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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Fine Print |
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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: May
20-26, 2007
Announcement on Reno's Triple-A team delayed
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Pacific
Coast League President Branch Rickey says there's
no hitch in the preliminary deal to bring a
Triple-A baseball team to Washoe County in Nevada,
although there won't be an official announcement
of the purchase for at least two weeks. The Washoe
County Commission approved a pre-development and
finance agreement on May 15 with SK Baseball and
Nevada Land for the design and construction of a
stadium, and SK Baseball's Jerry Katzoff said he
hoped to identify the franchise that would be
moved to Washoe County for the 2009 season in a
news conference this week in the city where the
team is currently playing. Sales and announcements
always take longer than many would like, so this
isn't a total surprise. The speculation has
centered on the team being the Tucson Sidewinders,
where owner Jay Zucker has denied the team is on
the market; one surprising name has been floated
by some insiders, however.
RELATED STORIES:
Washoe County approves PCL ballpark;
Reno is closer to Triple-A baseball;
Guinn OKs bonds for marina;
State tourism panel aids Sparks marina project;
Sparks Council OKs proposal for 92 acres of marina
project;
Officials still hold hope for Triple-A franchise
in Reno;
Sparks still in hunt for Triple-A team
New for 2007: Rent One Park
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier
League) will open their home history in a new
ballpark with a new name: Rent One Park. The team
sold naming rights to the new ballpark to a
Southern Illinois business that rents and sells
appliances, furniture and computers. Although
financial terms were not made available, it was
revealed that Rent One owner Larry Carrico has
agreed to a 10-year contract with the team. In
addition to the naming rights, the Rent One logo
will be included on signage inside the stadium and
be included on team merchandise.
City: Damaschke Field to be ready
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Renovations
to Damaschke Field
are nearing completion, and the ballpark is
expected to be ready for the home opener of the
Oneonta Tigers (short season; NY-Penn League) on
June 22. Contractors on Thursday, working on new
first-base line bleachers, used a small crane to
lift aluminum flooring into position. At the
opposite end of the ballpark, a separate set of
workers leveled an area to where the old
first-base line bleachers will be moved, replacing
wooden bleachers. Other workers applied finishing
touches to the inside of a new clubhouse and
concession stand.
Giambi case turned over to Selig
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Commissioner
Bud Selig likely will decide within a week or two
exactly what to do, if anything, with Jason Giambi.
The New York Yankees designated hitter was
questioned Wednesday by management lawyers for
recent comments in USA Today that could have been
interpreted as an admission of steroids use. Selig
probably will issue a statement even if he doesn't
discipline Giambi, a baseball official familiar
with the process said Thursday. The official spoke
on the condition of anonymity because the parties
involved agreed not to discuss the matter publicly
while Selig is deliberating. What likely will
happen: Giambi will be publicly rebuked but not
suspended.
RELATED STORIES:
Giambi meets baseball officials over steroids
New facilities in Vipers' plans
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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With
amateur sports struggling to find space, the
Calgary Vipers (independent; Northern League) are
stepping up with plans to build a pair of indoor
practice facilities near their ballpark. City
council Monday will be asked to extend the team's
lease at Foothills Stadium and allow them to
acquire an additional 3.8 hectares to build two
training facilities that will primarily be used by
amateur athletes. If council approves the
amended lease, the Vipers will begin building a
16,000-sq.-ft. indoor practice facility for
baseball as soon as possible, while a similar
sized structure that will accommodate indoor
soccer and lacrosse would likely begin
construction in October. Each facility will cost
the club between $1.4 million and $1.6 million.
Take me out to the baggage check
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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With
Major League teams sticking to policies regarding
the size of carry-ons allowed in the ballpark --
they must be softsided and no larger than 16x16x8
-- some entrepreneurs are addressing the issue of
what fans do with cases that aren't allowed in. In
the case of Ball Park Lanes on River Avenue,
they're offering a luggage-check service: for $5
Yankees fans can store their luggage during the
game at Yankee
Stadium.
Pride working hard to make sure 10th season not
last
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association)
drew 1,852 fans to their home opener at Holman
Stadium, a pretty decent number bolstered by a
good walk-up crowd. The Pride installed a new beer
garden, which will help, and the long-awaited
presence of Rich Garces (delayed by visa issues)
will be a boost as well. Pride chief operating
officer Jim Stabile said he wanted to see 8,000
fans come through the turnstiles for the four-game
series against the Spirit that runs through
Sunday. The weather, long an enemy of the Pride in
its previous nine seasons, should be a strong
ally, with 95-degree temperatures expected today.
More from the Nashua Telegraph.
RELATED STORIES:
Stabiles take their best shot
New ideas for old ballpark
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
future of
Durham Athletic Park -- the original
home of the Durham Bulls when that team was a
fixture in the Carolina League -- was discussed
yesterday by Durham City Council members. Mayor
Bill Bell says Minor League Baseball officials are
enthusiastic about placing a museum at a renovated
Durham Athletic Park, while also using the
facility as a school for minor-league support
staff. There are three plans on the table for
renovating the venerable old ballpark; $4 million
bond-backed funding is available. North Carolina
Central University hopes to be playing there next
spring as well, and it would be great if the
current Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International
League) played a game there each season, perhaps
against a traditional foe like Charlotte.
Some new ideas for Cubs' old house
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
assumption here is that
Wrigley Field
will need to be updated by the next owners of the
Chicago Cubs and the ballpark once the sale by the
Tribune Company is final. We're not so sure: the
team has already undertaken some subtle yet
effective renovations the past few years, and the
rest of the renovation --which includes a new
parking ramp, team office and Cubs museum --
remains on the drawing boards, ready for
implementation. The ideas here basically follow
the Fenway Park
model: rooftop seating, the closing of streets
around the ballpark a la Yawkey Way, Jumbotrons on
surrounding buildings and tapes music (as opposed
to the organ music).
Crowds enjoy first 'Hounds home game
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The
Aiken Foxhounds (independent; South Coast League)
opened their inaugural season last night with a
crowd of 1,785 at Roberto Hernandez Stadium, and
the crowd seems to enjoy the festivities. (They
also saw the home team win a 12-inning thriller,
11-10 over the Anderson Joes, with Jeff Timmons
homering off Will Krout for the winning run.) The
South Georgia Peanuts had a bigger opening,
with 3,270 fans in attendance. So
far attendance averages are mostly respectable for
a startup league: South Georgia at 3,270, Macon at
2,503, Aiken at 1,785, Charlotte County at 1,204,
and Anderson at 700. (Bradenton has yet to play a
home game and opens tonight.)
More from the Augusta Chronicle
and
the Anderson Independent Mail.
Chew on this: All you can eat at Dodger Stadium
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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More
on the all-you-can-gorge pavilion section in
Dodger Stadium for Los Angeles Dodgers games. The
Dodgers certainly have struck a nerve with the
plan by filling some marginally popular seats,
cleverly selling Old Buffet food at MLB prices.
The Dodgers say the section has sold out eight
times in 24 home games, with attendance averaging
2,000 in the 3,000 seats. Some other MLB teams,
including Milwaukee, have discussed doing
something similar next season, but turn loose some
of those Brewers fans at a buffet and you run the
risk of bankrupting the team.
Summer's here, it's Skyhawks time
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Also
opening last night: the Sussex County Skyhawks
(independent; Can-Am Association), whose first
season at Skylands Park wasn't quite as successful
as team officials anticipated. A crowd of 2,680
was on hand to see the Skyhawks take on the New
Jersey Jackals (the Jackals would prevail in 10,
3-2); the team is shooting for an improvement over
last season's average of 2,183, and new business
practices -- like offering free parking -- should
help.
Bowling returns to Miller Park
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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If
there's one major-league ballpark where you'd expect to see bowling, it's
Milwaukee's Miller Park. And so you shall:
On Oct. 28 the United States Bowling Congress Masters will take place at
Miller Park with ESPN providing television
coverage of the finals. Four lanes will be constructed primarily along the
infield dirt from short right field to second base, a process which will take
workers approximately 48 hours to install the lane set-up. In October of 2004,
Miller Park also served as the site of the Masters finals.
Rainiers fire Lewis
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
new owners of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League) have parted ways with
longtime GM Dave Lewis. President of Schlegel
Sports Group Mike McCall informed Lewis of the
decision Thursday morning. "I just felt that where
we need to go and what we need done in the next
few years we needed to put someone in place who’s
familiar with the ticket sales, sponsorship and
game entertainment blue print we want to use,"
McCall said. "I think Dave understands that."
Lewis has been offered another post within the
organization.
2007 Mets ticket sales surpass 3 million
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
New York Mets today announced that they have surpassed 3,000,000 in ticket sales
for the 2007 season at Shea Stadium,
marking the earliest time since 1989 that the Mets have exceeded 3 million
tickets sold. By comparison, the Mets reached the same benchmark last year on
July 5. To date, the Mets have had five sellouts and nine crowds in excess of
50,000.
Chasing
her dream job
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Good
for her. When the Tarrant County Blue Thunder
(independent; Continental Baseball League) begins
its season tonight at Cross Timbers Ballpark in
Fort Worth, Michala Perreault will be there as the
team's announcer. After jobs in computer
consulting and naturopathic healing, Perreault set
her sights last year on a long-abandoned goal to
become a baseball announcer. Her efforts began in
August with a two-day apprenticeship with
announcers for the Fort Worth Cats (independent;
American Association), arranged by Vocation
Vacations, a company that helps clients get a
taste of careers in different industries.
Suit makes a wreck of personal responsibility
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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Josh
Hancock's family has filed suit against Mike Shannon's restaurant, alleging the
bar served him too much alcohol, leading to his death. The opinion of
Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell is that Hancock bears all the
responsibility: this is "the story of a 29-year-old man who was drunk, speeding,
had a tin of marijuana in the front seat, was driving without his seat belt
buckled, was talking on a cell phone, and who failed to brake before he barreled
into this flatbed with the emergency lights flashing."
RELATED STORIES:
Cops: Hancock drunk at time of accident;
Drinking starts in the clubhouse;
In memoriam: Josh Hancock
Boston College buys land from Archdiocese, plans
new ballpark
Posted May 25, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston announced a
$65 million deal yesterday to sell its
administrative headquarters in Brighton to Boston
College to complete a money-saving move to the
suburbs. Boston College since 2004 has bought 46
acres of archdiocese property in Brighton for a
total of about $107 million, including the ornate
bishop's mansion. The college plans to build
dormitories, a ballpark and a residence
for 70 to 90 Jesuits.
Charles County approves bid for new AtL ballpark
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Charles
County (Md.) commissioners cleared the way
yesterday for pro baseball next spring, voting unanimously
to accept a $19-million bid for construction of a
new ballpark for the Southern Maryland Blue
Crabs (independent; Atlantic League). The ballpark, which will be built on the
southern edge of Waldorf, carries a total price
tag of $25.65 million, more than the county's
stated $21 million budget for the project. But
county officials said that they need to
accommodate the rise in construction costs since
that budget was set last year and that they are
confident that revenue from the stadium will cover
nearly all county expenses. Charles County will
pay about one-third of the cost of the 4,500-seat
ballpark (a rendering is shown below) -- $8.5 million -- with an equal amount
coming from the team's owner, Maryland Baseball LLC. The state's share will be about $8.7 million.
The General Assembly had committed to paying $7
million, but local officials said they have
informed the county's delegation that the project
will need more money.
More from Delmarva Now.
Thunder sets attendance record with Clemens on the
mound
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) set the
franchise record for attendance at Waterfront Park
last night as 9,134 fans watched the Thunder take
on the Portland Sea Dogs, the Eastern league
affiliate of the Boston Red Sox with Yankees
pitcher Roger Clemens on the mound. Wednesday’s
attendance is the highest total in Waterfront Park
history, passing the 8,729 fans who watched the
Thunder vs. the New Haven Ravens game on May 10,
2003 that featured Yankee SS Derek Jeter on a
rehabilitation assignment. "What an incredible
night," said Thunder General Manger Brad Taylor.
"Once again Thunder fans proved that they are the
best fans anywhere. Everyone who was here tonight
will have a great memory to last a lifetime. We
are truly grateful to be the Yankees’ Double A
Affiliate."
Value of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees questioned
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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A
deal that would put the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Yankees under private management cleared the first
of three regulatory hurdles Wednesday. All of the
International League’s 13 other members approved
the plan, league President Randy Mobley said.
Meanwhile, two board members of the Lackawanna
County Multi-purposed Stadium Authority, which
owns the local Triple-A team, called for a
reconsideration of a purchase option agreement in
the wake of last week’s sale of the Harrisburg
Senators (Class AAA; Eastern League) for $250,000
more than the county could get if it sells the
Yankees at the lowest contract price. Meanwhile,
Luzerne County Commissioners continue their
protest of the deal, saying they weren't involved
despite owning half the franchise.
RELATED STORIES:
Sale of Harrisburg franchise raises questions
about Yanks;
Luzerne County
officials finally out of the bullpen;
County rejects Triple-A agreement;
Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved;
Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals;
Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored;
Potential sale of the SWB Yankees approved;
Lackawanna
County minority commissioner wants stadium authority to pay off county;
Yanks filling seats in Moosic;
Once again, it’s all
about the Yankees;
New for 2007: PNC Field;
Work on Lackawanna County
Stadium progresses;
New for 2007: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees;
End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium;
Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty;
Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows;
Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax;
New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark
priorities;
Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in
minor-league teams;
Will Moosic get a new ballpark?;
Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management
firm heading to Moosic;
Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna
County Stadium today;
Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and
Pens;
It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to
Scranton a done deal?;
Authority will consider giving Cordaro power;
Yankees to SWB?
Golden League sells Roadrunners to Snyder group
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The
independent Golden Baseball League, which until
earlier this year owned all six of its member
teams, has sold the startup St. George Roadrunners
to Triple Play Group. That group includes former
major leaguers Cory Snyder and Darin Kracl as well
as Roadrunners general manager Rick Berry. Snyder
will continue to manage the team -- something that
you don't see much these days from an owner -- and work to
acquire players.
Giambi meets baseball officials over steroids
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Jason
Giambi was still wearing a Yankees uniform last
night, he was still their designated hitter and he
was still immersed in a maelstrom about what he
might or might not have put into his muscular body
to help him as a player. But after Giambi met with
representatives from the commissioner’s office
yesterday in New York to discuss his tacit
admission of steroid use in a USA Today article
last week, he seemed a bit relieved. Giambi
emphasized how he agreed to the meeting and how he
hoped his cooperation would produce a positive
outcome.
Clippers may consider clubhouse beer ban
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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One
issue that was unaddressed with the tragic death
of Josh Hancock, who was killed while driving
under the influence: how minor-league teams would
deal with the issue of beer in the clubhouse. The
Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International
League) are considering a ban on beer in the
Cooper Stadium
(the team has beer on tap, but bottles are not
allowed), and International League President Randy
Mobley said the issue will be discussed during the
July league meetings.
Silver Hawks sign 1-year
lease
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The
city has signed another $75,000 one-year agreement
with the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A;
Midwest League) to play at Coveleski Stadium this
season. South Bend Professional Baseball LLC, the
local management group for the Silver Hawks, paid
the same amount to the city in last year's
agreement. Money from the lease will go into a
fund for ballpark operations, which is managed by
the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department.
This year's agreement includes a $100,000
investment by the team for concessions equipment
and other concessions improvements. The ballpark
has a new concessions contractor this year. This story was submitted by a reader. To share
a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at
editors@augustpublications.com.
If the sun shines, they will come
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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We
don't spend a lot of time discussing attendance so
early in the season because the numbers can be
misleading: between school schedules and bad
weather attendance in April and most of May is
lower than everyone would like. In the case of the
Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League),
attendance has been lower than average the first
six weeks of the season, despite the team's
outstanding record. After Memorial Day, however,
GM Bruce Baldwin expects business to double.
Soaring loonie delights Blue Jays
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Toronto
Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey and his
colleagues have a routine they follow every
morning in the office. "We check the boxscores
first, then we check the attendance,'' Godfrey
said yesterday between business meetings, "and
then we check the dollar.'' Lately, the third part
of that daily ritual has been yielding better and
better news for the Blue Jays, who pay out almost
all of their expenses in American dollars. Every
time the Canadian dollar rises one cent they save
$600,000 on a player payroll in the neighborhood
of $90 million in U.S. dollars.
For 34 years, ballpark lax collecting tax
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League)
operated for more than 34 years without collecting
a required 2 percent tax on concession fare sold
at Ray Winder
Field. As a result, the Little Rock Convention
and Visitors Bureau didn’t collect what would have
likely been hundreds of thousands of dollars from
fans buying hot dogs and peanuts and Cracker Jack.
Travelers chief executive Bill Valentine said
Wednesday that he didn’t know the club should be
collecting the tax until an accountant discovered
the error during an audit in 2005.
Nutting pledges to upgrade Dominican facility
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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Three
decades after the Kansas City Royals made a big
splash with the opening of foreign baseball
academy, other MLB teams are finally following
suit. Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting says
his team will either build a new baseball academy
in the Dominican Republic or upgrade its existing
one. Meanwhile, the New York Mets have broken
ground on a $7.5-million, baseball academy in Boca
Chica, Dominican Republic scheduled to open in
April 2008. The academy will include three
regulation-size playing fields including one which
will replicate the asymmetrical dimensions and
wall height of
Citi Field, the future home of the Mets that
will open in April 2009. Speaking of the Dominican
Republic:
officials there still want to see an MLB
exhibition game there.
Patriots expect 3,000,000th fan in mid-June
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Somerset Patriots (independent; Atlantic League)
are expecting to welcome the team’s 3,000,000th
fan to Commerce Bank Ballpark by the middle of
June, with the team fewer than 65,000 fans away
from the milestone. The Patriots will be able to
determine the exact date of the 3,000,000th fan
based on the attendance over the next few weeks.
On the date of the expected arrival, the Patriots
will monitor the traffic coming through the gates
at Commerce Bank Ballpark to signify when the
3,000,000th fan has arrived. The 3,000,000th fan
will receive a prize pack that includes a
commemorative plaque, a Somerset Patriots jersey,
a 2007 VIP Pass that includes four free tickets
for every game for the remainder of the season, an
team signed baseball and bat, 30 100 Grand candy
bars, A Ceremonial First Pitch at the game that
the 3,000,000th fan is reached, and a $300
shopping spree in the Patriots Gift Shop.
Stabiles take their best
shot
Posted May 24, 2007 (feedback)
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You
can't help but conclude that this will be a
make-or-break year for the Nashua Pride
(independent; Can-Am Association), with John
Stabile in his second year of ownership. Last
season Stabile says the franchise lost a
half-million dollars, with attendance around 1,400
a game. Stabile has boosted the promotions this
season and is shooting for 1,800 a game.
More on the Holman Stadium experience here.
More on the upcoming Can-Am Association season
here. This story was submitted by a reader. To share
a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at
editors@augustpublications.com.
Ballpark made in the shade
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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When
Tri-Cities Stadium opened in 1995, it featured one
big quirk: it faced south, an orientation done on
purpose in order to give fans of the Tri-Cities
Dust Devils (short season; Northwest League) a
view of the Columbia River and Kennewick's
rooftops. But a south orientation, of course, runs
counter to the transition ballpark setup, and
short of realigning the ballpark -- something they
plan on doing next year at Madison's Warner Park,
by the way --
there's not a lot that can be done. But Mike
Brightman, an architect for SCM Consultants of
Kennewick, came up with a unique solution:
building a steel structure behind the first-base
section. When it's finished in about three more
weeks, it will be ready to provide cool shade in
time for the season that starts at home June 24.
The $1.3 million structure, funded by state
economic development dollars, will be 144 feet
long. It will stand 90 feet high at its peak,
arcing down to 75 feet at the ends. It will work
similar to a Venetian blind. Eight-foot-wide slats
will be angled to block the sun, but about a foot
of space will separate them so the wind can pass
through.
Ballpark Village is not home free yet
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
St. Louis Cardinals insist their ambitious
Ballpark Village is still on track to break ground
later this year, but some potential obstacles are
looming. For starters, the state still must sign
off on millions of dollars in public subsidies.
Other downtown projects could emerge as
competition. And then there's the question of
where to put 5,000 years of bowling history in the
form of the International
Bowling Museum, which currently shares a building
with the St. Louis Cardinals museum next to
Busch
Stadium.
RELATED STORIES:
Clayco withdraws proposal for Ballpark Village
project;
Ballpark Village developer gets its way: It's the
firm's call on condos;
Snag in talks delays hearing on project
Park plans head for home
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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Architects
from HNTB Architecture in Kansas City and CTA Architects Engineers in Billings
are working hard to prepare final drawings and documents so the new $12.5
million downtown ballpark can be put out to bid on June 11. If all goes as
planned, construction will begin in late June or early July and the 3,500-seat
ballpark will open in time for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League)
home opener in 2008. The demolition of Athletic Pool is complete, and on Monday
the City Council is expected to award a $71,971 bid to CMG Construction Inc. of
Billings for the next round of excavation work on the new ballpark, which will
replace Cobb Field.
RELATED STORIES:
City, Mustangs watching ballpark plans;
Old-time ballplayers join groundbreaking for new
Billings ballpark;
Billings ballpark design allows future amenities;
Plan for new baseball park has sunken, realigned
field;
Planning for new Cobb Field gets on fast track;
Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear;
Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark;
Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark;
Join local teams in support for new ballpark;
Three groups, family pledge $200K for maintenance
of new Cobb Field;
New vote on an old park;
Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field;
Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement;
Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign;
Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings
ballpark;
Cobb backers unveil campaign;
Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field;
Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot;
Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field;
Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field;
Funding dominates Cobb discussion;
Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field
of dreams;
Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs;
Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs;
Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure;
Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal;
Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field;
Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate;
Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million;
HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation;
Cobb proposals narrowed to 2;
Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field
Giants to simulcast opera at AT&T Park
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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We're
seeing some sports being simulcast in
nontraditional venues -- playoff hockey is a hot
ticket in movie theaters in Canada -- so it's only
right that ballparks host a nontraditional event.
The San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco
Giants will bring opera to
AT&T Park at 8
p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, with a live
simulcast of Saint-Saëns's biblical epic Samson
and Delilah. Through state-of-the-art
technology, the performance will be transmitted in
1920x1080 high-definition live from the War
Memorial Opera House stage to
AT&T Park's
Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Vision scoreboard. The
highest quality outdoor scoreboard in the nation,
it is also the first 32-by-9 aspect ratio outdoor
high definition scoreboard in North American
professional sports. Baseball fans and opera fans
will have a chance to experience this free event
with seating both on the field and in the stands,
but fans must have a ticket to enter the ballpark.
For further information visit
www.sfopera.com.
Paulson, Portland a match
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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More
on the surprising sale of the Portland Beavers
(Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) to Merritt
Paulson, Manager of Shortstop, LLC, by
California businessman Abe Alizadeh. No terms of
the transaction were released, and we're guessing
there's more to this story than we're being told. Alizadeh
controlled the team for well under a year before
getting the word out he was ready to sell;
normally MiLB takes a rather dim view of
franchises being flipped so fast, and if you read
between the lines of this article even PCL
President Branch Rickey III was a
little taken aback by
what transpired. Paulson has a lot of
sports-marketing experience with the NBA, and
we've always believed the Beavers were an
underperforming franchise; it should be a good
match.
More from the Portland Business Journal.
RELATED STORIES:
Paulson to buy Portland Beavers
Commissioners OK plan to have Marlins change name,
spring-training site
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Florida Marlins would conduct spring training in
Homestead and change their name to the Miami
Marlins as part of a deal for a new ballpark under
a county commission committee's resolution passed
last week. The resolution sponsored by
Commissioner Dennis Moss, whose district includes
parts of South Miami-Dade, sailed through an
enthusiastic Miami-Dade Airport and Tourism
Committee. This is all for show: the Marlins say
they'll honor their spring lease at
Roger Dean Stadium,
which runs through 2022.
RELATED STORIES:
Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring
training;
Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark:
muted;
State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when
session ends;
Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins
ballpark;
Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix;
Vote on Marlins ballpark financing again comes
late in legislative session;
New Marlins ballpark
bill likely to strike out;
State House endorses $60 million for Marlins
ballpark in Miami;
Marlins' pitch for ballpark cash apt to fall short;
Dade lawmaker unsure about Marlins subsidy;
Miami officials offended at Loria's insistence on
downtown ballpark;
Loria is pining for a downtown ballpark;
Marlins ballpark funding decision has ways to go;
Door closed on use of Miami CRA funds for ballpark;
Marlins
ballpark funding bills advance;
Regalado: CRA money shouldn't be dangled in
Marlins ballpark talks;
New Marlins ballpark in a squeeze play;
Miami backs county on plan for new Marlins park at
Orange Bowl;
Orange Bowl reemerges as site of Marlins ballpark;
County unveils
Marlins financing plan;
Marlins ballpark funding at first base;
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;
DuPuy: Progress being made on new downtown Miami
ballpark;
Dade leaders pitch 'urban' ballpark for Marlins;
New downtown Miami site explored for proposed
Marlins ballpark;
MLB official hopes Crist can pave way for new
Marlins ballpark;
Focus in Miami turns to new ballpark for Marlins;
Marlins ballpark chances at Pompano considered a
long shot;
Pompano Park pitched as location for new Marlins
ballpark;
Marlins, Loria at crossroads with uncertain future;
Orange County commissioner pushing for Marlins;
Miami Arena owner sues to stop sale;
Buyers sue Miami Arena owner;
Deadline looms over proposal for Marlins ballpark
in downtown Miami;
Marlins officials tight-lipped on downtown Miami
ballpark proposal;
MLB ready to move on downtown Miami ballpark;
Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to
end;
Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark;
DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins
ballpark again;
Marlins ballpark suffers setback;
DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new
ballpark;
Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial
feasibility;
Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks;
Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins
ballpark;
San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now;
Tough times for Marlins and their fans;
Marlins players adjust to the empty seats
Fairgrounds possible new site for Sounds ballpark?
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
management of the Tennessee State Fairgrounds is
apparently floating the idea of a new Nashville
Sounds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) ballpark
on the 114-acre complex. No one from the Sounds
apparently has been involved in any talks, and it
sounds more like wishful thinking from the
Fairgrounds management than anything real. This story was submitted by a reader. To share
a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at
editors@augustpublications.com.
New owner says Rascals will be a 'Whole new
animal' this season
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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Steve
Malliet, the new majority partner and president of
the River City Rascals (independent; Frontier
League), got into the baseball business
immediately after his playing career ended at the
college level in 1992. By 1994, he was a general
manager. In this article he talks with the local
newspaper about the team's long-term future and
what fans can expect this season.
Frontier League looking for controlled growth
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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We
admire the pluckiness of the independent Frontier
League and its business model -- a focus on
prospects with a lower payroll than most indy
league -- but we're taking the contents of this
article with a giant grain of salt. We suspect
there's not a huge pile of expansion applications
sitting on Bill Lee's desk, and from what we hear
there's nothing happening in Holland, Mich.,
despite the assertion here. This story was submitted by a reader. To share
a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at
editors@augustpublications.com.
Jeter wants to own a team after playing days end
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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Derek
Jeter has won four World Series rings. He has
dated supermodels, but his dream is to be The
Boss. Jeter revealed Tuesday he plans to buy a
major league baseball team after he retires. "I
would like to own a team," Jeter told New York's
1050 ESPN Radio prior to the Yankees' 7-3 loss to
the Red Sox on Tuesday. "That would be kind of
cool to get an opportunity to call some of the
shots." Jeter then predicted he will achieve his
goal. "I will do it one day," Jeter said.
Crackers-Cats owner hopes third season is the
charm
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
saga of the Edmonton Cracker-Cats (independent;
Northern League) saga has become more challenging
for owner Dan Orlich. After two seasons in the
Northern League, the baseball team has struggled
on several fronts. Attendance has fallen, the team
has never been in a playoffs race, and there has
been some front-office upheaval. This year, they
lost fan favourite Stubby Clapp, who took a
coaching job with the Houston Astros organization.
Orlich said the team needs 3,000 fans per home
game to break even -- more than twice the 1,400
spectators the club averaged last season.
Report: Yankees Giambi failed amphetamines test
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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Jason
Giambi failed an amphetamines test within the last
year, the New York Daily News reported today. The
newspaper reported that after the failed
amphetamines test, Giambi is subjected to six
additional tests for one year. The newspaper did
not cite any sources in its report. Giambi
declined comment to the newspaper before the New
York Yankees' 7-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox last
night. Yesterday, lawyers for the commissioner's
office and the players' association held more
conversations about a possible meeting with Giambi
but it remained uncertain when or if such a
gathering would take place.
Rockies owners must go
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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There's
a movement afoot among Colorado Rockies fans
demanding Charlie and Dick Monfort and crew sell
the team. The issue: fans -- and some columnists
-- say the owners don't spent enough on the team
and won't commit to winning.
Coors Field
is a great venue and there are some good players
in their minor-league system, so perhaps a little
patience is needed. Fans may have also been a
little spoiled when the Rockies made the playoffs so early in their history.
UA baseball sets new attendance records during
2007 season
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
University of Arkansas set new records for actual
and paid attendance at Baum Stadium for Razorback
aseball games in 2007. The Hogs sold a record
233,350 tickets for an average of 8,047 tickets
per game. Actual attendance during the 2007 was
165,298, also a school record. The average of
8,047 is a new national record for tickets sold.
No school in the history of the NCAA has ever
averaged over 8,000 tickets sold per game.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 23, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Washington Wild Things (independent;
Frontier League) announced Washington Federal
Savings Bank has extended its partnership with the
team. Washington Federal Savings Bank has been the
team’s presenting sponsor since the Wild Things’
inception in 2002. As the team’s presenting
sponsor, Washington Federal is entitled to
recognition on ballpark signage, logo
identification on player and staff uniforms, and
in all marketing and press materials. Washington
Federal Savings Bank, a century-old financial
services company, has been locally owned and
operated for more than 100 years....To
share a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at
editors@augustpublications.com.
Royals, Jackson County outline renovations to
Kauffman Stadium
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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With
a wrapaound outfield concourse, a high-definition
scoreboard and smaller capacity of 39,000, the
Kansas City Royals and Jackson County are poised
to begin the $250-million makeover of
Kauffman Stadium, the team's home since 1973.
While the general layout of the ballpark won't
change -- it's always been one of the most
pleasant places in the majors to take in a
ballgame -- HOK Sport is building on the original
Kivett and Myers design by adding a lot in terms of fan
amenities. The concourses on all three levels in
the grandstand will be widened. An outfield
concourse will finally link the fan areas next to
each foul pole. More picnic-style seating in the
outfield.
We go
over all the changes here.
Paulson to buy Portland
Beavers
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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We
should find out more specifics today, but
yesterday the Portland Beavers (Class AAA: Pacific
Coast League) announced the team (as well as the
Portland Timbers soccer team) would be sold to
Merritt Paulson, Manager of Shortstop, LLC and
recently Senior Director of Marketing and Business
Development at NBA Entertainment in New York. As
part of the purchase, Merritt, 34, and his wife,
Heather, are in the process of moving to Portland
and will be full-time president of both teams.
Paulson most recently made news in these pages
when he attempted to bring a High Class A
California League team to Petaluma, an effort that
ultimately failed when officials there declined to
make land available for a new ballpark. To say the
team has had a troubled decade may be an
understatement. Portland Family Entertainment
bought the team and oversaw an ambitious expansion
of PGE Park, but
financial difficulties led the Pacific Coat League
to basically repossess the franchise in 2004 and
run the team through a holding company. After
months of negotiations with creditors, the
franchise was finally sold to the Portland Baseball
Investment Group (led by California businessman
Abe Alizadeh), a deal that was finalized in June
2006. The team's lease at
PGE Park runs
through 2010. The speculation, of course, is that
financial problems forced the sale of the
franchise. Portland Baseball Investment Group is
slated to pay $180,000 in lease payment this
season (and that number rises by $5,000 a year);
they are also on the hook to pay Portland a total
of $667,000 (spread out annually between 2007 and
2011) to basically cover bad debts incurred by
Portland Family Entertainment. The deal must be
approved by the Pacific Coast League, MiLB and MLB.
Metro-North will build train station at new Yankee
Stadium
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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It's
official: The Metropolitan Transportation
Authority announced an agreement yesterday to
build a Metro-North train station at
the new
Yankee Stadium, giving suburban fans their
first direct mass-transit option to Yankees games.
Under the agreement, the MTA and New York City
will split the cost of the $91 million station,
due to be completed when the new ballpark opens
next door to the existing one in 2009. The MTA
will pay $52 million and the city will contribute
$39 million. The plan provides a huge relief to
Yankees fans in the suburbs who are now forced to
drive to the ballpark because of the lack of mass
transit -- unlike their New York City counterparts
who can take the subway. Metro-North estimates
that between 6,000 and 10,000 people, almost all
of whom now drive, will use the new station for
games.
After hitting with voters, ballpark's on roll
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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A
mere three days after Grand Prairie voters
narrowly approved a May 12 bond proposal to build
a ballpark for an independent American Association
team in time for the 2008 season, city officials
began planning the first pitch. They met with the
architect and looked over the proposed site. They
met with Mark Schuster, managing partner of
Ventura Sports, which will bring in the team.
Officials got the ball rolling with construction
crews, with work to begin by month's end even
though the design is only partially done.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark referendum passes in Grand Prairie;
Minor-league ballpark debate continues in Grand
Prairie;
In Grand Prairie election,
it's what's outside that matters;
Rangers donate to anti-ballpark group;
Tax plan to fund Grand Prairie ballpark is debated;
Rangers oppose Grand Prairie ballpark;
Grand Prairie to hold "name the team" contest;
Plans for new Grand Prairie ballpark unveiled;
American Association expands to Grand Prairie
Clayco withdraws proposal for Ballpark Village
project
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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story)
(discuss)
Clayco
has withdrawn its two-month-old proposal to the
St. Louis Cardinals and Cordish Co. to be
considered as the general contractor on their $387
million Ballpark Village development next to the
new Busch
Stadium. Bob Clark, Clayco's chairman and
chief executive, said his design-build firm made
the decision May 15 to free up resources for other
projects. Still, Clayco's Ballpark Village
withdrawal is notable given the company's
long-standing relationship with the Cardinals.
Clayco was the lead contractor for all maintenance
and upgrade work at the old Busch Stadium for
years and acts as the owners' project manager at
the current ballpark.
Katz: Merger talks untrue
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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Sam
Katz takes time off from his busy mayoral schedule
to deny there are merger talks between the
independent Northern League and Frontier League,
something that Frontier League Commissioner also
denies. Technically, we suspect they're both
right. But we've been told by folks on both sides
of the fence that there were some exploratory
discussions a while ago instigated by Northern
League teams looking for a fall-back plan should
something happen to their league -- but they never
rose to the level of the two leagues merging.
Still, there's a little more smoke here than the
Sun's Adam Wazny wants to acknowledge -- and the
fact a Frontier League owner was willing to
discuss it on the record should tell him there's
something there.
RELATED STORIES:
Lee: No FL/NL discussions underway;
Frontier, Northern League merger talks underway?
Approval of parking lots eases some worries for
Southeast neighbors of new Nats ballpark
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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story)
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The
D.C. Zoning Commission voted last night to approve
nearly 4,000 temporary surface parking spaces near
the new Washington Nationals ballpark after city
officials promised local residents that traffic
would be blocked from three streets that could be
used as short cuts. Residents of several
neighborhoods near the ballpark in Southeast had
complained that the city was moving ahead with
parking plans without ensuring that they could
travel in and out of their neighborhood on game
days. The Nats will certainly need the boost from
a new ballpark: the team is averaging only 22,044
fans per game at RFK
Stadium.
Debate begins on ballpark economics
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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The
Oakland A's economic report on the proposed
ballpark village in Fremont is "far better" than
the 49ers' report presented to Santa Clara,
according to Roger Noll, a Bay Area sports
economist. However, Noll gives the report mixed
reviews overall, knocking the study because its
"analysis of fiscal impacts is about revenues
only, and excludes costs." Released by the A's on
May 8, the report asserts that Cisco Field and its
surrounding mixed-use development of housing and
retail would greatly increase tax revenues and
generate about $109 million in direct economic
impact to Alameda County.
The A's and the city have already agreed to
several guidelines concerning ballpark
construction.
RELATED STORIES:
A's Wolff sees new ballpark as super site;
A's sign contracts for land in Fremont to build
new ballpark;
Entitlements key in funding Cisco Field;
Study: A's ballpark worth $109 million to economy;
Toxic hazard
creates bump in road to new A's ballpark;
A's tout Cisco Field in ticket mailer;
Will global warming swamp AT&T Park, new A's
ballpark?;
A's owner not sweating lack of BART at Fremont
ballpark site;
A's owner raises more questions than answers;
Wolff seeks tax rebate for new ballpark village;
Oakland A's owner buys office park near proposed
Fremont ballpark;
Fremont, A's continue talks for new ballpark;
If Selig's coming, A's must be going;
Wolff ready to go public on ballpark;
Cisco blending tech and baseball;
Records show evolving talks between A's, Fremont;
Are the A's worth it to Fremont's neighbors?;
More meetings with A's slated after new year;
Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A's;
A's detail Fremont
plans down to the letter;
San Jose still ponders illusory ballpark;
Transit teams try to solve Cisco Field
'challenges';
A's Fremont ballpark must field host of hurdles;
A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark
village in Fremont;
New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech;
The next big thing: the San Jose A's?;
A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark;
Oakland City Council grants A's extension;
A's could move away;
A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in
Fremont;
Fremont looking more and more like future home of
Oakland A's;
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
Angels threaten Dodger dominance in Los Angeles
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
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story)
(discuss)
Hal
Bodley is a little behind the times when he says
the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are threatening
Dodger dominance. For starters, the Dodgers aren't
dominant in the greater Los Angeles market, not
since the days when Arte Moreno bought the Angels
and announced he was lowering beer prices. Since
then enthusiastic crowds have been showing up to
Angel Stadium.
Both team draw extremely well, but the Dodgers
certainly do not dominate the Los Angeles market.
Giambi: MLB silent so far
Posted May 22, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Jason
Giambi told Newsday last night that he had not had
any contact from Major League Baseball since USA
Today published his near-admission of steroid use
on Friday. Giambi told USA Today: "I was wrong for
doing that stuff. What we should have done a long
time ago was stand up -- players, ownership,
everybody -- and said: 'We made a mistake.'" MLB
and the Yankees are trying to find out if they can
punish Giambi in any way, either by a suspension
or even by voiding his contract. The fact that he
admitted only "doing that stuff" in the article
and mentioned "steroids" in a separate sentence
could help protect him.
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