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Archives: Sept. 10-16, 2007

Ryan steps down as Twins GM; Smith named successor
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Terry Ryan, who established the current model for turning a midmarket team with limited resources into a winning franchise, stepped down as GM of the Minnesota Twins yesterday. Longtime assistant GM Bill Smith was named his successor. Working under some very limiting circumstances -- the Twins have never been big players in the free-agent market and the team's payroll is limited, to say the least -- Ryan turned to the farm system as a way to revitalize the franchise. That approach requires some discipline, to say the least: it takes years to develop a prospect, and a team can spend a decade developing a player before losing him to free agency. Ryan was a dogged overseer of the farm system: we remember comparing notes with him on Joe Mauer when the phenom played for the Quad City River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League), as Ryan spent a lot of time on the road getting a first-hand view of his players. (That travel also endeared him to the Twins' minor-league affiliates: farm teams love an appearance by the major-league GMs, and Ryan was certainly a constant presence.) True, Ryan's philosophy was forced by the hand he was dealt -- really, he had no option but to build up the farm system -- but he added an uncanny ability to spot diamonds in the rough, no doubt enhanced by the time he spent with the farm teams. Look at some of the deals he made -- Jason Bartlett for Brian Buchanan; David Ortiz for Dave Hollins; a few nobodies for Luis Castillo; Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano and Boof Bonser for A.J. Pierzynski; plucking Johan Santana from the Astros' farm system -- and the players developed under his watchful eye: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter, Brad Radke, to name a few. He wasn't perfect (Twins fans wailed about his reluctance to add free agents in the midst of a pennant battle) and his teams never made a big impact in the playoffs. But in terms of creating the model of a successful franchise, his approach can be seen in the front offices of the Milwaukee Brewers (who apply the formula most successfully), the Cincinnati Reds, the New York Yankees (surprisingly), the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies and more. (Indeed, better treatment of minor-league affiliates may be Ryan's lasting legacy as far as many readers of this site are concerned.) He does leave the team at an awkward time: the franchise will face some serious challenges signing soon-to-be free agents Santana and Hunter, and there's a chance Ryan's successor, Smith, could end up losing both because of financial considerations. Ryan's turned down offers to serve as general manager of other teams, and we have no doubt he's sincere in his statements about wanting to serve as an advisor to the team: it's clear Ryan's happiest scouting out talent, and we suspect he'll be found touring the minors again next season. (Photo by Jim Robins.) LaVelle E. Neal III has a rambling, yet touching tribute to Ryan.

Pride to return in 2008 -- maybe
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Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) owner John Stabile and Nashua Mayor Bernie Streeter announced a plan to keep the Pride in Nashua for future seasons. Stabile is hoping to sell a 50 percent interest of the team -- priced at $800,000 -- to local residents, regional companies and fans; if that happens he'll keep the team going. Now, selling $800,000 in limited partnerships is not exactly an easy sell: besides access to the owner's box, all an investor will get is the satisfaction of knowing they helped keep the team in Nashua. The plan is to woo 32 investors at $25,000 a share, or many more at $5,000 a share. Stabile would retain 50 percent ownership of the team and control over the day-to-day operations of the team. More from the Manchester Union Leader.

Family of teen hurt at Sky Sox game sues team
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The family of a 13-year-old Boy Scout who suffered brain damage after getting knocked over by the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) mascot has filed a lawsuit against the team. Tyler Follon’s parents, Elizabeth and Eric Follon, are seeking an undetermined amount of damages from the minor league baseball team and HEC Services Worldwide, a company based in China that made the mock sumo wrestling suit Tyler was wearing when he was injured. Tyler went to the game at Security Service Field on June 10, 2005. He and a 12-year-old boy were chosen to don the oversized stuffed suits with headgear for a mock bout. The lawsuit, filed in late May in the 4th Judicial District, states the mascot pushed Tyler off the safety mat, and he hit his head on the infield dirt. Team officials failed to recognize that Tyler "had been seriously injured" and pulled him off the field, set him "upright in the stands and failed to call or obtain proper emergency care," according to the complaint.

Nats want prime-time '08 opener
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The Washington Nationals are pushing the idea of opening their new ballpark next season on a national stage, asking Major League Baseball officials to grant them a prime-time game on a Sunday night to be broadcast on ESPN, according to sources who have been briefed on the club's plans. The proposal calls for a single game between the Nationals and an opponent to be determined, most likely one from the National League East, on the Sunday before the full major league schedule begins. MLB officials, who distributed a draft schedule to clubs earlier this week, are weighing that idea along with other moving parts in the schedule -- such as a proposed series between Boston and Oakland in Tokyo. The schedule could change in coming weeks and months.

Say goodbye to RFK Stadium
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The Washington Nationals end the season -- and their tenure at RFK Stadium -- with a 10-game homestand. The Nats haven't been a huge success this season, either on the field (though they did improve after a horrendous start) or at the box office. Part of the issue was RFK Stadium, which was treated by the team as a temporary home. Understandably so -- who wants to put money into a temporary venue? We're not sure if the last two seasons were a trustworthy referendum on the state of baseball in D.C., but we did find RFK Stadium charming in a retro kinds way. More from the Washington Post.

Augusta ballpark study might start soon
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The study to determine the feasibility of building a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) on the Savannah River in downtown Augusta could begin as early as next week, members of the Downtown Stadium Exploratory Committee said this week. The study will be conducted in three- to six-week phases, the first of which likely would be done by mid-October. The study will include whether a ballpark can be built on the proposed site -- adjacent to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens between 11th and 13th streets -- as well as other questions, such as cost, funding and parking.

Project costs stay in the ballpark
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As spending hikes go, it's an infield single -- the price tag for Coca-Cola Park, the new home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) has risen 2 percent, Lehigh County Commissioners were told Thursday. The cost of the county's minor-league ballpark is now $49.4 million, county Administration Director Tom Muller told commissioners as he reviewed capital projects in the $400 million, no-tax-increase, 2008 budget. An unexpected need for 70,000 tons of imported fill for the east Allentown site resulted in the $1 million increase, he said. But the administration covered the expense by using $600,000 in hotel tax funds that had built up over the years and $400,000 in bond proceeds, Muller said.

League makes first pitch to councillors over Lynx Stadium
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The Ottawa city council, if nothing else, is listening to Miles Wolff's pitch to bring an independent Can-Am Association team to play at Lynx Stadium starting next summer. The big question is, according to Wolff, is how quickly the team can sign a lease. But the answer isn't straightforward, as Wolff and several others found Thursday when a group of about 10 people met with about a dozen councillors in four separate meetings at city hall. A big issue is the current lawsuit filed by the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) against the city for the loss of parking at the ballpark; the Lynx are suing the city for $10 million and the city is threatening a $2 million penalty should the Lynx break their lease, which expires in 2009. Technically, the Lynx have not notified the city of the team's intentions -- though it will certainly end up in Allentown next spring -- so that issue is up in the air. Wolff is trying to broker a deal where his league can assume the league and the Lynx will drop their lawsuit. Then there's a proposal to turn the ballpark into a multiuse venue, which would preclude baseball from being played there for at least two years. In a smart move, Wolff says Baseball Canada would move their operations to the ballpark and use it as a showcase for the national team.
    RELATED STORIES: Developer hopes to help settle dispute between Lynx, city; Spirit gives up ghost in Lynn; Ottawa to land Nashua Pride?; Shuttle off to Lynx Stadium?; Honestly, you can't really blame him; Wolff: Don't close down Lynx Stadium

Focus on management, not sale of Yankees
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A local newspaper calls for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) to continue under the ownership of Lackawanna County and Luzerne County and the management of Mandalay Baseball Properties. The issue: Luzerne County is threatening to sue Lackawanna County over the agreement to sell the team -- a deal made by Lackawanna County officials without the participation of Luzerne County officials, even the two jointly own the SWB Yankees -- and that could end up mucking up everything.
    RELATED STORIES: Commissioners postpone decision on baseball suit; Yankees set to break attendance record; Law firms hired in Yankees flap; Mandalay eyes expansion; Value of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees questioned; 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?

Baseball union throws support to concession workers
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We've lately covered the labor unrest at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but there's another ballpark facing unhappy workers: Rogers Centre, the home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Actor Danny Glover spoke to the workers the other day, and yesterday The high-profile union representing major league baseball players has thrown its support behind the drive to unionize concession workers at the Rogers Centre. Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, has written a letter of support for the union drive being conducted by UNITE HERE, which represents 50,000 hotel, food service, garment and manufacturing workers in Canada.

Moss works on South Atlantic League Hall of Fame
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After John H. Moss retires at the end of the year as president of the Low Class A South Atlantic League, he'll move on to his next project: the establishment of a Sally League Hall of Fame. Moss was in Columbus to see the Catfish take on the West Virginia Power in the league championship series, and he threw out the first pitch at the last game of his tenure. When you look at the teams of the Western Carolina League in 1960 and the league today, the difference is astounding. Interestingly, some of the ballparks from that 1960 season, like Salisbury's, still stand.

Foxhounds will be back
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Will the independent South Coast League be back next season? We've heard nothing that would have us believe otherwise, but apparently the talk in Aiken is that the Aiken Foxhounds would not be returning. Foxhounds general manager Bradley Bell says the team will definitely be back, and he's already out selling for the 2008 season. The Foxhounds averaged 1,005 fans per game, almost right on the goal the club had set for the year, and Bell says a small improvement could make a big difference.

Would minor-league baseball play in Bloomington/Normal?
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A group of community leaders has been studying the idea of bringing a minor league baseball team to the Bloomington/Normal (Ill.) area and are ready to hear what residents think. The committee has talked to Heartland Community College about a possible partnership for a baseball field; the local group is looking for an investor to buy the team and also upgrade the ballpark. (The issue of sports facilities in Bloomington is a nasty one; the city had a bad experience with a local arena suffering larger-than-expected losses, so don't expect any public funding.) The group has talked with the independent Frontier League, but a more realistic goal would be a summer-collegiate team.

Ballpark lease renewed for Wizards '08 season
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The Memorial Coliseum board of trustees approved a one-year lease extension Thursday for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) to play the 2008 season at Memorial Stadium. Team officials want to begin the 2009 season playing in a new downtown ballpark. The lease extension included no changes from the current lease, which was set to expire at the end of the month, and didn’t include a rent increase. The Wizards will pay about $208,872 to the Coliseum to use Memorial Stadium next year.

Ballpark Notes
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The independent Northern League announced the Kansas City T-Bones was named the 2007 Organization of the Year as voted on by the league's managers, radio announcers, and local media. Celebrating their fifth season in Kansas City, the T-Bones took home the organization of the year honors for the second time in four years. While falling just two games short of qualifying for the post-season on the field, off the field the T-Bones increased their total attendance for the fifth straight season. They are the only franchise in the history of Kansas City professional sports to increase attendance numbers each year of existence. The 2007 season was the first time in team history they averaged more than 6,000 fans per game.

Finales set for Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium
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Yankee Stadium is set to host its final regular-season game on Sept. 21, 2008, with New York playing Baltimore. Shea Stadium will hold its regular-season wrapup a week later, on Sept. 28 against Florida. The Yankees and Mets recently received schedule drafts for the 2008 season from the commissioner's office. The Yankees also will host the All-Star game. Both New York teams are moving into new ballparks in 2009, with the old ballparks slated for demolition soon after the final games. Yankee Stadium opened in 1923 and was extensively renovated in the mid-1970s. The new $1 billion ballpark is built across the street and will keep the same name. Shea Stadium opened in 1964. The $800 million Citi Field is being built in the parking lot beyond Shea Stadium's center-field wall. Below is a shot of Citi Field taken on Sept. 8 by reader Gary Dunaier; thanks to him for its use.
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Ilitch set on Comerica Park seating expansion
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Expressing glee over his baseball team, which last year played in the World Series and this year will draw more than three million customers, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch said Wednesday he hoped to increase seating at Comerica Park as part of an annual plan aimed at "enhancing" the eight-year-old ballpark. Ilitch said the Tigers will consider incremental ways in which attendance might be increased at Comerica. It is one of the smallest ballparks in the majors with a capacity of 41,070. One possibility: trimming the dugouts to add more premium seating.

Council postpones vote on Reno ballpark
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The Reno City Council postponed until Sept. 20 votes on documents creating a new downtown ballpark for the relocated Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The delay gives city staff more time to prepare an analysis of public safety concerns in moving the downtown fire station to Keystone Avenue to make room for the ballpark. City officials have proposed moving the fire department to city owned properties on Keystone Avenue. But City Manager Charles McNeely said other options might be available, including finding a place for the station in the proposed ballpark district. City officials are in a race against time to approve the stadium deal. All of the agreements must be signed before Oct. 1 or county car rental fees approved by the state for a ballpark project will be lost. A vote by the Washoe County commission for the use of those fees is scheduled Sept. 25. Meanwhile, SK Baseball LLC completed its purchase of the Sidewinders from Jay Zucker on Wednesday, clearing the way for a move. Zucker will receive $15 million, or $13.5 million if the team does not move. PCL officials say they expect a relocation request (a formality, really) to be filed at league offices shortly.
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Brighton council approves ballot measure
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Brighton (Col.) city officials touted a proposed ballpark for an independent American Association team as a site that could host concerts, car shows and even high school graduations, adding a new profile to what was at first a simple facility. It’s this multi-faceted quality that has become a major selling point for a proposed sales tax increase to fund the facility, which will go before the voters on the ballot in November. The new complex would contain 3,500 to 4,000 seats, 12 suites, a team locker, training facilities, youth play areas, a stage, a parking lot, a scoreboard and other features. The facility would be ready to host a team for the 2009 baseball season. No site has been chosen, but downtown Brighton is a possibility.
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Pirates hire Frank Coonelly as team president
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It's official: The Pittsburgh Pirates today officially announced that the hiring of Frank Coonelly as the team's new president. The anticipated announcement was made by Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting. "This is a tremendous step forward in the transition of our organization. After an extensive search process, it became clear to me that Frank is by far the best and most qualified choice to become the day-to-day leader of this organization," said Nutting. "Frank brings a tremendous amount of baseball experience to this role. This experience will be a critical asset for us moving forward, including in the short term in the selecting of our new General Manager and assembling our baseball operations team." Coonelly previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel in the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball for nine years. In this role he worked closely with general managers and baseball operations personnel from every team in Major League Baseball.
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Developer hopes to help settle dispute between Lynx, city
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Local businessman David Butler is trying to broker a deal between the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) and the city of Ottawa in the hopes of securing a deal for himself with the baseball team's old digs. Butler, who last week announced ambitious plans to cap the city-owned facility with a permanent roof, add up to 15,000 more seats, and convert the ballpark to a concert and indoor sporting facility, said he is trying to help "broker" a deal between the two parties, currently involved in a legal dispute over alleged unfulfilled promises on parking. At the same time, he has reached out to the independent Can-Am Association, hoping a mutually beneficial arrangement can be reached. Butler says a team can play at the refurbished facility, noting that the high point of the dome will be 220 feet; Can-Am Association Commissioner Miles Wolff says he's not sure that enough room, and besides it would take two year for the renovations to be completed. Wolff will meet with Ottawa city councillors today to again bring forward his proposal to bring a Can-Am team to Ottawa, but he's competing against a pretty ambitious plan.
    RELATED STORIES: Spirit gives up ghost in Lynn; Ottawa to land Nashua Pride?; Shuttle off to Lynx Stadium?; Honestly, you can't really blame him; Wolff: Don't close down Lynx Stadium

Harbor Yard ballpark needs repairs
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The decade-old Ballpark at Harbor Yard has sprung a leak -- many of them, in fact -- and needs extensive repairs. The city on Friday will launch the repair process by seeking bids from contractors at the ballpark. George Estrada, the city's director of public facilities, said this morning the ballpark will require a rehabilitation project costing $800,000 to correct "water mitigation issues" that have troubled the structure since it was constructed 10 years ago on what used to be south Main Street, just south of Interstate 95. On Friday, prospective contractors will be given a tour of the home of the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League) to get a direct perspective on the kind of repairs the city is asking them to make.

The next big flip: Ballpark seats?
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More on entrepreneur Lou Weisbach and his unusual approach to facility financing. Here's his plan: Fans contract with teams to own their seats for a set period -- from five years to ten years to perpetuity -- at a fixed price, paying in a lump sum annually. The teams, in turn, get a reliable source of cash flow to pay down debt or fund new projects. The thing is, who is more likely to make this sort of investment if we're talking about a premium over face value: Joe Six-Pack or a ticket vendor who can easily flip the tickets at a huge market for hot events? We did some asking around, and our readers who work with MLB teams don't seem especially thrilled with the notion of giving up this much power over tickets (which, as they'll remind you, is merely a license to attend a game, and nothing more tangible than that), especially when MLB is moving toward more multiple pricing plans and more of a presence in the secondary-ticket market, where they can gain more revenue by reselling the ticket.
    RELATED STORIES: 'Seat rights' plan pitched at ballpark; Morgan Stanley buys stake in stadium finance firm

Oklahoma senator tries to strike Billings ballpark funding
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The U.S. Senate on Wednesday turned back an attempt to strike $500,000 in federal funding to help build the replacement for Cobb Field in Billings. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., offered an amendment to strip the earmark, along with a few others, from a transportation spending bill. The Senate voted 63-32 to reject Coburn’s amendment, keeping the money in the bill. This sounds like some nasty politics at play: the earmark was originally requested by Sen. Conrad Burns before he was voted out of office; now that two Democrats represent Montana in the Senate, a Republican senator tries to strip out almost all the Montana earmarks from the bill. Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League), is currently being demolished and a new ballpark is slated to open next year. More from Congressional Quarterly, which botches the coverage: the Mustangs aren't owned by the Cincinnati Reds.
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Mediator will try to find a ballpark land solution
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Rick Solum, a former Hennepin County district judge, will be the next person to try to settle how much the site of the new Minnesota Twins ballpark is worth. Hennepin County and lawyers for the stadium's landowners agreed Wednesday to have Solum preside over a mediation hearing on Sept. 28 to try to bring the sides together. Solum is a shareholder with the Dorsey & Whitney law firm; he specializes in alternate dispute resolution and complex financial situations, so this is right up his alley. The hearing is the latest attempt to keep the issue from going to trial next year; despite the rhetoric from some of the attorneys, it's pretty clear both sides would rather find a middle ground.
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Area losing Spirit baseball
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With the North Shore Spirit (independent; Can-Am Association) poised to shut down operations after the league championship series, a big issue is what owner Nick Lopardo will do with the millions in improvements he made to Fraser Field. According to the team's lease, the Spirit owns the modular clubhouse, team offices, concession stands, and restrooms that it put up to accommodate the team and staff. The team also owns 1,200 field box seats installed about 60 feet from the dugouts and the video scoreboard in the outfield. We've heard the tentative plan is for Lopardo to donate everything to local universities, but he may run into an issue: the city says anything attached to the ballpark, including the seats and the scoreboard, must stay in the ballpark. We're guessing negotiations will yield a compromise where the seats stay and everything else goes.
    RELATED STORIES: Spirit gives up ghost in Lynn; Wolff: Don't close down Lynx Stadium

Is a third N.Y. baseball team feasible?
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Short answer: economically, yes; politically, no. There's just no way the owners of the New York Mets and the New York Yankees would allow another MLB team into the New York/New Jersey market, especially when they've borrowed a couple of billion dollars to build new ballparks. Here the author huffs and puffs about the 1922 anti-trust exemption being the big barrier to another team moving in, but the reality is considerably more complex.

Wranglers cease operations
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After four seasons in the Texas Collegiate Baseball League, the Weatherford Wranglers are taking their bats and balls and going home. The Wranglers' owners announced Monday they are folding the team, saying they are exercising a termination clause in their agreement with the summer wooden-bat league. Last month, Gerald Haddock, the league chairman and chief executive officer, sued seven of the nine teams in the league, including the Wranglers, after they told him they did not intend to continue playing in 2008. He asked a court to block any effort by the teams to form a new league using the same concepts as the TCL. Haddock places the value of the TCL at more than $3 million.

Ump tells lout to not shout, so he's out
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There were so few fans at Dolphin Stadium for Wednesday's game, a season-ticket holder got thrown out for heckling the umpire too loudly. In the fifth inning of the Florida Marlins' 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals, home plate umpire Paul Schreiber gave the thumb to an unnamed man seated behind the plate who had been verbally abusive throughout the contest. There were no more than about 400 fans in attendance at the game's peak.

Ballpark condo developer gets extra innings
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Although aldermen rejected a ballpark-hugging condominium development last week, the developer is still pushing the project and received a 60-day extension from the planning board last night. Line Drive Lofts LLC had been originally scheduled to bring its six-story, 36-unit project before the planning board last night. But the board granted Line Drive's request for an extension, pushing the regulatory hearing to Nov. 8. Line Drive first appeared before the planning board in June. But the project stalled when aldermen refused several requests made by Line Drive, including turning over air-rights for condo balconies, which would jut out over Merchantsauto.com Stadium property. The ballpark is home to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League).

Ballpark Notes
Posted Sept. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The voice of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (short season; Northwest League) has signed off. Pat Lafferty, who has been the Volcanoes' play-by-play broadcaster on KYKN radio (1430 AM) since the franchise arrived in 1997, announced his retirement this week. KYKN will be broadcasting Seattle Mariners games next season, leaving the Volcanoes without a radio affiliate. But Volcanoes games are expected to be carried on radio next year....

Hennepin County makes insulting offer to Twins ballpark landowners
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It probably would have been better if Hennepin County had made no offer at all. Hennepin County offered $19.3 million, plus incidental costs, on Tuesday for the land on which the new Minnesota Twins ballpark is being built, but it drew a cool reception from the landowners. No surprise: a three-member panel of arbitrators pegged the land's value at $23.8 million, with a dissenting arbitrator saying the land was worth $33 million. The landowners have already countered with a $33.18 million offer -- under the circumstances, not exactly an unfair proposal that could at the very least serve as the starting point for serious negotiations. In the end, it's pretty clear the nonbinding arbitration was a worthless exercise and, unless Hennepin County officials step up with a more realistic offer, merely served as a practice run for a trial next year.
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Commissioners postpone decision on baseball suit
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Luzerne County Commissioners scheduled and then canceled a Tuesday afternoon press conference to announce a planned lawsuit involving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), the team co-owned with Lackawanna County. Luzerne County’s legal team recommended holding off, said county Public Information Officer Kathy Bozinski. The county’s consideration of a lawsuit was prompted by Lackawanna County officials’ approval of documents that could affect the future of the franchise -- including its sale -- without input or approval from Luzerne County, Luzerne County commissioners have said. Mandalay Baseball Properties has an option to buy the team for $13 million. More from the Scanton Times-Tribune.
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Coonelly tapped as next Bucs president: Greenberg
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Frank Coonelly, a top labor lawyer in the commissioner's office, has been selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates to become their next team president, according to the only other known finalist for the job. Chuck Greenberg, a Pittsburgh-based lawyer whose group owns three successful minor league clubs, was told by Pirates controlling owner Bob Nutting that Coonelly was the choice. "As a Pittsburgh guy and a Pirates fan, I would have loved being part of turning the franchise around and seeing the Pirates win championships again," said Greenberg, whose group owns the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League), the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League) and the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League). "But I wish Frank Coonelly only the best."
    RELATED STORIES: Coonelly could be Pirates' next president; Littlefield fired as Pirates GM

Dodgers to set new paid attendance record
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The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they have set a new paid attendance record, passing last season's mark of 3,758,545 fans. Ticket sales for the 2007 season are now just over 3,760,000, with 12 home games still remaining in the regular season. Through 69 games this season, the Dodgers are averaging 47,432 fans, the best mark in the National League. There have been 11 sellouts and 25 games with crowds of more than 50,000 fans. On July 3 of this season, the Dodgers became the first franchise in history to reach 175 million in cumulative attendance.

Future of Pride remains in doubt
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We could see an unusual development in the independent Can-Am Association: both teams in the championship series -- the Nashua Pride and the North Shore Spirit -- could be gone before the beginning of next season. Spirit owner Nick Lopardo reportedly has already thrown in the towel, and Pride owner John Stabile doesn't sound too enthusiastic about coming back for another year of financial losses, either. One option is for former Chris English to come back and run the team for a year until he can move it to a new Leominster ballpark (although that effort seems to be fatally stalled); another is to move the franchise to Ottawa next season should Lynx Stadium be available. After thinking about it, we're not so sure Miles Wolff and crew should be all that eager to move to Lynx Stadium: we're not sure that large a ballpark makes good business sense, and there's something to be said for letting the market go fallow a year or to. Let's face it: the current front office of the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) did a pretty decent job of promoting the team and couldn't get the fans to come to the ballpark, and there's just no way a Can-Am Association team could begin to even halfway fill a 10,00-seat ballpark. Ottawa may end up being a great market for the Can-Am Association in the future, but Lynx Stadium in its present form isn't the answer. More from the Nashua Telegraph.
    RELATED STORIES: Spirit gives up ghost in Lynn; Ottawa to land Nashua Pride?; Shuttle off to Lynx Stadium?; Honestly, you can't really blame him; Wolff: Don't close down Lynx Stadium

Cubs surpass 3M fans at Wrigley Field, fastest in franchise history
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The Chicago Cubs set a club record on Tuesday by reaching three millions fans at Wrigley Field faster than any other season in franchise history. Today's contest is the 75th home date of 2007, surpassing the previous record of 77 home dates to three million fans in 2004 and 2006. The afternoon make-up game vs. the St. Louis Cardinals drew 40,358 fans and brought the season total to 3,007,555 fans at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have now surpassed three million fans in home attendance in each of the last four seasons starting in 2004 when the club reached the mark for the first time and drew the current single-season club record of 3,170,184 fans at Wrigley Field.

Diamond Jaxx honored by Southern League
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The Class AA Southern League announced that the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx have won the Award of Excellence based upon an attendance increase of nearly 19 percent over 2006. West Tenn welcomed 17,865 more fans to Pringles Park in 2007 than in the previous year, a testament to the efforts made by General Manager Jeff Parker and the rest of the Diamond Jaxx staff to revitalize the team’s presence in the community. Owned by Robert Lozinak since October 2002, the Diamond Jaxx spent their 10th season in the Southern League in 2007.

City councilman puts Senators in loss column
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City Councilman Dan Miller tonight took another swing at the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) profitability -- or lack of it. Miller, saying he had analyzed 11 years of audited financial statements, reported that the Harrisburg-owned team piled up financial losses totalling $3.6 million since 1996. Mayor Stephen R. Reed had reported that the team scored a total of $2.7 million in profits for through 2006. Miller, a CPA, had made similar allegations, but he said this was the first time he had access to all the audited financial reports, which he said confirmed his earlier estimates. The city is in the process of selling the H-Sens, and this discussion shouldn't impact the sale, but it will impact where the proceeds of the sale go.

Slumping Marlins reach a low point
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With the worst record in the National League, the Florida Marlins have also lost their connection with the local sports community. The announced attendance Monday at Dolphin Stadium was 12,345, but the crowd was estimated at about 1,000 and after a 40-minute rain delay in the seventh, there were probably 200 fans left in a stadium that seats more than 67,000 for baseball. Now, we've all been in ballparks in September where the crowds have been disappointing, and the weather certainly didn't help any. But there should be more than 1,000 hardcore baseball fans in Miami.

"Joes for Joe" appeal to Bud Selig
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Yeah, it's a PR stunt, but a pretty good one, nevertheless. The Anderson Joes (independent; South Coast League) have made an appeal to MLB baseball commissioner Bud Selig to reinstate Shoeless Joe Jackson.
    Jackson was banned from baseball by Commissioner Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis for allegedly conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series in the well-documented "Black Sox" scandal.
    The Joes, named in honor of the South Carolina legend, recently celebrated the 99th anniversary of the famous "shoeless" game Jackson played in Anderson on August 4, 1908. As part of the evening’s festivities, Anderson Joes players and coaches removed their shoes to pose for a photograph with other celebrated "Joes" of the community including "Shoeless" Joe’s great-great grand nephew, Joe Jackson, his son Joseph Jackson, as well as Joe Thompson, acclaimed author of Growing Up With Shoeless Joe.
    Anderson Joes community relations director Diana Vossbrinck followed up the event by sending Commissioner Selig a framed copy of the "Joes for Joe" photograph, along with a team-signed shirt, and a letter asking for Jackson’s reinstatement. Vossbrinck is also the executive director of Hall YES! a grass-roots movement aimed at Jackson’s reinstatement and eventual induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. There have been other attempts to clear Shoeless Joe's name; none of them seem to even muster a reply from Selig.

Hicks' Rangers reign goes deep
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Tom Hicks is now the longest-tenured owner of the Texas Rangers, beating out the George Bush ownership group (from whom he bought the team). Hicks has had a mixed record as owner: for a period he was a free spender whose approach to negotiations was to bid against himself (see Alex Rodriguez's contract negotiations for proof of that), but lately he's been vilified for not spending enough. The truth is probably somewhere in between: when Hicks was throwing around the bucks he spent little time focusing on the team's farm system, but of late that appears to have changed.

Former Pilots cherish memories
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Julio Franco and Desi Relaford patrolled the same patch of Peninsula dirt 12 years apart. The two ballplayers -- shortstops for the Carolina League's Peninsula Pilots in 1980 and 1992, respectively -- made all-star teams and won league championships at War Memorial Stadium. Fifteen years after the franchise left Hampton and relocated to Wilmington, Del., Franco and Relaford are the last two players in pro baseball who can trace their minor-league roots to the Pilots.

More Riverfront Stadium work is under design
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Renovation work continues on Riverfront Stadium, the home of the Waterloo Bucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). Waterloo City Council members approved a $12,500 contract with Struxture Architects to design "phase IV" of the ongoing renovation. The easternmost concessions area will be remodeled, while the serving windows will be moved to the other side to face the parking lots. That area under the bleachers will be sealed and eventually could become part of the new locker rooms.The city completed a $410,000 restroom, concessions stand and entrance project last spring. Another $138,000 was spent replacing the grandstands roof, and another $41,000 went into a decorative fence.

City agrees to cut fees for baseball team
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City officials have agreed to settle a contract dispute with the owner of the Bellingham Bells (summer collegiate; WCCBL) by waiving use fees this year at Joe Martin Field and allowing the team to pay less in future years. City Council members voted unanimously to approve the settlement with Grand Slam Management Monday night after discussing the issue in closed-door executive session. Grand Slam had sued the city for breach of contract, arguing that renovations forced them to use a less-desirable field. An agreement had been made on that issue in 2006, when the company dropped its lawsuit. Work continued on the ballpark after that, however, and Grand Slam continued to complain about the issue. The city will decrease Grand Slam’s use fees from the current $10,000 contract to $9,000 for 2008 and 2009, plus inflation in future years.

Ballpark Notes
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Independent United League Baseball announced the hiring of Venustiano (Tuffy) Martinez as the new general manager of the Edinburg Coyotes following the resignation of Associate General Manager Brett Lindhal. Martinez is a Port Isabel native who has spent the past 13 years teaching and coaching in the Rio Grande Valley. This includes time in the Port Isabel, Sharyland, Hidalgo and Los Fresnos School Districts before becoming the Athletic Director for the Santa Rosa Independent School District. In addition to his service as a teacher, Tuffy spent five years as the Director of the Verizon Wireless Sports Park in Mission, Texas....The Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) announced that the team’s auction to raise funds for the Lebanon VA Hospital at the end of the season was a huge success. More than $4,500 was raised to benefit the local hospital, which supplies services to military veterans. The medical center consists of a main campus in Lebanon plus Community Based Clinics in Camp Hill, York, Reading, Lancaster, and Pottsville, PA, serving the veterans of 13 counties in south central Pennsylvania.  Prior to and during the Senators’ game on August 30th, more than 100 donated items were auctioned off through a silent auction. Most of the items were autographed and the event included sports, entertainment and celebrity items....Elliott Strankman is returning as manager of the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League)....Mississippi Braves General Manager Steve DeSalvo has been named the Class AA Southern League Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, as voted upon by his peers. It is the third such award in the Southern League for DeSalvo, who was honored in 1990 and 1998 when the Braves called Greenville, S.C. home. DeSalvo, who just completed his 21st season as the franchise's general manager, joined Art Clarkson (4), Peter Bragan, Jr. and Joe Kremer as the only executives to win the award at least three times....The Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball) announced today that Buddy Biancalana has officially resigned as their field manager. Biancalana is leaving the managing ranks of professional baseball to pursue, as he termed other opportunities to closer to home.

A new vision for Tiger Stadium
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Two rival groups trying to save portions of Tiger Stadium, including one headed by Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell, have teamed up to increase the odds that some parts of the historic ballpark will be preserved. Harwell and his attorney, Gary Spicer, said Monday that they have accepted invitations to join the board of the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, a Corktown group working to save a corner of the Corner as a community center and memorial. Harwell had pushed a plan to restore the ballpark to its original Navin Field configuration, but the conservancy was looking to save 1,000 or so seats. Their combined effort now aims at saving about 3,000 seats, both dugouts and locker rooms, and the playing field itself. Most of the more ambitious parts of the Harwell-Spicer effort would happen only in the future if money allowed. We did some asking around, and one issue with either plan is the lack of discussions with any possible tenants of a scaled-down ballpark. At 3,000 seats, who do they expect to play there? Local high schools and college teams. Preserve room for 5,000 and you've got the chance of landing a summer-collegiate team; preserve room for 8,000 and you have a shot at a minor-league team. More from the Detroit News. Tiger Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered Ballparks listings.
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Reading mayor opposes building new ballpark
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Aging FirstEnergy Stadium should not be demolished in favor of a new ballpark, but should undergo about $26 million in renovations, Reading Mayor Tom McMahon said Monday. McMahon said he reached that conclusion after seeing the results of a study started in April after he suggested that a new ballpark for the Reading Phillies be built downtown to spur development along the Schuylkill River. The study results he presented to City Council on Monday did not recommend either option. But McMahon said the results show a new ballpark could cost as much as $67 million without providing substantial financial returns. According to the study, the renovated ballpark would bring the city about $5 million in revenue over 30 years, while a new stadium would generate about $5.5 million over the same time. Team president Chuck Domino says the preference of the Reading Phillies (Class AA; Eastern League) is to renovate the ballpark.

Group prepares new Rosenblatt Stadium plan
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Members of a group trying to keep the College World Series at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium said Monday they are working on a new plan that would renovate the ballpark instead of building a new one. Omaha City Councilman Garry Gernandt said the group is working on a plan with an unnamed local architect that he hopes will be ready for the NCAA within 35 days. Gernandt wouldn't say who the architect is. The group believes renovating Rosenblatt Stadium is a better option than a new ballpark north of downtown Omaha -- a plan Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey backs. More from the Omaha World-Herald.
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Raptors to propose Lindquist Field expansion
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The Ogden Raptors (rookie; Pioneer League) front office is waiting for the green light to swing away on a proposed Lindquist Field expansion. With the Pioneer League season ending last Friday, the stadium project could be approved by a city council vote by Sept. 18 after a summer of waiting for bonding to be put in place, Raptors team President Dave Baggott said. The financing will be through lease revenue bonding, which doesn't use tax dollars, Baggott said. The city's go-ahead would fund replacing the bleachers on the third-base side with chair-back seats all the way to the outfield wall, a new spectator deck above the left-field fence and more concessions stands, restroom facilities and storage. It might also complete the outfield wall, removing the chain-link fence that currently forms part of it.

Japan in plans for ’08 MLB opener
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Major League Baseball has put the pieces in place for the Red Sox to start next season in Japan. Now the question is: Do the Red Sox want to go? According to an Associated Press report, the first draft of the schedule released by Major League Baseball to teams has the Red Sox opening up the North American portion of their 2008 regular season in Oakland after a series in Japan. Red Sox officials say they're not committed to the trip, however. The plan formulated by MLB would have the Red Sox and Athletics meet at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, before heading back to Oakland.

In Greensboro, baseball's best days are here
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Everyone assumes that a baseball team has a guaranteed gold mine when they open a new ballpark, and for many teams they do see the balance on the bottom line change when the gates open. But the better organizations combine the new ballpark with a lot of creativity and hustle, which is the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) is such a great success story: they do have a great ballpark, but they still promote well and bring great entertainment to the ballpark.

A's ballpark village plan moves school away from the landfill
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The elementary school in the Oakland A's Fremont ballpark village proposal would be located next to or within a planned residential neighborhood, rather than beside the Tri-Cities Landfill where it originally was penciled to go.  "We're definitely going to move it somewhere else," A's co-owner Keith Wolff said Monday at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon attended by the entire Fremont City Council and four members of the school board. Wolff, who shared the stage with his father and fellow co-owner, Lew Wolff, also said that at the request of city leaders, the A's will propose taller residential buildings fronting the stadium -- three to four stories -- to make the neighborhood more densely populated. Speaking to an audience of nearly 200, Keith Wolff pitched the ballclub as a loyal community member whose ballpark would enhance, but not overwhelm, its surroundings along Auto Mall Parkway just west of Interstate 880. A double-sided center-field scoreboard would allow shoppers to watch the game in an adjacent park and possibly serve as an outdoor movie venue, Keith Wolff said. And raised bleacher seats would be designed to give passing motorists a view of the field on non-game days.
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Roberts delivers ballpark pitch
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The soon-to-be home of the Philadelphia Phillies' top minor-league team gained a seal of approval from one of the parent club's greatest legends. Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts stopped by Coca-Cola Park, peered at the construction site and envisioned grand things for its completion as the new home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League).

Ballpark Notes
Posted Sept. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The La Crosse Loggers today will announce the hiring of Sacramento City College (Calif.) head coach Andy McKay as their manager for 2008, according to the La Crosse Tribune has learned. McKay becomes the Loggers’ fourth manager in six seasons. He replaces Rick Boyer, who had a 61-75 record in 2006-07. Boyer resigned Aug. 23 after two seasons. McKay is in his ninth season as the Panthers’ coach and has a record of 303-112-2 with five conference titles and one California state junior college championship....Some charity news to report. On June 23, the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) and the Blood and Cancer Clinic partnered to put on "StriKing Out Cancer Night" at J.P. Riddle Stadium. The SwampDogs wore pink jerseys, which were auctioned off following the game. In addition, fans were able to pledge money per strike out on that night. In the end, the SwampDogs raised $3,869 dollars for the Karen Chandler Trust Fund. SwampDogs owner/coach Darrell Handelsman presented the check to Goldy on the Oldies 106.9 Karen Chandler Trust Fund radiothon on Saturday. The Hagerstown Suns and HMS Technologies announced Alisha Commer as the 2007 recipient of the "Son or Daughter of a Serviceman Overseas Scholarship Fund." The scholarship was developed as a way to provide college financial assistance to an area high-school student whose parent has served overseas in the armed forces. As part of the Suns "Serviceman Overseas" promotion, HMS Technologies donated $5 into the scholarship fund for each run the Suns scored during the 2007 season. This season the Suns scored 635 runs for a total donation of $3,175. HMS Technologies rounded the total up to an even $3,200....The River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) announced the promotion of Chris Franklin to Assistant General Manager. Franklin, 26, joined Rascals owner Steve Malliet in the transition from the Joliet JackHammers to River City in 2006 and was previously working as the Director of Ticket Sales during the 2007 season....South Atlantic League President John H. Moss will visit Golden Park for the SAL Championship Series game three between the Columbus Catfish and West Virginia Power on Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m. It will be the last visit to Columbus for Moss as president before he steps down on December 31, 2007 and thereafter assumes the position of President Emeritus. Moss will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Thursday’s game. The longest tenured league president in Minor League Baseball and the only president in the history of the SAL, is in his 50th and final year as president of the SAL....Matt Walbeck is returning as manager of the Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League); Chris Hoiles is returning as manager of the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League). Larry Parrish is not returning as manager of the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League)....The Jacksonville Suns announced that Director of Ticket Operations Karlie Evatt has been named the Southern League Woman of Excellence, as voted upon by the league's general managers. Evatt also is the Southern League's nominee for the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award, which is presented by Minor League Baseball at the Winter Meetings.  Evatt, who majored in Sports Management while attending the University of Georgia, has exhibited tremendous customer service skills since joining the Suns as an intern in 2002. She assumed her current role in time for the unveiling of the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville in 2003, and the Suns have boasted the highest annual attendance in the Southern League ever since.

A stadium district foul
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the battle over a proposed office tower next to Coors Field, which the Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District thinks will impact the views from the ballpark. Bill and Paula Leake want a zoning change that would allow a 140-foot-high tower just outside of Coors Field; the stadium district opposes the zoning change, saying a proposed tower would block the views of the Rockies from some seats at Coors Field. Strip out the useless rhetoric about the denial of a zoning change being an unlawful taking of the Leakes' land (there is a reason why zoning ordinances exist), and you've got a genuine disagreement over the extent of growth in one of the most scenic cities in the country. Whether you're pro-development or pro-environment, the views are one of the big reasons fans go to Colorado Rockies games at Coors Field, and attempting to preserve those views doesn't make you anti-progress.

Cougars ballpark expansion delayed again
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The multimillion-dollar expansion and renovation of Elfstrom Stadium, the home of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League), has been postponed again, and fans of the baseball team will have to wait another 20 months for completion of work that Forest Preserve District officials had hoped would be done by next spring. Construction of the publicly owned Elfstrom Stadium's upper-deck suites, a concourse overhang and expanded customer service areas and team offices probably won't begin until next September and will not be completed at least until the start of the minor-league team's 2009 season, Kane County Forest Preserve District President John Hoscheit said Friday. It was the second time officials have postponed remodeling and expanding the ballpark.

Ole Miss asks Oxford to help pay for ballpark expansion
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The University of Mississippi has asked the city of Oxford to borrow $3 million to help with renovations at the Rebels' ballpark or continue providing $200,000 a year from local tourism funds. The city of Oxford this year is making the final payment on a 1988 bond issue that financed work at Oxford-University Stadium. That money came from a 2 percent food and beverage tax approved by the Legislature. Ole Miss Athletics Director Pete Boone has asked the city to continue the financial help through another bond issue or annual $200,000 payments from the tourism tax for the next 15 years. Initially, university officials thought the stadium renovations would cost around $12 million but the bids came in closer to $19 million. Boone said the expansion plans were revised and the cost is now around $17 million.

Last baseball game in Cobb Field is in the books
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) down 7-0 in the sixth inning, the nearly 3,800 fans who packed Cobb Field Friday evening started to trickle out of the ballpark. Even though it was the last game after nearly 60 years of baseball in the old ballpark, there was steady stream of fans leaving when the Great Falls White Sox extended their lead to 9-0 in the seventh. With two outs, a stand-up double by the Mustangs' Tyler Hauschild got fans' attention, and the remaining 2,000 or so rocked the house with cheers. When a single by Jose Gualdron drove home Billings' only run, people were on their feet -- and they were thunderous. The Mustangs will play in a new ballpark next season; demolition of Cobb Field has already begun.
    RELATED STORIES: Tonight's the last night for Cobb Field; An extra inning to raise funds for new Billings ballpark; Billings looks at cutbacks to new ballpark; Tight schedule for Billings' new ballpark; Council awards ballpark contracts; City looks to cut cost of ballpark; Ballpark bids throw curve to officials; City OKs ballpark bond bids; Park plans head for home; 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

If you raze it, it is done
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The fear expressed here is that if Lynx Stadium, the soon-to-be former home of the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League), is altered, then there's not much future for baseball in the area. That may or may not be true. We can see the Can-Am Association wanting to use Lynx Stadium next season: it gives them a replacement for a traveling team and it gives the city a tenant. But we're not so sure Lynx Stadium really is the best long-term home for a Can-Am team: the capacity of 10,000-plus is way too high, and we're guessing a smart operator would be asking the city for some renovations after a couple of years. So before the city even considers passing up on a $40-million plan to dome the stadium and turn it into an entertainment/soccer facility, it had best make sure there's a solid long-term offer from the Can-Am Association.
    RELATED STORIES: Ottawa to land Nashua Pride?; Shuttle off to Lynx Stadium?; Another one bites the dust; Lynx rack up thousandth win; Wolff: Don't close down Lynx Stadium

Coonelly could be Pirates' next president
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Frank Coonelly, Major League Baseball's chief labor counsel, has emerged as the top candidate to become the Pittsburgh Pirates' president. Coonelly, who coordinates the arbitration process, would oversee the Pirates' day-to-day operations - the job held by Kevin McClatchy since 1996. McClatchy, once the Pirates' primary owner, announced in July he would resign as chief executive officer at the end of the season. If Coonelly takes over, one of his first responsibilities would be deciding the fate of manager Jim Tracy, who was hired in 2005 by former Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield. The Pirates had a 129-184 record in slightly less than two seasons under Tracy going into Saturday night's game against the Cubs.
    RELATED STORIES: Littlefield fired as Pirates GM

NYSEG's role varies for B-Mets and O-Tigers
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here's a look at NYSEG Stadium, the home of the Binghamton Mets (Class AA: Eastern League), and Damaschke Field, the home of the Oneonta Tigers (short season; NY-Penn League). NYSEG is heavily involved with both ballparks: it obviously holds the naming rights to the home of the B-Mets, and it was responsible for some upgrades to Damaschke Field this past offseason. We visited both two weeks ago; we'll have photos and summaries up shortly.

Fan will represent new Tigers attendance record
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One lucky fan entering Comerica Park tonight will be chosen to represent all Tigers fans for setting a new, single-season attendance record for the club.
    The Tigers' current single-season attendance mark of 2,704,794, was set during the club's World Championship season in 1984 at Tiger Stadium. On Monday night, the Tigers will pass that total at Comerica Park to establish a new record. A fan entering the ballpark on Monday will be chosen to represent all fans and the new, single-season attendance total.
    As a way of saying thank you to Detroit fans, the randomly selected guest on Monday will receive two, 27-game season tickets for 2008, On-Deck Circle tickets for the game against the Blue Jays, an opportunity to throw out one of the game's ceremonial first pitches and a gift basket full of Tigers items.

River Cats adding new concert site
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It's little more than grass and picnic tables now, but the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) want to transform a 1.5-acre plot next to Raley Field in West Sacramento into a state-of-the-art outdoor event hot spot unlike any other in the region. The team will announce today its plan to privately finance a facility flexible enough to host everything from concerts and theater productions to volleyball games and high school graduations. Alan Ledford, president of Raley Field, said the plan is in its earliest stages and he wouldn't comment on construction costs or naming rights. The facility should be completed by March 2009.

They'll have a ball at AirHogs event in Grand Prairie
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Construction workers are starting to put the pillars in the ground for the new minor league ballpark voters OK'd for the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association). Greg Lynch, vice president of sales for the AirHogs, said construction is right on schedule. The 6,000-seat ballpark is adjacent to Lone Star Park and slated to open next season.

Heart of Indians baseball beats from the cheap seats
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We listed some superfans, including Cleveland's John Adams, the other day and wondered where they were in other ballparks. Adams, a lifelong Indians fan, figures he has taken the drum, part of a $25 set, to all but 34 of the more than 2,500 home games the Indians have played since Aug. 24, 1973. The drum, christened Big Chief Boom-Boom by the Indians announcer Herb Score not long after its debut at Municipal Stadium, has helped Adams meet a lot of other dignitaries, including senators and a Pakistani government official.

Newark to honor local hall-of-famers
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Essex County will permanently honor players with ties to Newark in the National Baseball Hall of Fame with a local hall of fame at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, the home of the Newark Bears (independent; Atlantic League). Some of the honorees have tenuous ties to Newark -- Walter Johnson didn't end up in the Hall of Fame because once managed the Newark Bears -- but there are some impressive names on the list: Yogi Berra, Ray Dandridge, Leon Day, Larry Doby, Monte Irvin, Tris Speaker and Effa Manley, the only woman elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and was the co-owner and business manager for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues from 1936 to 1948. This article was submitted by a reader. To share a story with the baseball community, drop a note to editors@augustpublications.com.

Anheuser-Busch may add to mix at Ballpark Village
Posted Sept. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Brewing giant Anheuser-Busch is considering a presence at Ballpark Village, the $387 million mixed-use development planned by the St. Louis Cardinals for the six square blocks immediately north of Busch Stadium downtown. A source familiar with the discussions said Anheuser-Busch is contemplating a visitor center there that would feature its famous Clydesdale horses and provide transportation to its headquarters in Soulard for its free brewery tours.