association does share in culpability when it comes to steroid abuse in baseball -- but the fact remains baseball seems to be in pretty good financial shape. We're dubious whether Selig actually had much to do with it -- as you survey the sports world, you realize sports of all sorts, ranging from minor-league baseball to MLS soccer, is is pretty good shape -- as baseball is just one part of societal trends that include an emphasis on sports as a social activity.

Will $400M get Xanadu on track?
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The Meadowlands Xanadu entertainment and retail project is being reenergized to the tune of at least $400 million in construction contracts this year, developer Colony Capital Investments announced Thursday. But CCI Vice President Dan Haggarty -- speaking during a one-hour tour of Colony's midtown Manhattan leasing office -- could not offer specifics on other possible Xanadu components, such as a minor league baseball park for the Bergen Cliff Hawks (independent; Atlantic League), a state Hall of Fame or a Bergen Community College campus. That got a rise out of Cliff Hawks owner Kalafer, who is suing Mills over what he said are broken promises for a 6,500-seat park at the Continental Arena site, who said he has yet to have "one meaningful conversation" with Colony. Other Meadowlands officials say they'll continue to lobby for the ballpark, but without a written commitment, they may not have much leverage.
    RELATED STORIES: Deals give troubled Xanadu new hope; Panel approves new Xanadu leadership; New investor gives hope to Xanadu; Judge won't dismiss suit against Xanadu developers; Xanadu won't kick out baseball team -- for now; Developer wants to open way for other teams; 'Frustrated' by ballpark delays; Don't let Mills renege on Bergen ballpark; A ballpark deal, but with a big 'if'; Xanadu price tag to rise; opening could be year late

Lakeland is hot destination
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You don't think there was a little pent-up passion for the Detroit Tigers the last decade or so? Then look at what's happening in Lakeland, the spring home of the Tigers. Finding a last-minute place to stay in Lakeland, Fla., will be hit or miss for Tigers fans bound for spring training without reservations. The advice: call hotels directly and don't rely on the Internet to determine if a hotel is sold out or not.

Pewaukee looks at baseball plan
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There was early positive reaction to a proposal for a new ballpark in Pewaukee (a Milwaukee suburb) to house a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team. Chad Bauer, Lake Country Baseball Group president, said he is looking for a private-public partnership with the city. He wants the city to approve using about 6 acres of city park land for the ballpark, which would be built by private investors. The Tourism Committee on Thursday referred the proposal to the Joint Park and Recreation Board, which is to discuss it at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The ballpark could be built on a portion of the 60 acres the city owns at Highway 74 and Lindsay Road.
    RELATED STORIES: Group to pitch Northwoods League team in Pewaukee

Newberry College to play homes games at Greenville Municipal Stadium
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The Newberry College baseball team will play all of their homes games this season in Greenville, S.C. at Greenville Municipal Stadium, the former home of the Greenville Braves (Class AA; Southern League) and the Greenville Bombers (Low Class A; Sally League). In addition to the 25 home games that will be played at Municipal Stadium, the facility will also be the host site of the 2007 South Atlantic Conference Baseball Tournament while Newberry will be the host school.

Harry Caray's to help break the 1908 Curse of the Cubs
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We certainly are near the beginning of the baseball season if we have some folks in Chicago do something or another to break the Curse of the Cubs. At Harry Caray's, a Feb. 15 dinner will be held to break the curse, which dates back to 1908. The night after the big World Series win in 1908, Broadway legend George Cohan hosted a celebratory dinner at Rector's Restaurant for the victorious players. Conspicuously absent from the guest list was Cubs President Charles W. Murphy. Murphy was met with considerable criticism for his handling of World Series tickets and poor seat availability for the fans and subsequently was not invited to the dinner. Although Murphy bore no relation to the originator of Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong will go wrong), the adage has certainly applied to the luckless Cubs ever since 1908. Consider that the goat denied access to Wrigley Field in 1945 was named Murphy, the Mets' announcer calling the game when a black cat on the field reversed the Cubs' 1969 dominant lead was Bob Murphy; and the ballpark in which the Cubs blew their near certain trip to the 1984 World Series was Jack Murphy Stadium. On Feb. 15 Harry Caray's will hold a reenactment of the 1908 dinner, only this time Murphy will be there. Chicagoans with each of the following surnames will be invited: Cohan, Chance, Tinker, Steinfeldt, Howard, Sheckard, Evers, Moran, Williams and Murphy. In addition, all guests with Model T's, the car which debuted in 1908, will receive free valet parking.

Ballpark Notes
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Bret Lasky returns as the voice of the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) for his second season at J.P. Riddle Stadium. Lasky will again deliver the play-by-play of all 28 home games on the CPL webpass. New for the upcoming season, Lasky will deliver the play-by-play for all road games. The road games can be heard on the local ESPN Radio affiliate in Fayetteville, WCIE 1450. Lasky, a graduating senior at the University of Maryland, called every pitch of every SwampDogs game at J.P. Riddle Stadium last season, as well as the entire Pettit Cup tournament. He is the Sports Director of WMUC Radio at the University of Maryland. As the lead play-by-play voice for Terrapin football, basketball and baseball, he has called nearly 300 games during his career at Maryland. His highlights include calling the 2006 National Championship women’s basketball game and the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl....The St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) have hired Sean Aronson as media relations director and play-by-play announcer, the club announced today. Aronson will serve as the club’s main contact for local and national media and provide the play-by-play call for all Saints radio broadcasts. A six-year veteran behind the microphone, Aronson spent the last four seasons with the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League) as director of broadcasting/media relations. He called all 140 games for the Miracle from 2003-06 along with select Twins spring training games during the last two seasons on the local ESPN affiliate. Like the Saints, the Miracle is owned and operated by the Goldklang Group, a sports entertainment consulting and management firm....The Battle Creek Bombers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) announced the hiring of Jon Young as the Assistant General Manager for the 2007 season.  Young will assist in the team’s marketing, sales and promotions in its inaugural season in addition to overseeing game day events and community relations.  Young brings over six years of sports marketing experience to the Bombers. He began his career in 1998 as an intern with the Chicago Wolves hockey team, then a member of the International Hockey League. Young has previously worked with three expansion teams in his career, most recently starting the business operations for the Dupage Dragons (summer collegiate; Central Illinois Collegiate League).

Wrigley Field, Yankee Stadium listed among America's architectural gems
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Wrigley Field was listed #31 in a vote of America's favorite structure, in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects. Also listed was Yankee Stadium at #84, though the presumption in the poll is that the current Yankee Stadium is the same as the original 1923 building -- and it's not. Other ballparks on the list: AT&T Park (#104), Fenway Park (#113), Oriole Park at Camden Yards (#122), the Astrodome (#134) and Safeco Field (#135). You can view the full list here, but be patient: the AIA chintzed out when it came to a working Website, so performance is breathtakingly slow. More from Medill News Service.

County's ballpark offer in
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Forsyth County commissioners could give developers of a proposed ballpark complex in Winston-Salem up to $11.3 million in incentives, about $3 million less than the developer had asked for, county officials said yesterday. Commissioner Walter Marshall said that the county board of commissioners has offered the developers incentives worth half of the property-tax revenue that would be generated by the proposed stadium complex. At that rate, the county could pay up to $11.3 million over 25 years if the entire $189 million development is built, which includes a new ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League), stores, offices and residences. The Warthogs currently play at Ernie Shore Field.
    RELATED STORIES: New museum part of Winston-Salem ballpark?; Winston-Salem approves new Warthogs ballpark; county is next; Joines: Protect ticket revenue; 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

Rays seem ready to dump Devil
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When the Tampa Bay Devil Rays unveil new logos, colors and uniforms for the 2008 season, they likely still will be known by their old name. Or at least their old last name. After considering a complete change of identity to mark the end of their first decade, team officials apparently will instead drop the Devil and keep the Rays. "We haven't made a final decision, but we are leaning toward the direction of a change in uniform, a change of colors, a change in logo and perhaps a slight modification of the name," team president Matt Silverman said. "But it's unlikely we will have a dramatic change in the name." The Rays play at Tropicana Field.

Cobb project to launch with pool's removal
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The city of Billings is shooting for a March 21 start on the demolition of Athletic Park pool, the first step in building a new ballpark on the 900 block of North 27th Street. The $12.5 million replacement for the 60-year-old Cobb Field has to be ready in time for the 2008 home opener of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). The project is being divided into three phases -- demolition of the pool, excavation for the new ballpark, then demolition of the existing ballpark and completion of the playing field. After the pool is removed, the contractor can begin the excavation work and construction of the ballpark. The new field will be sunk 5 to 8 feet below street level, depending on the water table. Once the 2007 baseball season ends, demolition of the existing ballpark will begin at once, with excavation for the new field to follow.
    RELATED STORIES: Plan for new baseball park has sunken, realigned field; 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

Ballpark Village funding plan gets go-ahead for vote
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A reworked proposal for funding Ballpark Village next to Busch Stadium got the green light at City Hall on Wednesday, making the deal eligible for a final vote later this week. In a string of special meetings, the city's Estimate Board and, later, the Board of Aldermen endorsed the plan, despite warnings from some that the deal was too complex to pass in a hurry. The mayor's office presented changes to the original plan that could shrink the first phase of the project planned next to the new Busch Stadium. The changes would make building condos -- once a key part of the proposal -- optional. They also would decrease the required amount of retail space by about 10 percent. The team is hoping to open at least part of Ballpark Village by the summer of 2009, when the new stadium will host its first Major League All-Star Game. That almost certainly requires final city approval to come before aldermen begin their two-month spring recess at the end of the week. The Cardinals and Cordish are seeking up to $115 million in state and local subsidies for the project.

Snappers ballpark issue remains hot topic
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Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan -- a local boy of sorts, being from Janesville -- was in Beloit for the Beloit Snappers Hot Stove Banquet, and he was asked about the issue of a new ballpark for the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League). His response was a standard one -- that it's a local issue -- but others continue to express concern about the future of the franchise and Pohlman Field. We've heard some in baseball circles lament the inability of Snappers ownership to pull off a move up the freeway to Madison in past years, something that's now virtually impossible given the popularity of the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and that team's commitment to a renovation of Warner Park.
    RELATED STORIES: Snappers future in doubt; Owners: Snappers could be sold if a new stadium isn't built; County rejects land swap proposal; Snappers land deal appears dead; Deadline nears for moving Snappers to LaPrairie; Beloit ballpark proposal hits snag; New deal cited for land swap; Snappers, fairgrounds deal proposed

Business will get personal around Citi Field
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One issue with ballpark development is how a new facility will affect the surrounding area. The New York Mets are betting the construction of Citi Field next to the current Shea Stadium will spruce up the neighborhood, which consists of an auto salvage yard and other light-industrial buildings. Locals see the value of their properties going up once the new ballpark opens (as do some developers, who have submitted proposals to the cit), but change may come slowly: it's not as though the presence of Shea Stadium has managed to spiff up the area over the last 40-some years.

River Cats unveil new logos
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The Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) unveiled a new family of logos last evening at a fashion show to benefit River Cats Independence Field at Spataro Restaurant and Bar in downtown Sacramento. The new logos mark the first change or update in the River Cats official team mark since the team’s arrival in Sacramento in 2000. "It was important to the River Cats that we create an event for this announcement that was reflective of our personality -- fun, irreverent and community oriented," said Alan Ledford, River Cats President, General Manager and COO from the event at Spataro. "We are constantly seeking to keep our brand fresh and the River Cats and Raley Field experience exciting. This is part of that ongoing effort." "Project Home Runway," the fashion show event where the logos were unveiled, featured local designers and design students showing off their own unique River Cats themed clothing designs.

Twins ballpark planners design a trail to suit cyclists
Posted Feb. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The new Minnesota Twins ballpark will have a biking trail incorporated into the design, as designers placed the bike trail next to the railroad tracks that will run next to the ballpark. The bike trail, long sought to connect the Cedar Lake and Kenilworth trails to the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, was scheduled to be built this year but the ballpark project delayed it. The other salient fact not mentioned here: support for alternative transportation methods is a checkoff in LEED certification -- a measure of how "green" a building is.
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GBL suspends San Diego franchise for 2007
Posted Feb. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Golden Baseball League suspended the San Diego Surf Dawgs for the 2007 season. The decision was attributed to the inability to readdress the club's original five-year lease with San Diego State for Tony Gwynn Stadium. GBL President and founder Amit Patel said yesterday that the Surf Dawgs could resurface as soon as 2008 at SDSU or another county location. The league has explored playing in Oceanside, Escondido or the East County, but a new or improved venue would be needed in any of those locales. The St. George Roadrunners will replace the Surf Dawgs in the six-team league.

Pro baseball faces uphill fight in Keller
Posted Feb. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The announcement from the independent Continental Baseball League to place teams in two Fort Worth suburbs, Lewisville and Keller, wasn't met with much enthusiasm. The Keller team will be playing at a high-school field, and we all know what that means: no smoking and no beer sales. In addition, the Fort Worth Cats (independent; American Association) seem to do a pretty good job of attracting real baseball fans, and it's a gigantic leap to think Fort Worth can support three independent baseball teams. The CBL is expected to announce the placement of a team in League City -- a suburb of Houston -- with the fourth team in the startup league a traveling team.
    RELATED STORIES: Continental League announces two teams in Fort Worth area; City pitches pro ball team; Las Cruces could get pro baseball; Group planning regional baseball league; CBL waiting on Longmont; Consultant: Potential Topeka team would want new ballpark; WU baseball field, CBL team are great fit; Lafayette residents mixed on independent baseball team; Continental Baseball League to launch in 2007

Ballpark Notes
Posted Feb. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League) announced the hiring and promotion of a number of employees to set the club’s front office staff for the 2007 season. Joe Soenksen was promoted to Director of Field Operations and will handle all sports turf duties for the award-winning playing field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Joe worked on the Suns field crew in 2005 and returned as the main assistant on the grounds crew in 2006. Joining the Suns staff as the new Director of Community Relations is Stefanie Brown. Stefanie was originally a game-day employee and Community Relations Intern for the Suns in 2004 while finishing her degree at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Also new to the front office this year are Administrative Assistants Casey Nichols and Matt Glancy....The Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) has named Casey Ausloos as assistant general manager and director of ticket sales, and Rachell Shaffer as host family coordinator....WNTA-AM is the new radio home of Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) baseball. The RiverHawks announced that they have moved their full 96-game package to WNTA, 1330 AM. Bill Czaja returns for his sixth season as the team's lead play-by-play broadcaster. Each broadcast begins 15 minutes prior to gametime with the Miller Lite Pregame Show. In addition to every regular-season game, WNTA will also air the Frontier League playoffs and a weekly, one-hour RiverHawks show. The station is part of Maverick Media, which includes WXRX-FM (104.9 - the X), WGFB-FM (B103-FM) and WRTB-FM (BOB FM)....Former Major Leaguer Greg Jelks has been signed as field manager for the Slippery Rock Sliders (independent; Frontier League) in their inaugural season, the team announced this afternoon. Jelks will be entering his sixth season as a field manager in the Frontier League, having spent the past five years at the helm of the Evansville Otters. During this span, Jelks became the winningest manager in team history (236-223 career record) and led the Otters to three appearances in the Frontier League Championship Series, including winning the 2006 Frontier League title.

New Marlins ballpark a no-go without state's help: Samson
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Florida Marlins President David Samson expressed cautious optimism about finally putting together a financing deal for a new ballpark this season. (Not exactly an overwhelming endorsement, really, but this is the first time anyone from the Marlins has spoken optimistically about making a deal.) Samson said participation from the state is "critical," so he was pleased that Gov. Charlie Crist has said he views state support for the Marlins as an investment in economic development. The Marlins, Major League Baseball, the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County are in talks to finance a nearly $500 million ballpark in downtown Miami and are hoping the Legislature will approve a $60 million sales tax rebate to help complete the deal. More from AP, Miami Today and the Miami Herald.
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Jaxx hope new slogan is a hit with fans
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Jackson's Diamond Jaxx Marketing Promotions Committee has come up with a new marketing slogan for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League): "West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. It's a hit." Catchy. The slogan is part of a larger marketing effort to bring more fans to Pringles Park. Other parts of the campaign is adopting a player, where season-ticket holders can take a player out to dinner or lunch; the formation of the Cracker Jaxx, a conglomeration of 100 college students who will help lead cheers and G-rated taunting of opposing teams; and regional baseball clinics for young players that will include a Diamond Jaxx mentor. Paid attendance at Jaxx games exceeded 300,000 each of the first three seasons. Attendance has declined each year since to a low of 95,486 last season.
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St. Louis fast-tracks Ballpark Village
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
City officials have called a series of special meetings for today that would allow rapid approval on public financing for Ballpark Village, the planned development next to Busch Stadium. The cluster of last-minute meetings is a push to have a final vote on both topics before the Board of Aldermen adjourns Friday for a nine-week spring break. Though it's not unusual to schedule special meetings close to the recess, seldom do aldermen consider such weighty issues so close together, and so quickly. At 9 a.m., the board's Housing Committee will discuss a series of Ballpark Village bills that were abruptly removed from the committee's agenda last week. An hour later, the city's Board of Estimate and Apportionment will meet, with Ballpark Village on its agenda. The Cardinals and their development partner, Baltimore-based Cordish Co., are seeking more than $100 million in tax subsidies for a six-block entertainment district being planned for land next to the ballpark.

Group to pitch Northwoods League team in Pewaukee
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A company that has been trying to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Waukesha County will make a pitch to Pewaukee officials Thursday that includes building a 1,500-seat stadium. Lake Country Baseball Group is scheduled to make a presentation to the city's Tourism Committee about the ballpark and having a Northwoods League franchise in the city. Chad Bauer, president of Lake Country Baseball Group, is seeking a couple of acres of city parkland on which to build the ballpark, but other details remain sketchy, said Ald. Doug Kiser, chairman of the Tourism Committee. (Disclaimer: editor Kevin Reichard sits on the Northwoods League Board of Advisors.)

Continental League announces two teams in Fort Worth area
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Continental Baseball League will place teams in greater Fort Worth-Dallas area, with one playing at Central High School in the Keller school district, and the other playing in Lewisville. Larry Faulkner will own the unnamed Keller team. For all the talk from league officials about making the CBL a southwest regional league with 42 cities lining up to host franchises, this is shaping up to be a much more modest affair: with two of the four league teams in the Fort Worth area, we can't see it being too ambitious an undertaking in 2007.
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Ballpark Notes
Posted Feb. 7, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Jim Rosenhaus, the voice of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) since 1996, is leaving the team to join the Cleveland Indians’ radio network....Jerry Schemmel is the new voice of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). He's currently the play-by-play radio voice of the Denver Nuggets (NBA)....Loren Foxx is the new general manager of the Inland Enpire 66ers (High Class A; California League). Foxx joins the 2006 California League champs after spending time with the Kansas City Brigade (AFL), but most in baseball know him from his time as media-relations director and broadcaster with the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; Northern League)....The Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced that it has inked an agreement with Werner Enterprises, Inc., an Omaha-based global transportation services company as its presenting sponsor for the 2007 baseball season. Werner Enterprises’ sponsorship is broad reaching from combined branding elements both at Rosenblatt and in the community to fireworks, on-field promotions and charitable activities. The Werner presenting sponsorship is the first of its kind for the club....Keystone Baseball, the owner and operator of minor league baseball teams and ballparks including the Lancaster Barnstormers, York Revolution, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and Camden Riversharks, has named Don Graham vice president of event booking and production, it was announced today by company president Jon Danos. Graham is a creative and innovative event production professional with proven experience in the live entertainment industry including concerts, family shows, community activities and sports teams. He was most recently the assistant general manager for the Wachovia Sports Complex in Philadelphia. In his new role with Keystone Baseball, Graham will be responsible for booking and managing non-baseball events at current venues operated by Keystone Baseball including Clipper Magazine Stadium, Sovereign Bank Stadium, Regency Furniture Stadium and Campbell’s Field, as well as future planned venues throughout the United States. He will take office in Camden....The Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) and ESPN Radio 1450 have announced a partnership for the 2007 season. ESPN Radio 1450 will carry all 28 away games for the SwampDogs. SwampDogs Assistant General Manager Jeremy Aagard said, "We are pleased to announce this partnership. All of our games will be streamed on the internet via both websites and give our fans a consistent and professional broadcast."

The new pop-up video
Posted Feb. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the controversy in Kansas City over the Royals' request to install a video-training system at Kauffman Stadium. The system will cost $900,000, and the team wants it to be paid for by taxpayers as part of the $250 million renovation of Kauffman Stadium -- something to which Jackson County officials object. The debate rages on about who should pay, but nobody has a problem with the Royals trying to improve their team. Combined with moving into a larger video room, the Royals’ upgrade would mean that more than twice as many players can be helped at any given time. The better technology means time can be used more efficiently. In a matter of seconds, players can search for video by pitcher, hitter, pitch count, pitch selection or game situation with a few mouse clicks.
    RELATED STORIES: Royals' training-system proposal upsets county

City, X's go to extra innings
Posted Feb. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Sioux City Council spent another chunk of a meeting debating whether to amend a clerical error in a lease with the Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association) and trying to figure out who did what, said what and when. In the end, the council refused to postpone the vote again. Instead, the lawmakers unanimously deleted the item from its agenda. The matter will return at some unspecified date. Much of the wrangling centered on when a clerical error was caught after the council amended the team's lease for Lewis and Clark Park on Dec. 19, 2005. The lease stated the team owed the city 5 percent of all gross receipts exceeding $205,000 in any calendar year. The figure was supposed to read $1,205,000. That was the change the council was asked to make Monday. Some citizens are using this as a pretense of demand more money from the X's, but some members of the city council -- rightfully so -- say any increase in payments would surely lead to the loss of the X's. There's been rumblings in indy circles about the X's being unprofitable for years now, and we're pretty sure last season certainly saw the team lose money.

Team, city to build party deck at Power Park
Posted Feb. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally League) baseball team will build a party deck at Appalachian Power Park where people can eat and drink as much as they want for a single admission price. City Council members signed off Monday evening on the project, under which the city will pay about $100,000 of the total cost. All improvements will belong to the city, which owns the park. Andy Milovich, the club’s executive vice president, said the party deck is a way to continue public interest, now entering its third season in the new park. "It’s something new, to keep the buzz factor," he told members of council’s Finance Committee. It's certainly not a new idea -- most teams in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League have offered similar deals for years now -- but it is an idea bubbling up into the affiliated world.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Feb. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Joe Kruzel is the new manager of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). He spent last season as the hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Reds. Kruzel replaces Joe Ayrault, who was named manager of the Mustangs last fall but has since been reassigned to manage the Sarasota Reds (High Class A; Florida State League). Pitching coach Pete Magre, hitting coach Aaron Holbert and bench coach Rex De La Nuez round out the staff....The Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) and Equity Broadcasting Corporation have entered into a three-year agreement that will move Travs radio broadcasts to 101.1 KWBF-FM. All Travs games will be featured on KWBF's 6000-watt signal, which reaches a radius of around 60 miles from its transmitter in North Little Rock. There will be an occasional broadcast that will be tape delayed when Travs games conflict with Arkansas Razorback baseball. Along with KWBF, all games will be carried live on the Travs' official website. Phil Elson will be back behind the microphone for his seventh season as Travs play-by-play announcer....

Will global warming swamp AT&T Park, new A's ballpark?
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Oakland A's want to build their ballpark and mall village on low-lying land west of Interstate 880, less than half a mile from a tidal channel. With ocean levels expected to rise as the globe heats up, the high tides that churn up that channel could turn the A's ballpark into prime waterfront property -- or into soup. Local effects of the rising waters were the subject of a global warming conference this past week at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center, hosted by the city's Public Utilities Commission. San Francisco and Oakland airports will be under water if no protective steps are taken, and areas of Silicon Valley that now are near the bay could be underwater. It was widely reported that the Giants' AT&T Park could be vulnerable, but what hasn't been noticed is that the same rising tide could turn the A's Field of Dreams into Field and Stream.
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Yanks filling seats in Moosic
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Through Friday, the Scranton/
Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) sold 5,000 season tickets to PNC Field, or the equivalent of 350,000 individual seats, General Manager Jeremy Ruby said. Bottom-deck seats already are sold out. County officials downplayed rumors that the county’s partners, Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees, will put on the heat for a new ballpark before too long. Rather, they said, expect big work on the existing facility, though likely not until the first Yankee-affiliated season is history.
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Brewers' 2007 season ticket sales increase 15 percent
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite a disappointing 2006 season, the Milwaukee Brewers' season ticket sales for 2007 are up 15 percent, and sales for the team's nine-game ticket packages have jumped 40 percent. Demand has been high even though the team finished the 2006 season with a 75-87 record, said Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' executive vice president of business operations. Fans had high hopes for the Brewers after the 2005 season ended with an 81-81 record, the team's first non-losing season in more than a decade.  The team had about 10,000 season ticket holders in 2006. Schlesinger declined to release specific ticket sales figures, saying only that sales were up 15 percent over January 2006. Schlesinger said a majority of the games also have been sold for the team's three main group areas in Miller Park -- the Dew Deck, Mercedes Benz Fieldhouse and the new Club on the Club. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 3 for new groups.

Uptown setting to boost new Knights ballpark: Miller
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
HOK Sport's Bruce Miller talks about a new Uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League). The deal is simple: the Knights will pay for a $35-million new ballpark if Mecklenburg County and several other government entities can work out a complicated land swap. It's taken the local government entities a little longer than anticipated to work out the land swap, but the plan doesn't seem to have any serious opposition. There's nothing really groundbreaking here: the project will reflect the city, it will be unique, etc. There's a relatively low bar here: the Knights currently play at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C., a rather undistinguished facility.
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School district, Eugene go to court over ballpark's fate
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Eugene School District and the city of Eugene will turn to the courts to iron out what officials describe as an amicable dispute over the future possible uses of the Civic Stadium property. The district will file a motion in Lane County Circuit Court on Feb. 8 seeking a declaratory judgment on whether the language in the 1938 deed transferring the property from the city to the district requires that it always be used for recreational purposes. District spokesman Kelly McIver said the move does not mean the district is close to putting the parcel on the market, although the school board in 2002 declared it "surplus" -- a designation that means the district eventually intends to get rid of it. Civic Stadium, which sorely needs renovation work, is the home of the Eugene Emeralds (short season; Northwest League).

Drive announces ballpark enhancements for 2007
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With Opening Day and the 2007 season less than three months away, the Greenville Drive (Low Class A; Sally League) announced enhancement plans for West End Field, as part of the team’s ongoing improvement efforts. Heading into its second season, the ballpark will soon feature updates to the kids’ area and entry areas, as well as new additions to provide fans with a fresh game experience. Each of the new enhancements were designed with the fans in mind, as the Drive considered input from its fans during and after the 2006 season. New for the 2007 season will be the Bi-Lo Playground, Coca-Cola Dugout, the Party Porch, Heritage Plaza, as well as an expanded picnic area. The entire project will cost approximately $1 million, and is being privately funded by the Drive’s ownership group. Renderings and a full list of improvements within.

Ballpark plan opens doors for developer
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
When Holland Construction of Swansea was asked to build a new ballpark for the Gateway Grizzlies (independent; Frontier League) five years ago, it not only opened up a new chapter in the history of the Frontier League team, it opened up a whole new world for the builder, too. Since then, the company has made the construction of athletic facilities a specialty. It has built YMCA recreation centers in Belleville, Edwardsville and Columbia; school-related athletic facilities including gyms, tracks, stadiums and baseball fields across the metro-east and is currently building a second Frontier League ballpark for the new Southern Illinois Miners in Marion, Ill.

Northwoods League to Bismarck-Mandan?
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Local sportscaster Brad Feldman lays out his plan to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Bismarck-Mandan. Geographically, it may be a stretch to bring in Bismarck: the North Dakota city is about 400 miles from the nearest Northwoods League city (Alexandria), and while others in the Dakotas have expressed interest in a franchise, a move to Bismarck probably wouldn't work unless you also brought in Minot and Grand Forks. (Disclaimer: editor Kevin Reichard sits on the Board of Advisors of the Northwoods League.)

Bombers unveil inaugural logo
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Battle Creek Bombers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveiled their team logo design for their upcoming inaugural season. As the Northwoods League’s newest member, the Bombers will begin play on May 31 when they square off with the Brainerd Blue Thunder. The Bombers make their home debut on June 6 versus the Wisconsin Woodchucks as part of a thirty-four game home schedule at C.O. Brown Stadium. The logo design was handled by Justin Schaller, Graphic Artist for Gator Garb Promotions out of Altoona, Wis. Schaller has previously worked with other NWL teams on logo, stationary and apparel designs, most recently with the other Northwoods League expansion entry in 2007, Green Bay Bullfrogs.
    RELATED STORIES: Bombers start building team

UA, Wells ready to move forward
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The biggest trend in college baseball: building or upgrading ballparks in order to retain top-level coaches. We're seeing that at the University of Alabama, where Jim Wells committed to stay despite a recruiting push from LSU. A big reason in his decision to stay: a serious upgrade to Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The installation of a brick exterior is underway. The next phase will convert the entire original grandstand built in 1991 to chairback seating. The left-field bleacher section added in 2001 will be pushed back toward the street, and a hitting area and locker room area will be installed under the stands. The right-field bleacher section already included locker rooms and a hitting area underneath the stands, but the area is not heated and air conditioned. Part of the right-field bleacher seating will be eliminated under the new plan to allow for a better sight line down the first base and third base lines for fans. The new area under the right-field bleachers will have heating and air installed and converted to a pitching area.
    RELATED STORIES: Tide baseball buys own version of the Big Board

$5 million raised for MTSU baseball stadium
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
MTSU Coach Steve Peterson announced that a capital campaign had reached its goal of $5 million for a new ballpark. The effort was hailed as a triumph because it relied heavily on former players and others who have been connected to the program for years. As a result, the 2007 season, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 16 with a game against Jackson State, will be the last at Reese Smith Field in its current state. With the start of the 2008 season the Blue Raiders will be in a facility with a brick facade, chair-back seats and an anticipated capacity of roughly 3,000.

In memoriam: Peter Karoly
Posted Feb. 5, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Peter Karoly, the former owner of the Allentown Ambassadors (independent; Northeast League), was killed in a plane crash Friday evening, along with his wife, Lauren Angstadt, and employee Michael Milot. Karoly and Angstadt, of Bethlehem, and Milot, of Heidelberg Township, had left Lehigh Valley Airport on Friday afternoon and had flown to Boston so Angstadt could see a doctor about a vocal cord problem, bother John Karoly said Saturday. They were flying from Boston to New Bedford to meet one of Karoly's clients for dinner. The accident shocked the Lehigh Valley, where Karoly, a malpractice attorney, and his 54-year-old wife, a dentist, were well-known in the civic and business communities.