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Archives: Oct. 8-14, 2006

New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for 2008 opening
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District of Columbia officials declared construction of the new Washington Nationals ballpark near the Anacostia River in Southeast is moving expeditiously, even as city leaders and the team are running out of time to build parking garages. At the construction site, the lower seating level of the 41,000-seat ballpark is visibly taking shape. Workers from the construction team of Clark, Hunt and Smoot companies had set most of the 2,400 concrete piles 50 feet into the ground to provide the structural foundation. More from the Washington Times, the Washington Post and AP.
    RELATED STORIES: Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC ballpark; Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking; DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in country; Legislation would revive condo and garage development at new DC ballpark; Poor season raises stakes for new D.C. ballpark; New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking; D.C. parking issue threatens budget; Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat; Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk; Abdo may team up with Miller in ballpark play; D.C. ballpark project progressing well; No more baseball giveaways in D.C.; If you build it, don't build next to it; Commission hears proposal on parking; More funds might be needed to build garages next to new D.C. ballpark; D.C. developer sways the city with big bucks and big ideas; Lerner name means plenty, as Nats deal is closed; Host of problems at new-look RFK; MLB: D.C. government in default of lease agreement; D.C. Council approves parking garage plan; Nats announce 'Grand Reopening' for old RFK; Environmental issues raise concerns on new Nats ballpark; D.C. mayor asks for ballpark plan approval; D.C. parking plan faces significant hurdles; Compromise reached on D.C. ballpark parking; Nats sale targeted for July finalization; D.C. mayor offers proposal to end ballpark parking controversy; Battle brews for control of D.C. ballpark project; Nationals firm on issue of above-ground parking; Hazmat removal at D.C. ballpark site up by $2.9M; Nats ready to pitch sponsorship deals for new ballpark; D.C. ballpark plan clears important hurdle, but concerns linger; D.C.'s Williams creates Office of Baseball; The Nationals' wish list; Nats owners want city to shift gears on parking; Lerner group plans RFK 'grand reopening'; Lerner receives initial approval to buy Nats; full approval expected today; Nats ballpark design up in the air; It's official: Lerner nabs Nats

Northwoods League expands to Green Bay, Battle Creek
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The summer-collegiate Northwoods League officially expanded to Green Bay's Joannes Field and Battle Creek's C.O. Brown Stadium for the 2007 season, bringing the league to 14 teams. Royle Publications, a publisher and printer in Wisconsin with plenty of Titletown ties, will own and operate the Green Bay team. No word on the owners of the Battle Creek team; league officials say they'll run the team if they must, but there are meetings set up next week in New York with interested investors who have experience owning and operating Class AA Eastern League teams. One interesting twist: the league has looked at transporting players via van on the Lake Express ferry service between Milwaukee and Muskegon across Lake Michigan. The folks in Battle Creek are pretty pleased with the idea of a team replacing the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Low Class A; Midwest League) next season. More from the La Crosse Tribune.
    RELATED STORIES: League close to deal with Battle Creek; Green Bay approves lease of Northwoods League team; Kramer withdraws bid for Prior Lake Northwoods League team; NWL team for Joannes takes another step; Prior Lake City Council answers questions about Northwoods; Prior Lake Council puts brakes on Northwoods League plan; Who's on deck in Battle Creek?; Northwoods League group to take next step; No quick decision on NWL team in Green Bay; Radatz says Northwoods League TV deal is complete; Green Bay, Northwoods League to discuss lease; Northwoods League baseball coming to Green Bay?

A's expect short-term Coliseum lease deal
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A lease extension to keep the Athletics in Oakland until they find a site on which to build a new ballpark should be approved today by the team's landlord. The extension would guarantee $2.8 million to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority and include incentives aimed at keeping the team in Alameda County. If the authority approves it, the deal will keep the A's as a tenant at McAfee Coliseum through the 2010 baseball season. It also gives the team three, one-year options that could extend the As stay in Oakland through 2013. Should the team stay until 2013, the authority will make an additional $3 million in rent payments. In return, the A's will keep control of concessions for all events at McAfee Coliseum, including Oakland Raiders games. The deal allows the A's to cancel the lease without penalties if the team leaves to use another baseball facility in Alameda County. More from the Contra Costa Times. More on the potential move of the team to a new ballpark in nearby Fremont.
    RELATED STORIES: A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Snappers, fairgrounds deal proposed
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A new ballpark for the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League) has reached the proposal stage, as a plan has been presented to the Rock County Board. Bill Watson of Mulder Dairy Farms is offering three pieces of land totaling 346 acres located near the Highway 11/Interstate-90 ramp in return for the 421 acres of Rock County farm land on the north side of Janesville. In addition to a new ballpark, the land would be used for a new Rock County fairgrounds, according to the proposal. Local contributors have already offered $7 million toward a new ballpark for the Snappers, who play in antiquated Pohlman Field. More from the Janesville Gazette.

Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins ballpark
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With the Detroit Tigers poised to host the Oakland A's in the ALCS on a night when temperatures are expected to be on the chilly side, the question in Minnesota is how a new Twins ballpark would address fan comfort on a similarly chilly night in downtown Minneapolis. As there's no roof planned, the new ballpark is expected to address the issue in some manner. Many in the Twin Cities advocate piping hot water from an adjoining garbage burner to generate ambient heat throughout the seating area; there are some engineering issues involved (indeed, early in the design process HOK architects told the Twins it wasn't possible, but the Twins persisted in pushing the question), but it's a relatively straightforward process. Piping in hot water would also be a factor in the Twins seeking LEED certification for the new ballpark. One other possibility is the installation of heated seats, but the Twins don't seem interested in that technology.
    RELATED STORIES: 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; Opposition turns out for hearings on new Twins ballpark; Twins ballpark debate keeps going with deal all but done; 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; Twins' ballpark push tab: under a hundred grand; Twins ballpark spending plan outlined; Naming rights options scary; More than a ballpark in Minneapolis; Twins' ballpark opponents were tired of the fight; supporters weren't; Pawlenty says he'll sign Twins ballpark bill this week; Legislature approves Twins ballpark; opening slated for 2010; Legislature moves toward original Twins ballpark plan; Poll shows majority of Minnesota residents don't think Twins need new ballpark; Hennepin County Board OKs Twins ballpark plan; Will new Twins ballpark go green?; Hennepin County board OKs revised Twins ballpark plan; Politics, tax tangle Twins' quest for new park; Supporters say Twins ballpark bill has enough votes to pass; Twins ballpark proposal picking up steam in Minnesota Legislature; Twins laying off threats, for now; It's back! Twins ballpark issue still with us; Twins are hearing dreaded 'C' word again;  Twins make pitch in court to leave Dome; Bonoff won despite supporting ballpark; Hennepin County gives go-ahead for study related to Twins ballpark;  Twins sue to get out of Metrodome lease; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Board reports weighing new ballpark proposals
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The Sonoma-Marin Fair may invite other offers for a minor league ballpark after a proposal from a New York investor fell through. The fair has been approached by "numerous parties" interested in pursuing a baseball deal, board member Brian Sobel said Wednesday. "I can't identify them, but I can tell you they are legitimate," Sobel said. "They are people who are in the business currently or who have the expertise to put together a viable plan." Merritt Paulson had proposed bringing in a High Class A California League team to a new ballpark on the fairgrounds; Paulson would have privately financed the ballpark if the fair had provided the land.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark plans strike out, but some hold hope; Petaluma ballpark deal dead; Sonoma-Marin Fair Board moves ahead with Petaluma ballpark project; Fair Board gets a look at Petaluma ballpark details; Petaluma may get Cal League team, ballpark

In memoriam: Cory Lidle
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New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle was killed Wednesday when the small aircraft he was in crashed into an apartment building on the east side of Manhattan. The National Transportation Safety Board said yesterday that one of the two men in the plane, which was owned by the Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, had indicated he intended to fly up the East River, turn around and head south again. The statement was the first official indication that the crash, which killed Lidle, 34, and his flight instructor, Tyler Stanger, 26, may have been part of a botched, low-altitude U-turn. Lidle ended the season with the Yankees after coming over in a midseason trade with the Philadelphia Phillies; he also played for the Mets, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Toronto and Cincinnati.

Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field
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Two Billings-based businesses turned a double play worth $1 million Wednesday with the announcement of $500,000 donations each to replace Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). First Interstate Bank and Wendy's of Montana presented ceremonial checks made out to "The citizens of Billings." The pledges reduce the bonding needed to build the new baseball park to $10.5 million. The donations come on the heels of a $1 million pledge by Jon Dehler, a local businessman, on Oct. 3. Billings voters have been asked to approve general obligation bonding up to $12.5 million to replace Cobb Field. The issue is on the Nov. 7 ballot.
    RELATED STORIES: Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement; Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign; Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings ballpark; Cobb backers unveil campaign; Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field; Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot; Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field; Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field; Funding dominates Cobb discussion; Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field of dreams; Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs; Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs; Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure; Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal; Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field; Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate; Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million; HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation; Cobb proposals narrowed to 2; Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field

ChiSox adding club level to U.S. Cellular Field
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The Chicago White Sox are converting the press box on the mezzanine level of U.S. Cellular Field into a new club lounge featuring 220 premium seats, with a lounge and restaurant-type food service. The new seating area will retain the movable windows of the press box. The seats will cost $250 each and will be available only in a full season-ticket plan. The press box will move to the second-tier mezzanine level on the fourth floor of the stadium along the first-base side. The radio and TV broadcast booths on the third level, above the current press box, will remain in their present site.

Ballpark could add up to tax home run
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For local schools and government, State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) baseball could yield a significant amount in annual revenue. But the Centre County tax office won't know how much until Penn State identifies the details of lease agreements at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. County officials aren't sure exactly who owns the ballpark itself, which sits on Penn State property. The university, which considers itself tax exempt, did not have an immediate response to Exarchos' statements or the overall issue. Under an in-lieu-of-tax agreement with the county, Penn State is required to collect special payments from commercial ventures that lease university property. The payments, which Penn State sends to the county, are based on local tax rates.

A new ballpark isn't always a blueprint for success
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Evan Weiner builds up a straw man and then (predictably) proceeds to knock it down. The premise here is that building a winning baseball team isn't predicated on a team playing in a new ballpark, noting that five of the eight teams in the playoffs play in older ballparks (Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Shea Stadium, McAfee Coliseum and Metrodome). Four of the five are slated for replacement between now and 2010, with only Dodger Stadium slated to remain. He's absolutely right that smart management fuels winning ballclubs; what he fails to note is that in Minnesota and New York there are wealthy owners willing to subsidize money-losing operations, and he's also a little wrong to suggest that the Yankees and Mets win because of smart management -- they win purely because they have the financial wherewithal to buy the better players.

Making sense of new Baton Rouge ballpark
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There's been talk of a new Baton Rouge ballpark and Class AA team for a few years now; Nolan Ryan as well as at least two other baseball ownership outfits have checked out the market and talked some with locals. The model being used by Baton Rouge leaders is Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League), where Bulls officials say $500 million in local investment can be traced to the construction of the ballpark. One looming issue: whether a minor-league team can share a renovated Alex Box Stadium with LSU. We're guessing not.

Council to vote on Dodd Stadium improvements
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The Norwich City Council will vote Monday to spend $84,000 left from a city bond for upgrades to Dodd Stadium, the home of the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League). The city's lease with the Connecticut Defenders had called for the city to tear out and replant the grass in the playing field, but that project has been postponed for a year to accommodate ESPN's filming at Dodd of "The Bronx is Burning," an eight-part mini-series on the New York Yankees and the summer of 1977. Team officials, however, asked the city to address the poor drainage along the outfield and foul territory warning track before winter. Among the improvements: improvement of the existing lighting system and replacement of carpeting in clubhouses.

Sneak peek at the Travs' new home
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Hundreds of people packed into Dickey-Stephens Park, the new home of the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League), Thursday night giving a feel for what the new ballpark will look like on game day. There's still plenty of construction to be done, but the ballpark is taking shape. Travelers General Manager Bill Valentine was one of the first in line to sign his name to a beam in the ballpark. He says there are a lot of new features at the ballpark including a wide open promenade with plenty of room for fans to move about.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark Preview: Dickey-Stephens Park, Arkansas Travelers; Goodbye to Ray Winder Field; Baseball fans say goodbye to an old friend; Spirits high during Travs' final season; City seeks right pitch on Ray Winder future; Ray Winder Field may be coming down; Construction of ballpark in NLR gets running start; Travelers GM offers up some new details on Dickey-Stephens Park; Last at-bat for Ray Winder Field; Arkansas's Screen Monster: One of baseball's great home-run alleys; North Little Rock ballpark builders face challenges; Travs ballpark plans intact, on track; Ballpark's rising costs to force a decision in North Little Rock; The future of Ray Winder Field under debate; New Arkansas Travelers ballpark has budget difficulty; Hays says Travelers fans should pay to park; New Travs home to be called Dickey-Stephens Park; Little Rock seeks bids to replace Ray Winder Field; Travelers' home coming into focus; NLR sets ballpark previews; NLR projects set fast, sure course; NLR ballpark planners get right to work; North Little Rock voters approve sales-tax hike for new ballpark; Hays says there is no ‘Plan B' for new Travs' ballpark; NLR’s 1% tax plan sees 254-vote 1st day; A rush act for NLR ballpark; Hays: 2 tax projects’ OK will give NLR ‘a booster shot'; NLR promotion panel salutes stadium, not tax; NLR working on game plan for tax vote; Travelers, North Little Rock agree to 50-50 split; North Little Rock ballpark talks snag over cash; Sales-tax vote favored by most on NLR council; Pitching for Aug. 9 tax vote, Hays says; NLR mayor pitches 2-year sales tax for ballpark; Will the Arkansas Travelers stay in Little Rock after all?; New Arkansas Travelers ballpark delayed; financing is in doubt; Actions to save Ray Winder Field sought; Travs ballpark development moves forward; Plans for new Little Rock ballpark unveiled; New home for Arkansas Travelers?; Little Rock ballpark near river in works; Replacing Ray Winder Field wasn't in my plans

Struever mulling ballpark-area changes in Nashville
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The mixed-use development slated to accompany the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) planned downtown ballpark may get a makeover. Baltimore firm Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse is making plans for a mixed-use project near the proposed ballpark at the former site of the Nashville Thermal Transfer Plant. At a luncheon Thursday, Struever's local development director, Michael Hayes, said his company is considering lowering the number of condominiums around the ballpark while beefing up the amount of office space. Hayes emphasized that the potential changes have not gained city approval and are still preliminary.
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Ballpark takes over management of grill
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The West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally league) and the Power Alley Grill are now on the same team. The 6-month-old restaurant was opened under the guidance of chef Robert Wong. Now the restaurant will be under the ballpark’s management, said Power General Manager Andy Milovich. The change in management wasn’t unexpected, Milovich said. Because the ballpark needed to open the restaurant in such a short time, Wong was brought into help, he said. His help and management were only temporary and most patrons didn’t even realize that the Power Alley Grill wasn’t under ballpark management, he said.

Ballpark Notes
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The Rochester Honkers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) announced that Jake Poepl and Reggie Grams have joined the front office for the 2007 season. Poepl, 27, has been the voice of the Rochester Honkers since 2005, calling all home and road games on AM 1520, The Ticket. Poepl’s off-season duties will focus on sales, marketing, promotions and media relations. During the season, he will continue to be the voice of the Honkers calling all home and road games. Grams, 22, joins the Honkers after spending a summer with the Brainerd Blue Thunder (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). He was responsible for game day operations, concession management and group sales....The Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League) announced that general manager Michael Hirsch has resigned to pursue career opportunities outside the sports industry. The team also announced the elevation of assistant general manager Michael Pfaff to interim general manager and the appointment of Doug Cohen to the position of assistant general manager/Senior VP of Sales....Steve Yaros, GM of the Delmarva Shorebirds (Low Class A; Sally League), has left to join the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) as vice president of marketing....There are a few changes in the Los Angeles Dodgers front office. Roy Smith, vice president of scouting and player development, resigned on Friday to pursue other opportunities. And last week farm director Terry Collins resigned to sign a three-year deal to manage the Orix Buffaloes in Japan....
     Have some news to share with the baseball community? Send it to editors@augustpublications.com.

A's would have to ditch tarps in World Series
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Though the Oakland Athletics didn't show a lot of World Series flash last night in a 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, A's President Michael Crowley said Tuesday that baseball's commissioner, Bud Selig, told the team to remove the coverings should the team make it to the World Series. The tarps were put in place at the start of this season, and removing them would increase McAfee Coliseum's capacity to about 47,000 should the A's get past Detroit and face either the New York Mets or St. Louis Cardinals, Crowley said. That figure includes standing-room-only and would be roughly 11,400 more than the crowd expected inside McAfee Coliseum for each game of the sold-out American League championship series against Detroit.
    RELATED STORIES: For now, A's upper deck will remain closed; The making over of McAfee Coliseum

A's could move away
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As the Oakland Athletics entertain the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, columnist Mark Purdy contemplates the potential for the A's to move to a new ballpark in Fremont. The argument here is the San Francisco Giants should be concerned about the team's move to Fremont, which will make it a de facto Silicon Valley team (in fact, the hot rumor is that the team will be renamed the San Jose A's, even though San Jose proper is Giants territory and the team won't be playing in San Jose); the smarter course for the Giants would have been to come sort of financial deal with the A's and allow them to play in San Jose. Oakland officials, meanwhile, downplay the possibility of the A's moving, even though there's no effort among city leaders to keep the team. The Mercury News, on the other hand, comes out in favor of a Fremont ballpark.
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Buyers balk at A's tickets
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Boo hoo. A flood of A's tickets on Craigslist, StubHub.com and elsewhere left online sellers, ticket brokers and stadium scalpers grumbling Tuesday, some of them nonplussed by the weak demand for a major sporting event. Online brokers said they could barely unload many lower-priced tickets at face value. At McAfee Coliseum before the game, scalpers made half-hearted attempts to sell tickets at exorbitant prices before retreating to face value or lower and pleading for offers.

Ballpark plans strike out, but some hold hope
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A baseball investor and the Sonoma-Marin Fair have parted ways after negotiations to build a minor-league ballpark at the fairgrounds fell apart. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of baseball in or near Petaluma, some said. Fair officials say they could have lost $260,000 a year on the ballpark -- a figure that's a little hard to swallow, considering Merritt Paulson said he's build the ballpark and buy a High Class A California League team. Paulson says he'll continue to look for land in the Petaluma area; other elected officials are urging the fair board to rethink their decision to drop the baseball plan.
    RELATED STORIES: Petaluma ballpark deal dead; Sonoma-Marin Fair Board moves ahead with Petaluma ballpark project; Fair Board gets a look at Petaluma ballpark details; Petaluma may get Cal League team, ballpark

Angels release spring-training schedule
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It's never too early to plan your spring-training trips. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are first out of the gate with a tentative 2007 schedule, with games beginning March 1 and ending on April 1. For those keeping track at home, that means pitchers and catchers should begin reporting on Feb. 15 or so. We also have partial schedules for several other teams; check out the schedule pages on Spring Training Online for more details.

White Sox have new start time: 7-Eleven
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The Chicago White Sox are changing the start time for evening games at U.S. Cellular Field to 7:11 as part of a sponsorship deal with convenience-store chain 7-Eleven; the firm is paying an average of a half-million dollars a year to be the name behind the time. The shift to 7:11 at U.S. Cellular Field was not envisioned when the team and 7-Eleven were working on the details of a sponsorship deal that would have kept the starting times at 7:05 and 7:35. But team executives said that 7-Eleven wanted a new wrinkle to the more traditional sponsorship they were working on, which includes 25,000 giveaway coupons at each game. Why the need for such a large sponsorship deal? 7-Eleven purchased the White Hen chain of convenience stores..

Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement
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National sportscaster and Billings native Brent Musburger endorsed the project to rebuild Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) when he spoke to the annual meeting of the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. When friends from his Billings childhood called to invite him, Musburger said he didn't initially know the issue was on the November ballot. However, in negotiating his trip to Billings, he heard about the ballot initiative to raise $12.5 million in bonds to build another ballpark for the Billings Mustangs and the American Legion Royals and Scarlets.
    RELATED STORIES: Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign; Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings ballpark; Cobb backers unveil campaign; Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field; Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot; Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field; Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field; Funding dominates Cobb discussion; Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field of dreams; Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs; Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs; Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure; Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal; Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field; Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate; Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million; HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation; Cobb proposals narrowed to 2; Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field

New Marion Frontier League team makes personnel announcements
Posted Oct. 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Southern Illinois Baseball Group (SIBG), owners of the new independent Frontier League team slated to play in Marion, introduced its inaugural leadership team to the area and its fans yesterday. Included in that group were Erik Haag and Tim Arseneau, the team’s first general manager. Haag, who has eighteen years experience in the professional sports industry, has been hired by the Simmons family to oversee their sports businesses, including the startup of the new team in Marion and a basketball training aid company, Perfect Jumper. Prior to his new role with the Simmons, Haag was Executive Vice President of Palisades Baseball, overseeing all three of Palisades’ minor league franchises. Throughout his career Haag has overseen four startup teams, including the Marion franchise.
    The team’s inaugural GM, Tim Arseneau, comes to the area from South Bend, where he served as the general manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League). Arseneau brings eleven years of experience in Minor League Baseball, including management stints with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (short season; NY-Penn League), the West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally League), the Clearwater Thrashers (High Class A; Florida State League) and the Madison Black Wolf (independent; Northern League). 
    RELATED STORIES: Marion baseball gets 'tremendous response'; Ballpark gets team; Marion gets $1 million more; It's official: Marion to join Frontier League in 2007; Marion to join Frontier League; Ballpark with no team going up in Marion; Major construction of Marion ballpark to begin mid-June; Simmons backs out of deal to buy Silver Hawks; Midwest League approves sale of Silver Hawks to Simmons; Midwest League reconsidering Marion application; Minor-league baseball in Marion is not dead yet; Marion baseball still seen as possibility; $16 million ballpark needs league of its own; Midwest League rejects Marion; Group awaiting the words 'play ball': Final approval on sale of South Bend baseball team may come next month; Construction on Marion ballpark to start Monday; Marion ballpark expected to be ready in 2007; Victory Sports announces Northern League team for South Bend; Ballpark funding draws some boos; Butler, Blagojevich discuss baseball strategy for Marion; Williamson County state's attorney calls McKenna allegation 'reckless'; Prosecutor to review state funding for Marion baseball project; Sky box mentality doesn't sit well with bleacher crowd; Controversy swirls around Marion ballpark development; South Bend to Marion; No word yet on Marion ballpark construction; Spelius: Simmons has no deal for Midwest League team; Simmons acquires Midwest League team for Marion; Batter up: Dignitaries dig in, break ground on new Marion ballpark; SIGB happy with signs of progress on minor-league baseball; Baseball project progressing slowly, steadily

Town reviews ballpark plans
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Developer Jack Appelman has submitted plans to the town for a 2,000-seat ballpark for the Bennington Bombers (summer collegiate; NYCBL) with a regulation-size baseball diamond, lighting, artificial turf and a baseball museum.  While Appelman said he wanted to make sure running the ballpark made fiscal sense, he called it "purely philanthropic." The ballpark is being called "Bennington Bombers Field" in submitted paperwork, but that may not be its final name. The ballpark will be run by the non-profit Applejack Foundation and Appelman said various sponsoring and naming opportunities would be available.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League) are replacing the infield grass at Applebee’s Park for the first time and are offering selections of the legendary field to baseball fans. There’s a short supply so each fan will be limited to three rolls. The field has been the site for several historical events in Lexington, including Roger Clemens’ return to baseball on June 6th, 2006. Fans can pick up the their commemorative sod on Saturday, October 14th from 9:00am until 12:00pm behind the right field scoreboard at Applebee’s Park....Steve Maddock is the new field manager of the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League). Maddock, 36, comes to the Flyers from the Winnipeg Goldeyes, where he served as pitching coach and director of player procurement last season. Maddock replaces Flyers' skipper Andy McCauley, who spent four seasons with the Flyers, compiled a 191-190 (.501) record, and took the Flyers to the Northern League playoffs in 2003, 2004, and 2006....Dave Brundage is out as manager of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; International League)....Have some news to share with the baseball community? Send it to editors@augustpublications.com.

A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Oakland Athletics owner Lewis Wolff has bought at least three parcels in Fremont next to a site the team has targeted for a new ballpark. "We have been purchasing land in the area,'' Wolff said. "If we go down there, we want to make sure we have enough land.'' The lots, about 10 acres total, are on Brandin Court along Interstate 880. They are adjacent to a vacant, 143-acre site the A's have said would be ideal for a new ballpark. Although Wolff acknowledged his company has purchased the land, he refused to say whether the team would eventually relocate to Fremont.
    RELATED STORIES: Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

K-Tribe promotes Hays to AGM, creating all-female front office
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Normally we don't prominently cover promotions for assistant general managers, but this one is pretty noteworthy: the Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) announced that Jessie Hays will take over as AGM for the organization. That makes the duo of Hayes and GM Shari Massengill the only all-female general manager/assistant general manager combination in the minor leagues. Hays earned the promotion after spending a year as the K-Tribe's sales and media manager; she came to the Indians after a stint with the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) in 2005. Also promoted was Katrina Carter, who moves up to the sales and promotions manager position after interning with the Indians during the 2006 season.

It takes a baseball park to raise a village
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Petco Park continues to be a huge magnet for consumers and commerce alike. That’s the take of Chris Wahl, vice president and partner of San Diego-based Southwest Strategies LLC, and spokesman for the Downtown Residential Marketing Alliance. This group of businesses and civic leaders recently launched a multimedia campaign to celebrate the joys of living in downtown San Diego. Among those joys is Petco Park, said Wahl. "What the ballpark has done is opened up an entirely different part of downtown that didn’t previously exist from a residential standpoint," he said. "East Village has completely taken off." More on some of the specific new projects surrounding Petco Park.

Triple word play when naming new baseball team
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Allentown Morning Call is certainly taking its role as a sponsor of the "name-the-team-contest" for the new Lehigh Valley Class AAA International League team slated to begin play in 2008; this is the third column in three days where someone puts forward an outlandish name. Today we have an argument for the Lehigh Valley Corn. Yes, you heard right. Apparently the ubiquity of corn in modern society makes it a natural for the name of a baseball team -- and the author never made reference to a can of corn being an easy fly-ball catch for an outfielder. Here's yesterday's call for the team to be called the Lehigh Valley Developers.
    RELATED STORIES: Lehigh Valley announces front-office personnel; International League approves sale of Lynx; Lynx poised to leap after 2007

Smokin' hot tickets in St. Louis
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The hottest playoff ticket right now: any game at Busch Stadium. The PR director for StubHub, a reseller of tickets, reported that the average price for Busch Stadium seats for the upcoming playoff round had reached $546. The average price is more than twice the average for tickets being sold to home games in New York, Oakland and Detroit. Remember, the MLB playoffs continue tonight as the Oakland A's host the Detroit Tigers at McAfee Coliseum; the game begins at 8 p.m. Eastern. Tomorrow night the National League Championship Series begins with the St. Louis Cardinals visiting the New York Mets at Shea Stadium; the game begins at 8 p.m. Eastern. 

Eastern League announces award nominees
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Class AA Eastern League announced its nominees for the Minor League Baseball postseason awards. Nominated for the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year is Reading Phillies Assistant General Manager Ashley Forlini, who supervises the team's internship program and coordinates the between-inning entertainment. Nominated for the Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy is the Reading Phillies organization, as the club recently completed a season which featured all of their normal promotions and contributions to the community, along with the opening of Gordon Hoodak Stadium at Lauer’s Park on June 3, 2006. Nominated for the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy is the Altoona Curve, recognized as one of the top promotional teams in all of Minor League Baseball and have made strong commitments to the Altoona community, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and making numerous player and mascot appearances for local charities.

San Juan has major ambitions to host big-league sports
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Despite a mixed record hosting Montreal Expos games in 2003 and 2004, promoters see a bright future in hosting MLB games at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium. There's little chance of a team moving to Puerto Rico: when the Expos drew well, it was because local fans wanted to see Latin American players, not because there's an intrinsic interest in MLB baseball. (The same went for the games played in San Juan as part of the World Baseball Classic.) Promoters are talking with MLB about moving a series or two to the island, and you can bet the two teams will have plenty of Latin American players.

In memoriam: Dick Wagner
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Dick Wagner, a former president of the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros who later became a top executive in the baseball commissioner’s office, died Thursday in Phoenix. He was 78. The cause was injuries sustained in a 1999 car crash, his wife, Gloria, said. Among the moves he helped engineer with the Reds were the acquisition of pitcher Tom Seaver from the Mets in 1977, the firing of Sparky Anderson as manager in 1979 and the trade of outfielder George Foster to the Mets in 1982. Wagner also dealt Seaver back to the Mets after the 1982 season.

CSU to play ball in Lorain
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The Cleveland State University baseball team has signed a letter of intent to play all of its home games in Lorain in 2007, Mayor Craig Foltin said Monday. Foltin said CSU has agreed to supply the labor to sod the infield and outfield at Campana Park, on Ohio 58 between Meister Road and Ohio 611. Funds for the $21,000 sodding project will come from a $98,000 county recycling grant, which also will be used to build a new backstop and install fencing around the field, Foltin said. The Vikings will play at least one season in Lorain, but Foltin said he hopes a three- or four-year deal could be announced soon. An expanded Campana Park has also been mentioned as the possible home for an independent Frontier League team.

Grand Chute likely to retain NCAA baseball tourney through 2009
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Grand Chute, Wis., has been recommended to receive a new two-year bid that will keep the annual event -- an area mainstay since 2000 -- at Fox Cities Stadium through 2009. Word of the extension won’t be announced until the bid earns the expected approval of the Division III Management Council, which convenes next week. The extension means the eight-team, double-elimination tournament, co-hosted by Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, will have been held at Fox Cities Stadium for 10 straight years upon completion of this latest bid.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Salem Avalanche (High Class A; Carolina League) Director of Broadcasting Adam Pohl has decided to step down from his position after two seasons as "Voice of the Avalanche." Pohl’s tenure with the Avalanche included broadcasting two Carolina League/California League All-Star Games -- including the 2006 HCA Virginia All-Star Game in Salem -- the first one-game playoff in Carolina League history in 2005, a no-hitter back on April 12th of the 2006 season, and Salem’s historic stretch run to the 2006 playoffs which included a franchise long 14-game winning streak. Have some news to share with the baseball community? Send it to editors@augustpublications.com.

Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite some seeming inactivity in recent weeks, it looks like Fremont will be the future home of the Oakland Athletics, according to insiders. The A's are buying up property around a 143-acre site out by the old Baylands racetrack off Interstate 880 that appears to be the preferred spot for a ballpark. The site is now being leased by Cisco Systems, but the company has no plans to build on it. One reason to lay low: the A's ownership fears a gold rush that would drive up the land prices, but that might be a little too late now. The A's are going it alone, looking to finance the ballpark privately through nearby housing and retail development; the only public assistance involved (at this stage of the planning) will be some sort of extension of the BART line and roadwork for access.
    RELATED STORIES: A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Louisville to host 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game
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The Louisville Bats (Class AAA; International League) and the city of Louisville announced Monday that Louisville will be the host city for the Meijer 2008 Triple-A All-Star Game and surrounding festivities. The Triple-A All-Star Game features the top players from Minor League Baseball’s top two circuits, the International League and the Pacific Coast League. The game has been annually broadcast nationwide on ESPN2 and Sporting News Radio.
    "We built Louisville Slugger Field as a jewelbox ballpark, which has spurred tens of millions of dollars in investment in the surrounding area, and now we will showcase it to a national audience," Mayor Jerry Abramson said. "This is an incredible honor for an incredible ballpark, generating additional exposure for our city."
    "We’re honored to host this prestigious event featuring the top prospects in all of Triple-A baseball playing at Louisville Slugger Field," said Bats president Gary Ulmer. "Fans have asked for this event since Louisville Slugger Field opened and we’re very excited to bring it to Louisville. It’s a great opportunity for the city of Louisville to showcase its world class facilities and amenities."
    In addition to the game itself, Louisville will also host a Home Run Derby, All-Star Gala, All-Star Fan Fest and numerous other activities throughout the three day celebration.
    The 2008 contest will mark the second time the Triple-A All-Star Game will be played in Louisville. In 1991, the National League affiliates defeated the American League affiliates 3-1 before a crowd of over 20,000 at Cardinal Stadium. Louisville will become the first International League city to host the event twice.

For now, A's upper deck will remain closed
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Oakland A's one series away from a berth in the World Series, the team says the tarps on the upper deck of McAfee Coliseum will remain there for the time being. If the A's do reach the World Series, it's expected that MLB will force the A's to remove the tarps and open up the areas. Attendance at A's games was down slightly this season, but officials say they made it up via increase revenues from the fans who did show up.
    RELATED STORIES: The making over of McAfee Coliseum

Longtime employees call McAfee Coliseum home
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One of the great pleasures of baseball is meeting people like Press Lounge Louie, who has greeted reporters and photographers for nearly 38 years as they hit the buffet in the McAfee Coliseum press lounge before an Oakland Athletics game. In his regular uniform of glasses, sweater and and tweed newsboy cap, Pieraldi serves as cashier, sitting at the register by the door and checking credentials to make sure you're supposed to be in there. He's worked at the stadium since 1968, when the A's moved to Oakland. He and several other A's employees have been with the team for decades. They'll be working this week during the second round of the MLB playoffs.

Kane County ballpark expansion could be delayed
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Officials continue studying bids for the expansion of Elfstrom Stadium, the home of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) amid speculation the renovation might not take place until after the 2007 baseball season. The renovation will include a second deck, suites and about 700 to 800 more seats. It also will include a covered concourse, more restrooms and concession stands, and a larger souvenir shop. The big issue: steel can't be delivered until December or January, and officials may want to make the changes after the season instead of running the risk of disrupting a good portion of the Cougars' 2007 season.
    RELATED STORIES: Kane County ballpark expansion off to tentative start; Kane County Cougars sign on for at least 20 years; Kane, Cougars close to new deal; Cougars may get cozier confines

Study: Brewers have significant economic impact
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A new study puts the Milwaukee Brewers' yearly economic impact at $327.3 million on the five-county area over three years, but an economic expert says the amount is inflated. The study was done by the Institute for Survey and Policy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. "The Milwaukee Brewers have a very significant economic impact, part of which is quantifiable and has been measured in this study, and another part which is not quantifiable but is also of significant economic importance," the report states. But Marc Levine, director of the UW-Milwaukee Center for Economic Development, said the study was a "standard nonsensical sports study that inflates the impact of spending on baseball."

Dayton's ballpark was no home run for downtown redevelopment
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Well, considering Fifth Third Field, the home of the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League), isn't in downtown Dayton, perhaps the criticism in this article is a little overstated. The area around the ballpark, which is in an industrial part of Dayton, hasn't noticeably been affected by the ballpark, and the issue for Dayton's city leadership is how to bring growth to that part of town. Their solution: a high-tech office park and housing in the old warehouse spaces. The larger context is whether a new downtown ballpark in Fort Wayne would benefit that area; the more apt comparison probably would have been Toledo.

Don't doff the spending cap
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The Washington Post says the city shouldn't break its $611 million spending cap on a new ballpark for the Washington Nationals in southeast Washington. The issue in recent days has been how to pay for 1,224 parking spots promised to the Nationals as part of the team's lease; D.C. officials set aside $21 million for them, but the cost to provide them will be at least $75 million. Mayor Anthony Williams has proposed exceeding the spending cap; the debate should continue this week. It doesn't sound like the Lerner family, which owns the Nats, is willing to compromise at all on the issue of parking and the 2008 season. More on the Lerner family here.
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Missions are hoping big changes mean bigger baseball crowds
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After years of lobbying, the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) say a deal with the city is nearly complete that would allow the team to take over management of an aging city-owned Wolff Stadium before next season. Missions officials believe that important change, coupled with a new Major League Baseball affiliation agreement with the San Diego Padres, will help drive up attendance for a team that has attracted fewer than 280,000 fans in three straight seasons. The Missions are based in the nation's seventh largest city and play in a league that set an all-time attendance record this season. But the Alamo City team drew fewer than 278,000 fans -- an average of roughly 4,000 per home game in a stadium that can accommodate more than 9,000.

Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off schedule
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Off schedule by a whopping two weeks, on a ballpark slated to open in the 2010 season. Schedules are in flux all the time on large projects, and the Minnesota Twins seem to have put a lot of flexibility in the planning for a new downtown ballpark. It's hard to say a two-week delay will have any real impact so early in the process: ballpark planners could make up one day a month for the next year and be back on track two years before the ballpark is scheduled to open.
    RELATED STORIES: 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; Opposition turns out for hearings on new Twins ballpark; Twins ballpark debate keeps going with deal all but done; 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; Twins' ballpark push tab: under a hundred grand; Twins ballpark spending plan outlined; Naming rights options scary; More than a ballpark in Minneapolis; Twins' ballpark opponents were tired of the fight; supporters weren't; Pawlenty says he'll sign Twins ballpark bill this week; Legislature approves Twins ballpark; opening slated for 2010; Legislature moves toward original Twins ballpark plan; Poll shows majority of Minnesota residents don't think Twins need new ballpark; Hennepin County Board OKs Twins ballpark plan; Will new Twins ballpark go green?; Hennepin County board OKs revised Twins ballpark plan; Politics, tax tangle Twins' quest for new park; Supporters say Twins ballpark bill has enough votes to pass; Twins ballpark proposal picking up steam in Minnesota Legislature; Twins laying off threats, for now; It's back! Twins ballpark issue still with us; Twins are hearing dreaded 'C' word again;  Twins make pitch in court to leave Dome; Bonoff won despite supporting ballpark; Hennepin County gives go-ahead for study related to Twins ballpark;  Twins sue to get out of Metrodome lease; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Next stop: Northstar, LRT and the new Twins ballpark
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The vision for the new Minnesota Twins' ballpark in the Minneapolis Warehouse District includes thousands of fans arriving by the Northstar commuter trains from northwest of the Twin Cities and the Hiawatha light-rail line from the southeast. The problem is that two train stations and the ballpark must be shoehorned into a site barely two blocks square while leaving space for freight trains to run under a corner of the ballpark. That adds up to a colossal engineering challenge for the transportation planners and ballpark designers, who hope to bring it all together by 2010. One other challenge not mentioned here: Bassett Creek flows underneath the ballpark site, and city planners want to see it uncovered.

Louisville Slugger Field to upgrade scoreboard
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When the Louisville Bats (Class AAA; International League) take the field next season, there will be something big, bright and new at Louisville Slugger Field. The old video display will be replaced with a new ProStar video display, designed and manufactured by Daktronics. The ProStar display has the capabilities to show live and recorded video, colorful animation and vivid graphics. The video display will measure approximately 18 feet high by 46 feet wide with pixels on 23 millimeter spacing. ProStar® HD-ready technology uses red, green and blue (RGB) light emitting diodes (LEDs) to present images and information with wide-angle visibility and brightness.

Status quo endures at The Diamond
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There's a very simple why there's no talk of an affiliation change for the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League): the Atlanta Braves own the R-Braves, so there's little chance of there ever being an affiliation change. That means more of the status quo in Richmond, where talk of a new or renovated ballpark is on hold until the future of the team is known. The Atlanta Braves and its three minor-league affiliates are in the process of being sold to Liberty Media by Time Warner, a complicated purchase that could take several more months. We continue to hear potential buyers for the teams are being told to come back when the purchase goes through; it doesn't sound like Liberty Media really want to be in the minor-league-baseball business.
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Games over, Rays business game plan, relationship building ratchets up
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays plan to involve current and future sponsors in their own business decisions next season, starting with a symposium aimed at connecting sponsor companies and team executives. The first of what's planned as an annual event is scheduled for early December at a site to be determined. It would have Rays front-office leadership explaining their goals to sponsors and guest speakers addressing promotional ideas with common topics such as Hispanic marketing and conducting a forum for building business. Attendees would leave with a binder full of marketing ideas.
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If you build it in Pompano
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The editorial board of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel comes out in favor of a new Florida Marlins ballpark in Pompano Park -- with a few reservations, pointing out any ballpark proposal is a long shot and wondering whether Pompano officials have the financial wherewithal to build a ballpark likely costing $500 million. Who will pay? Pompano and Broward County officials say they're working on a financing plan, but it's hard to say locals will be happy about a hike in taxes to benefit the Fish. Michael Mayo has more.
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Safeco Field isn't a cure-all, but it has bought the M's time
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A new ballpark for an MLB team will ensure some economic boost, but it won't necessarily ensure fans continuing to swarm the ballpark. Such is the case in Seattle, where the Mariners have seen a drop in attendance at Safeco Field: No. 1 in attendance in 2002 to No. 15 in 2006 -- smack in the middle of baseball's 30 teams. From 3.5 million to 2.4 million, from 43,700 a game to 30,000, from 92 percent occupancy to 64 percent. The Mariners expect further woes at the box office next season, and there doesn't seem to be a clear plan to improve. Really, you could argue the attendance is where it should be for a midmarket team.

Memories of Tiger Stadium
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Detroit Tigers surging past an old and decrepit New York Yankees in the first round of the American League playoffs, you can bet there will be more media attention on Jim Leyland's team in the second round -- which means more media attention on Tiger Stadium, slated for demolition next year. Will all the media attention on the venerable old ballpark, which opened the same day as Fenway Park (the same day the Titanic went down, by the way), sway city officials from their plan to tear down the home of many great memories? Probably not. More on Tiger Stadium on our Endangered Ballparks page.
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Ballpark repairs go beyond surface
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
When city residents agreed to a new downtown ballpark in Greensboro, they insisted the city take care of War Memorial Stadium, the venerable long-time home of baseball in the city. To that end, city leaders are proposing $5.5 million bond for the ballpark's renovation, which would reduce the seating capacity from 5,500 seats to 2,500 seats and include new batting cages, concession stands and restrooms. The ballpark was built in 1926 and dedicated to Guilford County soldiers who died in World War I. Once home to Greensboro's minor-league baseball teams, the stadium now hosts amateur games, and the N.C. A&T and Greensboro College baseball teams play there.

In memoriam: Frank Dolson
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
From this Philadelphia Inquirer: Frank Dolson, the intensely passionate Inquirer columnist whose pet subjects during the four decades in which he lovingly immersed himself in sports included the Penn Relays, Palestra basketball and, above all else, baseball, died yesterday at 73 in the hospital of his beloved alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. Upon retiring from the Inquirer in 1995, he was hired by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner as a special assistant.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Patrick Spence is the general manager of the Outer Banks Daredevils (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League). Spence worked this past summer as an intern for the Princeton Devil Rays (rookie; Appalachian League)....
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