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Archives: July 8-14, 2007

Tiger Stadium plan hits a snag
Posted July 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Plans to demolish Tiger Stadium are starting to unravel as the city planning commission Thursday night refused to approve the plan touted by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick for the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. In rejecting the plan to raze the structure and build housing and retail venues in its place, commissioners said they didn't believe enough has been done to preserve the structure and that they don't see the rush to get the ballpark razed. The commission voted 5-1 to reject the plan, with one abstention. Commissioners repeatedly cited the Book-Cadillac Building, which had been left for dead for years after being shuttered in 1980 but is now being renovated and touted as a jewel of the city. We think the Tigers are missing out on a great marketing opportunity to work with the city on a renovation, bringing the ballpark down to its original Navin Field configuration and installing a Class A Midwest League team there. It's just bad business to be turning a back on such a beloved landmark. More on a fan movement to renovate Tiger Stadium. Tiger Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.
    RELATED STORIES: Tiger Stadium's fate divisive; Tiger Stadium: Up for auction?; Tiger Stadium outta here by '08; Time running out for Tiger Stadium; Dave Wright: Time to let Tiger Stadium go; Razing memories of 95-year-old Tiger Stadium before demolition work begins; Final farewell planned for Tiger Stadium; Old house is hard to forget; Once a baseball cathedral, Tiger Stadium now sits in disrepair; Memories of Tiger Stadium; Tiger Stadium demolition delayed; Progress is in the ballpark; Developers didn't stand a chance with Tiger Stadium; Artifacts from Tiger Stadium to be auctioned off under city plan; Tiger Stadium to be razed: condos, retail to be built on historic site; Detroit should sell Tiger Stadium as is; Historical marker at Tiger Stadium stolen; Tiger Stadium would make fine vacation destination; 8 innings of words get us no closer to a Tiger Stadium fix; Documentary makes case for saving Tiger Stadium; Plenty of options for Tiger Stadium; Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick wants Tiger Stadium razed; Hope fades for Tiger Stadium; Detroit ignores calls to save Tiger Stadium; Save Tiger Stadium as scaled-down ballpark; City should tear down Tiger Stadium; Is it the final out for Tiger Stadium?

Cuban applies to buy Cubs
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The ever-colorful Mark Cuban has thrown his hat into an increasingly crowded ring of pursuers of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. The owner of the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) confirmed Thursday night that he has applied to Major League Baseball for a possible purchase of the legendary franchise. But Cuban declined to elaborate on what comes next or how his pursuit of the Cubs might affect his ownership and involvement with the Mavericks. Cuban has successfully balanced the Mavericks and numerous other diverse businesses, including HDNet.
    RELATED STORIES: Roster of Cubs bidders expands

PCL approves Sidewinders sale; Reno gets site
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The Pacific Coast League has approved the sale of the Tucson Sidewinders from majority owner Jay Zucker to SK Baseball LLC, a partnership of New York City father and son Jerry and Stuart Katzoff and mall magnate Herb Simon. Minor League Baseball must still approve the sale, while Major League Baseball must review it; neither are expected to raise any concerns. On June 12, Zucker announced the pending sale for $15 million. But SK Baseball would pay only $13.5 million if the team remained in Tucson. 
    RELATED STORIES: Reno officials want 8-acre site near Evans Avenue for ballpark; Reno City Council to consider plan to build new ballpark; It's all over but the blaming; Sidewinders sold; expected to be in Reno in '09; Announcement on Reno's Triple-A team delayed; 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

Signing off on the last beam
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There are 3,500 pieces of steel at the future home of the Washington Nationals. But only one is covered with artwork, notes and signatures -- the final beam to be put in place by construction workers. Scores of workers signed the beam yesterday. Most were content to write their names, and some added the names of their unions. But one had the nerve to write "Go Pirates," in honor of a National League opponent. Another left a message in Spanish that said, "Making a Difference." Several others wrote tributes to a co-worker who died in a motorcycle accident last week. The event, known as a topping ceremony, marked a milestone for the $611 million ballpark near the Navy Yard and South Capitol Street in Southeast Washington. The project is on schedule to meet a tight deadline and be ready for the start of the next baseball season, in April.

Grasshoppers to host 2008 Sally League All-Star Game
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The Greensboro Grasshoppers announced that the 2008 South Atlantic League All-Star Game will be held at First Horizon Park. The All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, June 17, featuring selected players from each of the 16 teams in the league. "We are obviously very excited to showcase First Horizon Park and the city of Greensboro to the rest of the league," said Grasshoppers President Donald Moore. "It is going to be a spectacular event and one that we are honored to host." Festivities surrounding the 49th annual event will begin Monday, June 16 and conclude on June 18. The three-day extravaganza is presented by Natty Greene’s Brewing Company, which will serve as the party headquarters. The event will mark the first time the Grasshoppers franchise and the third time the city of Greensboro have hosted an All-Star Game.

Harvard baseball resolute
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More on Bill Larsen's plan to build a new privately financed $2.5-million, 4,000-seat ballpark in Harvard, Ill., to house a summer-collegiate league. Four teams would play in the facility. Now, Harvard isn't exactly a metropolis -- the population is estimated to be around 10,000, and it's 20 miles from Crystal Lake (where the independent Frontier League is setting up shop in two years) and over 30 miles from Rockford. (Lots of farmland, though.) The facility would also include a parking lot, picnic area, petting zoo and a "miracle field," a rubber miniature diamond meant to facilitate play for children with physical disabilities. It will be interesting to see whether the ballpark actually happens (Larsen's made a pitch to Harvard Economic Development Commission and expects to have approval in three months) and how a summer-collegiate league would do under these circumstances. The independent New York State League is attempting something similar at Utica's Murnane Field, but that business model has already changed: instead of one game in the afternoon and one night, there are nightly doubleheaders beginning at 6 p.m., with the afternoon game scrapped.
    RELATED STORIES: Major boom for minor-league ball; McHenry County College, Frontier League close to agreement for new ballpark; McHenry County pulls off a double play; MCC ballpark for Frontier League gets OK; McHenry to vote on new ballpark; private group looks at area facility; Plans for minor league team 'moving in right direction'

Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?
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It's a valid question. Miami isn't the smallest television market to have four major-league franchises (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL) -- Denver is, according to Nielsen -- but it gets more complicated when you throw in the Miami Hurricanes into an already crowded sports marketplace. MLB seems very committed to Miami, with good reason: it is well-situated on many levels to be baseball's gateway to Latin America, and many believe the market could easily support MLB under the right conditions. Unfortunately, we're not sure the combination of the Fish owners and Dolphin Stadium comes close to meeting the right conditions.
    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

Plan B looks to rescue Cutters from being Brand X
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The New Haven County Cutters (independent; Cam-Am Association) have contracted with Plan B. Branding to come up with a new identity for the team. It's a worthwhile goal: our Michael Pastore happened to be at the ballpark the same night the Plan B boys were at Yale Field (look for an article in the next few weeks), and his take is that the team's identity needs some refining.

Miners have struck gold with new ballpark
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The Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League) have emerged as one of the big success stories of baseball this summer: the team is shattering Frontier League attendance records (5,255 fans per game en route to 260,000 for the season) and a brand-new $17 million ballpark that would be the envy of many bigger cities, let alone a town of 17,200.

OSU has bigger plans for Goss Stadium
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Oregon State baseball coach Pat Casey announced that the next stage of the $5.5-million Goss Stadium expansion/improvement project has been given the green light and will begin in September. The project will extend the grandstand down both foul lines and increase permanent capacity from 1,300 to about 3,000. An expanded clubhouse, academic center, multi-purpose room with a view of the field, umpire’s quarters and additional rest rooms and concession stands will also be added.

Home-run record might not play well in Brew City
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There's a small chance Barry Bonds will be a position to break Henry Aaron's home-run record in Milwaukee's Miller Park, as Bonds enters a three-game weekend series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers with 751 homers, four shy of tying Aaron. After this week, the Giants visit Wrigley Field for four games against the Chicago Cubs, then travel to Milwaukee to play the Brewers three times. It will be extremely awkward for Bonds to break the record in Milwaukee. First, there's Aaron's long association with Wisconsin as a member of the Milwaukee Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers (keeping in mind he started his career as a skinny 18-year-old with the original Northern League's Eau Claire Bears). Then there's Bud Selig's close friendship with Aaron and the commissioner's lack of enthusiasm for being on hand when Bonds does inevitably break the mark.

Broadcast tandem a staple for Sky Sox
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Dan Karcher’s silky smooth voice instantly made Tony Ensor feel good on his first day as president and general manager of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) nearly three years ago. ‘‘It was my first day here and when I got off the plane and in the rental car, there was the Sky Sox on the radio,’’ Ensor said. ‘‘I didn’t even have to change the station. That was cool.’’ What was better, Ensor said of that late summer day in 2004, was the broadcast team: Karcher and longtime partner Dick Chase. This is their 18th season broadcasting Sky Sox home games. Chase rarely does road games with Karcher, who reached a milestone Sunday by broadcasting his 2,500th Sky Sox game.

Clark Griffith 'energetic and eager for tomorrow'
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Independent Northern League commissioner Clark Griffith laments his lost youth and his days with the Minnesota Twins and Major League Baseball. We're not quite sure Clark is totally accurate here (for instance, he questions whether his father actually liked baseball; we chatted with Calvin at a Helena Brewers game shortly before his death, and there's no way someone who didn't love baseball would be sitting in the stands of Kindrick Field on a cold Montana night watching a rookie-level Pioneer League game), but it's a good, candid interview nevertheless.

Point Stadium renovation nears completion
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The renovation of Point Stadium, the former home of professional baseball in Johnstown, Pa., is nearly complete, said city council officials Wednesday evening. City manager Curt Davis, said the new turf is holding up well after a few baseball games and a recent concert, where about 3,000 people stood on its surface. The city is now in the process of submitting proposals to host the championship soccer games at the stadium. They have also received requests from several local schools to play major games there as well.

Changing face of minor leagues
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The Raleigh newspaper takes a look at the foreign-born players with the Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) and the Carolina Mudcats (Class AA; Southern League). Seven of the Bulls' 23 players are foreign born, and by minor-league standards that is a low percentage. According to Major League Baseball, 46.2 percent of minor leaguers at the start of the 2007 season were born outside the U.S. In the majors, the percentage is about 26 percent. In addition to the Bulls' contingent, the Carolina Mudcats feature five international players, and the Burlington Royals' roster includes 10 foreign-born players. The vast majority of these players hail from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, though the Bulls have two players from South Korea.

Ballpark Notes
Posted July 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) will host Super Splash Day on Monday, July 16, during their 12:30 p.m. game against the West Virginia Power.  Following the game, all fans in attendance are invited to join the Hoppers as they attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the "Largest Water Pistol Fight." Squirt guns will be provided to participants for the two-team match-up, courtesy of HobbyTown USA. The current record of 1,173 participants was set April 28th, 2005 Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles....THe fans have spoken: the Cleveland Indians will retain the traditional Sugardale all-beef hot dog as the official hot dog at Jacobs Field. The team held a contest allowing fans to vote between the all-beef dog, a red hot and a Polish sausage....The Texas Rangers have removed all vestiges of Ameriquest from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The final part of the re-branding was finished yesterday with the installation of a sign with those inscribed words is now in place at the Ballpark above the home-plate entrance....The Milwaukee Brewers announced that the team has already eclipsed 2,400,000 tickets sold for all Miller Park home games during the 2007 season. This marks the second-highest total in team history. The all-time attendance record in Brewers history was established in 2001, the year Miller Park opened, when the Brewers reached 2,811,041 tickets sold. By surpassing the 2.4 million mark, the 2007 season signifies the sixth time in franchise history that the Brewers have exceeded two million tickets sold in a season. The Brewers first reached the 2 million plateau in 1983 with 2,397,131 tickets....The Pittsburgh Pirates will be retiring Paul Waner's #11 during a pregame ceremony at PNC Park on Saturday, July 21, the date in 1952 when Waner was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame....Rick Down is out as hitting coach of the New York Mets, but it's not clear whether he's being replaced by Rickey Henderson or Howard Johnson. Johnson is currently first-base coach for the team and will assume many of Down's responsibilities, and Henderson is joining the coaching staff in an unspecified role....Rick Schu is the new hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, replacing Kevin Seitzer....The San Francisco Giants are expected to announce a contract extension for GM Brian Sabean as early as today....Longtime umpire Shag Crawford passed away Wednesday at an assisted-living facility in suburban Philadelphia. He was 90.

Reno officials want 8-acre site near Evans Avenue for ballpark
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An eight-acre site near Evans Avenue and Second Street is where Reno officials want to place a ballpark for the relocated Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Having the ballpark in the downtown core would be key to its success, said Mark Lewis, redevelopment administrator for the Reno Redevelopment Agency. He said it would be a catalyst for redevelopment in downtown, increase property values and draw thousands of visitors to the area. The City Council on Wednesday told staff to work with SK Baseball, the group planning to move the Pacific Coast League franchise to Reno, "to file all necessary applications for potential development of a ball park" at what is called the Freight House site between Second Street and the railroad trench.
    RELATED STORIES: Reno City Council to consider plan to build new ballpark; It's all over but the blaming; Sidewinders sold; expected to be in Reno in '09; Announcement on Reno's Triple-A team delayed; 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

Roster of Cubs bidders expands
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The family that founded discount broker TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. has joined the list of potential bidders for the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Tribune is reporting. Sources close to the situation said the Ricketts family of Omaha and Chicago has signed a non-disclosure agreement with Cubs owner Tribune Co. and is readying the application Major League Baseball requires of all parties wishing to bid on one of its franchises. The Ricketts group is being led by Thomas Ricketts, the 41-year-old founder and chief executive of Chicago-based Incapital Holdings LLC, an investment banking firm. Many insiders say the leading contender to land the team and Wrigley Field is a group led by John Canning, who has ties to Commissioner Bud Selig. However, the sale of the team will occur under some slightly different circumstances than most recent team sales: Tribune Co. is a publicly traded company and has a fiduciary responsibility to get the most possible for the assets, the preference of Bud Selig be damned. You can expect the sales price to approach a billion dollars.

Much up in air with uptown baseball plans
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The Charlotte Knights' (Class AAA; International League) move from South Carolina to uptown isn't a sure thing yet. On Tuesday, Mecklenburg County commissioners approved an $8 million grant to help the AAA team with costs associated with a new ballpark. But questions hang over the Knights' plan to play ball uptown in 2009, including the status of two lawsuits alleging local governments acted inappropriately in working with the Knights. However, some of the questions -- like whether the site is large enough -- are clearly answered, as the Knights and their architects think it is.
    RELATED STORIES: County waves Knights toward uptown; County details Knights ballpark numbers; Knights now pushing to get ballpark in play by 2009; Charlotte approves Knights ballpark deal; Knights in talks on financing new ballpark; Schools agree to role in land swap for baseball; County moves forward on Knights ballpark plan; A new season for Knights, but same old battles; More time wanted for Charlotte baseball deal; Officials: Arts sale not about sports; Ballpark land swap still in play for reshaping Charlotte; Could new Charlotte ballpark be delayed by lawsuit?; Land deal for Charlotte ballpark advances; Diehl plans fight over Charlotte ballpark; Mecklenburg County set for baseball deal role; Charlotte Council seeks answers on baseball; Uptown park for Knights makes sense; Charlotte council gets update on baseball plan; Chamber: poll shows overwhelming support for Knights ballpark; Backers urge: Make noise for Charlotte ballpark; A slow curve in Charlotte; Charlotte ballpark land swap seen as feasible; Charlotte Knights select Barton Malow to oversee ballpark construction; Hard days for Knights; Knights see more fans, but lag league; Knights select Odell Associates, HOK to design new ballpark; Knights meet with potential architects; Competing plans for baseball parks in Charlotte; The big pitch for uptown baseball in Charlotte; Charlotte turns to funding plans for ballpark; Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?; Third Ward residents object to new Knights ballpark; Uptown baseball in Charlotte may cost city $5 million; Charlotte ballpark plan now turns to question of real estate; Arts package heads the agenda for city funding, but baseball is now up to bat with a new plan; Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers; Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark

Greed circles the plate at Twins ballpark site
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Heavy disclaimer here: we've known Minneapolis City Councilperson Lisa Goodman socially for years and one of our staff members gave her some feedback on this article. So we won't comment on it, but rather just give you her core statement: "I agree that baseball is a simple game and that building a ballpark has been one of the most hard-fought public issues of my tenure. [Aron] Kahn [media rep for the landowners] has said, "There are no villains, just good people battling for their respective sides ... ." However, as I and my colleagues battle for our respective side, I try to remember that ours is the side of the taxpayers and the public, who deserve more than the greed game we have seen to date. There are villains in this deal, and they are Hines in cooperation with the landowners, due to greed rather than an interest in building a great urban ballpark." Background: Hennepin County and owners of a key parcel of land for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark are in court because they disagree on the value of the land -- Hennepin County says it's worth $13 million, while the landowners say it's worth $65 million.
    RELATED STORIES: Hennepin County, land owners remain far apart on value of ballpark site; Taxpayers' costs for Twins ballpark may be going up; Ballpark land was low-balled; Ballpark designers seek green label, but say effort alone counts; Twins ballpark parcel worth $65.375 million, say owners; Twins ballpark draws development interest; Pohlads lining up land near ballpark; Hennepin County takes control of ballpark land, reaches agreement with railroad; Twins, Hennepin County sign ballpark agreement; now the fun begins; County: Twins' extra donation for ballpark is confidential; Twins unveil ballpark plans; Hennepin County, Twins reach land agreement; vote slated for today; Twins ballpark meeting is delayed; Ballpark impasse solution may be near on Twins ballpark; Twins moving ahead with ballpark plans; Pohlads step up to plate to help county save deal; Possible fix for Twins ballpark impasse arises; Are Twins working to end ballpark impasse?; Building a ballpark may hinge on having the Twins pay more; County officials, landowners of Twins ballpark site remain in a holding pattern; County looking at two new sites for Twins ballpark; Official says changing site of Twins ballpark would mean delays; A great ballpark divide; Twins postpone ballpark unveiling; Hennepin County, Twins say they'll look for a new ballpark site; Draft environmental review for Twins ballpark unveiled; Judge rules Twins ballpark has public purpose; sides still apart on price; Community leaders eager to see Twins ballpark design; Twins ballpark likely to sport modern look; Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins; New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin County shoppers; Ballpark players ironing out use, development agreements; Twins release more details on new ballpark; New Twins ballpark bypasses standard reviews; Ballpark's link to downtown Minneapolis inadequate, group says; Ballpark should be held to high standards; Twins formally announce design team for new ballpark; Firms lined up early for stadium work; Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark land; Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark; Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field; A freeze frame for Twins; Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins ballpark; Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off schedule; Twins pick ballpark designers; As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations push on; Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010; Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax; It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to KSTP-AM; Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons; Twins seek partners for naming rights, sponsorships; Twins searching for trademark ballpark design; Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins ballpark; Naming rights options scary; More than a ballpark in Minneapolis

Ballpark issues in Sarasota
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More on the issues facing Sarasota officials as they work on a scaled-back plan for a renovated Cincinnati Reds spring-training complex. The local newspaper points out some obvious issues with the vague plan: at one point pollution was cited as a reason not to renovate Ed Smith Stadium (there are barrels of something or another just underneath the topsoil), but now renovation is deemed doable; whether the funding is a worthy community investment; and the impact on the local youth facility. All of these are great questions that need some answers.
    RELATED STORIES: Reds spring ballpark plan hinges on 3 votes; Significantly scaled-back plan is weighed for Reds' spring home; Why Sarasota may spurn baseball; What is spring training worth to Vero Beach?; Reds: We're interested in Vero Beach; New Reds spring-complex deal on life support; Delaying puts Reds spring complex in jeopardy; Task force confident in Reds ballpark deal; 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

Freeway rivalry drives into California League
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The rivalry between the San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga franchises in the California League began nearly 15 years ago, when the old San Bernardino franchise moved to Rancho Cucamonga and became the Quakes for the 1993 season. Another franchise came into San Bernardino, which left two franchises in the league mere minutes apart from each other. But the rivalry didn't really get to the next level until this year, when San Bernardino's Inland Empire 66ers became a Dodgers affiliate again, a proper adversary for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who have been an Angels affiliate since 2001. It is the first time the franchises have been Dodgers and Angels affiliates simultaneously -- adding to the drama. This story was submitted by a reader. To share news with the baseball community, drop a line to editors@augustpublications.com.

Nats topping-off ceremony rescheduled for today
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Officials will try again to top off the new Washington Nationals ballpark Thursday morning. Officials and dignitaries were supposed to hold a topping-off ceremony, which means putting the last steel beam into place, on Wednesday but were rained out. Many city officials signed the ceremonial final beam for the $610 million ballpark, but shortly after that the rains came, washing out the ceremony and sending people scurrying for cover.

Culture war goes to ballpark
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Every season a right-wing group attempts to make ballpark promotions geared toward gays an issue, and every year it falls on deaf ears. This season the San Diego Padres held Pride Night, a gay promotion at Petco Park, the same nigh as a cap giveaway for kids. In this piece culture warrior Bill O'Reilly slams the Padres for mixing the two events, but it doesn't seem to have made much of an impact past his audience.

Ballpark Notes
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Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors President Robert S. Castellini today named Rick Walls executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. On Aug. 1 Walls will replace Greg Rhodes, who resigned from that position earlier this season. Rhodes will remain with the Reds as team historian....Tommy Lasorda, who managed the 1972 Albuquerque Dukes to the Pacific Coast League title, is the first inductee of the Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame....Last night's Eastern League All-Star Game was impacted in an unusual way: it was called in the top of the third inning because of fog....

MLB upset that Marlins haven't received ballpark help
Posted July 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Major League Baseball officials expressed disappointment Tuesday that the Marlins have not received financial help from the state to build a new home and still have no alternative to Dolphin Stadium. "The commissioner is very upset,'' MLB President Bob DuPay said before the All-Star Game. "We really thought we were going to get something done this year and we spent a lot of time down there and we had a lot of reason to think we were gong to get something done." The Florida Legislature failed to pass a ballpark financing plan despite support from Gov. Charlie Crist and key legislators; since then the Fish have laid low on any discussions of new ballparks. Bud Selig says he's not ready to tell the Marlins to shop around for a new home: MLB still loves the Miami market (especially as a gateway to Latin America), and this may be a case where some patience is required, as the stadium situation is in flux as the University of Miami decides whether to stay in the aging Orange Bowl -- the potential site of a new Marlins ballpark, though the team and MLB would prefer a downtown facility -- or move games to Dolphin Stadium. There's also a little less stress when it comes to time; last week Dolphins officials said they'd consider letting the Marlins stay at Dolphin Stadium past a 2011 lease expiration. More from AP.
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County waves Knights toward uptown
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Mecklenburg County commissioners took an important step Tuesday toward bringing minor-league baseball to uptown Charlotte, approving an $8 million grant to the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) to help the team prepare a ballpark site in Third Ward. The grant would help the Knights improve roads, install traffic signals and make other improvements around the site, where the team wants to build a privately financed $35-million ballpark. The team now plays in Fort Mill, S.C., where in 2006 its attendance ranked 24th among the nation's 30 AAA teams. The board's decision doesn't guarantee the Knights will start playing in an uptown ballpark in 2009, as the team plans. But it clears away much of the uncertainty that has surrounded the proposal. It gives team officials access to the site and money they say they need to prepare it and build the ballpark. This story was submitted by a reader. To share news with the baseball community, drop a line to editors@augustpublications.com.
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Tiger Stadium's fate divisive
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If a public hearing Monday is any indication, the Detroit City Council clearly faces a difficult decision on whether to raze Tiger Stadium for redevelopment. The council heard opinions from nearly 20 members of the community and the city's planning and economic development commissions. Those who spoke were evenly split over the plan Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick unveiled last year to tear down the stadium in part or in full and turn the available space into a retail and residential development. The issue: without a developer on hand, many don't see the rush to tear down the venerable old ballpark. Here's a look at the various attempts to save Tiger Stadium and why they failed. Tiger Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.
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Anaheim and New York Mets prime candidates to host All-Stars
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Angel Stadium and Citi Field have emerged as prime candidates to host All-Star games in the next few years. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday he plans to announce two or three All-Star sites within the next two months. The 2008 game will be at Yankee Stadium, which is scheduled to close after next season, and the 2009 game is at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Angel Stadium has undergone extensive renovations since the All-Star game was last played there in 1989. The Angels also hosted the All-Stars in 1967. The Mets hosted the All-Stars in 1964, Shea Stadium's first season. They plan to move into their new ballpark, Citi Field, in 2009. Kansas City expects to land the game in a renovated Kauffman Stadium, and the Diamondbacks want their turn as well. The Twins will be looking to host the game around 2015. More on next year's game at Yankee Stadium. Of course teams are clamoring to host the game: it's a money well.

Today's video: Babe Ruth short
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As Barry Bonds closes in on the home-run record held by Henry Aaron, this is a good time to remind everyone who first made the home run cool; Babe Ruth. He was the first great multimedia star of baseball, and today it seems we've forgotten just what a phenomena the Babe really was. In this 1932 short film, Babe teaches a girls team how to play ball. We've been really pleased with the response to our call for videos: we've already heard from several teams and vendors, so we'll continue bringing them to you. If you want to share your videos with the baseball community, drop us a line at editors@augustpublications.com.

Ballpark bids throw curve to officials
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The new downtown ballpark for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) might cost more than anticipated. At a Tuesday bid opening, the apparent low bidder submitted a bid that exceeded the architect's estimate by nearly $1 million. The highest bid exceeded the estimate by $2.8 million. The city has $12.5 million available for the Cobb Field replacement; the lowest bid came in at $11,467,000, while the architect's estimate, prepared by CTA Architects Engineers, was $10,565,000. The basic bid will pay for a ballpark that meets the specifications of minor league baseball. The basic bid includes a playing field, bleachers, a fence, locker rooms and associated buildings. All three bidders submitted add-on bids for amenities such as sun shades, landscaping and a corporate tent area.
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Reds spring ballpark plan hinges on 3 votes
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A $45 million plan for a Sarasota spring-training facility for the Cincinnati Reds faces a trio of tough votes in the coming months, any one of which could kill it. In a vote expected next week, spring ballpark backers have to get three out of five city commissioners to approve a special referendum, which would involve asking city voters to approve a small property tax increase to pay for about a quarter of the project's cost. Then, next month, four out of five county commissioners would have to OK using bed tax money to pay half the cost to refurbish Ed Smith Stadium. That seems unlikely since two commissioners, Nora Patterson and Jon Thaxton, have said they would rather use the bed tax funds to shore up the county budget in light of state-mandated tax cuts.
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Orem Owlz give in on ballpark name
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One of the local owners of the Orem Owlz (rookie; Pioneer League) apologized to the Daily Herald newspaper on Monday as the team backed away from its earlier threat that news media must either refer to the stadium in which it plays as "Home of the Owlz" or lose all access to the team. In a voice mail, Jason Taylor, a local part-owner of the team, called the Herald "first of all to apologize, and to see what we can do" to get news coverage restored after a "bad situation." Taylor was out of town and unavailable for an interview. Two weeks ago, an attempt by primary owner Jeff Katofsky and general manager Zachary Fraser to dictate the content of news articles led the Daily Herald and Deseret Morning News to curtail coverage of the Pioneer League team and turn in press credentials. The newspapers called the stadium Brent Brown Ballpark after auto dealer Brown paid Utah Valley State College $1 million for naming rights over 10 years, but Fraser and Katofsky objected to the name, claiming that it put them in violation of Minor League Baseball rules -- a claim directly countered by MiLB officials. This story was submitted by a reader. To share news with the baseball community, drop a line to editors@augustpublications.com.
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Avon Council adds sales tax hike to ballot
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It's officially up to Avon voters to decide if they want a recreation center, a new ballpark for an independent Frontier League team and other athletics facilities. The City Council approved adding a 0.25 percent income tax increase to the November ballot during Monday’s meeting. The projects hinge on the tax increase, which would bring the city’s income tax up to 1.75 percent, and apply only to those who work in Avon. Someone who earns $50,000 a year would pay $125 annually, if the increase is approved. Mayor Jim Smith presented a development package with YMCA and Frontier League officials to Council in March that included plans for a $6-million city-owned ballpark.
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Rangers announce new all-you-can-eat offer
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The Texas Rangers announced Sections 201-205 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will be designated as "All You Can Eat" for the games against the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 23-26. Tickets in the All You Can Eat seats are $29 and include hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, and soft drinks with Lexus Club Terrace seating. These all-you-can-eat inclusive menu items will be available from the time gates open at 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. Offer is subject to limits per person, per visit to the concession stand. Sections 201-205 in the Lexus Club Terrace are normally priced at $23.

Today might be last chance for fans to show if they support team
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The Eastern League All-Star Game will be held tonight at Dodd Stadium, the home of the Connecticut Defenders. Columnist Joe Perez says it might be one of the last times local fans have to show their support of the Defenders: attendance has steadily declined in recent years, and although owner Lou DiBella has done all the little things to draw in the fans, the community hasn't responded -- with many in the local community expecting the team to bail. Some local fans are excited about the game, though -- as well they should be, as you can expect to see a lot of future major leaguers in both lineups. More on the issues facing the Defenders. Here's a look at DiBella.

Balmy weather may bench a baseball staple
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The future of the ash tree is in doubt because of a killer beetle and a warming climate, and with it, the complicated relationship of the baseball player to his bat. At a baseball bat factory tucked into the lush tree country in northwestern Pennsylvania, the operators have drawn up a three-to-five-year emergency plan if the white ash tree, which has been used for decades to make the bat of choice, is compromised. In Michigan, the authorities have begun collecting the seeds of ash trees for storage in case the species is wiped out, a possibility some experts now consider inevitable. As early as this summer, federal officials hope to set loose Asian wasps never seen in this country with the purpose of attacking the emerald ash borer, an Asian beetle accused of killing 25 million ash trees in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Maryland since it was spotted in the United States five years ago.

Minor-league teams urge cable company to widen MASN distribution
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Executives from North Carolina's nine minor league baseball teams have teamed up to urge Time Warner Cable to include the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network on its basic cable programming. In a letter dated July 9, general managers and presidents from the nine organizations jointly wrote to Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn A. Britt that "the availability of a Major League Baseball network on television is essential to the continued health of our franchises."

WSU announces fundraising campaign for baseball
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In what even Wichita State coach Gene Stephenson admitted might be "the final piece to the puzzle," WSU athletic director Jim Schaus announced the "Building Excellence for the Student-Athlete" fundraising campaign. The $5.5 million campaign would update Eck Stadium, highlighted by an indoor practice facility to be built in the parking lot just beyond the current ticket office on the third-base side. The funds would also be used to put new artificial turf on the infield, build new a new locker room, team room and coaching offices on the third-base side, reconstruct dugouts that are lowered into the ground, add roughly 100 seats behind the third-base dugout -- which would again become the home dugout -- and move the ticket office into the current coaching offices on the first-base side.

EKU officials optimistic about timetable for new ballpark
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Eastern Kentucky University officials are still hopefully that construction on a new state-of the-art ballpark will begin next summer, just as they had originally planned. The $2-million project is still in the development stage and the school is actively pursuing fundraising opportunities for a venture that will completely renovate and vastly improve the current baseball facilities. The project, which was announced in late January, is designed to elevate EKU’s baseball complex to the upper echelon of the Ohio Valley Conference. The new park will be located at the current home of the Colonels, adjacent to Alumni Coliseum, and will be developed around the existing facilities.

When Jersey City was a pawn for the Dodgers
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When Brooklyn Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley was looking for a replacement for Ebbets Field, word leaked out: The Dodgers would be coming to Jersey City. That meant announcing that for the 1956 season, the Dodgers would play seven games and one exhibition at Roosevelt Stadium, a $1.5 million minor-league ballpark built during the Great Depression and known for a whipping wind off New York Harbor. Here's a look at how the Dodgers spent their time in Jersey City.

Park built in 10 days in 1952
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Here's a look at Potter County Memorial Stadium/Amarillo Dilla Villa, the home of the Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball). When Gold Sox Park burned down on July 2, 1952, workers from Cliver Construction Company put in 16-hour days, working July 4 and even on a Sunday, eventually pouring 140 concrete pillars, putting in 1,000 new steel chairs for the box seats and replacing the plate that was melted into the ground. The ballpark opened when the Dillas came back from a scheduled 10-day road trip.

She's in charge of the Tigers' turf
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Heather Nabozny is one of 30 head groundskeepers in Major League Baseball. They're all responsible for mowing, sweeping, watering, raking, fertilizing, and painting the fields on which each team plays. Nearly everything at Comerica Park -- from the fans' seating section to the playing surface -- is in the hands of Nabozny and her full-time crew of six, which more than triples on game days. According to the Sports Turf Managers Association, she is the first female head groundskeeper in the modern history of Major League Baseball. On most days during the baseball season, she arrives at the ballpark at 7 a.m., long before the coaches and players, to start the crew watering and mowing the field, which consists of a blend of three types of Kentucky bluegrass.

Making fans feel at home
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You never get a second chance to make a first impression. With that in mind, the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) put their best effort forward in assigning 73-year-old Jack Darrough to man Gate 7 at the County Fairgrounds during most homestands. Darrough, a self-described baseball fanatic, offers Drillers fans a friendly wave and smile. He will be on hand Wednesday when the Drillers begin an eight-game homestand, the first four games against Arkansas, followed by four with Springfield.

Drive to honor Peaches in Duncan Park Stadium fundraiser
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The Greenville Drive (Low Class A; Sally League) are honoring the Spartanburg Peaches (Class B; Tri-State League) at the team's July 23 game. To commemorate the town’s rich baseball history, the Drive will wear Spartanburg Peaches uniforms and a 1950s-era jersey featuring the City of Spartanburg logo on the right sleeve. During the game, a silent auction will be held where fans will be able to bid for the historic Peaches jerseys worn by each of the Drive’s players and coaches. Proceeds from the auction will go to benefit the renovation of Duncan Park Stadium, home of Spartanburg baseball for more than 80 years. Duncan Park Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.

Attracting kids to Yogi Berra Stadium key for Jackals
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Here's a long look at the family-friendly promotions run by the New Jersey Jackals (independent; Can-Am Association). The Jackals must be doing something right: the team has drawn over 45,000 fans this season with more than half the home schedule to go, virtually ensuring the team will surpass last season's attendance total. This story was submitted by a reader. To share news with the baseball community, drop a line to editors@augustpublications.com.

Fun at the old ballpark
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The dozens who circled the Bosse Field bases on Monday didn't count as runs in the scorebook; they were merely memories for the scrapbook. As several of the youngsters, on hand for the preceding Evansville Otters (independent; Frontier League) game, slid into home, dirt clung to sweat about as quickly as the fans had taken to baseball. It was many of the youths' first games. The second of two weekday games with noon starts, Otters general manager Deana Johnson said the game was designed not only to give the players an earlier end to a series, but also to attract day campers from Evansville and the surrounding area. After debuting a few seasons ago, the day games have increased in popularity each year. Although Monday's game drew a season-low crowd of 1,601, it was a vociferous gathering that included 18 youth groups on hand.

Ballpark Notes
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Some attendance notes for today. The Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League) have closed to within 14,871 fans of the 3-million mark in franchise history, a number that is sure to topple when Lakewood hosts a seven-game homestand beginning Saturday night. The BlueClaws' 3-millionth fan will receive a bevy of prizes including two season tickets to the 2008 BlueClaws season (along with parking and Upstairs Club passes), an authentic BlueClaws jersey with "3- million" on the back, an autographed team bat and ball, a $50 gift card to the ClawsCove, a $50 gift certificate to the Upstairs Club, a ceremonial first pitch on the field before that night's game, and a half-inning on the radio. Have some news to share with the baseball community? Drop us a note at editors@augustpublications.com.

Royals president says two baseball facilities can work
Posted July 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) President Alan Stein said his group is open to any sort of possibility regarding the future of ballparks in Omaha. That includes, he said, having a hand in building a new ballpark in the north downtown area, even if Rosenblatt Stadium is refurbished for the College World Series. Among the possibilities being considered by the city is a $26-million upgrade in and around Rosenblatt Stadium. Another is a new, smaller ballpark north of downtown Omaha with expandable seating for the College World Series. The college-baseball community thinks highly of Rosenblatt Stadium: it's been the home of the College World Series for a long, long time, and something with that much history -- and is still highly functional, to boot -- deserves some special consideration. The perfect plan would be to renovate Rosenblatt Stadium (perhaps combining it with the currently homeless College Baseball Hall of Fame; efforts to house it at a Lubbock ballpark have all but dies) and then build an urban, intimate ballpark for the O-Royals. There are some unfortunate small-town politics involved here -- the O-Royals seem to have been taken for granted by the city, but don't forget their lease at Rosenblatt Stadium expires in three years -- and Mayor Mike Fahey isn't showing much leadership.
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Hennepin County, land owners remain far apart on value of ballpark site
Posted July 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The condemnation hearing concerning the value of an eight-acre parcel serving as the site of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark continues this week, and both sides continues to fight it out in the press as well as in the courtroom. Honestly, there's so much blame to go around in this whole mess it's unbelievable: County Commissioner Mike Opat would probably be better off just shutting up and letting the court testimony speak for itself, while Land Partner II's Rich Pogin doesn't come off as a sympathetic figure, either, especially when he's at the public trough seeking over $65 million for eight acres of land. Memo to Rich: It's not nearly as complex as you keep asserting it is. Still, this should be a fascinating week in court; we may try to check out some of the action.
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County details Knights ballpark numbers
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A new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) would generate $1.4 million annually in taxes, according to estimates offered by the team and Mecklenburg County. The figure is included in the agenda for the July 10 county commissioners meeting. At that time, the commissioners are expected to discuss awarding a 20-year economic-development grant to the team in exchange for the Knights' initial $8-million investment in related infrastructure originally set for public funding. Those plans were scrapped when the county's attempt to sell and redevelop Spirit Square became a controversial topic among local arts groups, delaying the sale.
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Pirates in search of a CEO
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With Kevin McClatchy stepping down as CEO of the Pittsburgh Pirates, many expect there to be a long line of good contenders for the job. It's a pretty good position: although the farm system isn't in good shape, the business operations appear to be in order and the team plays in a great ballpark. Some early names thrown out there include Jim Duquette, the vice president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles; Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg, owner of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League), State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League); Gerry Hunsicker, the VP for baseball operations for the Devil Rays; and former Brewers president and CEO Ulice Payne, a native of Ringgold High School in Pennsylvania.
    RELATED STORIES: McClatchy to step down as Pirates CEO

Today's video: Binghamton Mets rally film
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This video is shown by the Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League) in the middle of the ninth as a rally tool. We've been really pleased with the response to our call for videos: we've already heard from several teams and vendors, so we'll continue bringing them to you. If you want to share your videos with the baseball community, drop us a line at editors@augustpublications.com.

If they build it, will you come?
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Brad Wendt, chief executive officer of independent United League Baseball, says he’s busy trying to build an independent baseball empire. He has visions of an 18-team league, up from the current six teams. The league is still very much in its start-up stage and unwilling to disclose financial numbers. But attendance in the league’s largest market -- Edinburg -- does not appear to be meeting attendance expectations. The ULB is composed of five Texas teams, including the Coyotes and the ‘Wings, to go along with Louisiana’s Alexandria Aces. If the master plan succeeds, the upstart ULB could be one of the largest, if not the largest, independent leagues in the country within three years," Wendt said. Realistically, there are only a few financial ways to achieve that growth. Expanded into Wichita and Topeka and bringing in Gary Wendt's Columbia team is a good start. That leaves nine teams to generate, which probably means trying to bring some independent American Association teams into the fold.

Ballpark was designed with a twist to keep breezes at bay
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One of the most overblown (har, har) stories in All-Star history is the tale of Stu Miller being blown off the mound during the 1961 game at Candlestick Park -- he never fell off the mound, but moved slightly in response to a gust -- but designers of AT&T Park took pains to cut down on the effects of wind in the new facility. Before construction began in 1997, designers decided to rotate the ballpark by a quarter turn. Wind-tunnel studies had suggested the initial orientation favored by the architects would have been a windblown disaster -- quite possibly twice as windy for fans as Candlestick Park. Turning the new ballpark's back to the wind cost fans the best views of the city skyline, but the payoff turned out to be a remarkably effective windshield -- for everyone concerned. Those skirt-lifting, hat-stealing gusts so typical of summer in San Francisco barely raise eyebrows inside AT&T Park, particularly in the pricey and best-protected seats nearest home plate. Speaking of AT&T Park: here's a look at the economic and development activity surrounding the ballpark -- economic activity that doesn't exist, according to some with an axe to grind. The game, of course, is a big showcase for the Giants and AT&T Park; owner Peter Magowan says he's pretty pleased with the state of both.

Could Terre Haute support a minor-league baseball team?
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Independent Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee met with Indiana University and city officials two weeks ago regarding placing a team in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was the second meeting Lee has had with interested minor league parties in Terre Haute in a year. It is believed that the Frontier League would be interested in moving one of its existing franchises to Terre Haute, though Lee would not confirm it. Potential owners -- none of whom have been publicly identified -- are also believed to be considering investment in a franchise, contingent on an available facility. Right now it sounds like the plan is to fix up Sycamore Field as the home both for IU and a Frontier League team.

A fitting tribute to Paterson's Larry Doby
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Hinchliffe Stadium is on our list of Endangered Ballparks; the former home of Negro Leagues teams in Paterson, N.J., is targeted by preservationists who see it as an important tribute to that city's history. It was also key in the personal history of Larry Doby, the first African-American player in the American League. Writes Lawrence Aaron: "Paterson's Hinchliffe Stadium to its glory days would be fitting tribute to baseball legend Larry Doby, a man who brought so much positive attention to this North Jersey city. It's going to take a lot of effort to make that happen. Thursday marked the 60th anniversary of Larry Doby's landmark achievement as the first African-American in the American League. Three generations of Dobys attended the ceremony, which was held in the city's Eastside Park on a well-maintained field named in his honor. As great as that is, it would be an equally meaningful tribute to restore Hinchliffe, the stadium where he played professionally in the Negro Leagues."

A's ready to make noise and not just ballpark construction
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Five years ago the Oakland A's was a pretty scruffy franchise, making it through the cunning of GM Billy Beane, who worked miracles without much in the way of resources. Today, managing partner Lew Wolff has grand plans for a new ballpark, a new stadium in San Jose to house an MLS team, and ownership of an entire woman's soccer league. Even Beane is involved in the soccer venture. It's exciting to see the A's outgrow McAfee Coliseum.
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Royle focuses on big picture
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Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwood League) owner Jeff Royle doesn't like talking about financial projections. He'll say he hopes to break even in this, the Bullfrogs' inaugural season. He'll say he hopes to recoup his group's initial seven-figure investment as soon as possible, preferably in less than five years. But when it comes to analyzing improved attendance and predicting how those figures will hold up the next five weeks -- and beyond -- Royle defers to an axiom: The success of Northwoods League baseball here is as good as the most recent gate. The Bullfrogs are averaging 1,002 fans a game -- less than the 1,200 that Royle projected -- but sponsorship interest is high and attendance has steadily risen since the season started. Here's Dave Wright's take on Jeff Royle and the Bullfrogs.

Nintendo testing interactive fan network at Safeco Field
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Nintendo is making a pitch to turn its portable DS Lite into a baseball staple, bringing interactive technology to fans through a pilot program being tested this season at Safeco Field. The innovative program is called the Nintendo Fan Network. For a fee, the network uploads a program onto the user's DS Lite and allows fans to order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores and play trivia, all from the comfort of their seat -- whether it's a premium seat behind home plate or in the top row of the ballpark.

A swing and a miss? IBL still facing difficulties
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In a country devoted to soccer and basketball, the emergence of Israel's first professional baseball league has been met by both enthusiasm and criticism, with native Israelis generally contributing to neither. The Israel Baseball League, created by a confluence of North American Jewish businessmen and fans, has fluctuated between success and failure ever since opening day. The inaugural game, played on June 24 between the Modi'in Miracle and the Petah Tikva Pioneers, drew an unexpected crowd of 3,112, but since then attendance levels have dropped into the low hundreds and sometimes even the double digits, with many crowds consisting solely of family and friends. Despite the low turnout, those involved in the league are still optimistic for its future.

Marlins TV ratings, attendance rebound from lows of 2006
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The Florida Marlins are showing how a competitive team featuring familiar players can draw more fans to their TVs and to Dolphin Stadium. Through June, the Marlins had a 3.3 average rating per game in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market. That's up from 2.2 for the same 2006 period for games on FSN Florida and Sun Sports, a 50 percent increase. The Marlins are helping viewers stay tuned, with cameras in dugouts during games and interviews in the clubhouse with pitchers who leave games, team spokesman P.J. Loyello said.

Redbirds attendance up 40,000 over 2006
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The Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) may not be on top of the win-loss column, but the team is in the thick of the league attendance race. Halfway through the season, the Redbirds are in third place in attendance with a total of 367,186. The Redbirds average a little more than 8,000 fans per game. At this time last year, attendance was at 327,906. Jason Potter, director of marketing for the Redbirds, says the rise in attendance numbers is partially due to season ticket holders actually showing up to games at AutoZone Park. That is due to improved communication between the team and ticket holders.

Minor-league pitcher can't shut the door, can't open it either
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Firefighters in Montgomery were called to the ballpark after a relief pitcher slammed the door. They were called because Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) pitcher Matt Elliott had locked himself in the bathroom at Riverwalk Stadium and could not get out to pitch the ninth inning against the Montgomery Biscuits. Elliott was angry about giving up the tying run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth and headed to the bathroom behind the dugout at Riverwalk Stadium. "He slammed the door and he broke the locking mechanism that is set inside of a steel frame in the side of a concrete wall," said Greg Rauch, general manager of the Biscuits.

Blue Rocks belong in Eastern League
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Kevin Tresolini argues that the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High Class A; Carolina League) belong in the Class AA Eastern League and not the Carolina League based on the market size and the ability of the team to consistently draw fans. No doubt Wilmington could support a Class AA team, but politically that may be hard: the Phillies would need to approve any Class AA team moving in (technically, the Blue Rocks wouldn't move out; the Carolina League franchise would be sold and moved and an existing Eastern League franchise moved in), although with the Connecticut Defenders having a hard time in Norwich you never know what will happen in that circuit.

Valley is long shot for getting affiliated baseball team
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The Rio Grande Valley will be home to three independent baseball teams next season, but don’t expect deep South Texas to lure an affiliated minor league franchise in the near future, Texas League Commissioner Tom Kayser said. There is virtually no chance at the present time because Major League Baseball is not in the market for new minor league teams, Kayser said. Only MLB expansion will open opportunities for locations looking to be home to the next affiliated ball club, he added.

MLB punishes ESPN for releasing All-Star names early
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This seems a little extreme. ESPN won't be able to allowed to broadcast its "Baseball Tonight" show live from the All-Star Game in San Francisco on Tuesday night. Major League Baseball limited ESPN's access this week after the cable network broke an embargo and announced the All-Star rosters before the end of a selection show on TBS. ESPN reported the NL starters, including San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds, before the show on TBS aired, using a vote list mistakenly released on The Associated Press wire. The AP sent an advisory after that transmission, saying the list was embargoed until after the TBS show. ESPN also revealed the entire rosters shortly after they were announced on TBS but before the end of the TBS show in violation of baseball's embargo.

Diamond in the rough
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We wish we had more time to devote to ballparks like Veterans Field in Tekamah, Nebraska. It's not a minor-league park, but it's been a central part of the community when it opened 75 years ago: volunteers maintain the field and stands, and another local citizen donated a Hammond organ so there would be live music during the game. We wish we had enough time to highlight hometown ballparks like this; let us know if you'd like to see more stories like this.

Players, others sickened after ballpark meal
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The Nashua health department is investigating what made more than a dozen Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) players, team officials and reporters sick after eating at Holman Stadium. The first person to get sick felt symptoms of food poisoning on June 28. On average, those affected were ill for four to five days with nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. A week later, most had regained full health, said spokesman Nick Travalini, who was among those stricken.

Are stadiums worth the high price?
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Dave Zirin argues that Washington, D.C. is overpaying for a new Washington Nationals ballpark and therefore any public funding of a new sports facility is bad. He's absolutely right when speaking in the specific -- the funding plan for the new ballpark is a very bad one for D.C. taxpayers -- but he's off on some other assertions. For starters, the D.C. plan isn't typical at all of recent ballpark funding plans: the New York Yankees and New York Mets are paying for their own ballparks (a fact curiously omitted here), the St. Louis Cardinals paid almost the entire cost of their new ballpark and the Minnesota Twins are picking up at least $130 million for their new ballpark (more likely significantly more when all the costs are tallied). The whole issue of public subsidies for businesses of all sorts -- whether it be tax dollars for a new ballpark or tax-increment financing for a downtown hotel development -- is a complicated one well worth debating, but articles like this with some silly assertions (like the one stating the only way to see the inside of the Superdome is via a New Orleans Saints ticket; this past weekend a large and popular local music festival was held there, for instance) don't really add to the debate.

Ballpark Notes
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The 2007 Triple-A All-Star Fiesta got off to a tremendous start as 20,000 total fans turned out for the All-Star Fan Fest at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday combined.  Fans came out in droves to get autographs from seven former Albuquerque Dukes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Los Angeles Dodgers legends, including Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Bill Russell and Mike Marshall, as well as participate in scores of interactive games.  Kids especially enjoyed the wiffle ball replica of Isotopes Park, which allowed them to hit a home run at The Lab, as well as the tried-and-true speed pitch and batting cages.  In addition to the autographs and games, the Fan Fest featured live music from local bands, and a card show from local memorabilia shops....Yesterday Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) broadcaster Dan Karcher called his 2,500th Sky Sox game. Karcher has been with the Sky Sox for 18 seasons and has seen the club win two PCL Championship in 1992 and 1995....The Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) are closing in on five million fans. Since baseball returned to City Island in 1987, close to five million fans have attended games at Commerce Bank Park during the regular season. Although the exact date for reaching five million fans is still uncertain, the Senators believe it will happen during the home stand scheduled for July 19th through July 25th. One fan will be selected at the end of the special game and that fan will win a $2,250 prize package, which will include 2008 box season tickets with parking. The winner will also get Senators’ tickets to use this season, autographed items, a picnic with friends next year, Washington Nationals tickets with parking at RFK Stadium and much more....Despite a 4-13 start, the Tri-City ValleyCats (short season; NY-Penn League) sold out four of their first eight openings for a 4,226 average, compared with last years 3,490 average. Regular readers will remember a pretty slick video used by the team for promotional purposes; some improvements to the ballpark also helped. Have some news to share with the baseball community? Drop us a note at editors@augustpublications.com.