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Archives: April 9-15, 2007

Twins unveil ballpark plans
Posted April 12, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Minnesota Twins' new ballpark design got its public unveiling Thursday. HOK Sport presented their idea for a ballpark to nestled on the west side of downtown Minneapolis. "It's a ballpark for the ages," said Earl Santee, the HOK executive who is spearheading the architectural effort. "We wanted it to be light, airy and outdoorsy." In other words, welcome to the anti-Metrodome. Twenty-five years years after Minnesotans first walked inside a tight, sterile facility that came in under budget, they got a look at a ballpark that manages to look wide open despite the fact it is encumbered by the smallest land area HOK has ever worked on for a major-league park. "That was part of the challenge and it is an ongoing one," Santee said. Full story within.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

County votes to proceed with Twins land condemnation
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A major hurdle to the construction of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in downtown Minneapolis was cleared yesterday when the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted to initiate eminent-domain proceedings against Land Partners II, the group owning a key parcel in the Warehouse District. Hennepin County and Land Partners II have been at odds over the price of the land: Hennepin County has offered $13.35 million, but Land Partners II has held out for more, with the most recent asking price at $21 million. An agreement needs to be reached with Burlington Northern over a rail line going through the site, but that's not expected to be as contentious. Next up: the two sides will go to court and make a case to a three-judge panel, who will determine the final price of the land. The stalemate between the two sides was broken when the Twins intervened and vowed to cover cost overruns in the land-acquisition process; that agreement has not been put to paper, however, and some Hennepin County officials were leery of proceeding without a written guarantee. That the disagreement end up in court is not really surprising if you know the participants: Hennepin County commissioners are largely liberal DFLers and the leaders of Land Partners II are staunch conservative Republicans, and there's some history between the two sides. Add to that a combative counsel employed by Land Partners II, and you had a situation where compromise was going to be next to impossible -- both sides were responsible for the mess, which could have been avoided if personality conflicts weren't so heavily involved. The Twins will be unveiling plans for the new ballpark tomorrow at a press conference at the Hennepin County Government Center. More from AP.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

O-Royals unveil Rosenblatt Stadium enhancements
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Fans who attend the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) home opener this Friday night at Rosenblatt Stadium will be experiencing a more intimate atmosphere. Seat covers have been installed, covering all of the outfield bleacher seats, as well as the seats on the first base and third base wings of the grandstand. Also, in the middle of the grandstand, the upper rows of Sections F-M will be roped off.
    The enhancements will result in a reconfigured Rosenblatt Stadium for most Royals home games, with a seating capacity of 9,441. The stadium seating will be expanded to its full 24-000 seat capacity for the annual July 3rd Omaha World-Herald Independence Day celebration.
    Prominent Omaha-based companies will have advertisements displayed on several of the larger seat covers in the outfield bleachers. Besides the advertisements, the seat covers also feature promotional information, pennants from Omaha’s four championship teams (1969, 1970, 1978 and 1990) and the Royals new 2007 logo. That logo includes the team’s “Fun For Everyone” slogan and notes that the 2007 season is being presented by Werner Enterprises, Inc. The presenting sponsorship, announced in February, is the first of its kind in the team’s 39-year history.
    The Royals also recently completed installation of a wireless camera system at the ‘Blatt, which will allow for a heightened level of fan interaction on the ballpark’s closed circuit TV system and on the video board in left field. The new system will allow camera operators to roam throughout the stadium.
    Additionally, improvements have occurred in concessions. Most food stands at Rosenblatt Stadium will accept credit cards during the upcoming season. Other improvements that fans may notice at Rosenblatt Stadium include: upgraded restrooms, new flags and pennants in the front plaza and an enhanced Royals memorabilia collection in the Stadium View Club.

Bidders are lining up to own Cubs
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
At least four local bidders, including Thomas Begel, who runs a private equity group, and Thomas Mandler, a lawyer whose group lost out to Tribune in its attempt to acquire the Chicago Cubs in 1981, have declared their candidacies to buy the iconic franchise. Others are quietly assembling investors to buy a team that is virtually certain to sell for well over $500 million and almost certainly more than the $660 million that was paid in 2002 for the Boston Red Sox, the most ever for a major-league team. Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of the Phoenix Suns and the onetime free-spending general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is said to be interested. Mark Cuban, the rambunctious and idiosyncratic Internet billionaire who owns the Dallas Mavericks, said by e-mail that he might be interested in fulfilling the wishes of some Cubs fans for a real hands-on owner. “Maybe,” he wrote, “they have seen me sing ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ there,” which he did in 2002. A local investment banker, John Canning, who is a limited partner in the Milwaukee Brewers, is also said to be considering a bid. We've also heard a few names not listed here quietly approaching Tribune Co. to express their interest. Many are predicting whoever buys the Cubs will be forced to make changes to Wrigley Field to squeeze more revenue from the facility should the paid be sold in tandem. More from the New York Sun, which inexplicably places the venerable old facility on Waverly (perhaps he meant Waveland) -- everyone knows the address is 1060 W. Addison, the corner of Clark and Addison.
    RELATED STORIES: Blueprint to save Friendly Confines; Players, too, wonder about Wrigley's fate; Wolves owner Levin has strong interest in Cubs; Bidders: Cubs, Wrigley go together; Cubs on the block

Potential sale of SWB Yankees approved
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Lackawanna County’s top politician has a message for those who opposed the Republican majority’s vision for the future of baseball in Northeastern Pennsylvania. "Politicians, move out of the way," Commissioner Chairman Robert C. Cordaro exclaimed Tuesday morning after he and fellow Republican A.J. Munchak approved purchase option and management agreements with the private group that is looking to manage, and ultimately buy, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). Both agreements must be approved by baseball’s governing bodies, as would a sale, if SWB Yankees LLC -- a partnership between the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Properties -- decides to exercise its option to purchase the team. More on the deal from the Citizen's Voice and the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.
    RELATED STORIES: 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?

Miami officials offended at Loria's insistence on downtown ballpark
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natacha Seijas says the Florida Marlins hardly helped themselves over the weekend with their insistence that the team's ballpark be built downtown on a site designated for the county's new juvenile-justice center. The team's comments were a "completely and absolutely offensive" brushback of the county's children, Seijas said Tuesday during a meeting of the commission's Governmental Affairs and Operations committee. "The Marlins need to be more respectful when interviewed on TV. They need to be more respectful of the children's courthouse." Talk about a tin ear for politics: the Orange Bowl site isn't even available yet and the Marlins front office has managed to offend someone who should be a key ally.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Mayor, Ripken Baseball announce new Augusta ballpark plan
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mayor Deke Copenhaver and Bill Ripken of Ripken Baseball family announced that a Downtown Stadium Exploratory Committee will study the feasibility of a 6,000-seat ballpark on the Savannah River between 11th and 13th streets for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League). The initial cost of the project is $20 million, with the city picking up part of the cost of the project is approved by voters via referendum. cost are a step closer to landing a new downtown ballpark. The study could be released as soon as August. The panel will visit Durham Bulls Athletic Park, First Horizon Field and West End Field. City officials are already somewhat skeptical of the plan.
    RELATED STORIES: Leaving the lake?; Committee explores downtown Augusta ballpark

Aaron: No celebration if record falls
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Hank Aaron doesn't plan to be at the ballpark if and when Barry Bonds breaks his home run record. "Uh-uh. No, no. I'm not going to be around," Aaron was quoted as saying in Tuesday's editions of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bonds has 735 homers, 20 short of Aaron's career record. While Aaron has declined most interview requests in recent months, he spoke with Journal-Constitution columnist Terence Moore. Aaron said he wouldn't attend if Bonds were within reach of the record when the San Francisco Giants play at Turner Field from Aug. 14-16.

Ogren-Allegiance Park rounding into form as season approaches
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Work on Ogren-Allegiance Park, the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League), is underway and the ballpark should be mostly completed once the season opens in June. For the Osprey, the prospect of playing in a completed ballpark should be a heady experience (both Ogren-Allegiance Park and the team's former home largely featured temporary buildings and bleachers. A rebuilt press box had no walls or floor on Tuesday, but that will come in time. So will the bathroom fixtures and concession benches, a full grill inside one concession stand and a 100-foot-long aluminum deck that will extend above the decline to the playing field along the right-field line.Between 250 and 300 seats will be added down each side of the park. More grass seating will be planted down the left-field line in an area that's full of rocks now. The ballpark will seat 3,500 to 4,000 comfortably.

High-rise to replace high fly balls at Al Lang?
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Tampa Bay Devil Rays slated to move spring-training operations to Charlotte County in 2009, the future of historic Al Lang Field, the team's current spring home, is in doubt. Primarily a ballpark -- its formal name is Al Lang Field at Progress Energy Park -- the site has been host for numerous sports and civic events since 1947, including Major League Baseball spring training. There are safeguards to prevent a wholesale revamping of the facility, but the city is looking at revamping its land development regulations, so in theory high rises could be built on the site someday.

Ticket revenue breaks record: Surprise spring training scores
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Spring-training revenues were way up and attendance nearly shattered Surprise Stadium's all-time record but city staff members consider 2007 spring training their most challenging to date. Ticket revenues for the 2007 spring-training session pushed the $2 million threshold, according to city documentation. The Texas Rangers brought in about $958,337 in ticket revenue while the Kansas City Royals saw $849,521. Both those numbers were up significantly over 2006 -- the Rangers ticket revenues increased 23 percent and the Royals were up 22 percent.

Fate of Memorial Stadium up in the air
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If a new downtown ballpark is built for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League), the future of the team's current home, Memorial Stadium, is in serious doubt. Some want to see it maintained as the home of Indiana University-Purdue University, but the university can't afford it and there's not a lot of appetite toward devoting millions in an endowment to cover expenses. There's nothing structurally wrong with Memorial Stadium, but it could be argued the facility is economically decrepit -- and that may seal its doom. More from the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Meanwhile, The Harrison Square project – if it were built – would directly create almost 500 jobs and nearly $70 million in household earnings over a decade, according to report released by Fort Wayne city officials.
    RELATED STORIES: Fort Wayne ballpark deal needs more private money; Ballpark deadline looming in Fort Wayne; Fort Wayne City Council divided on downtown ballpark; Cheaper seats offered for new Fort Wayne ballpark; Wizards' owner steps up to bat for Harrison Square; 'A few more pros than cons'; Downtown Fort Wayne ballpark: pro and con; Developer submits proposal for downtown Fort Wayne hotel; Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal endeavor; Ballpark's future subject to study; Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark; Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark plan; Ballpark's future is far from certain; Building the public square; Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime; Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans; Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne; Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is unpopular; Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal; Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you remember; Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a ballpark; Playing ball downtown; We need to build ballpark downtown; Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?; Learning by example from Dayton; Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial Stadium; A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?; Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future; New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne; Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown; A new downtown castle?; Memorial Stadium far from obsolete; Fort Wayne Wizards sold; Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability left, says architect; Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark

Snow follows Indians, but they can play
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Even if Milwaukee gets blanketed with the predicted 10 inches of snow overnight, Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge will wake up knowing that his team still can play baseball on Wednesday. And given the events of the past week, he's pretty sure of one thing. "We brought it with us," Wedge said. After sitting through a weekend's worth of snow in Cleveland without playing a game that counted, the Indians finally got to play a home opener of sorts, beating the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 Tuesday night under the retractable roof at Milwaukee's Miller Park -- some 450 miles away from Jacobs Field. An announced crowd of 19,031 -- which included Indians superfan John Adams and his trademark drum -- was on hand.
    RELATED STORIES: The Milwaukee Indians?; Northern cities too cold for April baseball

Northern League perfect fit for city: Griffith
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Like everything else, it all comes down to location, location, location. And to Clark Griffith's thinking, Saskatoon is perfect for an expansion team for the independent Northern Baseball. Little obstacles -- such as who might be willing to put up the $1 million US in expansion fees, or who would have a few hundred thousand to finance the team through a 96-game season, or even how you can get fans to sit in a badly outdated ballpark -- can all be overcome, Griffith said Tuesday as he surveyed the city to see what it has to offer. Griffith openly admits nobody has knocked down his door to get on board, which is why he flew into Saskatoon late Monday and spent Tuesday meeting with Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce officials and Mayor Don Atchison, as well as touring the city.
    RELATED STORIES: Pro ball has dubious history in Saskatoon

Brooks Robinson to join ownership of Southern Maryland/Keystone Baseball
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Maryland/Keystone Baseball announced plans for a press conference later this week to announce that Baltimore Orioles legend Brooks Robinson has joined the ownership group, and we assume it's part of a restructuring that will combine the two entities. Maryland Baseball and Keystone Baseball own the Lancaster Barnstormers, the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League), the Camden RiverSharks and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (all independent; Atlantic League).

South Coast League looking to produce documentary on Peanuts
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The South Coast League, in cooperation with John Fitzgerald -- producer/director of “The Emerald Diamond,” a documentary about the Irish National Baseball Team, are teaming up to bring fans an inside look into the hearts, minds, and lives of the players, coaches, and staff of a minor-league baseball team.  "Playing for Peanuts" is a proposed reality TV show concept that will follow the first season of the South Georgia Peanuts, a member of the newly formed South Coast League. Besides embracing the daily struggles of a grueling 90-game baseball schedule, “Playing for Peanuts” will delve into the personal challenges that players, coaches, and staffs encounter throughout the year. The production is currently seeking investment capital to finance the first four episodes of a ten-episode season. Shooting is set to begin on May 1, with ten episodes planned for the 2007 season.

College Baseball Foundation announces 11 2007 inductees
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The College Baseball Foundation announced the names of the eleven collegiate baseball legends joining four veteran candidates in the 2007 Induction Class into the new College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas. The announcement comes after the conclusion of an intensive voting process that began with nominations in January and three elimination ballots.
    The Class of 2007 includes legendary coaches Jim Brock of Arizona State, Chuck “Bobo” Brayton of Washington State, Bibb Falk of Texas, Jerry Kindall of Arizona and Dick Siebert of Minnesota, in addition to standout former players Jim Abbott of Michigan, Pete Incaviglia of Oklahoma State, Fred Lynn of USC, John Olerud of Washington State, Phil Stephenson of Wichita State and Derek Tatsuno of Hawai’i.

Winkin has eye on NECBL team
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Summer baseball has two strikes against it in Bangor over the last decade, but a group of well-known boys of summer are teaming up to make a strong pitch to bring it back. Husson College baseball coach John Winkin has joined former major league All-Star Mike Bordick, baseball entrepreneur and former UMaine player and assistant coach Mike Coutts, and Penobscot County commissioner and Bangor lawyer Peter Baldacci to bring a New England Collegiate Baseball League and begin play in the summer of 2008. The Winkin complex was formerly home to the Bangor Lumberjax (independent; Can-Am Association).

Thompson: It's Ebbets Field...in name only
Posted April 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
At the old Ebbets Field site, crime, poverty and apathy continue the destruction that a wrecking ball began nearly 50 years ago. On a quiet day, you can imagine the cheers and the baseball fans moving toward the Sullivan Place rotunda in Brooklyn, suits and ties, fedoras and pocket squares, fathers holding sons' hands, generations winding down to familiar seats. On a quiet day, you can imagine Duke Snider roaming the patio, and in your dreams, the bricks are lush grass and the concrete is powdery dirt and the drug dealers are children again, hopeful and innocent. Those days are rare and fleeting, for Ebbets Field is a ghost now. Ebbets Field Apartments stand in its place. All that's left of the old park is a name, a marble plaque and a few fading memories.

Study determines what style of catcher's mask works best
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Inspired by professional baseball catcher Mike Matheny’s forced early retirement from major league play, four Kettering University seniors tested the protective properties of catcher’s masks. Their findings support one for foul tips and the other for batter backswings. Using high-speed video, a crash-test dummy and a skeet-throwing machine, they propelled a baseball at about 100 mph at the dummy wearing both styles of catcher’s mask. Both masks that the group tested were manufactured for professional use by All-Star, a division of Ampac Enterprises.

Hennepin County, Twins reach land agreement; vote slated for today
Posted April 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Hennepin County and the Minnesota Twins finally reached agreement on a plan for the team to cover any cost overruns for land acquisition, with a vote scheduled for later today. Hennepin County and a group of landowners had sparred over the value of a key parcel on the site of a proposed new ballpark; Hennepin County says it's worth $13.35 million, while the landowners say it's worth $21 million. The county will go ahead and take control of the land via eminent domain, with a court later deciding the final value of the land. There was a lot of pride involved here: the Twins made this offer several weeks ago, but some Hennepin County officials were privately miffed that the team went ahead with the plan without their input. And there are some long-simmering hostilities between Hennepin County officials (who are liberal DFLers) and some of the landowners (the leaders are long-time conservative activists), which complicated things even further. Still to come (but expected): an agreement with Burlington Northern over a rail line running through the site. With the agreement (which was actually reached late last week; the announcement was yesterday), the Twins are tentatively scheduling a public unveiling of the ballpark plans for next Thursday.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Luzerne County explores options on baseball deals
Posted April 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Luzerne County is looking at ways to stop an agreement that could lead to a sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said Monday. The Lackawanna County commissioners are expected to vote today on deals that give SWB Yankees LLC, owned jointly by Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees, the right to manage and ultimately buy the franchise. Skrepenak said he doubts Luzerne County’s concerns will "get them to hold off." Skrepenak also said Luzerne County’s commissioners should approve in any deal that gives a private company the right to buy the franchise, claiming Luzerne County was "an equal partner" in the 1986 franchise investment. Each county paid $1 million to buy the International League franchise. Lackawanna County officials disagree; there might be a court date in the future to decide.
    RELATED STORIES: 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?

Blueprint to save Friendly Confines
Posted April 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago Sun-Times says there's a blueprint for what any new owner of the Chicago Cubs should do with Wrigley Field (assuming the pair are sold in tandem): look at what the Boston Red Sox did with Fenway Park. Now, the Red Sox did a fantastic job with improvements to Fenway Park. But we're not quite sure Fenway Park is a great model: the Red Sox have not been shy about making some fairly serious changes to the ballpark (i.e., the Green Monster seats), and small changes to Wrigley Field (i.e., placing signs on the outfield doors) are debated with an unusually high degree of vigor. We're not entirely sure Wrigley Field needs saving in terms of new amenities; some basic changes (like renovated bathrooms) may be more appropriate, as the place doesn't have any problems attracting fans. One potential buyer of the Cubs seems to think Wrigley Field isn't worth preserving. More from the Chicago Daily Herald.
    RELATED STORIES: Players, too, wonder about Wrigley's fate; Wolves owner Levin has strong interest in Cubs; Bidders: Cubs, Wrigley go together; Cubs on the block

Leaving the lake?
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The Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) are a step closer to landing a new downtown ballpark. Mayor Deke Copenhaver and Bill Ripken, of the Ripken Baseball Group, will hold a news conference this morning to announce the formation of an exploratory committee to do just that. After being approached months ago by the Ripken Group, the organization that owns the Augusta GreenJackets, Copenhaver recently was presented a drawing of the proposed ballpark. The proposal would move the GreenJackets from Lake Olmstead Stadium, off Milledge Road, to land on Reynolds Street next to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens, which has been struggling financially.
    RELATED STORIES: Committee explores downtown Augusta ballpark

Fenway suites are even more luxurious
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When fans show up for the Red Sox home opener, they won’t notice much different about Fenway Park. Unless, that is, they’re sitting in one of its luxury suites. During the off-season, 23 of the park’s 40 suites were revamped in a modern luxury condo motif. Cherrywood floors replaced tiles, new kitchens with granite countertops, food warmers, and stainless-steel appliances were installed, $12,000 audio-visual systems with three high-definition plasma TV sets and surround sound were added, along with computers with high-speed Internet access. It was the first phase of the suites’ first renovation since they were added in 1982. Along with the new amenities came hefty new prices for suite owners, who are paying on average $65,000 more per year, or $283,000, to watch the games in the lap of luxury. More on the changes in the Fenway Park neighborhood.

Buhner, Rossi buy part of AquaSox
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Jay Buhner, the former right fielder whose intensity with his play on the field and his playfulness off it helped lead the Seattle Mariners to four playoff appearances, is buying a portion of the Everett AquaSox (short season; Northwest League). Buhner, former Washington state senator Dino Rossi and Everett businessmen Tom and Shawn Hoban will be introduced as new minority owners of the team at a news conference this morning at AquaSox headquarters in Everett.

Bats set to sell new Faber amenities
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The St. Cloud River Bats (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) are moving from Dick Putz Field this summer. But they're not moving far: the team is taking up at Faber Field, located next door in the same city sports complex. The River Bats will be able to fit more fans into the new space, but more importantly owner Joel Sutherland can offer some new high-end amenities to Bats fans, including a 400-fan party deck, special seating in the front rows, three suites and a new concessions building.

Cincy, Arizona in running for 2011 All-Star Game
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Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Monday night that Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park is still in the running for the 2011 All-Star Game, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks and other teams. "They've got a chance, a good chance," Selig said of Phoenix at Monday's Reds-Diamondbacks game at Chase Field. "... There's a lot of cities trying to get it. It's making my job tough, but that's OK. I like it. It didn't used to be that way. I like their chances." He was asked then about Cincinnati's chances. The 2007 game is in San Francisco and Selig said he wants to alternate the game between American League and National League ballparks for the foreseeable future. With the 2009 game going to St. Louis, the Reds would need to look to 2011, 2013 or 2015 for their chance to host the game; there will be competition from the Mets and the Nationals to land a National League slot. More from the Arizona Republic.

The lovable, awful old ballpark
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We'll be seeing some odes to Shea Stadium the next few years before Citi Field opens. Most will be like this one. They'll combine some memory of a great moment in Mets history, contrast that with a story about how Shea Stadium really does suck, and it will sum up with some vague regret over the closing of the ballpark but not to the point of calling for its preservation. To wit: "Shea Stadium is an ugly and impractical place, but then that reflects the ugly, impractical borough and city of which it's a part. Along with adoration for the Mets, one of the things I always took in at Shea as a child was that the world is not always a beautiful and comfortable place -- or, to phrase it moralistically, that it's what happens in a place rather than where it happens that matters. You can only get so sentimental about Shea Stadium."

Pro ball has dubious history in Saskatoon
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While speculation endures that there will be an independent Northern League team in Saskatoon next year, one local columnist says such an effort is bound to fail. Cairns Field would need a serious amount of work, and with a budget of $1.4 million required before a team ever took the field, it might be extremely hard to find local investors to put up that sort of money. Pro baseball in Canada is hard: realistically, only three teams -- the Vancouver Canadians (short season; Northwest League), the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; Northern League) and the Quebec Capitales (independent; Can-Am Association) -- have been successful in recent years. It seems like the summer-collegiate folks are having a better time of it.

Ballpark ruling has Ems pondering
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An aging Civic Stadium, in its eighth decade and parked on property purchased 70 years ago that is now valued at nearly $5 million, and the Eugene Emeralds (short season; Northwest League) that is the facility's only tenant appear to be on shaky basepaths these days. A Lane County Circuit Court judge's ruling last week rejected the contention that the approximate 10 acres at 20th Avenue and Willamette Street could be used for recreation only. The result? The owner of the parcel, the Eugene School District, contends the decision by Judge Karsten Rasmussen makes for an easier sale of the property -- if and when the district opts to do so. If the Ems move, Bend (Ore.) or Bellingham (Wash.) are possibilities; another possibility is a joint ballpark project with the University of Oregon.

Judge signs Jimbo's death warrant
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A Cook County judge Monday announced "last call" for Jimbo's, the popular bar near U.S. Cellular Field. Jimbo and Joyce Levato were ordered to be out of the neighborhood bar by April 30, ending a monthslong dispute between the Levatos and the owners of the building at 33rd and Princeton. Cook County Circuit Judge Sheldon Garber called Jimbo's "an institution in Bridgeport and amongst White Sox fans." But he said there was no proof they had a verbal deal with property owners Ray and Donna DeGrazia to extend their now-expired lease. Jimbo's was a huge hangout for Sox fans; many fear a more upscale bar and restaurant will be built in the space.

Ballpark deal in game of ‘what if’
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Ed Rousseau’s lengthy and diverse career in retail, real estate and government give him a unique perspective when talking about Harrison Square, the $125 million-$160 million centerpiece of Mayor Graham Richard’s downtown improvement campaign. And he’s been asking a question even the project’s most ardent supporters can’t answer: How can anybody insist this is the ideal project when other possibilities haven’t really been explored? To Rousseau, a Republican who served in city and county government almost continuously between 1964 and his retirement in 2004, the sticking point is the project’s $30 million ballpark -- all but $5 million of which will be paid for with city dollars. We have criticized Rousseau for selectively looking at the total deal; he criticizes the ballpark finances and dismisses the fact Hardball Capital is also extensively investing in other parts of the project. Surely someone as smart as Rousseau supposedly is would evaluate the total deal; he makes the dangerous and stupid assumption that the rest of the investment dollars will be available should the ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) be scrapped. Downtown Fort Wayne hasn't exactly been a magnet for private investment in the last 30 years, and if Rousseau was indeed a public official in this period, he should be criticized for allowing the decline of downtown to happen rather than being hailed as a visionary.
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Day at ballpark no picnic for team or fans
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We predicted this would happen: the new parking system at Dodger Stadium didn't work very well, forcing many fans to miss the beginning of yesterday's season opener. (The irony: in the 1960s Dodger Stadium had one of the best parking systems in baseball.) The team ran out of Dodger Dogs by the fourth inning at some stands, and some ballpark improvements had some unanticipated downfalls: Matt Kemp bruised his shoulder after running into a newly extended scoreboard. Adding fan insult to player injury, those two extended wall scoreboards no longer constantly show out-of-town scores like last season. Those out-of-town scores appear only briefly between innings. In their place are routine pitching and hitting statistics that could be easily shown in smaller type elsewhere.

Doggone-good ballpark fare
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If there's a ballpark where healthy food would sell well, it's Dodger Stadium, in the heart of health-conscious Los Angeles. This year, seven Healthy Plate items have been added to the menu at Dodger Stadium, available on carts on the field and loge levels behind home plate. Among the selections are a grilled vegetable wrap, spinach and strawberry salad, hummus with vegetable dippers, fruit salad, an oven-roasted turkey wrap, a turkey hot dog and even a veggie dog.

Sea Dogs finally unveil long-awaited statue
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The Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) presented the American Baseball Family Group, a bronze monument, to the city of Portland on Monday at Hadlock Field. Sea Dogs minority owner Bill Burke (and son of majority owner Daniel Burke) unveiled the monument. The American Baseball Family Group is a gift to the city of Portland from Daniel Burke to thank the community for its outstanding support through the years. Burke, the former President & CEO of Capital Cities, ABC, worked diligently to bring the Sea Dogs to Portland in 1994, returning professional baseball to Maine’s largest city for the first time since the 1940s. In 13 years of play in Portland, the Sea Dogs have welcomed more than five million fans. More from the Portland Press-Herald.

40th opener in Oakland, but how many more?
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The Oakland A's staged their 40th home opener at McAfee Coliseum on Monday night, and we wonder how many more of them we'll see. The target date for a new Fremont ballpark is 2011, which would mean Oakland gets three more home openers to call its own. Progress has slowed down on the new ballpark, however; the A's have not filed a development application because of multiple issues regarding the property. Until then, Fremont officials won't budge. The team does have an impact report finished, but his financing plan and whether a public vote is necessary aren't known, and perhaps the more realistic opening date for a Fremont ballpark is 2012. More from Inside Bay Area.
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Images from Lakeland's opening night
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Jason Klein of Plan B. Branding was kind enough to send along images of opening day for the Lakeland Flying Tigers (High Class A; Florida State League). That league can be a little sleepy at times, to be honest, but it's nice to see Lakeland put the effort and spiff up their ballpark and game presentations.

Ballpark stabilized area in South Bend
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Although Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium, the home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League), hasn't sparked the wave of development some thought it would, local leaders say the Cove has been positive for the city and remains an anchor for future development on downtown's southwest side. One of the major reasons cited for building the Cove 20 years ago was that it would provide an entertainment venue to add to the quality of life for residents and to help spur economic development in the area around it. Former Mayor Roger Parent said positive changes have occurred in the area since the Cove opened. Ivy Tech Community College and the new South Bend Fire Department Central Fire Station are two examples of growth, he said, and the old Studebaker Corp. plants also are being torn down for a future light industrial park.

The Milwaukee Indians?
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In a scene worthy of the movie "Major League," the Cleveland Indians packed Monday afternoon for a trip to Milwaukee, where they will open their "home" schedule tonight against the Los Angeles Angels at Miller Park. That analogy works on so many levels; besides the absurdity of the situation, the majority of ballpark scenes in "Major League" were actually filmed at Milwaukee's County Stadium, not in Cleveland. Bad weather and snow sitting in Jacobs Field forced baseball to make the move.
    RELATED STORIES: Northern cities too cold for April baseball

Trenton unveils Dog of the Day program
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Dogs are an integral part of the August Publications office experience, so we have a soft spot for our four-legged friends. That why we noted the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) announced a new partnership with Garden State Veterinary Specialists aimed at raising awareness for homeless dogs. The partnership is focused around the "Dog of the Day" program. Each game during the 2007 season will feature a different adoptable or service dog as the "Dog of the Day" (as was the case with Bruno, shown to the right). The dogs will be taken to the field at Waterfront Park at the beginning of each game. There they will be shown on the video screen and introduced to the crowd along with information about the dog’s shelter. After each game, the dog’s picture will appear on the Garden State Veterinary Specialists Dog of the Day page on www.trentonthunder.com. The picture will have a link to the shelter’s website so people can learn more about that dog as well as others who are up for adoption. By adopting a dog from a local shelter, people are saving the lives of these precious animals and giving them much-needed and loving homes.

The show is it in the B-Mets' new Land of Oz
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The Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League) are adding video replay this season, Every moment of the game, Eric Long must choose between feeds that include five cameras -- one manned from alongside each dugout, a third roving the seats and aisles for faces including your own, the other two on automatic pilot from atop the center-field wall and the mid-grandstand roof. Instant replays are his decision (unless they show up an umpire).

Bullfrogs unveil new mascot: Jeremiah
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On Saturday the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveil the newest addition to their family, Jeremiah. (Yes, Jeremiah was a bullfrog.) Believed to be one of the worlds largest Bullfrogs, standing over 6 feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, Jeremiah, the Bullfrogs mascot, was introduced to a large crowd that had gathered for the Porkie and Pancake Breakfast at the New Zoo on Saturday morning.  After spending a few hours hopping around with the Easter Bunny, taking pictures and meeting some of his new fans, Jeremiah ventured out onto the grounds of the New Zoo to participate in a massive egg hunt that included 300 tickets to Bullfrogs games for the upcoming season.

Bid for new Alex Box over budget
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The low base bid for building a new ballpark at LSU is $34.49 million, nearly $10 million more than funds allocated for the project. Athletic department officials said LSU awaits input from the state and the project architect before deciding its next move. LSU senior associate athletic director Herb Vincent said bids opened Thursday will be reviewed by the Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control (OFPC) and the lead architect of the project, Grace and Hebert Architects of Baton Rouge. They will advise LSU on the next step --- to accept the bid, review the scope of the project or take another course of action, Vincent said.

Gators, 'Noles baseball may have future in Jax
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If Pat McMahon has his way, the Florida-Florida State baseball rivalry has a future in Jacksonville. Following Florida's 16-7 win over the top-ranked Seminoles last week at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, McMahon said he hoped to play at least one game a year against the Seminoles in Jacksonville each year. The April 3 UF-FSU game drew a crowd of 12,280, the largest to ever watch a college baseball game in state history and second largest in facility history. It smashed the previous state record of 8,277 set on Feb. 9, 1986, when Texas played Miami.

ECU to host Conference USA baseball tournament
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East Carolina's Clark-LeClair Stadium will be the new home for the 2007 Conference USA baseball championship. It was originally scheduled to begin on May 23rd with Tulane as the host. But Hurricane Katrina forced the school to make renovations to its ballpark, and those changes won't be ready in time for this season. East Carolina was originally scheduled to host the 2008 championship. Tulane and ECU will now switch years, with next year's event to be held at Turchin Stadium. The 2007 championship will take place Wednesday, May 23 through Sunday, May 27.

Players, too, wonder about Wrigley's fate
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A new owner will take over the Chicago Cubs by 2008, but whether that owner will also buy Wrigley Field has yet to be determined. Though plenty of unanswered questions exist about the sale of the team, perhaps the one that affects fans the most is this: How long will Wrigley Field remain the home of the Cubs? The ballpark opened in 1914 and became the Cubs' home two years later. Since then, the biggest renovations have been the construction of the bleachers and scoreboard in 1937, the addition of lights in '88 and the expansion of the bleachers last year. Can it still be a functional ballpark 50 years from now?
    RELATED STORIES: Wolves owner Levin has strong interest in Cubs; Bidders: Cubs, Wrigley go together; Cubs on the block

O-Royals: Downtown ballpark closer to reality
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Some associated with the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) say a new downtown ballpark near Qwest Center is closer to reality, with the mayor's office waiting to see a funding proposal. Proponents of a new ballpark envision a cozier 7,000- to 9,000-seat venue, but few other details have been released. Last year, construction costs for such a facility were estimated between $30 million and $50 million. A study from the local Chamber of Commerce says the area can support both the College World Series and a new downtown ballpark.

Loria is pining for a downtown ballpark
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Florida Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria dismissed talk of a new ballpark at the site of the Orange Bowl stadium and said his focus is on building his team a new home in downtown Miami. Miami-Dade County and Miami city commissioners suggested the Orange Bowl as an option last month, if the University of Miami moves its football games to Dolphin Stadium. But commissioners approved pursuing a $490 million financing plan for a retractable roof ballpark with a site to be determined. As we've reported, MLB and Marlins officials weren't too pleased when local officials decided to pursue an Orange Bowl site, but this is the first time any of them have spoken in public about their displeasure. Team officials are hoping a detailed financing plan will be considered by city and county commissioners before the state Legislature adjourns on May 4 and that the Legislature will approve a $60 million state sales tax rebate to complete the financing. Bills to provide the rebate are being considered by the Legislature. More from the Palm Beach Post, which points out that the Orange Bowl site plays really well politically.
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Pact lets Travelers manage ballpark
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A management and lease agreement between North Little Rock and the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) dictates that the baseball team will manage all operations at Dickey-Stephens Park. The $ 40.4 million ballpark is scheduled to open Thursday night with the Travelers’ first baseball game of the season. The 54-page contract spells out financial and facility responsibilities of the team and the city, which owns the ballpark. The Travelers will be under a 20-year lease with a pair of five-year options to extend the lease. The new ballpark opens this Thursday night; we'll be there.

Walton, Hunt to manage Kauffman Stadium renovations
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The Kansas City Royals, in conjunction with the Jackson County Sports Authority, the office of Jackson County and the Jackson County Legislature, today announced they have selected Walton Construction Company of Kansas City and Hunt Construction of Indianapolis, IN, to serve as construction managers on the upcoming $250 million renovation of Kauffman Stadium. The Hunt-Walton team will be paid $7.6 million, plus 3.3 percent of the total construction cost, which hasn't been determined yet. The project is expected to cost at least $250 million, which would result in a percentage payment of $8.25 million for Hunt-Walton. The cost could go higher, but the county's liability is capped at $425 million total for Kauffman and Arrowhead stadium renovation. More from the Kansas City Business Journal.

Blaum wants 1986 ballpark contract honored
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Luzerne County Solicitor Jim Blaum issued a stern warning this week to Lackawanna County officials -- honor the 1986 contract concerning a sale of the local baseball franchise, now the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). The agreement between the counties says the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority would get $345,000 in proceeds from a sale of the Triple-A franchise, and the counties would evenly split the rest. But Lackawanna officials have said the authority owes Lackawanna County as much as $10 million, and that Luzerne will get its share after that is repaid.
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Northern cities too cold for April baseball
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It was a bad weekend for major-league and minor-league games scheduled to be played this weekend in northern climes. Many of us saw footage on the network morning news shows of the blizzard hitting Jacobs Field, the home of the Cleveland Indians; the Tribe was forced to cancel doubleheaders both on Saturday and Sunday because of the poor playing conditions, and MLB is moving the Indians-Angels series to Miller Park. Where baseball was played outdoors -- like Yankee Stadium -- the players reported some uncomfortable playing conditions.

Sounds deal fizzles; future of former Thermal site now cloudy
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The game’s not technically over until April 15, but few signs point toward extra innings for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) downtown ballpark deal. Metro Council voted 38-0 last week to deny an extension for the Nashville Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse to work things out. The parties must resolve their differences by April 15, or the agreement between the Sounds, Struever and the city lapses. And if that happens, city officials said planning for the 11-acre parcel of downtown land on which the proposed mixed-use development would have gone may return to --- to use a baseball term -- to the dugout. Going ahead with a ballpark and not the Sounds would be extremely foolish: the Sounds and the Pacific Coast League control the territory, so there's no way a Class AA team could move in without the permission of all involved.
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Twins call move to KSTP a success
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We're not sure we can call the addition of a new advertiser or two a whopping success, as is the case with the Minnesota Twins taking the sale of radio ads in-house as the team moved from longtime affiliate WCCO-AM to KSTP-AM. What happened: existing sponsors expanded their deals with radio buys. This article is long on hyperbole and short on specifics.

Without state money, Senators' ballpark is shut out
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
While the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) are up for sale -- the completion of which is believed to be several weeks away -- its ballpark is not part of the deal and becomes more and more obsolete by the game's standards. In the 38 months since Mayor Stephen Reed unveiled plans for a renovated ballpark, the only significant change at the spartan 6,300-seat facility has been its name. Out was RiverSide Stadium. In is Commerce Bank Park. Nowhere in between, however, was the long-promised overhaul of the 20-year-old facility that was left behind in the ballpark boom of the mid-1990s. The renovations were to include the addition of luxury boxes, a restaurant overlooking left field, boardwalks above the outfield fences, expanded concession stands and a new press box.

A's, Giants skyboxes are still a hot ticket
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Sales of luxury suites at AT&T Park and McAfee Coliseum are robust as the 2007 season opens. The Giants' 67 suites are filled almost to capacity on an annual basis with long-term contracts of five to nine years. Suites sell for $95,000 to $165,000 per season, depending on location and size. The A's have gone another route, with 65 percent of their 147 suites sold on a single-game basis. While sales for suites are holding steady, overall ticket sales, according to Jim Leahey, the A's new vice president of sales and marketing, are up 15 percent over the previous season to date.

Pelicans set attendance record on Opening Weekend
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League) witnessed a sharp increase in attendance during Opening Weekend 2007 as compared to last season. The four-game series saw 14,728 fans walk through the gates at Coastal Federal Field, a 19 percent increase from the first four games of 2006.
    "We are thrilled to have launched the new era for Pelicans baseball with such a dramatic increase in attendance," said Chuck Greenberg, President and Managing Partner of the Pelicans. "We thoroughly enjoyed seeing our fans experience all of the new features at the ballpark for the first time, including our new videoboard, enhanced food menu, Pelicans’ Beach, televisions in the concourse, sound system, and the relocated visitor’s bullpen. We are committed to delivering continued enhancements for the fan experience with each homestand."
    On Opening Night the Pelicans faithful set a franchise record for the largest single-game attendance in club history with a crowd of 6,047, breaking the previous record of 5,836, set on April 6, 2000. Not only did the Opening Day crowd make franchise history, but it also became the seventh-largest single-game attendance in the history of the Carolina League.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark changes a big hit for Pelicans fans; Ballpark renovations to enhance season opener in Myrtle Beach

Reinsdorf puts greenbacks to good use
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
For the first time since US. Cellular Field opened in 1991, all seats are green -- old Comiskey green, Wrigley green, Chicago ballpark green. "It finally looks like a real ballpark," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said Saturday afternoon. You've got to give the White Sox credit for fixing problems at their new ballpark The upper deck was cut down to size. Posts were put up there to remind of the old Comiskey. Lower-level seats down the foul lines were angled to provide better sight lines. Best of all, green seats were installed in a green-seat town. Now the place looks good, smells good and feels good. It has negotiable concourses, accessible concession stands and areas for kids to play and adults to party.

Almost a rainout
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Kind words about Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium, the home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League), are fairly common today, but back in the 1980s, many in the city felt it shouldn't be built. Affectionately referred to by local residents as "The Cove" the ballpark turns 20 years old this summer. It started with a simple concept -- it would be nice to have a minor league baseball team in South Bend, with a ballpark that could also be used for community events. That idea sparked a two-year debate on the economic costs and impact, and eventually a lawsuit by a group of residents to block construction.

From Buffs to Astros, Houston keeps going to bat for baseball
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here's a look at the history of baseball in Houston, mostly on the minor-league side. The city was a mainstay in the Texas League from 1888 with the Houston Buffs, who played out a series of regional rivalries for decades. On the minor-league side, two facilities served fans: West End Park (1921-1922) and Buff Stadium (1928-1962), the home of the Houston Buffs, a St. Louis Cardinals farm team. By the late 1950s business leaders were clamoring for major-league baseball, and so Colt Stadium came to be before the Astrodome was built.

Ballpark Notes
Posted April 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association) announced the hiring of Sioux Falls television news personality Nate Welch as Director of Promotions. Welch is most well known for his work as a news reporter for KDLT and, most recently, KSFY. The Roosevelt High School graduate previously worked for the Canaries for three seasons, beginning in 1999, as the team’s mascot, Cagey. While in college at the University of Nebraska, Welch worked with the athletic department and the NCAA on promotional ventures throughout the country. Last summer, Welch assisted the Canaries promotional department on a part-time basis.