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Archives: April 16-22, 2007

MLB announces first eight teams for World Baseball Classic in 2009
Posted April 20, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
No surprise here: World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), a corporation controlled by MLB, announced it would once again hold the 16-team World Baseball Classic tournament in March 2009. WBCI also announced its intention to extend initial invitations for the 2009 World Baseball Classic to eight of the 16 teams. The remaining eight teams will be invited in December, 2007. Additionally, the distribution of proceeds from the inaugural tournament was finalized.
    The teams that advanced to the second round in the 2006 World Baseball Classic -- Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela -- will receive the eight initial tournament invitations. The remaining eight invitations will be determined following a period of evaluation and consultation among Steering Committee members.
    "We are extremely pleased with the impressive results of the 2006 World Baseball Classic and excited about the momentum and anticipation it has generated for the upcoming 2009 event," said Bob DuPuy, Major League Baseball President and Chief Operating Officer. "As international baseball continues to develop and thrive, and the supply of quality baseball nations grows, the task of selecting the 16 deserving teams has become increasingly difficult."
    WBCI also announced the distribution of more than $8 million in proceeds from the inaugural tournament to the participating countries and territories and the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The monetary awards were distributed based on predetermined percentages of the net revenue corresponding to each team's finish in the tournament. The national federations are set to contribute a minimum of $3.3 million to local baseball programs. In addition, the IBAF received close to $1 million for global game development initiatives.
    WBCI also announced today, with the concurrence of the Steering Committee, that the bid process to determine host venues for the 2009 World Baseball Classic will commence immediately.

Independent league baseball courts Wichita
Posted April 20, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Northern League Commissioner Clark Griffith was in Wichita yesterday to tour Wichita's Lawrence-Dumont Stadium and pitch city officials on the strengths of his league. City officials, as you might expect, were polite and noncommittal, pointing out that Griffith made the trip on his own initiative. At least four independent leagues -- the Northern League, United League Baseball, American Association and Frontier League -- have openly expressed interest in Wichita. To say Wichita is important to the future of at least two of these leagues is an understatement: we don't know how the American Association survives in its present form without adding Wichita as a bridge between its disparate northern and southern divisions, and we know of at least one Northern League owner threatening to leave the circuit should Wichita not enter. Clark can tout his league all he wants, but the city has already retained a Jacksonville-based consultant to set up a bidding process that will determine the next tenant of the ballpark after the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) comes to an agreement to break its lease, and we suspect the winning bidder will end up running the National Baseball Congress as well. So all of this is for show, nothing more.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2008: The Northwest Arkansas Naturals; Officials dig baseball; Springdale ballpark construction budget approved; Springdale City Council approves ballpark design; Springdale commission approves new ballpark; Wranglers GM has new challenges; City hires consultant to assist on Lawrence-Dumont lease; Wranglers owner says team was Wichita's third baseball option; Council looks at ballpark design; Commissioners begin planning improvements around ballpark site; Wranglers' move big hit with Royals owner Glass; League approval slow but expected for move of Wranglers; Springdale approves Wranglers lease; Texas League executives scrutinize proposed Springdale lease; Springdale officials present Wranglers lease to public; Rich Baseball, Springdale reach agreement on move of Wranglers; City told only voters decide ballpark's user; Springdale aldermen to hear United League pitch for ballpark; What's new in Wichita?; Wranglers president says move is nearly official; Wranglers agreement down to one item; City negotiating terms with Wranglers; Springdale awaits word on getting Wichita's team; Wichita expects to negotiate for Wranglers; Wranglers to move in 2008

Forbes estimates franchise values; Yankees worth $1.2 billion
Posted April 20, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Forbes magazine came out with its annual estimates of MLB franchise values, and not surprisingly put the New York Yankees at the top of the list with a $1.2 billion value (and managing to be the only MLB team to lose money in the process). While MLB owners are sure to dispute these valuations -- they always do -- we're not sure they're so far off as we've watched the market perform in recent months. Could the Yankees attract $1.2 billion if George Steinbrenner sold? Absolutely. Would the Boston Red Sox be sold for over $700 million? Absolutely. If anything, Forbes may have undervalued the Cubbies at $597 million; we expect a bidding war that will far exceed that value. (Forbes assumed Wrigley Field is worth $90 million and the club is worth $507 million.) Valuations of MLB teams have gone through the roof.

A's file paperwork with Fremont
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Alas, it's not the paperwork the city was seeking. In the evolving courtship between Fremont and the Oakland A's, the ballclub filed paperwork Wednesday that strengthens the relationship, yet falls short of being a marriage certificate. It might be more akin to an expensive love letter, given that the A's included a $500,000 deposit fee with it. The filing is not the land-use development application for which city officials have been waiting to start the environmental review process. Instead, it is "an application to negotiate a development agreement," Fremont Economic Development Director Daren Fields said. The A's faxed the application to the city, but provided few details on the one-page document.
    RELATED STORIES: Toxic hazard creates bump in road to new A's ballpark; A's tout Cisco Field in ticket mailer; Will global warming swamp AT&T Park, new A's ballpark?; A's owner not sweating lack of BART at Fremont ballpark site; A's owner raises more questions than answers; Wolff seeks tax rebate for new ballpark village; Oakland A's owner buys office park near proposed Fremont ballpark; Fremont, A's continue talks for new ballpark; If Selig's coming, A's must be going; Wolff ready to go public on ballpark; Cisco blending tech and baseball; Records show evolving talks between A's, Fremont; Are the A's worth it to Fremont's neighbors?; More meetings with A's slated after new year; Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A's; A's detail Fremont plans down to the letter; San Jose still ponders illusory ballpark; Transit teams try to solve Cisco Field 'challenges'; A's Fremont ballpark must field host of hurdles; A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark village in Fremont; New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech; The next big thing: the San Jose A's?; A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark; Oakland City Council grants A's extension; A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; 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

Task force confident in Reds ballpark deal
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Softening in construction costs and increased competition for major projects are slowly closing the so-called funding gap in the complex financing plan to build a new $54 million spring-training complex for the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota, perhaps without requiring major cutbacks in the project's scope. That was the opinion expressed Tuesday by the city's sports facilities director, Pat Calhoon, to the Stadium Business Task Force -- a coalition of private interests, tourist and business groups, and city and county staffers who meet to advance the project. The task force met following a brief meeting of the selection committee that is reviewing two proposals for a hotel-retail-office site south of the proposed training complex. It is that development that was to fill the gap in the state-city-county-Reds financing plan. Now two partnerships have bid for the property, although the only one including a dollar figure falls well short of the $10 million purchase or equivalent lease complex backers had hoped for.
    RELATED STORIES: Finance plan for Reds spring-training facility in place -- maybe; Looking at a Plan B for new Reds spring complex; Sarasota looking to cut spring-training complex cost; Fair officials respond with new spring-training plan; New Reds training facility in some doubt; Florida finalizes five spring-training grants; Pirates to get 30-year lease, lights at McKechnie Field; Florida makes preliminary decision on state spring-training grants; Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes; Reds sign 30-year lease to train in Sarasota; Sarasota, county OK Reds ballpark pact; Deal for new Reds spring-training facility close; Sarasota ballpark hopes for home run; Sarasota sends ballpark pacts to state; Sarasota County agrees to tax increase to fund new Reds spring facility; County tees up for baseball hearing; Sarasota ballpark plan stirs resistance; Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark; For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck; Reds swing and miss; New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M short; Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million to $62 million; Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for Sarasota bed tax revenue; Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in Sarasota move forward; Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for stadium, event center, ballfields; Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site to keep Reds; Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities

County, T-Bones in dispute over back taxes
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More on the tax dispute between the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; Northern League) and Wyandotte County over unpaid property taxes of $1.5 million. The Unified Government wants to collect taxes from the T-Bones 365 days a year, but the team's owner said the CommunityAmerica Ballpark has only 48 home games a year and should be taxed according to that schedule. "We cannot be taxed at the same rate as all the retail in the neighborhood. We have only 48 dates a year to generate revenue sales," T-Bones Vice President Adam Ehlert said. Now, it's very possible the T-Bones have a legitimate gripe over the valuation of CommunityAmerica Ballpark. We're guessing, however, that Wyandotte County's property-tax system doesn't allow for usage like this to be a factor.
    RELATED STORIES: T-Bones refuse to pay $1.5 million tax bill

Rockies add green power to Coors Field scoreboard
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The Colorado Rockies are the latest MLB team to go green, as this weekend the team will take on the San Diego Padres at home under a solar-powered scoreboard at Coors Field. The new 9.9 kilowatt solar electric system, which was installed by Independent Power Systems as a result of a partnership between the Rockies and Xcel Energy, is being celebrated on Earth Day, April 22. Comprised of 46 solar panels from SunPower Corporation, it is the first commercial-scale solar electric power system to be installed in an MLB ballpark. The new system covers an area of 616 square feet and will produce more than 14,000 kilowatt hours of energy, enough to offset energy consumption by the Rockies' Rockpile LED scoreboard for over a year. A flat-panel monitoring system shows fans at the ballpark real time system performance and scoreboard energy use.

Reds to go carbon-neutral on Earth Day
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On Opening Day, the Cincinnati Reds followed the lead of the 79th Academy Awards ceremony and partnered with Duke Energy to become the first professional sports team to go "carbon neutral." As they did on Opening Day, for Sunday's Earth Day game the Reds will purchase from Carbon Solutions Group credits called Voluntary Emission Reductions (VER), which are used to fund energy projects that help reduce the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. The electricity and natural gas used at Great American Ball Park on Opening Day will create carbon emissions. By purchasing the VER credits, the Reds are giving back to the environment by helping fund such energy projects as wind mill and solar farms that emit no carbon.

Revolution shift games to Camden due to ballpark delay
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After the announcement earlier this week that the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) will play its first game at Sovereign Bank Stadium on June 15, the Atlantic League has formally approved the team’s plan for scheduling its home games that were previously slated to be played in York prior to June 15. Three games have been re-scheduled for Sovereign Bank Stadium on previously scheduled off days, including a pair of games on July 9 and a single game for July 10, all against the Road Warriors. The July 9 "split" doubleheader will be two separate admissions, at 11:05 a.m. and 7:05 p.m. The July 10 game will begin at 7:05 p.m. Eleven of the 12 other games will be moved to a neutral site, Campbell’s Field, home to the Camden Riversharks. One game against the Long Island Ducks, originally scheduled for May 21, will be moved to Long Island as part of a doubleheader on July 3. Revolution fans who wish to attend any of the 11 neutral site games in Camden can purchase tickets for $3 at Campbell’s Field on the day of the games.

PCL announces Hall of Fame Class of 2007
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The Pacific Coast League announced the newest members of its historic Hall of Fame: Frank Brazill, "Fuzzy" Hufft, and Paul Waner, are joined by long-time Seattle owner Emil Sick to round out the list of PCL greats added to the Hall.
    Paul "Big Poison" Waner enjoyed great success during his short time as a member of the San Francisco Seals. While he spent just three seasons in the league from 1923-1925, Waner helped the Seals win two PCL Championships during that span. One of the best all-around hitters in the League's history, he won the batting title in 1925 with a .401 average, edging out fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Frank Brazill. That same season, he hit 75 doubles, a League record that stands to this day.
    Third baseman and feared slugger Frank Brazill spent seven seasons in the league. He began his PCL career in Portland, where he played from 1922-1924 before joining Seattle in 1925. While 1925 was the only season he spent in Seattle, he posted what is thought to be the best single-season hitting performance in the city's history when he put up a .395 average, 29 home runs, 67 doubles and 155 RBI. He then went on to play in Los Angeles from 1926-1927 and finished his tenure playing with the Mission Reds in 1928. Brazill slugged for a .342 career batting average with 1,320 total hits, including 267 doubles, 145 homers and 682 runs batted in.
    One of the League's top offensive players during the late 1920s and early 1930s, Irvin "Fuzzy" Hufft compiled 1,446 total hits playing in the PCL and tallied a career batting average of .346 with 166 home runs and 902 RBI. Hufft spent seven seasons in the PCL playing in Seattle from 1926-1928, with Mission (San Francisco) from 1928-1931, finishing with Oakland in 1932. Off the field, his unquestionable patriotism should also be noted for his service as an enlisted soldier in United States military in both World War I and World War II.
    Emil Sick was one of the most celebrated and influential owners in the Pacific Coast League's history. Known primarily as a successful business man and owner of the Rainier Brewery located in Seattle, he purchased the struggling Seattle Indians franchise in 1937 and looked to initiate immediate change. He renamed the club the Rainiers and built a new ballpark, Sick's Seattle Stadium. Results were quick to come, as Seattle joined the ranks as one of the PCL's elite clubs. The Rainiers would go on to win five pennants and record four second-place finishes before Sick sold the club in 1960.

Luzerne County officials finally out of the bullpen
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Lackawanna County officials recently approved documents that could impact the future of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) -- including its sale -- without seeking input or approval from Luzerne County, the co-owner of the team. Luzerne County officials finally, thankfully, yelled foul, and fielded a team. Now, they’ll be doing all the things they should have been doing all along, including hiring a lawyer to look into everything from the franchise’s value to the legality of the franchise sales agreement that was adopted by the Lackawanna County Stadium Authority and Lackawanna County Commissioners, without Luzerne County input or approval. Commissioners also said they would notify the presidents of the International League and the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues of their disapproval of Lackawanna County’s decision regarding the franchise.
    RELATED STORIES: County rejects Triple-A agreement; Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved; Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals; Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored; Potential sale of the SWB Yankees approved; Lackawanna County minority commissioner wants stadium authority to pay off county; Yanks filling seats in Moosic; Once again, it’s all about the Yankees; New for 2007: PNC Field; Work on Lackawanna County Stadium progresses; New for 2007: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees; End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium; Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty; Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows; Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax; New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark priorities; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Will Moosic get a new ballpark?; Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management firm heading to Moosic; Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna County Stadium today; Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and Pens; It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to Scranton a done deal?; Authority will consider giving Cordaro power; Yankees to SWB?

The River Cats' rain man
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When dark clouds roll into Sacramento's spring skies, the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) turn to CFO-cum-weatherman Dan Vistica to ensure that the silver lining doesn't get washed away along with the ballgame. While other minor-league-baseball franchises generally accept weather-related game cancellations as the nature of their business, the River Cats' chief prognosticator tries to hedge any potential revenue loss by taking out rain insurance. Not every game or event is worth insuring, however, because premiums can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 a game. It's up to Vistica to weigh an event's potential against the probability of a drenching storm -- and make the call to insurers two weeks ahead of time.

Bisbee Copper Kings unveil new plans for this season
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After the Bisbee Copper Kings (summer collegiate; Centennial League) finished 16-4 last season, it was announced that there will be 50 games overall this season. The four-team Centennial League will consist of Bisbee, San Luis, the Tucson Stars and the Arizona Diamondjaxx out of Phoenix. The big news may be coming in 2009, as the team prepares to celebrate the centennial of its home, Warren Ballpark. According to team president Tom Mosier, the organization wants to bring in the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies or Tucson Sidewinders to play an exhibition.

New colors to pinch hit for faded ones at ballpark
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Palm Springs Stadium, the home of the summer-collegiate Palm Spring Power, is getting a facelift -- and not a moment too soon. The 58-year-old ballpark has not been painted in 15 years, and the colors are significantly faded from their original intent. The structure will be repainted in desert colors, such as taupe, golden rod, sienna orange and brown. It will cost approximately $75,000. Andrew Starke, president of the Power, said he suggested they not use the team's colors of red, black and white.

LSU shuffles funds to pay for new Alex Box
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LSU reshuffled funds to pay for the new Alex Box Stadium, a move that the LSU Board of Supervisors approved Thursday. Construction for the new ballpark is expected to begin shortly after June 1, with a late fall 2008 completion date, in time for the 2009 season, LSU officials said. The move also cleared funding for a new softball ballpark. Skip Bertman, LSU athletics director, said the much-higher-than-expected construction costs for the ballpark forced the changes.

Trees leave Tanner on a limb
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University of South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner remains "optimistic" his team will open next season in its new ballpark, despite the project’s latest stumbling block. The Gamecocks are due to open the yet-to-be-named park next season and close out Sarge Frye Field next month. But construction on the new ballpark, near the Congaree River, could be pushed back from its June start date because of a dispute with the neighborhood. Tanner said he hoped the issue could be worked out “in an expedient fashion,” so that his team’s non-seniors can play in the new ballpark. While demolition on the area began last month, excavation and eventually construction could be delayed by as much as two months. Three neighborhood associations oppose the clear-cut of a swath of trees to move a power line in the way of the new ballpark. The Department of Health and Environmental Control has until mid-June to decide whether to grant the appeal. In the meantime tree removal has stopped; excavation was supposed to begin in mid-May, according to USC associate athletics director Jeff Davis.

County rejects Triple-A agreement
Posted April 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Luzerne County commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to reject Lackawanna County’s sales-option agreement to sell the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) and to seek a lawyer to help them figure out what they should do about the disagreement. Commissioner Todd Vonderheid said after Wednesday’s on-the-road meeting in West Pittston that it’s premature to speculate whether the county will resort to legal action. The two counties jointly own the franchise. Lackawanna County officials recently approved documents that could impact the future of the franchise -- including its sale to a company controlled by the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Properties -- without seeking input or approval from Luzerne County, the commissioners said Wednesday. The agreement has already been turned over to the International League's Randy Mobley. More from the Times-Tribune.
    RELATED STORIES: Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved; Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals; Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored; Potential sale of the SWB Yankees approved; Lackawanna County minority commissioner wants stadium authority to pay off county; Yanks filling seats in Moosic; Once again, it’s all about the Yankees; New for 2007: PNC Field; Work on Lackawanna County Stadium progresses; New for 2007: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees; End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium; Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty; Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows; Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax; New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark priorities; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Will Moosic get a new ballpark?; Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management firm heading to Moosic; Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna County Stadium today; Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and Pens; It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to Scranton a done deal?; Authority will consider giving Cordaro power; Yankees to SWB?

Teams honor slain Virginia Tech students
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Baseball teams in the greater Virginia area altered their activities yesterday and today following the tragic killing of 33 students at Virginia Tech earlier this week. Tuesday night's Salem Avalanche (High Class A; Carolina League) game was postponed, and yesterday the team announced a year-long honoring of the slain students. Avalanche players will be adding a commemorative Virginia Tech logo to their batting helmets; the Avalanche front office team will be adding a Virginia Tech lapel pin to their gameday uniform as well.
    "We have many current and former gameday staff and interns that either go to Tech, went to Tech or have family at Tech," said John Katz, Avalanche VP / General Manager. "This is our way to quietly show our support for them as they work through this difficult time."
    The plan to add the Tech logo to the Avalanche batting helmets was met with overwhelming support from Minor League Baseball, the Houston Astros and Salem Avalanche players and coaching staff.
    The Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) will wear Virginia Tech hats for the last two games of the current homestand. Following Thursday’s game Braves players will autograph the hats which will be auctioned off at www.rbraves.com. One-hundred-percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to honor the victims of Monday’s shootings at Virginia Tech. The Braves host Louisville today at noon at The Diamond. Louisville Bats (Class AAA; International League) players, coaches and front office will wear Virginia Tech baseball hats for their game Friday, April 20 versus the Norfolk Tides at Louisville Slugger Field.
    Also, the Washington Nationals wore Virginia Tech baseball caps during Tuesday night's game against the Atlanta Braves as a tribute to the slain students.

Cost an issue for new Waldorf ballpark
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Charles County's commissioners refused this week to declare a limit on the amount of money they are willing to spend to construct a ballpark in Waldorf for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (independent; Atlantic League). County officials expect to receive new construction bids within a few weeks for the minor-league ballpark, after plans for the project were redesigned earlier this year to cut costs. The county, the state and the team's owners agreed when the ballpark was proposed to split the cost equally, with each party paying one-third of the estimated $21 million total. But so far the bids have exceeded that amount.

Construction halts on USC's new ballpark
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The new University of South Carolina ballpark is scheduled to open next year, but objections by the facility's neighbors are holding up construction, possibly for months. Demolition crews have been hard at work preparing the site for USC's new ballpark. It's off Blossom Street near the river. But for now, that's all the work they'll be able to do. State regulators have halted the construction, because neighbors in the Granby community appealed the excavation permit -- and, specifically, the plan to remove old-growth trees from the site.

T-Bones refuse to pay $1.5 million tax bill
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The Kansas City T-Bones (independent; Northern League) hasn't paid it's property taxes in three years, as it's grown to $1.5 million, making the T-Bones the largest delinquent taxpayer in Wyandotte County. The team refuses to pay its property taxes until the Unified Government of Wyandotte County agrees to re-assess the ballpark. Team owners say they shouldn't be assessed on what it cost to build the ballpark, $15 million, but on other factors including the team's income. (There are probably many of us who want to pay our property taxes based on our income and not what the property is worth.) The T-Bones owe $656,000 for 2004, $639,000 for 2005 and $269,000 for last year. The T-Bones paid their 2003 taxes under protest but have have since taken a walk. If the T-Bones don't pay up by May 10, the county could put the entire ballpark up for a tax sale.

Comerica Park not among critics' favorites
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The Detroit News's Lynn Henning is mystified that Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers, isn't regarded more highly by national critics. The short answer, of course, is that it's just as good a venue as a classic like Fenway Park or a new standard like Safeco Field. Our Dave Wright (a Detroit native who spent many a game at Tiger Stadium) took in a game at Comerica Park earlier this week, and here's his assessment:
    You go to a baseball game in downtown Detroit and you get … a little bit of everything. Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers since 2000, is a vast supermarket that offers just about anything you want in food and entertainment. Oh, yes. There is some baseball, too. But it is almost incidental.
    If you walk along the back walls of the place, you run into a merry-go-round, food palaces of various shapes and sizes, a taste of Detroit history, and you can even but some jewelry (want to buy a replica of the 2006 AL championship ring? It’ll cost you $3,700 but you can do it). The beer is expensive ($8.50 for most) but the Little Caesars Pizza ($2.75) was terrific. So was the kosher hot dog ($5).
    Head for the field and you see a pretty good product. The Tigers are the defending AL champs (I know. It sounds weird to me, too.) and they play like one. Tonight, they patiently rallied past Kansas City, 7-6. Detroit led 5-2 but gave up four sixth-inning runs. Didn’t matter and I suspect the park has something to do with it. Unlike its predecessor (Tiger Stadium), you need to really pump a ball for a home run. A ball up the alley is always extra bases. Placido Polanco hit one tonight that he knew was a triple. (So did  everybody else in our section. When the ball left his bat, one fan turned to his gal pal and said, "If that isn’t a triple, I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.")
    Comerica is a big place -- it looks like 60,000 fans can fit into a place that barely holds 40,000 -- but it has its moments. Sit in the boxes down the foul lines and you get an eyeful. The low level has its disadvantages. Tonight, a foul ball landed in the row in front of me and tore off the watch off the fan who tried to catch it. It landed behind the back of another fan who handed it to his son. The first fan shook his hand in mock agony -- and the nearby crowd took notice. It’s a tough game sometimes but this is an
appreciative crowd.
    Comerica Park ain’t Tiger Stadium but it wasn’t intended to be. You can have fun here. Bring your wallet, though. You’ll need it.

Carnival or ballgame? At Comerica Park you get two for one. (Photo by Jim Robins.)

Eastern League struggles to play ball
Posted April 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Bad weather is making a mockery out of the Class AA Eastern League schedule, and when games are being played, they're being played under some pretty harsh conditions. The weather has made it difficult on Eastern League teams as nearly 40 percent of the scheduled games have not been played because of rain, snow or unplayable conditions. The Connecticut Defenders had eight of their first 14 games postponed and have managed to make up only two. They managed to make up two games by playing doubleheaders, including Wednesday's split with New Hampshire. The New Britain Rock Cats haven't played since Saturday. Wednesday's doubleheader in Binghamton was postponed because of wet grounds, wiping out the entire three-game series. They're not the only league to get hit: the Syracuse Chiefs pondered moving a series to Toronto's Rogers Centre because of bad weather, and to the west the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) lost their entire opening series.

Ballpark food hits home run
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Here's a look at the food this season at AT&T Park. No offense to Seattle and the KOMO radio midday hosts who ripped me a new one when I said on the air that Safeco Field didn't have the best food in the majors, but AT&T Park is clearly a foodie's delight, as the Giants keep enhancing the menu to keep things interesting. New this season, Niman hot dogs, crab sandwiches at the Crazy Crabz stand, and made-to-order caramel corn. Speaking of ballpark food: Slate looks at the all-you-can-eat buffer at Dodger Stadium.

Wish lists for parks outlined
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A $9 million request for improvements to Helena parks includes a $1.6 million request to improve Kindrick-Legion Field, the home of the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League). While upgrades to all three facilities are on the City-County Parks Board’s wish list, commissioners over the next few months will debate exactly what improvements should go forward and how they’ll be funded. Voters may consider a general-obligation bond could in the fall, but officials mentioned private donations and the sale of naming rights at the ballfield as other potential sources.

Cozy Fenway perfect as it is, Sox rep says
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Fenway Park's trademark close quarters are actually a blessing in disguise and are leading a trend toward shrinking ballparks across the country, said a Red Sox official in charge of renovation plans for Major League Baseball's oldest ballpark yesterday. Red Sox Vice President of Planning and Development Janet Marie Smith, speaking to a crowd of almost 200 at the Boston Harbor Hotel, said Fenway Park's ongoing renovations planned for completion in 2012 are not designed to bring the park's 36,000 seating capacity closer to the capacities of larger MLB parks, which hold more than 50,000 fans. "It's tempting to squeeze in as many seats as possible," she said, but added some parks -- some of which she has worked on during her 17 years working in the MLB -- were growing consistently larger but were unable to fill all the seats.

Hearing set on Harrison Square
Posted April 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Fort Wayne City Council passed a proposal that would help fund a downtown revitalization project and scheduled a public hearing to discuss it in greater detail. The proposal passed 8-1 Tuesday night, with City Councilman John Shoaff, D-at-large, voting against the proposal. More than 100 people attended the meeting to hear council’s discussion on Harrison Square, the proposed $125 million-to-$160 million downtown revitalization project, but by the end of the four-hour session fewer than 20 attendees remained. A key part of the proposal is a new ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League); the owners of the team are committing $20 million to the total project. Meanwhile, officials are looking at an endowment fund to keep Memorial Stadium, the current home of the Wizards, going.
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Moniker has lasting print on franchise
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Wednesday was the 30th anniversary of the first home game of the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League). It's rare for a minor league team, especially in Double-A, to go that length of time without a name change. There are only two other Double-A teams that still exist with their same nickname from when the Drillers debuted in 1977 -- the Reading Phillies and the Arkansas Travelers, who were the Drillers' first-ever opponent at home. There are only five Double-A franchises that have had their current nickname for 20 years. Many remember the Tulsa Oilers as the team name in Tulsa.

Architect sees ballpark as enduring 'landmark'
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The architect who designed the new ballpark for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League) said Wednesday the 6, 500-seat venue will be a “landmark for a long time.” Defined by impeccable sight lines and an array of amenities, the Springdale ballpark will establish Northwest Arkansas as a great place to watch a professional sporting event, said architect Douglas C. Swift of HOK Sport. Swift gave an update to aldermen on the progress of the ballpark's design during a luncheon Wednesday. Speaking of the ballpark: the city has been busy awarding construction contracts.
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At Dickey-Stephens, it’s hard to miss Ray Winder
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Here's another look at the opening of Dickey-Stephens Park, the new home of the Arkansas Travelers. Ray Winder Field was one of our favorite minor-league venues, so we were a little apprehensive before the opening of the facility. This article goes into a little more depth than we did; it's for the local folks and contains a lot of local color.

Tigers' Koshien ballpark to go greener
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Hanshin Electric Railway Co. has revealed its plan to make Koshien Stadium, home of the Hanshin Tigers professional baseball team, a little bit greener. The renovated stadium will be equipped with solar energy panels on the roof above the infield stands to supply electricity during night games. Rainwater will be used to maintain the natural turf in the outfield. The stadium, in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, was constructed in 1924 and is used as the Tigers' home grounds. Due to its age, however, Koshien -- often called "Japan's baseball shrine" -- has deteriorated, leaving the ballpark unable to meet the demands of visitors expecting state-of-the-art facilities. In response, Hanshin Electric, owner of Koshien, will launch the first large-scale remodeling project in the stadium's 80-year history. Solar energy panels capable of generating up to 800 kilowatt-hours of power will be installed on top of the new roof. By employing energy-saving electrical facilities, the railway firm said the panels will supply enough electricity to light the ballpark during a night game.

Lynn mayor says college baseball team would be perfect for Gloucester
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Aside from the St. Peter's Fiesta sporting events in late June, there isn't much out there to attract a local sports fan in Gloucester, Mass. That may change as the Holyoke Giants (summer collegiate; NECBL) will begin informal discussions about possibly moving from Middletown, Conn. to Gloucester. The lack of a baseball field with proper field dimensions, seating, parking and lighting is one of the only major obstacles in getting this deal done. There is a possibility that the city will renovate O'Maley School Field, which has everything but the required seating to make this deal happen. There is also a chance the city may build a new stadium on six acres of flatland beyond the end of Sargent Street. Lynn faced a similar situation early this decade when Boxford businessman Nick Lopardo pitched a similar idea. Lopardo purchased the Waterbury Spirit Independent baseball team and wanted to move it to the North Shore. According to Lynn Mayor Edward "Chip" Clancy, the same formula could give a boost to Gloucester.

Dade lawmaker unsure about Marlins subsidy
Posted April 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Miami-Dade delegation's long-sought attempt to use tax money to build a new Florida Marlins ballpark  is experiencing resistance from the unexpected: Miami-Dade's own delegation members. Noting the state's stingy budget that cuts services for the developmentally disabled, Miami Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla is balking at the price tag of a new economic development package that would help the Marlins. The proposal: Take about $100 million from the state's budget and divide it equally among three teams: the Marlins, the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) and the Orlando Magic (NBA). This year, though, lawmakers support giving the Marlins and all other nine professional sports franchises in the state the same break. But they say the state can't commit to a year-after-year expense as the budget slows. Instead, they want to spend a relative surplus of one-time money for one-time projects, such as the Marlins ballpark. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
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City offers details of Harrison Square deal
Posted April 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After months of negotiating, Mayor Graham Richard on Monday announced detailed agreements on the contentious Harrison Square development, a day before the City Council discusses its merits. The city released memorandums of understanding -- essentially non-binding contracts -- it signed with Hardball Capital, owner of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League), and Acquest Realty Advisors and White Lodging Services, the hotel developers. Hardball Capital will be responsible for operating and maintaining the ballpark while the city will establish a capital maintenance fund to cover repairs and long-term maintenance. The city will receive half of naming rights fees up to $300,000 per year and all of those fees in excess of $300,000. The city will also receive $1 for every ballpark -- not just baseball -- patron in excess of 275,000 per year, not including free or discounted tickets. That revenue will be placed in the capital maintenance fund. Also, the ballpark would be overseen by a board of advisers. Meanwhile, Republican Fort Wayne mayoral candidate Nelson Peters wants the public to vote on the fate of Harrison Square before the City Council makes a decision.
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Jackie Robinson Day: lip service
Posted April 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
MLB paid a lot of lip service to Jackie Robinson this weekend, as every team celebrated the 60th anniversary of the legend's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. We're not as thrilled with MLB's marketing exercise as others (check out the front page of mlb.com -- the emphasis today is buying Robinson memorabilia), and in some ways Robinson's efforts may have gone for naught. The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves have no African-Americans on their game-day rosters, and seven teams have just one on their 25-man rosters (and that's a pretty generous accounting, as it includes Derek Jeter). The team with the most African-Americans? The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with five. Look, Jackie Robinson should be celebrated regularly (although to the extent MLB turned it into a marketing exercise was sickening), and MLB has made some token efforts to promote baseball in the inner city. Players like Torii Hunter, however, have done more, and MLB needs to come up with a better game plan if it wants to attract more African-American athletes. Individual teams need to do more as well; we were happy to see the display at Miller Park honoring Milwaukee's Negro League history, but most front offices don't make a point of noting the first African-American to play for their franchise. That commitment needs to trickle down to the minor leagues as well.

Metro holds Sounds in default…again
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On the heels of the collapse of a downtown ballpark project, Metro officials sent the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) a second default notice late Monday, saying the team is in default of its lease to use Greer Stadium because it has not made critical capital upgrades. "During the time that there was a reasonable likelihood that the Sounds would be moving to a new ballpark on the riverfront, it was the belief of the Metropolitan Government that the use of Greer Stadium would end by the end of the [Greer] Lease [on Dec. 31, 2008]. It is now clear that there is no plan in place for a new ballpark for the Sounds by 2008," acting Metro Law Director Sue Cain wrote Glenn Yaeger, the Sounds general manager. At issue: the city says it paid the team to make upgrades to meet Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, but the team never made the improvements. More from the Nashville Post and the Tennessean.
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Leagues' diamond out of the rough
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Columbia resident Sue Underwood threw the first pitch when she presented a petition against the development of a ballpark for the Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier League) at American Legion Park. Despite her action, the Columbia (Mo.) City Council passed an ordinance authorizing beginning construction on the project. According to the ordinance, construction of the new fields, a parking lot, an entrance road and an irrigation lake will begin by summer 2007 and be ready for use by the 2008 season.

Play ball: Explorers ticket sales under way
Posted April 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This should be a critical year for the Sioux City Explorers and the independent American Association, as the league faces some interesting challenges. We're guessing the league lineup this season won't look much like the league lineup next season; teams like the Sioux City Explorers and St. Joe Blacksnakes are almost certainly unprofitable selling 1,600 or fewer tickets per game, and we'd be surprised if the Sioux Falls Canaries and the Coastal Bend Aviators were much more past a break-even point. Last season the Explorers announced 1,600 a game in a market that once sold considerably more (we remember the days when an Explorers ticket was a hot one). There are some good people working in these markets, but the reality of the situation may be fairly harsh, no matter how much owners have done to reduce costs. Adding franchises in Wichita, Grand Prairie and Dallas isn't going to help the northern teams in that loop (indeed, the only northern franchises that seem to have a solid future are the St. Paul Saints and the Lincoln Saltdogs), and even the most ardent fans of indy ball are admitting privately the league arrangement may too unwieldy.

Young is a hands-on owner
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Ken Young thought on Monday that he would be attending his first Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) game this year as the new owner of the team. But he didn't count on the weather. Because of rain, wind and cold the game was called off early in the day. But he will be back. The Keys and Baysox are just two of the teams that he owns. He bought the Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League) in 1993. A few years ago he purchased the Calgary Cannons (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and moved them to Albuquerque in 2003. He also owns a minor league hockey team in Norfolk.

Rascals add family fun area
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The River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have teamed up to introduce the first season of the Family Fun Zone. "The Family Fun Zone is all about children enjoying a great atmosphere of games and recreation within a very family-oriented ballpark. St. Louis Children's Hospital is thrilled to sponsor this area to allow kids to be active through play," says Steve Kutheis, the hospital's director of marketing."  The Family Fun Zone will feature a Sport Court, inflatable bounce house, speed of pitch, hitting cage, dunk tank, kid friendly concession/retail stand, autograph table, barber shop, face painting stations, a playground, and much more.

Copper Kings to accept pesos again in 2007 season
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Fans of the Bisbee Copper Kings (summer collegiate; Centennial Baseball League) from either side of the border can still buy tickets, programs, hot dogs, soda and beer in pesos, the team’s general manager said today. Although one U.S. business accepting pesos has come under fire recently from anti-immigration activists, the Copper Kings will continue to welcome fans from Mexico and their pesos, says general manager Bob Lipp. The Dallas, Texas-based Pizza Patron chain was condemned by foes of illegal immigration late last year after the company announced its plans to accept pesos at its 59 stores located in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and California.

A fresh start for the Cubs needs to include a new ballpark
Posted April 16, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There are probably more people that feel this way than many of us want to admit. The argument here is that the Chicago Cubs should look to build a new ballpark and scrap Wrigley Field as a way to start anew under new ownership: "Simply put, Wrigley Field is a ballpark for losers. The Cubs have never, ever won a World Series at Wrigley Field. No team in baseball that has played at the same park for 92 years has ever achieved that ignominious goal." Now, saying Wrigley Field has caused the team's mediocre record over the last 92 years may be an understatement, and it's certainly not true these days, as the ballpark generates more than enough income for a healthy payroll. Still, you're going to see more and more folks call for a new ballpark as the sale of the Cubs continues.
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Dow Diamond hosts its inaugural game
Posted April 16, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Also opening last week: Dow Diamond, the home of the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League). (Yes, we'll be heading there before the end of the month.) Bill Stavropoulos, president of the Michigan Baseball Foundation, and Paul Barbeau, president and general manager of the Great Lakes Loons, welcomed fans to Friday's first game at Dow Diamond with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the stadium entrance, and later with the opening ceremonies on the field itself. At the opening ceremonies, Stavropoulos paid tribute to the other members of the MBF, and to the stadium design and construction teams, who all were on the field during the ceremonies. The ballpark features some unique amenities that we're eager to see.

Forget ballpark name; Mets go to bat for Jackie
Posted April 16, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Bad weather cancelled Jackie Robinson Day celebrations in five cities, forcing teams to postpone activities. Some argue baseball, its teams and its players should be doing considerably more to honor Robinson's memory. In fact, the rest of the industry should look to the Mets, the descendants of Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers, for guidance. Forget the idea that the Mets failed Jackie by not naming their new ballpark after him. To the contrary, they have enthusiastically accepted their responsibility. Through their actions, they honor the Dodger blue in their team colors. More on that historic day when Robinson made his debut. The celebration extended to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the home of the Daytona Cubs (High Class A; Florida State League).

Goodbye Falconi Field; hello CONSOL Energy Park
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Washington County Family Entertainment (WCFE), owners of the Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League), announced that WCFE has formed a naming rights partnership with CONSOL Energy Inc., for the entertainment complex located in Washington County. The five-year-old facility, formerly known as Falconi Field, will now be known as CONSOL Energy Park. The naming rights agreement for the complex is a 10-year contract; financial and specific terms of the confidential agreement were not disclosed. "CONSOL Energy Park will now become synonymous with regional entertainment," said John Swiatek, managing partner. "Thanks to the support we’ve received from sponsors like CONSOL Energy, we’ve been able to offer affordable family entertainment, while making critical reinvestments in the operation of and improvements to the complex." In 2007, CONSOL Energy Park will host the inaugural CONSOL Energy Park Country Music Festival; the 13th Annual “Salute to the Classics Concert; bull riding; auto cross; antiques fairs; Pittsburgh Steelers’ softball; and numerous charity walks and events. In addition to the Wild Things, the complex will host amateur baseball, featuring California University of Pennsylvania, Point Park University, Pitt and Duquesne; Trinity High School and high school playoff games; and Pony League events. The complex debuted in 2002 and is owned by Baseball Scholarships Inc. (BSI), a nonprofit organization created to serve in the role of a public entity, such as a ballpark authority, and to direct some of the revenues from the facility into educational support for area students.

Oriole Park turns 15, still inspires other parks
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The sports-facility landscape Oriole Park at Camden Yards stepped onto in 1992 was one marked by multipurpose concrete doughnuts from the 1960s and 1970s. With an unmistakable ode to parks of yesteryear, it demanded attention and got it. It was the exception that soon became the rule, as owners across the country began calling for their own single-sport Camdens. They hoped to mimic not only its architectural signature but also its economic footprint on the surrounding neighborhood. Today, ballpark architects and civic leaders still turn to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for inspiration.

Brooks Robinson joins combined Keystone/Maryland ownership group
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Keystone/Maryland Baseball announced the formation of a parent company named "Opening Day Partners" (ODP). In addition, Opening Day Partners has officially added Hall-of-Fame Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson as a member of its ownership group. Under the new name, the group will continue its role as leaders in minor-league team ownership, ballpark design/construction and other related businesses. Opening Day Partners currently owns and operates three teams in the independent Atlantic League: the Lancaster Barnstormers, the Camden Riversharks and the York Revolution, which will play its inaugural season this year. In addition, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have been proposed for 2008. The group is also exploring bringing minor league baseball to a number of additional communities in the mid-Atlantic region. Hall-of-Famer Brooks Robinson had been involved with the organization for three years as a special assistant before joining the ownership group. The Arkansas native proudly calls Maryland his home and is one of the most beloved players in Orioles history. Brooks has been a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame since 1983.

Bundle up for Twins' new ballpark
Posted April 16, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One critical flaw in the designs for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark: the lack of a roof. The Twins say the team did perfectly fine playing outdoors during the days of Met Stadium, and the snows forcing the cancellation of a series in Cleveland won't be common every year. It's true that snow rarely falls in Minnesota in early April, but it's also true there was a substantial snow last week the day before the Twins held their press conference announcing ballpark plans. The argument here from an outstate columnist is that the lack of a roof will deter fans from out of town to attend a Twins game, but we're not entirely sure the Twins really care about catering to the beet farmers from North Dakota like Cal Griffith did; the Twins don't really seem to care about attracting fans from across the river, much less from across the state.
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First game at new York ballpark set for June 15
Posted April 16, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) and the York County Industrial Development Authority (YCIDA) have announced that the York Revolution will play its first ever game in Sovereign Bank Stadium on Friday, June 15 when the Revolution host the Newark Bears. "Only nine months after the start of construction, it is now apparent that Sovereign Bank Stadium will be in position to host its first ever baseball game on June 15, despite March snowstorms and the unexpected need to remove thousands of tons of rock from the site," said Peter Kirk, chairman of the team. "The prime contractors have submitted a plan to permit the ballpark to open on this date, and to meet all of the required code compliance items. We believe that on June 15, the ballpark will provide a fantastic fan experience."

RiverHawks, Road Ranger close in on ballpark deal
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The Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) and Road Ranger LLC said Friday they expect to conclude an agreement on selling the Rockford-based gas station and convenience store chain naming rights to the team’s baseball stadium in the next few days. The agreement would cover the next 10 years. Neither side revealed the naming rights price, but Road Ranger President Dan Arnold said it was a "substantial" amount. "We are very close but we have not concluded the deal," RiverHawks President Dennis Arouca said. "Both Dan and I are very optimistic that we will finish the contract in the next few days and will have an announcement sometime next week."

Visalia ballpark renovation to cost $6 million more
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It's going to cost at least $6 million more than expected to renovate Visalia's 60-year-old ballpark and to transform it into a legitimate minor-league ballpark, the city council learned Friday. Carol Cairns, assistant city manager, said the additional cost stems from the existing grandstand foundation, an earthen berm beneath a concrete skin, that won't support the addition of a new grandstand. The use of the old foundation had been an important part of the city's original $5 million estimate for the cost of the project. Cairns and Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League) president Tom Seidler presented the city council a $12.3 million two-phase plan that includes destroying the earthen berm and constructing a new grandstand, concession stand, bathrooms, team store, storage, a ticket office and more. It would be completed in two stages by 2009. About $1.8 million could be saved, however, if the city chose to complete construction all at once.

'Whether' delays ballpark negotiations
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Negotiations for a minor-league baseball park in Romulus, Mich. with Detroit-based Ilitch Holdings have not progressed during the past several weeks, and the prospect of having a team sponsored by the Detroit Tigers organization may be getting dimmer. Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert would not discuss the issues that city officials and Ilitch representatives are grappling with, and that are stopping the construction of a park and the arrival of a team. The city has been in negotiations with Ilitch Holdings for about one year. Though the possibility of an Ilitch-sponsored project is in limbo, the potential for minor league baseball in Romulus is very much alive, Lambert said; we've heard an independent league has expressed an interest.

Brewers to be reimbursed for hosting Indians games
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The Milwaukee Brewers will be reimbursed for all of the team's expenses for hosting the April 10-12 three-game series between the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Rick Schlesinger, Brewers' executive vice president of business operations, said April 10 that Major League Baseball officials had not yet discussed how the financial aspects of the move would be handled. He said all revenue from the games will be kept in separate accounts until after the series was completed. The team is also keeping track of all expenses to submit to Major League Baseball officials.

Sounds ballpark project officially dead after deadline passes
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The deadline has passed for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and private developer partner Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse to finalize financing and design plans for a new downtown ballpark. "We’re focusing on baseball right now," Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger said. "We’re focusing on playing baseball at Greer, making the fan experience at Greer the best it can be, and then starting over to identify our viable solutions for developing a new ballpark." With the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Sounds, Struever Bros., and the city, the 11-acre site of the former Thermal Transfer Plant remains undeveloped, and there are no set-in-stone plans for its future.
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No state money for Frederick ballpark fixes
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The city of Frederick will need $7 million to $9 million to complete scheduled renovations to Harry Grove Stadium, but the work will be performed as state, city, county and private money becomes available, said representatives of the city and the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) baseball team. Frederick County delegates asked the General Assembly for $2 million this session, which ended Monday, to help pay for the renovations, said Patrick Keegin, city facilities administrator. Unlike recent years, however, the city is getting nothing from the state.

Mets fan won't Shea if she'll sue over injury
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A Manhattan woman who had her back broken by an apparently drunken fan at Shea Stadium during a New York Mets game is demanding officials clamp down on boozing in the stands. Ellen Massey underwent surgery last week to repair vertebra cracked when the stumbling fan fell on her Monday as she watched the Mets' home opener from an upper deck seat in right field. Massey, 58, said she would like to see ballpark officials do a better job of spotting and removing drunken fans before they hurt others; she's also hired a lawyer to explore her options. The fan who fell on Massey fled after injuring her and has not been identified. (Thanks to John Cerone.)

'Hoppers ballpark success has 'Hogs licking their chops
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With minor-league baseball under way this week, the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) are already reaping the benefits of a future new ballpark, while the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) are expecting to continue on the momentum they've built since First Horizon Park opened two years ago. Ryan Manuel, general manager of baseball operations for the Warthogs, said that interest from companies looking to sponsor the Warthogs is at an all-time high now that owners Billy Prim and Flip Filipowski have announced that a new downtown ballpark for the team should be open by 2009.
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Minor-league ball poses a major business challenge
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The chance to be in the local newspaper every day is the kind of exposure any small company would love to have. But for a Minor League Baseball club, the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), publicity is just another part of the job. Team President Alan Ledford likens running a minor-league team to managing a mom and pop grocery store. "We just happen to operate on a higher-profile plane," says Ledford, who came to the organization in 2002 after working at its major-league parent, the Oakland A's. "A widget-making firm of the same size wouldn't be in the papers all the time."

Defenders might alter Dodd Stadium field
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There had been discussions towards the end of last season regarding shortening the distance between home plate and the outfield fences at Dodd Stadium. According to Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) general manager Charlie Dowd, the infield will likely be moved closer to the outfield walls following the 2007 season. He said that lease-mandated repairs scheduled to be done after the season make the offseason an ideal time.

At 75, it's too late to change Cooper Stadium now
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If the walls of Cooper Stadium, the home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League) could talk, they would tell stories about generations of families coming to the ballpark to see hometown heroes. They would also scream: "I'm old and tired!" While the Clippers celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of Red Bird Stadium and the 30th anniversary of the debut of the refurbished facility, then known as Franklin County Stadium, the focus is on preserving the present and looking ahead two years, to when Huntington Park is scheduled to open in the Arena District. The future of Cooper Stadium hasn't been established, but the place is definitely run down: the scoreboard is so old replacement parts could be sourced only on eBay. Two of our staffers will be on hand tonight at Cooper Stadium to see the Clippers host the Buffalo Bison; we'll have a report on the old ballpark forthcoming.

Everything you wanted to know about Harrison Square
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This week, Fort Wayne City Council members are expected to discuss -- and may well cast a preliminary vote on -- key financing elements of the proposed Harrison Square project. The ambitious project includes a downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League), a hotel, condominiums, a parking garage, retail stores and restaurants. The proposal has been met with both controversy and enthusiasm since it was unveiled last December. For some, Harrison Square epitomizes the split between factions of Fort Wayne that want to move forward and those who don’t. This article lays out the financial underpinnings of the project as well as what the owners of the Wizards are willing to spend to make the ballpark a reality.
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County, city agree on park
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The Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier League) are a step closer to a new ballpark as a proposal would have the city of Columbia developing, managing and operating a new park on 80 acres north of the Boone County Fairgrounds under a plan being considered by Columbia and county leaders. Plans for the Atkins tract, which is owned by the city and the county, include spending about $1.4 million to build two baseball fields to replace a field that owners of the Mid-Missouri Mavericks want for a new ballpark in east Columbia.

Golden Baseball still on deck for Santa Clarita Valley
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There has been a shift in plans for the independent Golden Baseball League's interest in the Santa Clarita Valley. The league, which previously owned all of its teams until the March sale of the Fullerton Flyers to a group of investors, intends to franchise a Santa Clarita team in hopes that it will finally get off the ground. That need for local ownership is extremely apparent in Santa Clarita where a major obstacle has been in place since the area was awarded a team in late summer 2005. As of today, there is still no place for a team to play. The league wants to see a team by next season, but with no prospects for a ballpark, that may be pushing things.

Local baseball dispute dates back to 1986
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The roots of the current dispute over a future sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) date back to 1986. That year, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties agreed to buy a Triple-A International League franchise for $2 million, and the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority acquired the rights to operate the franchise from Northeastern Baseball Inc. Luzerne County officials claim the counties are equal partners when it comes to the franchise. Lackawanna County officials disagree and have moved ahead with a potential sale of the franchise to a holding company controlled by the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Properties. More on the dispute from the Citizens Voice.
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Mud Hens confirm Toledo Storm purchase
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Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) officials this morning confirmed that they have formed a not-for-profit organization to assume controlling interest for the Toledo Storm (ECHL) hockey team. They also confirmed that there will be no hockey in the city until 2009, when a new sports arena is expected to open. Mud Hens GM Joe Napoli said the decision to suspend hockey in Toledo for two years was based on research that showed the Storm was losing money for the last few seasons. He also said a second reason for idling the team stems from the feeling that keeping the current arena open for hockey games would have delayed development of the planned Marina District.

Wolff Stadium gets new look for Missions' home opener
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This spring, the 13th for the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) playing at Wolff Stadium, has been anything but typical. Gone is the ballpark's original scoreboard, which could not display a "1" in the box for the top of the third inning and was so old that replacement parts were no longer available. Gone are the speakers that used to rattle fans in the upper reserved sections of the grandstands. The centerpiece of the renovations is a new scoreboard, which will feature a 16-by-23-foot video board as well as updated technology for ads and inning-by-inning scores. Virtually every metal surface has been painted, and 12 years of grime was cleaned from the grandstand roof. The team's souvenir store and customer service areas were renovated, as well as the clubhouses and press box.

Slowly, college game building fan base
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Despite coming up just a game short of a national championship, the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball program doesn't come close to breaking even financially and is well behind football and basketball in terms of fan interest. Yet the upcoming renovation of Boshamer Stadium will require quite a bit of coin: $17 million, the vast majority of which is coming from private donors. Attendance at both UNC and NCSU in 2006 was the highest it's been in the past five years, and donors are ponying up millions of dollars to help modernize facilities. Construction on Boshamer's renovations will begin in June and take nine to 12 months. NCSU has spent nearly $5 million on improvements at Doak Field over the past several years.

A baseball team for a seafaring city?
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A collegiate league baseball team could be calling Gloucester, Mass., home in the not-too-distant future. The team is the Holyoke Giants, one of 12 in the summer collegiate New England Collegiate Baseball League. Team owner Philip Rosenfield met last month with Mayor John Bell and City Councilor Bruce Tobey to begin informal discussions about the possible relocation to Gloucester of the Giants, which previously played in Middletown, Conn.

Ballpark Notes
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The Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) welcome Ovations GM Anita Clarke to their front office staff for the 2007 season. "Anita is the final piece of the puzzle in completing our front office staff for the upcoming season," Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. "We could not be happier with the energy she has brought from the get-go here in Frederick." Clarke has been employed by Ovations for the past four years and recently worked at The Ranch in Loveland, CO, as a Concessions Manager. Composed of the Budweiser Events Center, the First National Bank Building Exhibition Hall and the Ranchway Feeds Indoor Arena, The Ranch was voted #1 in concessions, in the category of Event Centers that seat 10,000 or less for the past two years.