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Archives: May 21-27, 2005

Design details emerge for USC ballpark
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If there's any doubt the college game will be the next big thing in the baseball world, check out the plans for a new $17.5 million ballpark at the University of South Carolina. It is, for all intents and purposes, a Class AA ballpark, featuring baseball stadium include grass berms for seating behind the outfield, a children’s playground behind center field, and a concession concourse above the stands. The ballpark will have 6,000 fixed seats and room for another 1,000 on the outfield berm. The setting sounds spectacular: Spectators will almost certainly have a clear view of the Adluh flour building, a Vista landmark. They may also be able to see the State House dome and portions of Columbia’s skyline. Players (except pitchers, more than likely) will like the new ballpark. It will be a cozy ballpark with dimensions cozier than those found at the Gamecocks' current ballpark, Sarge Frye Field: 315 feet to left field and 318 to right. One big issue for city officials will be the lack of parking around the ballpark. The State newspaper says the city should provide help with infrastructure costs, but no direct subsidies for the new ballpark.
    RELATED STORIES: USC gives green light to new ballpark; Tanner: 2007 ‘realistic’ for new stadium; Bottom of the ninth in Columbia

Private ballpark funding lacking in D.C.
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The District of Columbia Council may scrap an idea to include private financing in its package for a new Washington Nationals ballpark after concluding the proposals on the table would not save the district any money and could actually cost more than district-issued bonds. The D.C. Council canceled a finance committee markup set for Wednesday on legislation to incorporate private financing into the ballpark project, as well as a planned June 7 vote on the bill by the full legislative body.
    RELATED STORIES: Gandhi defends ballpark figures; Ballpark financing plan goes to D.C. Council; Williams's ballpark bill lacks financing details; Is the new ballpark estimate in the ballpark?; D.C. finance chief defends ballpark estimate; Ballpark fallout worries residents; Chief complaint at Nationals' opener: long lines; Baseball capital; RFK's field may be named for military; Deal for RFK sponsor may be back on; Plan could cut D.C.'s ballpark burden; Bringing back D.C. memories in Philly; In Nationals' D.C. debut, fans shrug off snags; Williams warms up for moment on the mound; D.C. ballpark cost rises but stays below cap; Army may sponsor Nats; Slow start for RFK naming rights; Sponsor sought for RFK Stadium; Two financing deals cleared for D.C. ballpark; D.C. ballpark architect finalist sees move to modern design; Ballpark design bids cut to three; Eight bid to design Nationals' ballpark; D.C. mayor, officials to see games in Florida; 'Big boxes' part of D.C. ballpark pitch; RFK undergoes first transformations during two-sport season

Bob Wirz: Seven shutout innings earn Oil Can another job
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd may be 45, but his seven shutout innings for the Brockton Rox (independent; Can-Am League) showed he can still pitch. Bob Wirz looks at the always-colorful Boyd, who earned a roster spot with his exhibition-season performance.

Golden League just that to fans
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Speaking of independent leagues: the Golden Baseball League launched its inaugural opening season last night. In Mesa, an announced crowd of 3,264 (though the Yuma Sun hints that it was smaller) -- lured by a dollar-ticket promotion -- braved the 105-degree heat to see the Mesa Miners begin play at HoHoKam Park, while across town the Surprise Fightin' Falcons made their debut against the first Japanese team to play in an American league, the Samurai Bears. Wheel of Fortune game-show host and team owner Pat Sajak threw out the first pitch. In San Diego, an announced sellout crowd of 3,000 saw Rickey Henderson and the San Diego Surf Dawgs defeat the Long Beach Armada 9-2 in the season opener for both teams. The other two GBL teams begin play tonight.

Bombers field gets under way
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Greenville Bombers (Class A; Sally League) yesterday held a groundbreaking ceremony for the team's new West End ballpark, scheduled to open next season. Despite earlier public opposition to the ballpark, those gathered praised the project as bringing jobs to the area and possibly serving as a development catalyst for the area.

River Bats begin moves to finalize ballpark land deal
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Joel Sutherland, the owner of the St. Cloud River Bats (college wood bat; Northwoods League) is closer to a new ballpark after retaining a local company, Westwood Professional Services, to complete a feasibility study and maximum use program for the 35-acre parcel of land in St. Joseph. (Sutherland has a purchase agreement on the parcel contingent on an inspection.) The facility, which is expected to coast $3.5 million, is being designed by HNTB.

Cubs point finger -- at Wrigley
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Pitcher Carlos Zambrano has an explanation for why the Chicago Cubs suck this year: it's because of Wrigley Field. Now, the conditions at the Friendly Confines can dramatically vary this time of year, but let's be a little realistic: both teams play under the same conditions, and dropping a game to the last-place Colorado Rockies isn't because the wind was blowing out. Then again, maybe it's Jeff Gordon's fault for not remembering the words to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

Broadcasters in baseball must watch what they say
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There's always been a tension for broadcasters in trying to please two masters: their employers (baseball teams) and fans. This article makes it sound like the tension is new, but it's always been there: remember, the A's Charlie Finley went through a series of broadcasters (including Harry Caray), and while it's nostalgic to think announcers were ever free of team interference, history indicates otherwise. The issue was given some new prominence in the offseason when Steve Stone and Chip Caray both left the Chicago Cubs broadcast booth after a public spat with manager Dusty Baker and Diamondbacks broadcaster Thom Brennaman irked fan favorite Luis Gonzalez with some fairly innocuous and honest remarks about the team's performance in clutch situations.

Vagabond Nats flourishing in new home
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
USA Today's Hal Bodley proclaims the move of the Montreal Expos to Washington's RFK Stadium a success: Average attendance at RFK Stadium is 31,774, an overall increase of about 400,000 at this stage a year ago in Montreal. Revenues are surpassing MLB's best forecast as well. The team has certainly created a buzz in D.C. The Nationals are playing tonight in St. Louis; the last time a D.C. team played in St. Louis the matchup was between the original Washington Senators and the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park, which had just been renamed Busch Stadium. Speaking of the Nationals: here's a column from Slate on the Fred Malek ownership group seeing ownership of the team. There's a tinge of moral outrage here.

A new site would help SEC tourney
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Hoover Metropolitan Stadium is hosting the annual SEC baseball tournament, and there are grumblings about the facility among media and fans. The Met will host the tournament again next season, but the feeling here is the tournament should be moved to another site -- like AutoZone Park in Memphis -- or rotated through several different sites, including Zephyr Field in New Orleans.

Healthy ACBL adding third Allentown area team
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As you'll recall, during last year's kerfuffle over a new Allentown ballpark one of the side players was the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League's Lehigh Valley Catz, which would have played at a proposed Atlantic League team. The Catz didn't get a new home, but the league overall is doing pretty well. New this season is are the Kutztown Rockies, who will play its weeknight games at Earl F. Hunsicker/Bicentennial Park, the former home of the ACBL's Allentown Wings.

In memoriam: Chico Carrasquel
Posted May 27, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Chico Carrasquel, a four-time all-star for the Chicago White Sox and first Latin player to play in an All-Star Game, died of a heart attack yesterday. He was 77. Carrasquel was best known as shortstop for the Go-Go Sox of the 1950s and was a national hero in his native Venezuela. He hit .258 with 55 home runs in a 10-year career with four teams. He succeeded Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling in 1950, when he had a 24-game hitting streak, and was succeeded in turn by Hall of Famer Aparicio when Carrasquel was traded to the Cleveland Indians with outfielder Jim Busby for outfielder Larry Doby.

New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A proposal by the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for a new downtown ballpark has hit a large snag after developers and the city disagreed over how much tax-increment financing can be allocated to the project. The Sounds and their investors believe the entire cost of the $43 million ballpark is eligible for TIF financing because it would be a ballpark owned by the city; the city says TIF financing can be extended only to the value of the land. Sounds management say they're optimistic about coming to some sort of agreement with the city on the issue. The bigger issue -- and one that may end up delaying any sort of ballpark deal -- is the city's larger financial problem. Just two days ago Mayor Bill Purcell proposed a major property tax/sales tax increase to fund core functions of local government for the next three years, and the combination of the tax hike and a perceived tax break for the Sounds is probably not a great combination.
    RELATED STORIES: Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until fall; Sounds deal stalls, but still in play; City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan; Sounds ballpark negotiations slow; Will ballpark make SoBro soar?; Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark; Sounds win city approval for new ballpark

Powell makes bid for Washington Nationals
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has joined one of the nine groups seeking ownership of the Washington Nationals. He's now part of Fred Malek's group, which also includes Jeff Zients, former Fannie Mae chairman Franklin Raines, America Online founding CEO James Kimsey, lawyer Vernon Jordan and former Washington Redskins player Darrell Green.

Mandalay Baseball, Magic Johnson extend partnership
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mandalay Baseball, a division of Mandalay Sports Entertainment, has extended its relationship with former NBA great Magic Johnson to form a separate company, Johnson/Mandalay Development Co. Basically, the new company is a development firm that will work on projects centered on ballparks housing Mandalay Sports teams. Mandalay has been competing for a new ballpark in Baton Rouge with Ryan-Sanders Baseball (Nolan Ryan's firm), and the word is Johnson/Mandalay will present a plan to the city regarding a retail/residential/ballpark development. Also, Mandalay has been pursuing some sort of expanded development deal in Evansville, Ind. Mandalay and Magic Johnson Enterprises will equally fund the firm, with an executive committee led by Johnson in charge. The two firms have worked together before; Johnson is a minority investor in the Dayton Dragons (Class A; Midwest League), arguably Mandalay's most successful franchise.

Ballpark groundbreaking set today at downtown Greenville site
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The groundbreaking for a new Greenville Bombers (Class A; Sally League) ballpark is today, with an accelerated schedule to build the new facility by the opening of the 2006 season. DLR Group is doing the design, which will include a miniature Green Monster. So far the Bombers are doing OK in Greenville despite a late start to their sales cycling, averaging 1,600 fans a game and selling over 500 season tickets.

Traverse City Beach Bums unveil logo
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The ownership of the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League) made their second big unveiling in the last week, with the introduction of the team's official logo. The design of the logo continues to build on team's beach theme with the predominant colors of blue and yellow to represent the Grand Traverse Area's surrounding bays and bright summer sunshine. Suntan, one of the Beach Bums' official mascots, highlights the logo with his trademark sunglasses and one of the several styles of jerseys Beach Bum players will sport when the team hits the field in May 2006.

Major moment arrives for Miners
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Golden Baseball League begins play tonight when the Mesa Miners host the Yuma Scorpions. The league has attracted some decent names beside Rickey Henderson, though many are veterans of other indy leagues rather than affiliated baseball. The Miners drew a couple of hundred fans per game for two exhibition matches at HoHoKam Park; this doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it will be interesting to see if the league performances rises to where its founders expect: $11 million in revenues this season and $258 million in sales in five years. More season previews on the Long Beach Armada and the San Diego Surf Dawgs, as well as a general preview from the Los Angeles Times.
    RELATED STORY: Pursuing a Golden idea

Wild Things continue to succeed
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We spent a lot of time in the offseason talking about the Frontier League's problem children -- the Florence Freedom and the Ohio Valley Redcoats -- and probably not enough time on the league's more successful teams. Like the Washington Wild Things, who open play tonight at Falconi Field against the aforementioned Redcoats. The team will face some challenges this season -- only two players return from a successful 2004 season -- but Falconi Field is popular in the community and the team traditionally draws well.

SW Michigan Devil Rays approach first sellout of year
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Team that regularly sell out may not consider this news, but considering how baseball has fared recently in Battle Creek, this is indeed noteworthy. The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Class A; Midwest League) are nearing the first sellout of the 2005 season on Saturday, June 11. There are only a little more than 600 Box and Field Box seats left to fill C.O. Brown Stadium on June 11. The team’s general admission seats are sold out. The June 11 game is currently on pace to be the largest crowd at C.O. Brown for a Midwest League baseball game since August 2, 2004, when 8,059 tickets were sold for a promotion that included tickets available for purchase at just three cents each. It could also be the largest crowd at the ballpark since June 24, 2000 when 6,452 attended a game.

Vintage Seals Stadium seats for sale
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Seals Stadium opened in 1931 and served as the home of the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League) until the end of the 1957 season; it housed the San Francisco Giants for two more seasons before its demolition in 1959. The ballpark was torn down (you can see a photo on our Endangered Ballparks page), but some of the ballpark's original seating was sold to the city of Tacoma, which was building Cheney Stadium for a new PCL club. Now the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are upgrading Cheney Stadium with new seating and selling 2,500 of the original Seals Stadium seats. The price is right -- $75 each, plus $25 for shipping -- and you can get more information from the Rainiers' Patti Stacy at 253/752-7707.

Brockton couple has season tickets for namesake team
Posted May 26, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Charlie and Claudia Rox are unique in the baseball world: they have the same last name as their favorite baseball team, the Brockton Rox (independent; Can-Am League). That's an unusual name (they think it's of Dutch heritage) and an unusual name for a team (the St. Cloud Rox of the original Northern League was probably the most famous baseball predecessor). The Rox open their season tonight with veteran Singing Ed Nottle at the helm.

ProFund Advisors close to RFK naming-rights deal
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
ProFund Advisors, a Bethesda (Md.) firm specializing in risky mutual funds for sophisticated investors, is close to a deal with the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission for the rights to put its name on the Nationals' temporary home, RFK Stadium, until a new Washington Nationals ballpark opens in 2008. (The Nationals control naming rights for the new ballpark.) Investment- and financial-services firms seem to have the hots for sports fans these days; witness the naming rights purchased by Invesco, Ameriquest Mortgage Co., TD Banknorth Inc., Edward Jones and M&T Bank Corp. for various MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL venues.

Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Efforts to have the Minneapolis City Council oppose a new downtown ballpark for the Minnesota Twins have stalled after a council committee tabled a vote on the issue. It's not likely the measure would pass the full council anyway, as there's now a solid majority of Minneapolis councilmembers supporting the ballpark. City leaders have not been deeply involved in ballpark planning, but they want to see future city participation to ensure a say in zoning issues, apply the city's hospitality tax on food and drink inside the ballpark, and avoid paying an anticipated $80 million in infrastructure improvements around the ballpark. Meanwhile, the move by the Minnesota Legislature from regular session to special session isn't expected to dampen the prospects of state approval of a 0.15 percent Hennepin County sales tax to pay for part of the ballpark. The state Senate is planning a hearing on the issue today, but Senate passage is pretty much assured; if the plan is derailed anywhere, it will be in the state House, where noted anti-ballpark foe Rep. Phil Krinkie will hold hearings on ballpark funding in the House Tax Committee.
    RELATED STORIES: Big fans of a Twins move; Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan; Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative leaders; Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins ballpark; Few want to pay for Twins ballpark; Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark funding; Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark funding; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums; Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy; Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans; Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Phone isn’t ringing for owner of The Diamond
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite proclamations by Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder that proposals are rolling in for redevelopment of the area surrounding The Diamond, the home of the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International league), no one has contacted the Richmond Metropolitan Authority (owners of the ballpark) directly about any deal. City officials say that's natural, although you gotta wonder when no developers have actually stepped forward with any specifics -- and Wilder reamed out the Braves and Global Development for not having more specifics in their plan to redevelop a site in Shockoe Bottom area with a ballpark.
    RELATED STORIES: Richmond Braves back to The Diamond?; Wilder speaks out on proposed Richmond ballpark; Braves again make pitch for ballpark; Richmond putting a squeeze play on Braves?; City says 'show me the money' for arts center and ballpark; Richmond ballpark plan has makings of solid transaction; Richmond ballpark plan strikes out on site, economics, financing; Wilder quits role in Richmond group; Threat not part of deal for Richmond ballpark; Braves getting outside pitches; Braves or bust?; Drains a strain on Richmond ballpark plan?; Wilder: Stadium proposal lacks details; Richmond ballpark questions remain; Richmond Braves assume role as developer; New ballpark plan for Shockoe Bottom; Proposed ballpark may rescue flood-damaged Richmond area; Global ballpark bid asks much from D.C.; Protests drowned out at rally for Shockoe Bottom ballpark; The Boulevard blues

Freedom pledge to put fun back into baseball
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Florence Freedom (independent; Frontier League) had a rough offseason after a former team owner pled guilty to charges of forgery and sold the team through bankruptcy court. Now new team owner Clint Brown is preparing for 2005 by spiffing up the team's ballpark -- with a newly opened beer garden, open-air suites, party area and children's play area with a swing set and slide as well as plans for a speed pitch booth and a bounce house -- and bringing in new front-office personnel.

Is Syracuse's 'Sky' falling?
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Management of the Syracuse Sky Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) are considering a name change back to the Syracuse Chiefs, the team's long-time moniker. Older fans still use the name Chiefs, while the younger fans never warmed to the Sky Chiefs name anyway. The name change was adopted after the 1996 season when the team was preparing to move from old MacArthur Stadium into Alliance Bank Stadium. The new name enabled Syracuse to keep "Chiefs," as part of its name, but it distanced the team from the American Indian connotation.

Fans to get opportunity to name minor-league team
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Owners of the short-season NY-Penn League team that will begin play at Penn State's Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in 2006 announced a "name-the-team" contest. The contest will feature two rounds. In the first round of voting, which will begin this Friday and run through June 10, fans will be able to submit a write-in entry with their choice for the name. The second round will feature a list of popular entries presented by fans during the first round of voting. After the final round, the name will be unveiled. Fans can vote at the club's Web site.
    RELATED STORIES: Penn State diamond dreams a step closer; Penn State approves new ballpark

Swinging for success in Missouri
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gary Wendt, the co-owner of the Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier League), may have instituted the riskiest promotion of the season: if the Mavs don't finish about .500, season-ticket holders will be refunded half their money. The team finished 28-66 in 2004, so there's a definite challenge involved. Former Orioles slugger Jim Gentile (he once hit two grand slams in consecutive innings) returns as manager.

Mary Hart, bobblehead to appear at the Birdcage
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mary Hart is coming to the Birdcage. The Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; Northern League) are honoring Famous South Dakotan Mary Hart with her very own Bobblehead on Saturday, June 4 -- and Hart will be there in person to take part in the festivities. The Sioux Falls native and Augustana College graduate will be the first of the Famous South Dakotan Bobbleheads to be given away at the Birdcage in 2005. Hart, host of Entertainment Tonight, was one of the top Famous South Dakotans on a Canaries website poll over the winter.

New-look SwampDogs debut with new owners, new-looking ballpark and new logo
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Fayetteville SwampDogs (college wood bat; Coastal Plain League) are a different team this year, as new owners Lewis Handelsman and his son Darrell made immediate changes, starting with putting Darrell in charge as director of operations and manager. (He's got the cred: he's the all-time winningest coach in the Northwoods League.) They next turned to rejuvenating J.P. Riddle Stadium with an $80,000 makeover. Gone also are the old logo and mascot, replaced with more family-friendly designs. The team, along with the county, got the money to add a roof over the park, which covers 450 seats. They also upgraded the picnic area, upgraded the speaker system and the scoreboard, and cleaned up the deck, which will be known as the "Miller Lite Liberty Lounge." The new-look SwampDogs begin play June 2.

Cats to honor 500,000th fan at LaGrave Field
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Fort Worth Cats (independent; Central League) should reach an important milestone tonight: the team's 500,000th fan should go through the turnstyles tonight, barring some catastrophe. The Cats will give the lucky fan autographed baseballs from Cats’ legends Duke Snider, Sparky Anderson, Maury Wills and Bobby Bragan. The 500,000th fan through the turnstiles will also receive a Cats jersey, a team autographed bat, tickets to the remaining weekend games, a lifetime minor-league gold pass and a goodie bag of items from team sponsors.

Outlast! Outplay! Outfield! at Grayson Stadium
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Survivor-type contests are not uncommon in the minors, but here's one based explicitly on the hit TV series. Contestants at the Survivor contest run by the Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A; Sally League) will spend eight days and seven nights in the left-field bleachers of Historic Grayson Stadium where they will survive on nothing but ballpark food and their wits. During each game, they will participate in on-field competitions for prizes, like a shower or home-cooked meal, and for immunity from the jury of nine randomly chosen fans to vote off a Survivor. The last person standing on June 14 will win the prizes as well as the
title of Sand Gnats Survivor. To accept the challenge, call Kevin A. Gray at 912-351-9150 or email at kgray@sandgnats.com by May 31.

Ballgames have gotten a lot wackier at O'Brien Field
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The management of the Peoria Chiefs (Class A; Midwest League)  have instituted more elaborate, interactive promotions this season in an attempt to put more seats in the seats. Attendance is up by nearly 10,000 compared with this time last year, thanks in some part to themed events like "Star Wars Night," "Big Hair '80s Night" and "Upgrade I-74 Day." The mayhem will continue all summer long, with promotions on nearly every night of the home schedule. July 19, for instance, will be "Super Splash Day." The stands will be continually pelted with water, save for one section dubbed a "dry zone" for anyone hoping to avoid looking like they just competed in a wet T-shirt contest.

Cutters announce more improvements to Yale Field
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New Haven County Cutters (independent; Can-Am League) are making some additional changes to historic Yale Field this season. Last season the team rebuilt the concessions areas and upgraded the restrooms (among other things); this year Yale University and the Baseball Foundation of Connecticut are repaving the walkways outside the ballpark, improving exterior lighting and upgrading the sound system.

Centerplate dishes up better news for 1st Q, offers turnaround plan
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Centerplate is a major concessionaire in the ballpark and arena worlds, is going on the offensive after posting a $4.4 million loss in its latest quarterly earnings. For example, officials said they would ramp up efforts to win more contracts at sports stadiums housing National Football League teams and to better meet demands for higher-quality food and speedier service. They also said they would build a branded image for Centerplate with newly created in-house concepts. (Thanks to John Cerone.)

Pride want to focus on families
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We live in an impatient world. Fans and media in Nashua are getting antsy about the new ownership of the Nashua Pride (independent; Atlantic League). The new owners of the team say they're talking their time to talk about the team with fans (at the ballpark and through focus groups) to deliver what they want. Marketing efforts were an issue at a Nashua Board of Aldermen meeting because the Pride want to remove 1,500 bleacher seats, which in turn requires changes in the team's lease for Holman Stadium. More from the Nashua Telegraph.
    RELATED STORY: Pride need to make their mark -- immediately

Ballpark, Chants ready to go
Posted May 25, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One huge reason why ballparks are such a big issue in college baseball is that they help determine who hosts NCAA regional tournaments -- an important thing for teams with aspirations toward the College World Series. The College of Charleston spent over $300,000 on ballpark improvements this spring in order to be in a better position to land a tourney; all in all, the college will spend $2.5 million on the facility before it's done.

Pursuing a Golden idea
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
You can bet there will be a lot of baseball folks closely watching the independent Golden Baseball League when play opens this week. Yes, there's always attention paid when a new independent league launches, but the unique nature of the Golden Baseball League screams for additional scrutiny. For starters, the league will be operating under a unique ownership structure: all teams are owned and operated by the league, who say they will create buying efficiencies because all purchasing will be handled from the central league office. Whether or not this model can work is an unknown; the independent Canadian Baseball League used the same financial model last year, but that league had capitalization issues the Golden Baseball League seems to have addressed. Secondly, they're operating in markets where independent baseball already failed. Add to that some chatter about some rather generous salaries (we've heard of at least one GM making $85,000 a year). And, finally, the founders of the league have made some pretty amazing statements about where they expect to be this season (garnering $11 million in revenues) and in the future (by year five, they expect to be fielding 84 teams, earning $63 million pretax on $258 million in sales). Now, there will be some markets where the league does OK, like Chico and San Diego; there are other markets where baseball has a less-than-stellar track record, like Yuma and Long Beach. More on the league from the San Diego Business Journal.

The price is not right for SMS
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The athletic director at Southwest Missouri State must decide whether to keep the baseball team at Hammons Field, which is also the home of the Springfield Cardinals (Class AA; Texas League). SMS drew well to Hammons Field last season and turned a $100,000 profit, but this season revenues are down and the price of the lease went way up, leading to a $100,000 loss this season. SMS has an option to walk away from Hammons and may do so if there's no lease renegotiation; John Q. Hammons (who privately financed the $32-million ballpark) says he needs SMS as a tenant but isn't thrilled with the idea of renegotiating the lease.

Big fans of a Twins move
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Rich Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht have been pushing the notion of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in the city's Warehouse District for years now. They control most of the land that would be used for the new ballpark, and they stand to profit from a new ballpark on two levels: through a land sale (though they have been willing to sell the land for less than its market value) and by developing 200 acres around the ballpark. (Full disclosure: I've met with the pair and supplied them with some limited data.)
    RELATED STORIES: Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan; Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative leaders; Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins ballpark; Few want to pay for Twins ballpark; Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark funding; Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark funding; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums; Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy; Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans; Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

3 in hospital after brawl near Wrigley Field
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
You hear talk of a brawl outside a Chicago ballpark and you immediately think of US Cellular Field. But the fight yesterday took place outside of Wrigley Field, and it didn't involve partisans of the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs facing off; it involved a fan challenging an off-duty cop wearing a Boston Red Sox jersey while working a concessions stand. (Yeah, we're also trying to figure out why other cops didn't beat him up first for wearing a Red Sox jersey to a Cubs game.) The pair took their disagreement to the corner of Clark and Addison, where three fans were eventually arrested (one had to be Tasered) and the cop was taken to a hospital with head injuries.

Foothills still Dawgs' house
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The word in Calgary is that the expansion Calgary Vipers (independent; Northern League) were working to force the Calgary Dawgs (college wood bat; Western Major Baseball League) out of Foothills Stadium. Vipers president Peter Young says that's not the case, but clearly the Dawgs are displeased with their second-class status at the ballpark and are considering building their own ballpark. They probably should, as there was one disturbing quote from Young: "Our goal is to use the park as much as we can for amateur baseball," Young said. "Right now, given the salaries they pay in the (WMBL), we have to determine if they're considered amateur." Salaries? The WMBL is a college wood-bat league. We're guessing this fairly impressive list of Dawgs sponsors (as opposed to the Vipers' sponsors) is why Young's undies are in a bundle.

Pearl restaurants see little boost from Braves fans
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Managers of restaurants outside of Trustmark Park, the new home of the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League) say the ballpark is actually hurting their business, as fans would prefer to eat at a game instead of diving into the salad bar at Ruby Tuesday. It's really hard to imagine this will continue: fans will eat only so many meals at a ballpark before tiring of hot dogs and burgers, and once a Bass Pro Shop opens next to the ballpark, there will be a whole new class of clientele to be lured to the likes of O'Charley's and Cracker Barrel.

Pride need to make their mark -- immediately
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the arrival of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) in nearby Manchester, the Nashua Pride (independent; Atlantic League) needs to complete more for fans, according to this column from Tom King. Attendance has been sub-par so far this season, and without a solid list of promotions (there are no giveaways on the schedule, and the only outstanding event is fireworks night), there's no reason to think things will pick up in the future.

Frontier League team introduced to fans at Lorain Palace
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Will the Ohio Valley Redcoats (independent; Frontier League) find a permanent home in Lorain? The team is playing "home" games at several different venues this season, but Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin said he would propose building a smaller, more scaled-back 2,000-seat ballpark on the Black River, which he said might cost between $700,000 and $1 million, when he meets with the Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee on June 1.  

Beach Bums sign mascots for 2006
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League) announced the signing of two mascots to work for the team when it begins play in May 2006. "We're really excited about coming to terms with our mascots,” John Wuerfel, managing member of the Beach Bums, said late Thursday night. "We had to burn the midnight oil, trade numbers, and really sell the area, but I’m confident the deal will greatly benefit both sides." Suntan and Sunburn are two bears native to the northern Michigan area, but chose to seek the beaches of warmer climates instead of hibernating during the chilly winter months in Traverse City.

Blistex sponsors relief award for Frontier League
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Apparently it is Frontier League day today. The Frontier League announced Blistex has teamed with the League to sponsor the "Blistex Maximum Relief Award." The award will be given to the league’s top relief pitcher at the end of the season. The relief pitcher with the most points accumulated at the end of the season will be named the "Blistex Maximum Relief Pitcher of the Year," and he will receive a plaque and a $500 check compliments of Blistex.

Gus Greenlee: Saint or sinner?
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gus Greenlee was the George Steinbrenner of the Negro Leagues, buying up talent like Josh Gibson, Judy Johnson, Cool Papa Bell and Satchel Paige for his Pittsburgh Crawfords. He was also the first black to open his own ballpark: Greenlee Field was the home of the Crawfords and also hosted boxing matches, black college football games, and other sporting events.

A term on the berm
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The cheap seats at Haymarket Park, the home of the Big 12's Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northern League's Lincoln SaltDogs, are on the outfield berm and regarded by many as the best seats in the house. This article covers one hour in the midst of a Huskers game.

Bat debate revived by injury
Posted May 23, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Is it time to reexamine aluminum vs. wooden bats again? Last week a high-school player pitching batting practice from behind a protective L-screen was struck by a batter ball and reportedly suffered a fractured skull. The rationale behind aluminum bats is the cost factor: a good aluminum bat costs $250 and a good wood bat costs $50, but the aluminum bats never break. On the other hand, you get a lot of cheap hits in college thanks to aluminum bats, and pitchers are continually at risk from a hard-hit ball up the middle. College programs could probably spend $5,000 a year on wood bats, and when you see the likes of Arkansas and LSU drawing upwards of 3,000 fans a game, the economic arguments against wood bats tend not to be so important. Still, aluminum bats are an entrenched part of college baseball, and it will take the death of a pitcher to change things.