Recent
Visits |
Al Lang Field, Tampa Bay
Rays
St.
Pete's Al Lang Field has been in the news a lot
lately, but for the wrong reasons: the Tampa Bay
Rays will train there one last time in 2008 before
shifting spring operations to Charlotte County in
2009, and the old ballpark is slated to be torn
down to make way for a new waterfront home of the
Rays. Now, Al Lang Field isn't the same venue it
was in the 1940s and 1950s when it was a landmark
in spring training, but it's still a great place
to catch a spring-training game. We hope the Rays
catch the spirit of the original Al Lang in their
designs for a new ballpark, For the rest of us, a
trip to Al Lang Field will be a mandatory event in
Spring Training 2008.
Trustmark Park, Mississippi
Braves
There's
nothing wrong with Trustmark Park, the home of the
Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League).
The wraparound concourse, luxury
boxes, big scoreboard and varied concessions are
all standard issue for a new minor-league ballpark
these days. So why aren't we more excited about
the two-year-old ballpark? Because there's nothing
unique about it: except for a few Southern menu
items at the concessions, there's nothing to link
the ballpark to its surroundings. At a Mississippi
Braves game, you could be watching a game anywhere
-- and going local is one of the great joys of the
minor leagues. Dustin Mattison reports.
Alliance Bank Stadium,
Syracuse Chiefs
The
biggest news at Alliance Bank Stadium, the home of
the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International
League): the current artificial turf will be
replaced by real grass. That's good news for
Syracuse baseball fans in terms of aesthetics, as
well as players who need to field on an old,
sometimes unpredictable surface. Otherwise,
Alliance Bank Stadium is a perfectly serviceable
ballpark: the Chiefs front office does things the
old-fashioned way (i.e., not much in terms of
between-innings shenanigans), but the ballpark is
a comfortable place to watch a game, and the food
is pretty good. Steve Kapsinow reports.
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The
Fine Print |
Obligatory legal information:
This site is copyright 1998-2007 Kevin Reichard/August
Publications. All rights
reserved. My wife is a lawyer, so she will come and chop off
your hand in a legal fashion if you rip off this site
in any form. All logos are the property of their respective
owners. |
Broadcasts |
Virtually every MiLB team now streams broadcasts over the
Internet, which makes it easy to follow your favorite team when
you're on the road. In addition, you can catch MLB game broadcasts at
MLB.com or via XM Radio.
More
on Internet radio and TV broadcasts here! |
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Archives:
March 26-April 1, 2007
Tribe unveils plaque
honoring Ray Chapman
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Tucked
away and forgotten for years, a plaque
commemorating one of baseball's darkest moments
has been brought back to life. A 175-pound bronzed
memorial for Ray Chapman, the Cleveland Indians
shortstop killed when he was hit in the head with
a pitch in a 1920 game, was recently rediscovered
after decades in storage. Now refurbished, it will
be displayed as one of the signature pieces in the
new Heritage Park, a walkthrough exhibit beyond
the center-field wall at
Jacobs Field
honoring Cleveland's Hall of Famers and the
Indians' history.
More on Heritage Park.
10 great places to relish
fine ballpark fare
Posted March 30, 2007 (feedback)
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USA
Today asks us to list our 10 favorite ballpark
food items, and we comply. Regular readers of the
site probably won't be too surprised by our
selections: we call AT&T Park a foodie's delight,
and rightfully so: consumption of food items at
the home of the San Francisco Giants is one of the
highlights of our baseball tours. We probably went
a little contrarian with our choices -- we
eschewed the higher-profile celebrity BBQ pits to
highlight the offerings from Gates BBQ at Kauffman
Stadium -- but you really can't go wrong with a
Schmitter or a Primanti Brothers sandwich.
Chiefs to plant
palm trees Monday
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A sure
sign the season is beginning: the Peoria Chiefs
(Low Class A; Midwest League) are planting palm
trees at O’Brien Field on Monday. The nine Queen
Palms are currently en route from Florida and will
be planted in the left field berm on April 2. For
the fifth straight year, Kelch Turf Farms and
Landscaping out of Kickapoo will plant the trees
in the left field and left-centerfield berms. The
Chiefs and
O’Brien Field started the tradition of
Palm Trees in Peoria when the stadium opened on
May 24, 2002 with 20 trees both inside and outside
the ballpark. The Chiefs switched to Queen Palms
before the 2003 season as the Queens are better
equipped to handle the changes in the Central
Illinois climate. This season, as in 2004, the
Queen Palms will be planted inside the ballpark
only as trees more indigenous to Central Illinois
have been planted outside the ballpark.
Chase's vision mixes wreath,
race, diamond
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Worth
checking out this weekend is the first-ever Civil
Rights Game at AutoZone Park, the home of the
Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast
League). Playing tomorrow before the cameras of
ESPN will be the Cleveland Indians play the St.
Louis Cardinals, and MLB has done a pretty good
job in promoting the game as a way to remember
civil-rights struggles of the past as we head into
the future. Dave Chase, president of the Redbirds,
is the man who came up with the plan; this article
tells how it came to be.
Officials: Grapefruit League
sets attendance record
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The
attendance record for the Grapefruit League was
shattered this spring. The first 258 games of
spring training in Florida drew 1,605,263 fans,
the Florida Sports Foundation announced. That
total, reached Wednesday, passed last year's
record of 1,604,333 fans in 274 games. Seven teams
had passed the 100,000-fan plateau through
Wednesday: the New York Yankees (who train in
Tampa), Minnesota (Fort Myers), Atlanta (Orlando),
Philadelphia (Clearwater), Boston (Fort Myers),
Detroit (Lakeland) and St. Louis (Jupiter).
Attendance record set at
Tempe Diablo Stadium
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Tempe
Diablo Stadium set an attendance record for the
2007 Cactus League season, with 123,184 fans
attending Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games.
"The Angels are very happy," stadium manager Jerry
Hall said. "We had a great season. We had great
attendance. The crowd was real good the whole
time." Arnold Davis, executive secretary of the
Tempe Diablos, who sponsor spring training in
Tempe, said the Diablos will look at possible
improvements for next year, including off-site
parking to reduce traffic jams.
Turn on the lights; party's
over as McKechnie Field gets lights
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Twenty
seasons after Wrigley Field went electric, the
last ballpark without lights that is used by a
major league team is pulling down the shades on
all-daylight baseball. Bradenton's McKechnie
Field, which has existed on its current site since
1923 and has been the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring
training home since 1969, is about to get lights.
And not everyone is happy about it. "We prefer
playing day games in the spring, I don't think
there's any question about it," said Pirates
spring instructor Bill Virdon, who first played at
McKechnie in the 1950s and has returned nearly
every spring since as a player, manager or coach.
Between two and six games will be played under the
lights next spring.
Goodyear
approves ballpark design contract
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Goodyear, Az. is hiring HOK Sport to design and
engineer a spring-training complex for the
Cleveland Indians, slated to open in 2009.
Entering into the $3-million contract with HOK is
a key step that kicks off the work on a
$75-million, 10,000-seat spring-training complex.
The City Council-approved agreement puts the
sports venue development firm in charge of
crafting the look and feel of the new spring home
of the Indians. Construction could begin as early
as August. There are tight deadlines to complete
construction. The Indians are expected to begin
training in Goodyear in 2008, with the first game
scheduled for February 2009.
RELATED STORIES:
Cactus League aims to reclaim fan base;
Goodyear inks deal on spring-training facility;
Goodyear eyes noted ballpark designer;
Indians fan thrilled
by new facility plans;
$80 mil for baseball taps out sports authority;
White Sox to delay Phoenix move?;
Arizona commission to fund both proposed
spring-training facilities;
Glendale offers spring-training plan;
Parties expect Dodgers, Sox deal to pan out;
Leaving Tucson will be tricky for White Sox;
County not eager to
match baseball largess;
State panel shouldn't fund White Sox move from
Tucson;
Goodyear ballpark plan hits funding snag;
Pima County trying to avert loss of White Sox for
spring training;
Dodgers, White Sox reach deal with Glendale;
A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix;
Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark
funds;
What could the future hold for Dodgertown?;
Glendale wants to bring Dodgers' spring training
to Valley;
Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to
development;
Goodyear finds support for spring-training plan;
It's official: Indians agree to Grapefruit League
move;
Indians, Dodgers close to deal to move spring
training to Arizona;
Clock ticks on Disney-Indians deal;
Cleveland says no to Cape Coral's springtime
offer; Arizona move still a possibility
Bennington ballpark stalls
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A
planned 2,000-seat ballpark for the Bennington
Bombers (summer collegiate; NYCBL) has been
postponed indefinitely, but baseball is still
expected to come to Bennington this summer. The
Bombers are expected to play at Southern Vermont
College when the season begins in about nine
weeks, according to William Colvin, president of
Applejack Art Partners. Developer Jack Appelman,
who has several other projects in Bennington
County, had planned to build the ballpark on
town-owned land in what is known as lower Willow
Park. The stadium was to include a baseball
museum, press box and artificial turf. But the
cost of building at lower Willow Park has grown
substantially. Appelman had budgeted between $1.5
million and $1.8 million for the first phase,
which would have included bleachers, basic
parking, artificial turf, lights and a fence.
Because the site had once been the village
landfill, however, environmental issues drove the
cost estimate for site work alone to $3.9 million
-- and that's without any ballpark construction.
RELATED STORIES:
Bennington
ballpark gets positive feedback;
Bennington board to review proposal for ballpark;
Town reviews ballpark plans
New game in town: Solar
power at Jacobs Field
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AT&T
Park isn't the only ballpark going green this
season: Solar panels will go up soon at
Jacobs Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians, allowing
fans to view and learn about renewable energy.
Green Energy and the Cleveland Indians will erect
50 photovoltaic panels on the upper concourse at
Jacobs Field, along Carnegie Avenue. The array
will be 86 feet long and 15 feet high, generating
a modest amount of power for The Jake, said Jim
Folk, the team's vice president for ballpark
operations. The Indians want to reduce energy
consumption, Folk said, and could expand solar
capacity by adding panels to the sun screen over
the upper deck. He declined to say what the
project costs.
Big ballpark, itty bitty
attendance
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Chase Field, the home of the Arizona
Diamondbacks, hosted a neutral-site match between
the University of Arizona and Arizona State
University before a smallish crowd of 4,296 -- and
most of those were ASU fans. We spent some time in
Tucson last week and attending a few ASU games at
Sancet Stadium; yes, the school was on spring
break, but it was a little sad to see crowds of
fewer than 100 at the ballpark. Add to that a
smaller crowd at
Chase Field than most
would like to see, and it's a little sadder that a
very good college program doesn't get more respect.
More than dogs at Pigs' park
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Here's
an interesting deal. Capital Blue Cross signed a
deal with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA;
International League) as presenting sponsor for
both the team and
Coca-Cola Park. As part of the
deal, the medical firm will ensure that several
concession stands are set aside to make healthy
foods such as salads and smoothies available to
the fans.
RELATED STORIES:
IronPigs
unveil logo;
Experts say IronPigs
will be a success;
The ballpark, the
market & the nickname;
New for 2008: Coca-Cola
Park;
Allentown ballpark begins to take shape;
Revised Allentown ballpark cost released;
Affiliated baseball finally comes to Valley;
Allentown breaks ground on new ballpark;
International League approves sale of Lynx;
Lynx poised to leap after 2007
Dice-K's arrival nearly
brings in $1 million
Posted March 30, 2007 (feedback)
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The
economic impact of Daisuke Matsuzaka joining the
Boston Red Sox was fairly minimal, driven mostly
by the 200 or so Japanese journalists cover Dice-K's
Florida adventure. The final tally was $722,000,
according to the Lee County Sports Authority. The
resulting economic impact "ranks up there with our
largest ... youth baseball tournaments, but pales
in comparison to the North American Roller Hockey
Championships, which had a $12.5 million impact in
2005," said Jeff Mielke, sports authority
director. The estimate also (tacitly, anyway)
assumes that 87 hotel rooms in Lee County would
have been unsold if the Japanese journalists had
not descended en masse; we think that assumption
may be a little shaky.
Selig defends DirecTV deal
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MLB
Commissioner Bud Selig defended his sport's
hardline stance with cable companies over access
to out-of-market games. Members of Congress and
others have criticized Major League Baseball for
its $700 million deal with satellite provider
DirecTV to air the league's "Extra Innings"
package, which allows fans to watch up to 60
out-of-market games a week for an annual
subscription of $160 to $200. The deal requires
cable companies to match the terms offered by
DirecTV, including a commitment to carry The
Baseball Channel when it launches in 2009. So far
the cable companies have refused to do so, though
negotiations continue.
RELATED STORIES:
Kerry urges MLB,
DirecTV to hold off on deal;
Cable, MLB argue over
out-of-town games
UCF study: Major League
Baseball gets highest grade ever for race, gender
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A new
study released by the University of Central
Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics and
Sport shows that Major League Baseball achieved
its highest grade ever in both race and gender, as
well as its highest combined grade. In fact, notes
UCF's Richard Lapchik, with the score of 89.1 for
race, baseball is on the brink of achieving its
first A, coming in with a solid B-plus for the
latest study, as well as a C-plus for gender. This
was a marked improvement from the 2005 Major
League Baseball Racial and Gender Report Card when
MLB earned a low-range B-plus for race, a D-plus
for gender and a combined C-plus, he says.
Carneal to skip
Twins home opener
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Herb
Carneal, broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins since 1962, says he'll skip
Monday's home opener because of health issues. Herb's had a rough offseason; he
was hospitalized for five weeks and already works on a reduced schedule (only
home games, and then only three innings on Sundays, weekday day games and a few
Tuesday and Saturday games).
Ballpark Notes
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The
Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) will again partner with
UTEXT Sports to deliver interactive SMS programs during the 2007 season.
The Braves employ UTEXT Sports’ JumpTXT™ Media Platform to manage their mobile
CRM database delivering SMS alerts to their fans that have opted in to receive
mobile updates, promotional alerts and special offers. "We have always looked
for unique and innovative ways to engage our fans," says Braves General Manager
Bruce Baldwin. "UTEXT Sports' mobile products and services allow us to reach our
fans anytime, anywhere with timely information to make sure we provide them with
the best fan experience possible."
Does Las Vegas need a new
ballpark?
Posted March 29, 2007 (feedback)
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Here's
the annual call for a new ballpark to replace
Cashman Field, the home of the Las Vegas 51s
(Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), with a newer
facility. Cashman Field is a very basic facility,
to say the least, but in recent years plans for a
new facility have been stymied by the potential of
landing an MLB team. Today team officials would
love to see some sort of mixed-use development
that would include housing, retail and a ballpark.
What's kinda weird is the general business plan of
Mandalay Baseball Properties, owners of the 51s, specifically
calls for its teams to be part of such mixed-used
plans, but the firm hasn't been able to locate a
developer to partner with in one of the
fastest-growing regions of the United States.
Given that the franchise has also been on the
market for much of the past few years, we're also
wondering how serious Mandalay really is about
such a development.
More from PCL President Branch Rickey
on the need for a new ballpark.
Statue of McGwire sits in
St. Louis warehouse
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A
bronze statue forged to honor slugger Mark McGwire
is built to last forever. The only question is
whether it ever will see the light of day. The
Cardinals commissioned the statue after McGwire
hit 70 homers in 1998, obliterating Roger Maris'
37-year-old record. There's a place set aside for
it alongside other mini-monuments to Cardinals
legends outside
Busch Stadium. But the bronze is
draped in cloth, hidden in a downtown warehouse.
Its place in the limelight has been thrown into
question, like so much of McGwire's legacy, by
suspicion that steroid use enhanced his career.
Cardinals officials say that only Cardinals
elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame
merit a statue (not totally true; Ken Boyer has a
statue displayed), and when the statue was
commissioned McGwire seemed a lock for induction.
Today, it's a much dicier proposition.
CORRECTION: We erred. Boyer is the only
Cardinal with a retired number who is not in the
Hall of Fame; he does not have a statue at
Busch Stadium.
Twins ballpark
meeting is delayed
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A
scheduled meeting to discuss the new Minnesota
Twins ballpark has been delayed until April 10
until Hennepin County officials have worked out a
deal with the Burlington Northern railroad to move
its line at the ballpark site. (It's not a smooth
process changing the route of a train line;
because of the various state and federal agencies
involved, there are multiple parties as part of
the transaction.) The closed-door meeting is now
scheduled for April 10, but we've been told the
April 5 unveiling of ballpark plans and a May
launch of ballpark construction are still on.
UPDATE: Apparently the April 5 unveiling has now been scrapped as well.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark
impasse solution may be near on Twins ballpark;
Twins moving ahead
with ballpark plans;
Pohlads step up to plate to help county save deal;
Possible fix for Twins ballpark impasse arises;
Are Twins working to end ballpark impasse?;
Building a ballpark may hinge on having the Twins
pay more;
County officials, landowners of Twins ballpark
site remain in a holding pattern;
County looking at two new sites for Twins ballpark;
Official says changing site of Twins ballpark
would mean delays;
A great ballpark divide;
Twins postpone ballpark unveiling;
Hennepin County, Twins say they'll look for a new
ballpark site;
Draft environmental review for Twins ballpark
unveiled;
Judge rules Twins ballpark has public purpose;
sides still apart on price;
Community leaders eager to see Twins ballpark
design;
Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look;
Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins;
New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin
County shoppers;
Ballpark players ironing out use, development
agreements;
Twins release more details on new ballpark;
New Twins ballpark bypasses standard reviews;
Ballpark's link to downtown Minneapolis
inadequate, group says;
Ballpark should be held to high standards;
Twins formally announce design team for new
ballpark;
Firms lined up early for stadium work;
Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark
land;
Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark;
Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field;
A freeze frame for Twins;
Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins
ballpark;
Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off
schedule;
Twins pick ballpark designers;
As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations
push on;
Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010;
Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax;
It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to
KSTP-AM;
Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons;
Twins seek partners for naming rights,
sponsorships;
Twins searching for trademark ballpark design;
Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins
ballpark;
Naming rights options scary;
More than a ballpark in Minneapolis
Renovated Durham Athletic
Park may be for only games
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It
appears a renovated
Durham Athletic Park can
accommodate all the teams that might want to play
games in it, but they might have to practice
elsewhere if city officials want to make sure the
field holds up, consultants say. That realization
is shaping the renovation planning being done for
the 1930s-era stadium by Struever Bros. Eccles &
Rouse, the Baltimore developer that the city hired
to spearhead what will be at least a $4 million
project. If the ballpark houses N.C. Central
University's baseball team, city Parks and
Recreation Department leagues, a possible training
operation for Minor League Baseball, a
minor-league-baseball museum and other events, it
appears likely that the field will be used more
than 150 days a years.
RELATED STORIES:
Minor League Baseball interested in DAP;
Durham ballpark may get second wind;
Businessman warns against remake of park area;
Old ballpark renewal plan progresses
Half of Swing ownership team
shows enthusiasm over purchase
Posted March 29, 2007 (feedback)
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We're
guessing the other half does as well. Dave Heller
was in Davenport to meet with the media about his
purchase of the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low
Class A; Midwest League) along with Bob Herrfeldt.
Heller, who also owns the Columbus Catfish (Low
Class A; Midwest League), says approval of the
sale from Kevin Krause should come shortly. He
also said he's in it for the long-term; Davenport
has the potential of being an excellent baseball
market, and the rebuilt facility doesn't hurt.
More from the Quad Cities Times.
Orioles are back in Fort
Lauderdale 2008, with new facility in 2009
Posted March 29, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Baltimore Orioles, who wrapped up their 12th
spring at Fort Lauderdale Stadium on Wednesday,
will return for spring training in the city's
aging venue next year, but team officials are
planning for a renovated complex in 2009.
Attorneys representing the team said they expect
to meet soon with Fort Lauderdale officials to
hammer out the details of a $40 million financing
plan, including a schedule for issuing and
repaying bonds, to overhaul the 45-year-old
ballpark and create a community park complex with
baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
RELATED STORIES:
O's spring-training renovations not expected until
'09;
Issues remain in
Fort Lauderdale Stadium deal;
Florida finalizes five spring-training grants;
Lauderdale reverses decision; O's to stay;
Commissioners should rethink Orioles plan;
Lauderdale won't
support new complex; Orioles could move spring-training site;
Florida makes preliminary decision on state spring-training grants;
Fort Lauderdale Stadium renovation plan boosted;
Broward County commits $800,000 annually toward new O's digs;
Orioles pitch for $38-million spring ballpark rehab;
Fort Lauderdale strikes tentative spring-training deal with Orioles
Ballpark deadline looming in
Fort Wayne
Posted March 29, 2007 (feedback)
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One
idea that had some support during a public meeting
of downtown redevelopment in Fort Wayne that
includes a new ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards
(Low Class A; Midwest League): studying the issue
further. The warning in this editorial is that
offers of private investment -- which are rather
sizeable in this instance -- don't last forever.
The owners of the Wizards are bringing $19.5
million to the plate, and another $10 million in
tax credits can be recouped if bonds are sold
before the end of the year. Considering there have
been multiple studies of downtown redevelopment
already, it's probably time to decide one way or
another about the project.
A majority of the city council is apparently
leaning toward approving the project, however.
RELATED STORIES:
Fort Wayne City Council divided on downtown
ballpark;
Cheaper seats offered for new Fort Wayne ballpark;
Wizards' owner
steps up to bat for Harrison Square;
'A few more pros than cons';
Downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark: pro and con;
Developer
submits proposal for downtown Fort Wayne hotel;
Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal
endeavor;
Ballpark's future subject to study;
Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark;
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
Building the public square;
Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans;
Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne;
Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
unpopular;
Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you
remember;
Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
Playing ball downtown;
We need to build ballpark downtown;
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?;
Learning by example from Dayton;
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark
Swindal divorce means Boss
needs new heir
Posted March 29, 2007 (feedback)
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We
don't cover personal news like this often, but it
does involve who runs a very high-profile team in
the future. Steve Swindal -- George Steinbrenner's
announced successor -- and Steinbrenner's daughter
Jenny are divorcing, the Swindals announced
yesterday in a joint statement. The parting, while
cited as being conducted "amicably," will remove
Swindal from his post as the potential successor
to Steinbrenner, who has vowed to keep the team in
the family. Contenders to replace Swindal: team
Vice presidents Hal and Hank Steinbrenner,
George's sons, as well as Felix Lopez, married to
Steinbrenner's other daughter, Jessica.
Key ally fed up with Sounds
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)
asked Tuesday for more time to work out a downtown
ballpark deal, but even their Metro Council
sponsor voiced opposition, leading some to
(inaccurately, we feel) raise the specter of the
city's longtime baseball team being replaced by
another club. The Sounds joined their development
partner, with whom they've been at odds for
months, in asking for a six-month extension. If
the council rejects the extension, Metro could
find the Sounds in default of their agreement with
the city and the developer, Mayor Bill Purcell
said. In theory, that ultimately could allow the
developer, Baltimore-based Struever Bros. Eccles &
Rouse, to build the ballpark and find a new
minor-league baseball team to play in it -- in
theory, because for that to happen the Sounds and
the Pacific Coast League would need to give up the
territory. Now, where this comes from is
interesting:
it sounds like the prospect of bringing in another
team was brought up by Struever Brothers officials,
who even invoked the name of Cal Ripken Jr. as a
potential team owner. But Struever can't just go
ahead and build a ballpark for an affiliated team:
the Sounds and the Pacific Coast League control
the territory, and getting permission from the PCL
to move another Class AAA team into the market
would be roughly zero unless the Sounds agreed to
it. The prospect of another team at this time is
mere saber-rattling, but it plays well with
reporters who know nothing about how baseball's
territorial rules work.
You can read more details about the dueling
development plans from the Sounds and Struever at
Nashville City Paper. Meanwhile,
elected officials in Franklin say they'd welcome
the Sounds to town.
City Paper's editorial page rips the Sounds for
not bringing anything to the table in terms of
finances -- their end of the deal seems to be
based on borrowed money, and there are some
rumblings about the real financial status of the
team.
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Struever would build Sounds ballpark;
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Nashville ballpark plan may be losing its luster;
Metro concerned about progress of Nashville
ballpark deal;
Sounds must make
decisions regarding downtown ballpark;
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unveiled;
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ballpark development;
Sounds unveil ballpark plans;
Metro agrees to deadline extension on Sounds
project;
Sounds' project
team huddles to nail down a deal;
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PCL president applauds Nashville ballpark deal;
Yaeger calls stadium plan flexible and
fan-friendly;
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ballpark;
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Nashville Metro Council approves new Sounds
ballpark;
Company says Sounds deal sets stage for Frank
project;
Sounds send commitment letter to Council;
Caucus continues pressure for minorities' role in
stadium;
Nashville Council Black Caucus wants more minority
work on ballpark;
Sounds are rounding third;
Sounds remain at bargaining table;
Nashville Sounds one vote away from new ballpark;
Council should give Nashville ballpark their
support;
Sounds woo minority business owners for ballpark
project;
Sounds ballpark vote delayed;
Museum, dining wanted at new Sounds ballpark;
Sounds move ahead with ballpark design;
Sounds weak;
Sounds ballpark proposal passes first test on
Council;
Opposition to Nashville ballpark gears up on
council;
Many good questions raised over Sounds deal;
Chamber of Commerce backs Sounds ballpark plan;
Downtown merchants rally for Sounds;
Board seeks information on Sounds ballpark deal;
Neighbors of Nashville ballpark expect project to
spark development;
Sounds, Nashville sign agreement for new ballpark;
Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan;
Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size;
New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt;
Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until
fall;
Sounds deal stalls, but still in play;
City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan;
Sounds ballpark negotiations slow;
Will ballpark make SoBro soar?;
Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark;
Sounds win city approval for new ballpark
Talks continue
between Reinsdorf, city over Sens deal
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Talks continue with
Harrisburg officials and reps from Michael
Reisndorf's International Facilities Group over
the sale of the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA;
Eastern League). There are some issues at play
here before the April 10 deadline set by Mayor
Stephen Reed. First, Reed has put some conditions
on the sale apart from the ballclub itself, such
as financial support of some of Reed's pet
projects in the city. Second, we hear the Eastern
League and MiLB aren't too thrilled with
Reinsdorf's involvement in the independent
Frontier League -- a politically sensitive issue
in the EL because of encroachments by the Frontier
League and the Atlantic League into EL territory
(i.e., Lancaster and York). MiLB has been pretty
firm about not allowing those affiliated with
independent ball to buy an affiliated franchise --
most recently John Simmons, owner of the Savannah
Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League), took
himself out of the mix for the Southern Illinois
Miners (independent; Frontier League) and put the
team in his wife's name following negotiations
with MiLB -- but there are some who don't think
MiLB's prohibition against indy ownership would
stand up in court, if it came to that. If
Reinsdorf's firm does land the team and runs the
deal by MiLB, the folks in St. Pete would be a
very, very tight place: Jerry Reinsdorf is one of
the most powerful people in baseball, but allowing
the deal to go through would set a precedent and
basically eviscerate the cross-ownership
prohibition.
RELATED STORIES:
Mayor:
Harrisburg negotiating with one firm for sale of Senators;
City still in talks to sell Senators
IronPigs unveil
logo
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) unveiled their official
club logo in the Grand Parliament Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza in Allentown on
Tuesday.
"Today marks the birth of the IronPigs identity," IronPigs
General Manger Kurt Landes said. "Our primary logo is part of our continuing
effort to embody the spirit and tradition of the Lehigh Valley."
The IronPigs look honors Lehigh Valley’s role in producing
much of the steel that built America. The primary logo includes a stylized pig
head made of iron and the words “IronPigs” riveted together in bold letters. The
team’s official colors Brick Red (PMS 187), Furnace Blue (PMS 282) and IronPigs
Steel (Cool Grey 6 C) are colors of the old Bethlehem Steel mills and at the
team’s new stadium, Coca-Cola Park. The IronPigs are the first professional
sports team to use this color combination.
The club’s name was selected after more than 10,000 fans
chose "IronPigs" in a month-long name-the-team contest. "IronPigs" is derived
from "Pig Iron," the raw iron used to make steel. The iron was called Pig Iron
because it ran into a row of molds, said to resemble a litter of pigs.
The IronPigs identity is the work of Plan B Branding, a San
Diego-based creative ideas company specializing in storytelling and branding
ideas. Partners Jason Klein and Casey White dreamed up fresh looks for the
Cincinnati Reds as well as for other Pennsylvania clubs like the Harrisburg
Senators and State College Spikes. Plan B will continue to help the team with
several themed elements centered around the IronPigs brand story.
The development process began last January, when Klein and
White met with fans, staff and community members to learn about the stories,
history and personality of the Lehigh Valley. Plan B is currently developing the
club’s supporting logos, uniforms and mascot, and is providing ideas to enhance
the 2008 fan experience at Coca-Cola Park.
The look must have struck a nerve: Within 30 minutes of their
unveiling, the IronPigs had already sold
more than $2,000 worth of merchandise.
More from the Express Times and the
Allentown Morning Call.
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Park;
Allentown ballpark begins to take shape;
Revised Allentown ballpark cost released;
Affiliated baseball finally comes to Valley;
Allentown breaks ground on new ballpark;
International League approves sale of Lynx;
Lynx poised to leap after 2007
Kerry urges MLB, DirecTV to
hold off on deal
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Sen.
John Kerry (D-Mass.) urged baseball to hold off on a deal to put the sport's
"Extra Innings" package of out-of-market games exclusively on DirecTV, but the
sport's No. 2 official wouldn't make a commitment. Kerry made the push at a
Senate Commerce Committee hearing he chaired Tuesday in an effort to keep the
games on cable TV and EchoStar's Dish Network. The dispute revolves largely over
how many homes will receive baseball's new television network in 2009, with
DirecTV agreeing to carry it on a basic tier available to about 15 million
homes. The company also would own 20 percent of the channel. In Demand president
Rob Jacobson, whose company is owned by affiliates of the companies that own
Time Warner, Comcast and Cox cable systems, offered to carry the package on the
same terms that DirecTV is for the next two seasons while putting off the issue
of The Baseball Channel until it launches.
RELATED STORIES:
Cable, MLB argue over
out-of-town games
Aberdeen ballpark deal is
taking shape
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
outlines of a possible deal between Cal Ripken Jr.
and his hometown of Aberdeen on the sale of Ripken
Stadium began to emerge yesterday, one in which
the retired ballplayer's company could take
possession of the ballpark but avoid paying annual
property taxes. The idea is for Ripken Baseball to
make payments in lieu of property taxes as a way
to minimize the firm's financial hit in buying the
ballpark. Still, the idea of a local municipality
building a facility and then selling it to a
private investor has some officials worried about
passing on millions in payments on public bonds.
State officials, by the way, say they're not
interested in buying the home of the Aberdeen
IronBirds (short season; NY-Penn League).
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pushes plan for Ripken Stadium;
Aberdeen may
sell Ripken ballpark
O's spring-training
renovations not expected until '09
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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We've
been assuming all along the renovations to Fort
Lauderdale Stadium, the spring home of the
Baltimore Orioles, wouldn't be completed until
2009, so it's a little surprising to hear Orioles
executive vice president John Angelos say there's
a small chance a renovation could be completed in
2008. There's a lot of work to be done: nearby
Lockhart Stadium will be demolished to make way
for new practice fields, and the ballpark will be
stripped down to the girders to make way for a
totally rebuilt facility. Considering some of the
financial work on the deal and the design of
complex need to be completed, we'd be totally
amazed if 2008 is truly under consideration.
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support new complex; Orioles could move spring-training site;
Florida makes preliminary decision on state spring-training grants;
Fort Lauderdale Stadium renovation plan boosted;
Broward County commits $800,000 annually toward new O's digs;
Orioles pitch for $38-million spring ballpark rehab;
Fort Lauderdale strikes tentative spring-training deal with Orioles
City reaches Diamond deal;
Storm to take over ballpark operations
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Thirteen years after building a
ballpark on the south side of town and after nearly five
years of trying to figure out what to do with the
6,000-seat park, the city has reached an agreement
with a partner who city officials say should help
relieve them of a heavy financial burden. The
city's redevelopment agency, a legally distinct
arm of city government that has the five-member
City Council act as its board of directors, voted
unanimously in closed session Tuesday to approve,
in principle, a deal with the Lake Elsinore Storm
(High Class A; California League) that will have
the minor-league baseball team take over the
ballpark's operations. The city spends $800,000 a
year operating and maintaining the facility, and
city officials said after Tuesday's vote was
announced that they were pleased that the city is
finally getting rid of that burden. The deal does
come with some conditions: the Storm will be paid
$400,000 annually by the city for the first four
years of the 10-year deal.
Door closed on use of Miami
CRA funds for ballpark
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Redevelopment
dollars are off the bargaining table as funding sources for some City of Miami
pet projects after a vote by the board of the Omni and Southeast Overtown/Park
West community redevelopment agencies Monday. The board, made up of the city's
five commissioners, resolved unanimously -- although commissioners Joe Sanchez
and Angel Gonzalez were absent -- to prohibit use of agency funds for a
new ballpark for the Florida Marlins. Dade County officials had counted on using
CRA money to fill in some funding gaps for a new downtown ballpark. But with the
prospects of a downtown ballpark becoming increasingly iffy given the better
chance of local officials committing to the Orange Bowl site -- the vote may be
irrelevant.
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Orange Bowl;
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Marlins ballpark;
County unveils
Marlins financing plan;
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Charlie Crist's just not batting 1.000;
Florida legislative leaders back tax help for
sports;
Governor boosts ballpark funding formula;
CRA board members: Look somewhere else for
ballpark funds;
Marlins ballpark plan only latest of projects
seeking CRA funds;
Glitzy plans often pushed with funds for renewal;
Agency head says city hasn't sought permission for
ballpark deal;
Crist backs state funding of new Marlins ballpark;
Officials optimistic of finalizing Marlins
ballpark deal in downtown Miami;
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ballpark;
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Marlins ballpark;
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Marlins ballpark;
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Marlins ballpark chances at Pompano considered a
long shot;
Pompano Park pitched as location for new Marlins
ballpark;
Marlins, Loria at crossroads with uncertain future;
Orange County commissioner pushing for Marlins;
Miami Arena owner sues to stop sale;
Buyers sue Miami Arena owner;
Deadline looms over proposal for Marlins ballpark
in downtown Miami;
Marlins officials tight-lipped on downtown Miami
ballpark proposal;
MLB ready to move on downtown Miami ballpark;
Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to
end;
Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark;
DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins
ballpark again;
Marlins ballpark suffers setback;
DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new
ballpark;
Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial
feasibility;
Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks;
Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins
ballpark;
San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now;
Tough times for Marlins and their fans;
Marlins players adjust to the empty seats
Fort Wayne City Council
divided on downtown ballpark
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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On
the issue of Harrison Square, the Fort Wayne City Council doesn’t yet see black
or white. It sees shades of gray. Tuesday night’s meeting clearly showed the
council is divided on the city’s $125 million-to-$160 million proposed downtown
revitalization project, which includes a new ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards
(Low Class A; Midwest League). The council and an audience of more than 50 heard
two presentations with key differences regarding the project. While it would be
easy to generalize and say one was in favor of and the other opposed to Harrison
Square, each council member who spoke gave his own opinion on the project,
emphasizing there are more than two sides to every issue. The final proposal for
the project is expected to be discussed by council in mid-April.
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Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal
endeavor;
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Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
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Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
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A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
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Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark
Nats' ticket sales are
waning
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Less
than a week before the season, the Washington Nationals have sold fewer than
30,000 seats for Opening Day at RFK Stadium, team president Stan Kasten said
Tuesday. In addition, the team's season ticket base has fallen for the third
straight year to what Kasten would only describe as "15 and change" -- or
somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000. The season ticket base last year was just
more than 16,400, down from nearly 22,000 in 2005 -- the first year Washington
hosted a team since 1971. After a drop-off of more than half a million fans last
year to just below 2.2 million, Kasten would not make projections on attendance
for the year, the final season at RFK Stadium.
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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;
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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
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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
New for 2007: Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
expansion Brazos Valley Bombers (summer
collegiate; Texas Collegiate League) have sold
naming rights to Travis Field as part of an
expansion of the former home of the original Bryan
Bombers in the 1940s and 1950s). New seating in
the forms of chairback seats are being added to
make up a Founder's Club, while general-admission
seats are being added down in each, expanding the
capacity of the ballpark to 2,000. Also on the
agenda: modern netting, new concession stands and
restrooms, and a kids' play area.
Cougars keep eye on future
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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With
the home opener of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) home
opener and start of its 17th season in Geneva just over a week away, team
management is looking ahead -- to a year from now, when a renovation and
expansion of Elfstrom Stadium is expected to be completed. The $5 million
overhaul of Elfstrom Stadium was postponed a year, but the Kane County Forest
Preserve District, which owns the stadium on Kirk Road, is expected to review
and approve construction contracts for the project at a special meeting April
24.
Thunder's Finley enjoying
the ride
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Here's
a profile of Joe Finley, who certainly seems to
lead the dream life. The former "paper-pushing
business lawyer" turned minor-league baseball
mogul and married father of three, including
newborn twins, has parlayed a job clerking at a
Cherry Hill law firm in 1987 into multi-million
dollar partnerships involving three professional
teams: the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern
League), the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A;
Sally League) and the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
(Class AAA; International League.
Mud Hens reach 350,000 sales figure for 2007
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) have reached another ticket
milestone in selling 350,000 tickets for the sixth consecutive season. This
number is made up of season tickets, group sales, and individual game tickets
that have been sold for the 2007 season. The Hens reached the 350,000 ticket
plateau on April 4 last year. The Hens broke the all-time Toledo baseball
attendance record in 2006 when 569,380 fans witnessed the Mud Hens win their
second straight Governors' Cup in the International League. The former record
was 556,995 fans during the 2005 season at Fifth Third Field. Ticket sales for
the 2007 season are on pace to match the 2006 total.
Revolution
teases on mascot; will make announcement on
Saturday
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League)
released some teaser photos of their new mascot
cavorting on the grounds of Sovereign Bank Park,
current under construction. The unveiling will be
held at DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre.
More from the York
Dispatch.
Suns' "Scoreboard Cowboy" makes triumphant return
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) Scoreboard Cowboy has returned to
Municipal Stadium following a year in exile. In February 2006 the popular manual
scoreboard operator was replaced by the "Scoreboard Genie." Unfortunately, the
Genie was never quite able to fill the void left in fans hearts after the
Cowboy’s departure. This off-season the Genie sought to improve his status.
The Scoreboard Genie used his three wishes to grant Suns fans
their top three desires. With his first wish he aligned the Suns with the
hometown Washington Nationals. Second, he forced Suns management to serve the
fan-favorite “Hager Brat” at all grille locations within the ballpark. The third
and final wish was used for the Scoreboard Genie to recreate himself as the new
and improved Aladdin Awards Scoreboard Cowboy.
Danville Braves ink first-ever radio deal
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Danville Braves (rookie; Appalachian League) announced that they have signed on
with ESPN Radio 106.3 WMNA to broadcast their 34 home games in 2007. The
agreement marks the first broadcasting deal for the Danville Braves since they
arrived in the River City in 1993. "This is a great day for Danville Braves
baseball and ESPN Radio 106.3," said D-Braves General Manager David Cross. "With
this relationship we hope to be able to reach more fans and introduce them to
the quality of baseball being played out here." The Braves will broadcast their
home games live and potentially any home and away playoff games. In addition to
the games, the Braves will host a pre and post game show to air approximately 30
minutes prior to and 15 minutes after each game, respectively.
More form the Danville Register Bee.
Are too many teams playing
at Appalachian Power Park?
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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Only
eight days remain until the West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally League)
opens the 2007 minor league baseball season. However, weather permitting, 26
games will have been played on the Appalachian Power Park diamond by the time
the Power begins play -- and it would have been 32 if six games hadn't been
cancelled or postponed because of wet weather. That is because team and city
officials have allowed local middle school, high school and college teams to
play some of their games at the three-year-old ballpark. Doing so can be
problematic: the field had noticeable wear and tear less than two months into
the 2006 season.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 28, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium in
conjunction with the Passaic County Historical Society present "Paterson’s Team:
The New York Black Yankees." This event, described as a lecture/conversation,
will take place on Friday, March 30th, at 7:00 PM at Lambert Castle, 3 Valley
Road, Paterson, New Jersey. The event is free and open to the public.
This is the first of a series of 2007 events planned by the
Friends in celebration of Hinchliffe Stadium’s 75th anniversary. In this
informal kickoff, two of the founding Friends, Brian LoPinto and Chris Coke,
will explore both the history of the New York Black Yankees’ use of Hinchliffe
Stadium as their home base and recent efforts to bring the stadium back into the
life of the community.
LoPinto, who has done extensive newspaper research into
Stadium sports history, will add detail and insight into the New York Black
Yankees tenure in the Silk City from 1933-1937 and again from 1939-1945. By far
the most prominent tenant at Hinchliffe Stadium, the Black Yankees made major
contributions to Black baseball and brought sports stardom to the corner of
Liberty and Maple Streets.....
PA SportsTicker is the official statistician for the
independent South Coast League....
Mayor: Harrisburg
negotiating with one firm for sale
of Senators
Posted March 27, 2007 (feedback)
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In a
recent press conference Harrisburg Mayor
Stephen Reed said the city was negotiating with
just one potential buyer of the Harrisburg
Senators (Class AA; Eastern League), but since the
sales negotiations could collapse, he's keeping
things under wraps for the time being. The quote
from someone at the press conference: "We have
made an initial selection for a buyer for the
Harrisburg Senators and we are in the final stages
of contract negotiations. We expect the contract
negotiations to be done by or before April 10th.
As soon as a mutually accepted agreement is in
place and signed we will then announce who that
buyer will be....I would say we preliminarily have
selected a buyer. That hasn't ruled out other
offers that we have; because if the current or
final negotiations should unravel we have other
options available to us. That's why we haven't
announced who they are yet because it's not a done
deal." We've done some asking around, and one
name keeps popping up: Michael Reinsdorf, whose
International Facilities Group has been involved
in multiple major-league ballpark projects,
including the new Washington Nationals ballpark,
Miller Park, Comerica Park and
Great
American Ball Park. Earlier reports had the two potential
buyers being Ivy Walls Management, owners of the
Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and
the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League)
and
Professional Sports Marketing, owners of the
Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League) and
the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern
League).
RELATED STORIES:
City still in talks to sell Senators
Nationals ballpark 'on time,
on budget' for 2008 opening
Posted March 27, 2007 (feedback)
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With
one week to go before the start of the 2007
season, the Washington Nationals and city
officials gave upbeat assessments and they offered
a tour of what will become the team's new home in
2008. The $611-million facility rising above the
Anacostia River and south of the U.S. Capitol is
starting to resemble a real ballpark. The lower
bowl, the concourses and even much of the upper
deck have taken shape. The outfield wall will go
up later this month, with the scoreboard to follow
in June or July and the playing field in October.
Finding an adequate number of places for fans to
park remains an issue, and there will be
construction going on around the area once it
opens as economic development follows the
Nationals to this part of town. But the ballpark
itself should be ready.
More from the Washington Post.
RELATED STORIES:
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
Elsewhere on August
Publications websites
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Here are some headlines of note on other August
Publications websites. At
Arena Digest,
we're proud of the photo coverage of the 2007
Minnesota state boys' hockey tournament from Jim
Robins -- the tourney is one of the great annual
events in the hockey world, and the photos show
what makes the extravaganza at Xcel Energy Center
so special. At
Football Stadium Digest, the city of San
Francisco has unveiled a new stadium plan for the
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) as officials work to
keep the team from moving to Santa Clara. At
Yellowstone Insider, we report on a letter
sent by every living former director of the
National Park Service (NPS) -- except one -- to
U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne,
urging him to ensure a continued transition away
from snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park.
And, of course, the best of spring-training news
is covered on
Spring Training Online.
Sounds GM Yaeger criticizes
Struever Bros. as "wrong partner"
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Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)
General Manager Glenn Yaeger told The Tennessean
that Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse, the team's
development partner for a proposed new downtown
ballpark, is the "wrong partner." As is stands, if
the Sounds and Struever Bros. do not come to terms
on a joint development agreement (JDA) by 4 p.m.
Tuesday, the project will be dead. According to
the Sounds, the ball is now in Struever Bros.’
court. The Sounds have given Struever Bros. a
proposal for a JDA, but Struever Bros. has yet to
sign it. The Sounds and Struever have been going
back and forth over the terms of the ballpark
development, with a crisis point apparently at
hand.
More from Nashville City Paper and
The Tennessean.
RELATED STORIES:
Struever,
Sounds now have until 4 p.m. tomorrow to seal ballpark deal;
Struever, Sounds
now have until 4 p.m. tomorrow to seal ballpark deal;
Struever would build Sounds ballpark;
Sounds, Struever keep swinging for a ballpark solution;
Nashville ballpark plan may be losing its luster;
Metro concerned about progress of Nashville
ballpark deal;
Sounds must make
decisions regarding downtown ballpark;
Struever says Sounds ballpark will be built;
Amid ballpark questions, plan for two hotels
unveiled;
Sounds delay ballpark opening until 2009;
Ballpark financing lag worries Sounds;
Sounds fail to file lease legislation;
Council approves lease extension for Nashville
ballpark development;
Sounds unveil ballpark plans;
Metro agrees to deadline extension on Sounds
project;
Sounds' project
team huddles to nail down a deal;
Sounds get jump-start on ticket sales for new
ballpark;
Sounds ballpark developer needs to score soon;
Ballpark financing not set as deadline approaches;
Struever mulling ballpark-area changes in
Nashville;
Sounds unveil ballpark plans;
PCL president applauds Nashville ballpark deal;
Yaeger calls stadium plan flexible and
fan-friendly;
Sounds settle on 2008 opening date for new
ballpark;
Ballpark opening date up in air, Sounds say;
Nashville Metro Council approves new Sounds
ballpark;
Company says Sounds deal sets stage for Frank
project;
Sounds send commitment letter to Council;
Caucus continues pressure for minorities' role in
stadium;
Nashville Council Black Caucus wants more minority
work on ballpark;
Sounds are rounding third;
Sounds remain at bargaining table;
Nashville Sounds one vote away from new ballpark;
Council should give Nashville ballpark their
support;
Sounds woo minority business owners for ballpark
project;
Sounds ballpark vote delayed;
Museum, dining wanted at new Sounds ballpark;
Sounds move ahead with ballpark design;
Sounds weak;
Sounds ballpark proposal passes first test on
Council;
Opposition to Nashville ballpark gears up on
council;
Many good questions raised over Sounds deal;
Chamber of Commerce backs Sounds ballpark plan;
Downtown merchants rally for Sounds;
Board seeks information on Sounds ballpark deal;
Neighbors of Nashville ballpark expect project to
spark development;
Sounds, Nashville sign agreement for new ballpark;
Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan;
Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size;
New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt;
Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until
fall;
Sounds deal stalls, but still in play;
City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan;
Sounds ballpark negotiations slow;
Will ballpark make SoBro soar?;
Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark;
Sounds win city approval for new ballpark
Ballpark Visit: James & Ann
Dobbins Baseball Stadium
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Named
for former player Jim Dobbins (1934-38) and his
wife Ann, the home of the UC Davis Aggies was
built in 1985 and is a relaxing, no-frills park in
which to watch good quality college baseball.
True, it's a little on the bare-boned side: there
are no clubhouses, and all the seating is of the
aluminum-bench variety John Moist takes in
an Aggies game.
Phillies donate resounding
piece of Vet's history
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The Philadelphia Phillies auctioned off many
remnants of the Vet before it was demolished on
March 21, 2004. But they had also put aside plenty
of artifacts, ranging from the bullpen benches to
pieces of the outfield wall. Still, there is one
tremendous piece that has remained hidden since it
was last officially in action: the Liberty Bell,
high atop the ballpark in dead centerfield, which
lit up and rocked back and forth every time a
Phillie hit a home run. The 6,000-pound, 18-foot
iron bell has been in storage near Citizens Bank
Park, laying facedown in a garden, with plants
around it. The giant bell is expected to become
the centerpiece of the eventual Philadelphia
Sports Hall of Fame after a donation from the
Phillies.
Senator pushes plan for
Ripken Stadium
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A
Harford County senator wants the Maryland Stadium
Authority to consider purchasing Ripken Stadium
from Aberdeen, which is soliciting a buyer after
losing hundreds of thousands of dollars each year
since the facility opened to much fanfare six
years ago. Sen. Nancy Jacobs said yesterday that
she is pushing for a meeting between city
officials and the authority to explore the concept
of buying the home of the Aberdeen IronBirds
(short season; NY-Penn League). A shortage of
operating revenues coupled with the failure of an
adjacent development to take shape has created
$225,000 to $485,000 in annual losses for the city
of 14,000.
RELATED STORIES:
Aberdeen may
sell Ripken ballpark
Repairs, paint, new video
screen to greet fans at PNC Park
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Whether it's a new high-definition screen for fans
or some fresh paint and new chairs for the press,
PNC Park is sprucing up for the home opener April
9. The city-Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition
Authority has approved $294,780 in spending from a
capital reserve fund set up as part of
PNC Park's construction to repair concrete outside the
ballpark, paint steps inside, and make
improvements to the press box. But for fans, the
biggest change will be on the scoreboard. The
announcement of these changes has led
City Councilman Jim Motznik to call for an
investigation into repairs being made to sidewalks
surrounding PNC Park.
Will IronPigs logo fly?
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Today
the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA;
International League) will unveil their new logo
at an announcement ceremony expected to draw more
than 700 fans, business partners, local
dignitaries and press members. In addition to
introducing their vision of what an IronPig looks
like, the International League team will also
begin in earnest to market itself to the public.
Other announcements planned today involve the
start-up of a new Web site as well as the kick off
of season ticket and -- of course -- merchandise
sales to the general public. However, the major
focus of the day will be when a somewhat skeptical
public gets to see the logo that will go with the
team name that has generated debate and
controversy since its selection.
RELATED STORIES:
Experts say IronPigs
will be a success;
The ballpark, the
market & the nickname;
New for 2008: Coca-Cola
Park;
Allentown ballpark begins to take shape;
Revised Allentown ballpark cost released;
Affiliated baseball finally comes to Valley;
Allentown breaks ground on new ballpark;
International League approves sale of Lynx;
Lynx poised to leap after 2007
Baseball charts new course
on seating
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Ask
for a box seat these days, and you get more
options than voice mail. As seating charts evolve
into color-coded mazes and teams charge an
assortment of prices for the same seat, some box
seats are more equal than others. The Dodgers sell
24 categories of seats at
Dodger Stadium, 11 with
"box" in the name, with box prices ranging from
$20 to $100 a ticket. And you might pay more for
your seat than the fan seated next to you. The
Dodgers sell tickets in the field box section for
$20, $30, $35, $37, $40 and $45, depending on
whether you buy on game day, before game day or as
part of a full-season, partial-season or group
ticket package.
Frontier League, Avon
announce ballpark plans
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Avon
(Ohio) Mayor Jim Smith presented a development
package during the City Council meeting Monday
that would capture an independent Frontier League
team and a YMCA-operated recreation center should
funding be approved by voters in November. Smith
presented plans for a $6 million, city-owned
ballpark, and said the league would create a new
franchise for Avon, although the team’s name would
be based on Lorain County. The stadium’s
3,500-seat capacity would overlook an
artificial-turf field stretching 410 feet from
home plate to the center-field fence. Smith said
its uses would vary from youth tournaments to
trade shows. The bulk of the funding would be
covered by the team’s lease agreement and tax
increment financing, in which a portion of
property taxes from commercial developments within
the 120-acre site would be used to pay for the
infrastructure improvements over 20 years. The
project hinges on whether residents approve a
0.25-percent income tax increase that will apply
only to those who work in Avon. For those
residents who live in Avon and work elsewhere, the
tax won’t apply as the city credits residents for
paying city taxes elsewhere.
RELATED STORIES:
Baseball
sliding into Avon;
Ballpark project may not sit well with builder's
ex;
Avon nears deal with Frontier League;
County may help fund Lorain ballpark;
Avon takes a swing at baseball;
U.S. Steel donates for Lorain ballpark;
Baseball slides into Lorain;
Foltin: Avon also eyeing ball team;
Foltin faces opposition over upgrades at park
Cactus League attendance
holds its own
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Fueled
by Cubs and Giants fans, Cactus League baseball is on pace to surpass last
year’s attendance but fall short of the record-breaking 1.27 million attendance
in 2005. Fewer rained-out games this season and a lack of competition from the
World Baseball Classic contributed to the high attendance figures, said league
organizers. With 20 Cactus League games remaining, the 12-team league is on pace
to draw 1.22 million baseball fans this spring training season. The league’s
average attendance per game stands at 6,910 — higher than the 6,587 average in
2006, but short of the 7,059 average in the record-breaking 2005 season. (In
case you've wondered why updates to this site have been delayed, we're taking in
some Cactus League action, so we're dealing with the crowds first-hand. It was a
zoo yesterday in Tempe.)
No conflict in owning team,
senator says
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At the
request of the Democratic Party, the Wisconsin
Ethics Board is weighing whether a Republican
lawmaker's ownership of a collegiate-level
baseball team conflicts with his official duties.
Sen. Dan Kapanke's La Crosse Loggers (summer
collegiate; Northwoods League) receive advertising
and sponsorship payments from M&I Bank, U.S.
Cellular, CenturyTel, Miller Brewing and other
companies that lobby legislators in the Capitol.
In a complaint, Democratic Party Executive
Director Michael Murphy asked the Ethics Board to
investigate whether Kapanke broke a law
prohibiting legislators from acting on an issue in
which they or members of their immediate families
have a "substantial financial interest." Kapanke
said documents he gave the Ethics Board show that
he formed a foundation last year that receives the
payments made by companies and organizations that
lobby in the Capitol. That foundation then donates
that money to local civic, church and medical
groups, he said.
Dickey: Fremont not the
answer for A's
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Columnist Glenn Dickey argues the Oakland A's will
eventually realize that Fremont is not the answer
to the team's ballpark woes and that the mixed-use
development envisioned by A's managing owner Lew
Wolff will proceed without a ballpark. It's a
pretty cynical approach, and we're not sure we buy
it -- though, to be fair, there are many others in
the baseball world who share that opinion. The
Fremont site does have some advantages, but it's
not close to mass transit (the closest BART
station is five miles away) and poses some other
challenges.
RELATED STORIES:
Toxic hazard
creates bump in road to new A's ballpark;
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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
Council to hear dueling
Harrison plans
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Harrison Square opponents and supporters on the
Fort Wayne City Council hope to sway the undecided
council members on the topic during tonight’s
meeting. The council will have its first formal
discussion on the $125 million public-private
development, which includes a new downtown hotel,
new condominiums, new retail and a city-owned
ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A;
Midwest League). To make the deal work, the city
administration will need the council to approve
borrowing about $12 million against community
economic development income tax revenues. The
amount makes up about 20 percent of the public
financing for the project, but city leaders say it
is critical for the development to move forward.
The vote, however, won’t happen until mid-April at
the earliest as city officials work to close
agreements with a private hotel developer and the
owners of the Fort Wayne Wizards for the amenities
surrounding the ballpark.
More from the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.
RELATED STORIES:
Cheaper seats offered for new Fort Wayne ballpark;
Wizards' owner
steps up to bat for Harrison Square;
'A few more pros than cons';
Downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark: pro and con;
Developer
submits proposal for downtown Fort Wayne hotel;
Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal
endeavor;
Ballpark's future subject to study;
Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark;
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
Building the public square;
Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans;
Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne;
Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
unpopular;
Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you
remember;
Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
Playing ball downtown;
We need to build ballpark downtown;
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?;
Learning by example from Dayton;
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark
RedLegg Ale back for Reds
games
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Baseball and Cincinnati beer, a pairing once as
natural as peanuts and Cracker Jack, are getting
back together. After a two-year absence from
Great
American Ball Park, BarrelHouse Brewing Co.'s
RedLegg Ale will once again be on tap during
Cincinnati Reds games this season and at the
park's Machine Room Grille, according to Rick
DeBar, BarrelHouse's brewmaster.
Curve, U.S. Foodservice announce naming-rights
deal
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The
Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) announced
a four-year extension of their longtime business
and marketing partnership with U.S. Foodservice,
which includes U.S. Foodservice receiving naming
rights to the Third Base Picnic Pavilion at Blair
County Ballpark through the 2010 season. As part
of the naming rights package for the newly named
U.S. Foodservice Picnic Pavilion, the company will
receive prominent signage in the area located on
the third-base side of Blair County Ballpark,
inclusion in all references to the Picnic Pavilion
in team publications and marketing materials, as
well as other marketing and promotional
considerations.
In addition to their naming rights sponsorship of the Picnic
Pavilion, U.S. Foodservice will also continue to
have a major presence elsewhere throughout Blair
County Ballpark for the next four season. The
right-field bullpen deck and first-base barbeque
pit area will also continue to feature the U.S.
Foodservice logo.
Miners sign
Danny Almonte
Posted March 27, 2007 (feedback)
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We
don't cover a lot of player signings here, but
this one is worth passing along. The Southern
Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League)
signed one of the most famous Little League
players in Little League World Series history,
Danny Almonte. Almonte was thrust into the
national spotlight during the 2001 Little League
World Series. At the time, Almonte was a member of
the Rolando Paulino All Stars when he threw the
first perfect game in Little League World Series
in nearly 55 years. His statistics during the 2001
Little League Series were an amazing 46 strikeouts
and only three hits in three starts, leading his
team to a third-place finish. Shortly after the
conclusion of the World Series, it was discovered
that Almonte was 14 years old, two years older
than then maximum age limit. The Rolando Paulino
All Stars were stripped of their third place
finish and all of Almonte’s records were erased
from the record books. Almonte, who at the time
didn’t speak English, knew nothing about the
falsified documents and was exonerated of any
wrong doing by Little League officials.
Almonte played his high school baseball at
perennial powerhouse James Monroe High School in
New York City. During his career at Monroe, he
helped lead the Eagles to the 2004 PSAL
Championship. Almonte was named MVP of the 2004
PSAL Title Game, striking out 11 batters and
allowing just one hit in a seven inning complete
game shut out of #2 ranked George Washington. The
following season, Almonte helped Monroe repeat as
PSAL Champions.
More from Newsday.
Duncan Park friends want to
raise funds to save ballpark
Posted March 27, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Friends of Duncan Park plan to raise $750,000
before Jan. 1, with the hopes of having the former
ballpark open in 2009. Lenny Mathis, president of
the nonprofit group, presented city council
members with an abbreviated four-part plan that
they anticipate will take three to five years to
complete. Through the course of that time, the
group hopes to raise money to save the ballpark.
The organization will begin raising money
immediately, first by targeting foundations and
support from individuals and corporate sponsors.
Members will then start a grassroots fundraising
effort. The total fundraising goal is $3 million.
Duncan Park was most recently home to the
Spartanburg Stingers (summer collegiate; Coastal
Plain League) and formerly hosted minor-league
baseball.
Ballpark impasse solution may be near on Twins
ballpark
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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If you've
been comparing Ballpark Digest's recent coverage
of the prospects of a
new Minnesota Twins ballpark
and the Minneapolis Star Tribune coverage, you may
notice the Strib's coverage has been decidedly
more pessimistic, even to the point of saying no
deal was forthcoming in a story late last week.
Perhaps it's because we're a little more wired
into what happening, but last week multiple
sources told us a deal was eminent, followed by
Jerry Bell's public announcement that the Twins
were going ahead with a design unveiling on April
5. By comparison, the Star Tribune continued to be
far more pessimistic about a deal coming together
-- until today, when beat reporter Mike Kaszuba
finally reported a deal was indeed nigh. Now, when
it comes to ballpark politics in Minnesota Lord
knows there are many with axes to grind, and in
general Star Tribune reporting on the subject in
recent years has been very anti-ballpark, and the
Twins share the blame for some of it. In this
case, though, multiple sources simply chose to
bypass the Star Tribune in getting their word out.
RELATED STORIES:
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with ballpark plans;
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Are Twins working to end ballpark impasse?;
Building a ballpark may hinge on having the Twins
pay more;
County officials, landowners of Twins ballpark
site remain in a holding pattern;
County looking at two new sites for Twins ballpark;
Official says changing site of Twins ballpark
would mean delays;
A great ballpark divide;
Twins postpone ballpark unveiling;
Hennepin County, Twins say they'll look for a new
ballpark site;
Draft environmental review for Twins ballpark
unveiled;
Judge rules Twins ballpark has public purpose;
sides still apart on price;
Community leaders eager to see Twins ballpark
design;
Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look;
Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins;
New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin
County shoppers;
Ballpark players ironing out use, development
agreements;
Twins release more details on new ballpark;
New Twins ballpark bypasses standard reviews;
Ballpark's link to downtown Minneapolis
inadequate, group says;
Ballpark should be held to high standards;
Twins formally announce design team for new
ballpark;
Firms lined up early for stadium work;
Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark
land;
Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark;
Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field;
A freeze frame for Twins;
Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins
ballpark;
Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off
schedule;
Twins pick ballpark designers;
As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations
push on;
Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010;
Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax;
It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to
KSTP-AM;
Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons;
Twins seek partners for naming rights,
sponsorships;
Twins searching for trademark ballpark design;
Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins
ballpark;
Naming rights options scary;
More than a ballpark in Minneapolis
Struever, Sounds now have
until 4 p.m. tomorrow to seal ballpark deal
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Legislation to give the Nashville Sounds (Class
AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Baltimore developer
Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse until Oct. 31 to
complete financing and design work for their
proposed downtown ballpark was filed with Metro by
the noon deadline it was facing on Friday -- but
the Sounds haven’t signed it. The filing was
sufficient to keep the ballpark deal afloat until
4 p.m. tomorrow, when the Metro Council office,
which had to receive the legislation Friday,
according to a council rule, must send the
document across the hall of the third floor of the
Historic Courthouse downtown to the Metro Clerk’s
office to be placed on the council’s April 3
agenda. It will be the council’s last meeting
before the existing April 15 deadline Struever and
the Sounds have to complete the financing and
design work for the project. The deal isn't dead,
but there's a lot of haggling on details at the
last minute.
Mayor Bill Purcell is not exactly brimming with
optimism, either, while
a local columnist calls for the deal to be
scrapped and another use found for the prime
riverfront site.
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Tigers install new scoreboards at Comerica Park
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Detroit Tigers will defend the American League
Championship in front of a new state-of-the-art
signage system at Comerica Park that will bring to
life the ballpark’s fascia and outfield wall with
full motion video and real-time statistics.
ANC Sports Enterprises announced a multi-year agreement with
the Detroit Tigers to supply and control a 25mm
SMARTVISION light-emitting diode (LED) signage
system. Beginning with the 2007 season, Comerica
Park will feature a video board in the outfield
wall, over 900 feet of animated fascia signage and
an additional matrix display on the centerfield
scoreboard.
"We strive each off-season to look for ways to improve the
Comerica Park experience for our fans both on and
away from the field," said Tigers’ Senior Vice
President of Business Operations Duane McLean.
"ANC Sports innovative signage and software
solutions will create an energetic game day
atmosphere, while increasing the impact of our
sponsorships programs."
The new signage system will deliver in-game visuals, team
animations, real-time statistics, out-of-town
scores and advertisements. ANC will create sponsor
and team content, as well as statistical templates
for the entire signage system while controlling
event visuals through its VisionSOFT operating
system. ANC’s Data Interface Solution (DIS) will
allow the VisionSOFT software to display real-time
statistics or out of town scores in conjunction
with sponsor or team messages.
LED technology will highlight three sections of the fascia on
the lower tier suite level, animating both the
right and left field lines with full motion team
graphics, player information and advertisements.
The electronic outfield wall will highlight
approximately 6½’ by 67’ and replace the
scoreboard embedded in the right-center field,
displaying game statistics and out of town scores
with the ability to transform into full motion
video. The 4’ by 53’ full color display on the
centerfield scoreboard will compliment the
existing video screen and matrix displays.
Aberdeen may sell Ripken
ballpark
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Ripken
Stadium, the home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (short
season; NY-Penn League), which opened to acclaim
and sold-out games five years ago, has proved to
be such a financial drain to the small town of
Aberdeen that the mayor now wants to sell it.
Mayor S. Fred Simmons says that he has had
conversations with several potential buyers but
that the most promising involve the stadium's
namesake: hometown hero Cal Ripken Jr., who owns
the IronBirds, as well as a sprawling youth
baseball operation headquartered nearby. The team
pays only $1 a year for use of the ballpark and
keeps virtually all of the money generated from
games. But officials say the biggest hit has come
from an adjacent development project that was
counted on to help pay for the ballpark but has
been delayed. Each year Aberdeen loses several
hundred thousand dollars on the ballpark -- a
significant problem for a city with an annual
budget of only $16 million.
Giants to unveil hi-def
scoreboard this season
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Baseball fans pouring into
AT&T Park this season
will see a larger-than-life Barry Bonds, with the
San Francisco Giants slugger reaching heights of
up to 31.5 feet. The team is installing a
$3-million-plus, high-definition scoreboard, one
of only three in a professional sports facility in
the United States. It plans to officially unveil
the screen, made by Mitsubishi Electric Diamond
Vision, on Tuesday. The new display,
31.5-feet-high by 103-feet-wide, is the latest
addition to the high-tech ballpark.
Friends of Duncan Park rally
for ballpark
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Friends of Duncan Park will reveal their multi-year plan for the park during
today's Spartanburg City Council meeting. Lenny Mathis, president of the
organization, said he will ask council to support the plan that was scheduled to
be finalized during a Friends of Duncan Park meeting Sunday. The Friends of
Duncan Park is a nonprofit organization with 12 board members. Mathis updated
council last summer on the possible uses for the 80-year-old ballpark,
considered the oldest in the state. Mathis and other members of the nonprofit
group have talked with other groups that have successfully restored old ballpark
and visited Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., which was restored by a
nonprofit group similar to the Friends of
Duncan Park. The ballpark was formerly
home to Low Class A Sally League and summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League
teams in recent years.
In memoriam: Donna Vonachen
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Donna
Vonachen, considered the first lady of Peoria
baseball, passed away in Sunday after battling
cancer for many years. She was 70. Vonachen was a
mainstay at Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest
League) games, scorebook in hand, after her
husband Pete took control of the Chiefs in 1984.
Pelicans
announce vote on team commercial
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Here's
a way to get some creative work done for a thousand dollars, as the Pensacola
Pelicans (independent; American Association) are encouraging fans to vote for
the Pelicans 2007 TV commercial from user submissions
at the team's
Website. The "Where Everyone Plays" TV Commercial Contest began at the end
of February. The winning contestant will receive up to $1,000, season tickets,
Pelicans merchandise, and the opportunity to have their spot aired during the
Pelicans season.
Called out at home
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Oakland Athletics' planned move to Fremont could
spell the end for the San Jose Giants (High Class
A; California League), the minor league baseball
franchise that has called San Jose its home since
the 1940s. As has often been repeated as San Jose
leaders sought to bring the A's to the city, San
Francisco owns this area as part of its
major-league territory. But a Fremont ballpark
would be close enough to Municipal Stadium to
allow the A's to invoke minor-league territorial
rights. This is all in the speculative stage:
we're guessing the Oakland front office really
hasn't considered the impact of the San Jose
Giants on their future operations; at worst it's
caused San Jose officials to refuse to put any
money into the ballpark.
Diamond View needs zoning
variance for ballpark project to move ahead
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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In a
move that may invigorate the sluggish pace of
condo development around the MerchantsAuto.com
Stadium, the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats
(Class AA; Eastern League), a Salem-area developer
is planning to build a six-story condo tower at
the edge of the ballpark, according to city
officials and an engineer familiar with the
project. Representatives from Diamond View LLC are
expected to meet with aldermen at City Hall this
week to discuss company plans. The tower would
include 36 one- and two-bedroom condos and would
be built on land that had been reserved for retail
space or a restaurant. Related development was a
key part of the city's approval of the ballpark
plan.
Curve owner eager for new
heights
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Chuck
Greenberg, president and managing partner of the
Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League), sits
down with the local newspaper for an interview
regarding the upcoming season. The Curve ownership
group is up to three teams -- the State College
Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) launched
operations last season, and this season will be
the first full season the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
(High Class A; Carolina League) is under the
group's control -- and it sounds like between the
minor-league teams and Greenberg's participation
in recent arena talks for the Pittsburgh Penguins
(NHL) they'll be focusing on existing operations,
not on acquisitions.
It's time to get creative
for Bakersfield ballpark
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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story)
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Here's
a call for a new ballpark for the Bakersfield
Blaze (High Class A; California League) and Cal
State Bakersfield. There's a hazy game plan
floating around that calls for Cal State
Bakersfield to contribute the land and someone
else paying for it. Team owner D.G. Elmore says
the team can't afford to build a ballpark, and the
city says it doesn't really want to do so, either.
It's pretty common for all sides involved to want
someone else to pick up the tab; it sounds like a
new ballpark in Bakersfield won't come to be if
the current players don't change their attitudes.
Five questions with Jason
Freier
Posted March 26, 2007 (feedback)
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Fort
Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League)
co-owner Jason Freier sits down with the editorial
staff of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette to discuss
the prospects of a new ballpark. Not much new
information: Freier says the ballpark, as part of
a larger project, will help revitalize downtown
Fort Wayne. His firm, Hardball Capital, has
proposed funding a portion of the ballpark's cost
as well as other associated development.
RELATED STORIES:
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Developer
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Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal
endeavor;
Ballpark's future subject to study;
Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark;
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
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Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
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Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
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Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
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left, says architect;
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ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark
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