Recent
Visits |
Dickey-Stephens Park,
Arkansas Travelers
If you're going to
replace a legendary ballpark, you had best make
sure the replacement is a worthy successor. In the
case of Dickey-Stephens Park, the new home of the
Arkansas Travelers is a worthy
successor to Ray Winder
Field, the team's longtime home. While
Dickey-Stephens Park doesn't have many quirks or
much history yet, if opening night was any
indication the place will surely be full of life
for decades to come. Perfectly situated on the
shores of the Arkansas River with downtown Little
Rock as a scenic backdrop, Dickey-Stephens Park is
a community resource of the best kind.
Ray Winder Field was
the home of the Travs for more than 70 seasons;
we'd be very surprised if future editors of
Ballpark Digest didn't return to Dickey-Stephens
Park in 70 years and find the place as lively as
ever.
Clark-LeClair Stadium, ECU
Pirates
East
Carolina has the pleasure of playing at Clark-LeClair
Stadium, one of the better newer facilities in
college baseball. Clark-LeClair was built at a
cost of $11 million -- all from private donations
raised by the ECU Educational Foundation. The
magnitude of the place is immediately apparent as
you approach the main gate, and once inside no
aspect of the facility disappoints. Jim Robins
takes in a Pirates game.
Doak Field at Dail Park, NC
State Wolfpack
It is always a fine thing when a college
ballpark fits in just right with the scale and
expectations of the baseball program it serves.
This is particularly true when you look at Doak Field
serving as home to the NC State Wolfpack. Most years,
NC State features a handful of potential major
leaguers on squads with an expectation to reach
the NCAA Tournament (four straight years, 7 of
past 10). The fit is right -- the rebuilt Doak
Field at Dail Park is entirely worthy of the
high-caliber Wolfpack program.
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Features |
2007 Ballparks
Arkansas
Calgary
Idaho Falls
Marion, Ill.
Midland, Mich.
York, Pa.
2008 Ballparks
Billings
Lehigh Valley
LSU
Madison, Wis.
(renovations)
Springdale, Ark.
Southern Maryland
University of South
Carolina
Washington, D.C.
2009 Ballparks
Charlotte County, Fla.
Columbus, Ohio
Glendale, Az.
Goodyear, Az.
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Pensacola,
Fla.
Winston-Salem
2010 Ballparks
Kansas City
(renovations)
Minnesota
Oakland
Athletics
Ballparks of the Past
Colt
Stadium
Crosley Field
Durham Athletic
Park
Ebbets Field
Griffith Stadium
Huntington Avenue
Grounds
Jack Russell
Jarry Park
Joannes Field
L.A. Coliseum
Metropolitan
Stadium
Muehlebach
Field
Municipal Stadium
(Kansas City)
Sicks' Stadium
Tinker Field
War Memorial
(Greensboro)
Photo Galleries
Piedmont League
Book Excerpts
The Last Good Season
2006 Attendance
By average
By team
Affiliated - average
Affiliated - league
Affiliated - total
Indy - average
Indy - total
2005 Attendance
By average
By team
2004 Attendance
By average
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Indy by
league
Combined
overall
2003 Attendance
MLB attendance
By league
League overview
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Indy by
league
Combined
overall
2002 Attendance
By league
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league
Combined
overall
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The
Fine Print |
Obligatory legal information:
This site is copyright 1998-2007 Kevin Reichard/August
Publications. All rights
reserved. My wife is a lawyer, so she will come and chop off
your hand in a legal fashion if you rip off this site
in any form. All logos are the property of their respective
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Broadcasts |
Virtually every MiLB team now streams broadcasts over the
Internet, which makes it easy to follow your favorite team when
you're on the road. In addition, you can catch MLB game broadcasts at
MLB.com or via XM Radio.
More
on Internet radio and TV broadcasts here! |
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Archives:
July 16-22, 2006
Twins to
switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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It's
increasingly looking like the Minnesota Twins will
sign a broadcast deal with KSTP-AM beginning
with the 2007 season, terminating the team's
46-season association with CBS-owned WCCO-AM. The
deal with KSTP reportedly calls for the locally owned station
to pay the team $1 million annually in rights and
almost all the proceeds from game-day advertising.
Yes, it will be a loss leader for KSTP, but look
for the station to boost its sports broadcasting
(it recently dumped Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity
in an attempt to move past a right-wing-talk
identity). The Twins signed with WCCO-AM when
Calvin Griffith moved the team from Washington,
D.C.; at the time the clear-channel station was a
broadcasting giant, and generations of Minnesotans
grew up tuned to Boone and Erickson in the
morning, Steve Cannon in the afternoon, Herb
Carneal and Halsey Hall calling the Twins game
action, and Franklin Hobbs lulling you to sleep
after the final out. Even as WCCO's ratings
diminished over the years, its emphasis on Twins
broadcasts was a promotional plus for the team.
But we're in a new era, one where the suits in New
York City allow a broadcast giant to wither on the
vine with bad (and cheap) programming decisions,
and one where revenue from game broadcasts trumps
the promotional value of being on the likes of a WCCO
or a KMOX. On the
plus side, KSTP-AM is still a locally owned
station (Hubbard Broadcasting), which counts for
something, and its signal can be heard throughout
the entire metro region (letting the Twins avoid a
St. Louis-like fiasco, where the team was forced
to provide XM Radio units to fans after they
discovered the new broadcast partner's signal
extended a whopping 15 miles away from the new
Busch Stadium) and as far west as Montana
(we've tuned it in at Yellowstone Park). And,
truth be known, Twins broadcasts and post-game
discussions could use a little kick in the pants. The
official announcement is expected Aug. 1.
Rainiers to be sold, but they’ll stay in Tacoma
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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The
Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)
today announced that George and Sue Foster, the
current owners of the franchise, have reached an
agreement to sell the Rainiers to a group led by
Kirby Schlegel, the current owner of two
minor-league sports franchises. The sale is
pending review of the transaction by the Pacific
Coast League, Minor League Baseball and the Office
of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.
Terms of the deal were not released. Schlegel owns
the Texas Tornado (NAHL) and is vice chairman of
the ownership group of the Iowa Stars (AHL).
Schlegel is apparently promising to keep the
Rainiers in Tacoma; the city is making some
improvements to Cheney Stadium this coming
offseason, but there are no plans for either a new
ballpark or significant enhancements (i.e.,
suites) past that. Still, one issue for the team
will be improving attendance: The team ranks 13th
in the 16-team PCL with an average attendance of
4,488 per game. The league-wide average is 6,490.
More from the Tacoma News Tribune.
Several key issues for
spring training in Bonita Springs
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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There's a lot of work to be done before Bonita Springs
can begin to work on a concrete plan to build a
new 80-acre, $50-million spring-training complex.
First, the city would need to determine how it
would be used the rest of the year: if a Cleveland
or a Baltimore wished to bring in a High Class A
Florida State League team, they'd need to
negotiate with the Fort Myers Miracle ownership,
who control the territory. (Though they don't have
a veto, the other teams training in the Fort Myers
area -- Boston and Minnesota -- will probably
weigh in on the proposal, and the Twins front
office sounds a little ambiguous about sharing the
territory.) Even without a minor-league team,
however, there probably would be enough events
(youth and AAU baseball) to keep the complex busy.
And then there's the timing: a plan and
a lease with a team must be completed by Oct. 1 in
order to apply for $15 million in state sales-tax
rebates. All in all, it is a daunting task, but
not undoable.
More from the Charlotte Sun-Herald.
RELATED STORIES:
Bonita a 'perfect fit' for spring training;
Spring-training queries abound;
Bonita sets vote for spring-training pitch;
Indians express interest;
Ballpark figures in Sarasota;
Bonita Springs council looking into luring spring
training;
Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark;
For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck;
Indians are likely headed for Disney;
Reds swing and miss;
Disney may open new world to Indians;
New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven;
FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp
runs into trouble;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million
to $62 million;
Osceola County wooing Indians;
Could Indians end up training at Disney World?;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature;
Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida
House;
County money just part of Indians spring site's
need;
Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly
at Dodgers;
Polk County commits $23 million to sports
facilities, including new Indians spring complex;
Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move;
Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding
Cactus League shift;
Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains
consistent in Florida;
Florida lawmakers approve spring-training
facilities bill;
FAU considering a deal with Indians for
spring-training complex;
Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training
complex;
Moving away from tradition;
Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses
for Casa Grande;
Tradition and economics in Florida;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding
war;
Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven
contract;
Dodgertown is a little less blue;
State should spring for aid to teams;
Glendale says it will be talking to teams about
spring-training site;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks;
Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training
ballpark?;
Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring
training;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities;
Lee County game for third team;
Spring-training facility not in city's best
interests;
Baseball, stadium would benefit city;
Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape
Coral
Twins, Sox may get more
seating for spring training
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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Speaking of Boston and Minnesota: Lee County
officials are looking at adding more seating to
the teams' spring-training homes. At
Hammond
Stadium, the spring home of the Twins, the county
is looking to add a berm down the right-field line
for open seating, with a platform for
standing-room-only patrons. At City of Palms Park,
the spring home of the Red Sox, the county is
looking at adding more seating in right field. The
Red Sox hope to add perhaps as many as 500 seats
to the 7,431-seat ballpark. The new seats would be
built around the existing berm, and the berm may
be extended around the right-field foul pole and
beyond the fence, replacing the current visiting
team bullpen.
Charlotte ballpark land swap
seen as feasible
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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A complicated land swap that could yield a
privately financed new ballpark for the Charlotte
Knights (Class AAA; International League) is seen
as doable by land appraisers working on the deal.
Basically, the city and Meckenburg County would
swap parcels of land in the city's Third Ward and
downtown Charlotte worth $28 million, with the
Third Ward land being given to the Knights, who
would then build a $34 million ballpark on their
own. The city would also pay for $7.5 million in
improvements to the ballpark area. Also coming out
of the deal: two new city parks, a new
headquarters for the city's school system, and new
land for housing in the Second Ward. The Charlotte
City Council is scheduled to discuss the plan
Monday night. The Knights are seeking a new home
to replace
Knights Stadium.
RELATED STORIES:
Charlotte Knights select Barton Malow to oversee
ballpark construction;
Hard days for Knights;
Knights see more fans, but lag league;
Knights select Odell Associates, HOK to design new
ballpark;
Knights meet with potential architects;
Competing plans for baseball parks in Charlotte;
The big pitch for uptown baseball in Charlotte;
Charlotte turns to funding plans for ballpark;
Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?;
Third Ward residents object to new Knights
ballpark;
Uptown baseball in Charlotte may cost city $5
million;
Charlotte ballpark plan now turns to question of
real estate;
Arts package heads the agenda for city funding,
but baseball is now up to bat with a new plan;
Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers;
Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark
Fly balls, not flying cows,
at scary Busch Stadium
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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More
on the storm that injured 30 at
Busch Stadium on
Wednesday night. Though it never came close to
reaching tornado proportions, the storm featured
some heavy winds that basically lifted and moved
anything not bolted to the floor, as well as
depositing a lot of sand and dirt from the site of
the old Busch Stadium next door. Even a desk used
on the Fox Sports pre- and post-game shows went
airborne. The rain came down so fast the
clubhouses were temporarily flooded a foot or so.
Amazingly, more than 30,000 fans stayed in the
ballpark to see a game that finally started 2
hours, 12 minutes late.
RELATED STORIES:
High winds damage new Busch Stadium, injure 30;
Busch's league;
New Busch Stadium brings promise to downtown St.
Louis;
Cardinals enjoy seeing full house for first time
in new ballpark;
New Busch Stadium: The name remains the same, but
. . .;
Cardinals pledge to iron out lingering problems at
Busch;
Small fire breaks out in new Busch Stadium;
Arch-itecture;
Not everyone raving about the new Busch;
Busch foul poles will be replaced;
Backward, march;
New Busch Stadium has its own quirks;
Fans revel in new Cardinals ballpark;
Ready or not....;
Ballpark Visit:
Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals
Sportsplex could help
solidify future of Diamond Jaxx
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern
League) are hoping the addition of a
youth-baseball sportsplex next to Pringles Park
will help raise attendance. The West Tennessee
Healthcare Sportsplex is nearing completion, and
with it comes a unique opportunity. The
$13-million youth baseball and softball facility
is expected to host local Dixie Youth games during
the week and regional tournaments -- which
supporters have said will draw 3,000 to 5,000
players and family members -- to weekend events.
Possibilities include cross-promotion of and
ticket sales to Jaxx games at Sportsplex events.
The team is currently averaging a Southern
League-worst 1,536 fans per game, and with the
Pringles Park lease expiring after the 2008 season
and the team applying to look at another market,
traffic from the Sportsplex may determine if the
Diamond Jaxx are playing in Jackson in 2009.
Host of problems at new-look
RFK
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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Tonight is the first of three games marking the
grand re-opening of
RFK Stadium, where the
Washington Nationals are giving away some serious
goodies and unveiling upgrades to the ballpark,
including the addition of new food items (crab
cakes, riblets, chili, kosher knishes, burritos,
stuffed potatoes, beef brisket and microbrews).
In-game promotions are added, and the team hopes a
"racing presidents" segment can become as popular
as the sausage race in Miller Park. Plus, the
grimy old ballpark was given a good power wash.
These are all great things, but the timing is
lousy after MLB filed suit over the new ballpark,
alleging DC officials are already violating the
agreement. The announcement reflects the
deteriorating relationship between the incoming
owners of the Nationals and the city and could
threaten the long-term health of the franchise.
City officials scrambled yesterday to respond to
the MLB complaint, but the impasse already has
held up the sale of the Nationals to Bethesda
developer Theodore N. Lerner, which was supposed
to have occurred before today. The point to this
column by Thomas Boswell is that the Nationals may
be improving the ballpark, but the product on the
field needs much improvement.
More from the Washington Times. Steven
Pearlstein says
the Lerner family needs to call off the lawyers
and attempt to work with the city on an amicable
solution.
RELATED STORIES:
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
Official: Don’t expect
Springdale team name soon
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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The leader of an effort to build a $50-million
ballpark in Springdale, Ark., said Thursday he
doesn’t expect a team to announce plans to move to
Springdale anytime soon. Springdale voters
approved the extension of a 1 percent sales tax
last week to pay for a $50 million ballpark. Mayor
Jerre Van Hoose and other leaders said then they
expected to announce the team that would move
there -- widely believed to be the Wichita
Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) -- by last
Monday. Instead, information about the team and
details on a lease agreement likely will trickle
out until the Springdale City Council can review
contract terms, said Perry Webb, president and
chief executive officer of the Springdale Chamber
of Commerce. Also,
Wichita city officials and
business leaders are working on plans to keep the
Wranglers in Wichita; though
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium needs some TLC, the bottom line is
attendance must increase: the Wranglers are
dead-last in the Texas League in attendance.
RELATED STORIES:
City may get a chance to counter Wrangler offer;
Wichita pitching to keep team;
Team declaration a waiting game in Springdale;
Springdale vote certification put on hold;
City officials: Lawrence-Dumont can compete with
new ballparks;
Wichita awaits sign from Wranglers owner;
Interest in Springdale ballpark spreading;
Who could step up to the plate to keep pro
baseball in Wichita?;
Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark
funding;
Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?;
Wichita may accelerate improvements to
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium;
Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence;
City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move;
Arkansas town woos Wranglers;
Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need;
New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city
officials say;
Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark;
Election Commission finalizes details for
Springdale ballpark vote;
Springdale ballpark details still under
construction;
Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale
ballpark tax;
If Springdale ballpark built team will follow,
planners are told;
Royals’ farm club seeks home?;
Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball;
Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark
funding options;
Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark;
Springdale ballpark site under contract;
Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries;
Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter;
Public money may be needed to build Springdale
ballpark;
Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims
Damon's agent angry with
baby bibs
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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A
Red Sox fan angry that Johnny Damon defected to
the New York Yankees has fought off an attempt by
his high-powered agent to stop her from selling
baby bibs with a very grown-up insult. Tucked
among the "I Love My Mommy" bibs and "Pregnant
Princess" maternity clothes, Ann Sylvia also
offers bibs and onesies adorned with the ballpark
epithet "Damon Sucks." Last month, eBay pulled the
listings after the Scott Boras Corp. complained
that they violated Damon's right of publicity, a
legal claim that allows celebrities to control the
products they endorse. However, after a phone
conference with a Boras attorney where Sylvia
pointed out there are more Damons in baseball than
just Johnny, the Boras team backed off and set
some conditions for the bib sales, all of which
Sylvia was already meeting.
Defenders attract a few more
fans
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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Just past the halfway mark of the season in which
the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern
League) began a concentrated effort to get more
fans to Dodd Stadium, the team has hit some
roadblocks. The team has made substantial strides
in marketing its new name and logo. Corporate
marketing partners are happy with the progress
made in the first few months as a new entity after
years as the Norwich Navigators. The ballpark has
had some refurbishments, including a new video
scoreboard and an updated store and concession
facilities. Still, the team has had only a minor
bump in attendance from last year. It is still
last in the Eastern League in attendance and its
2,573 average is 29th out of 30 Class AA teams in
the country. Only the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx
(1,536) of the Southern League average fewer fans.
By the way, it's official: the Defenders and the
San Francisco Giants agreed to an extension of
their player-development deal through the 2008
season.
A new grand jury impaneled
for Bonds
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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While
yesterday brought the possibility of some measure
of resolution to the Barry Bonds steroids saga,
either an indictment by a federal grand jury on
charges of perjury and/or tax evasion, or
absolution. Instead, it brought neither, and the
likelihood is the saga will go on for many more
months. The grand jury dissolved with no
indictment, but a new one was impaneled. A key
witness was released from the prison where he had
been serving for refusing to testify, but was
immediately served with a new subpoena.
RELATED STORIES:
Bonds plays through amid rumors of indictment
Lugnuts stress entertainment
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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The 10-year anniversary is usually a key business
landmark for a minor-league franchise: many say a
team must go to extra measures to bring fans to
the ballpark. For the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class
A; Midwest League), 10 years at
Oldsmobile Park
doesn't seem to be posing much of a problem. In
fact, Oldsmobile Park and the Lugnuts should be an
even bigger draw over the next 10 years.
Restaurants and bars are being built down the
road. Across the street, signs for the Stadium
District stand in an eyesore of a parking lot that
doesn't get much business. A four-story mixed use
project is planned that will include apartments,
condominiums, office space, a drive-through coffee
shop and an Irish pub.
Foul ball victim sues
Scrappers for $75K
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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A
woman who said she was seriously hurt when she was
hit on the head by a foul ball at Eastwood Field
in Niles two years ago is suing the Mahoning
Valley Scrappers (short season; NY-Penn League)
and unidentified Scrappers players, saying the
team was negligent. Jane Warga of South Meridian
Road said the ball hit her during a game as she
was turned away from the field en route to a
concession stand July 20, 2004. The suit, filed in
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, seeks more
than $75,000 for pain, suffering, lost wages and
compensatory damages.
Oneonta, Brooklyn set record for longest NY-Penn
game
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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It
took 26 innings, but the Oneonta Tigers defeated
the Brooklyn Cyclones, 6-1, at KeySpan Park. Deik
Scram's one-out run-scoring single in the 26th put
the Tigers in front and Randor Bierd pitched two
scoreless innings to get the win in one of the
longest games in the history of professional
baseball. Mark Wright gave up all five runs in the
26th innings and was tagged with the loss; he's
normally an outfielder pressed into duty as a
pitcher when the Cyclones ran out of arms.
A front-row seat to history
in the making
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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The Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League)
are honoring Jackie Robinson and his shattering of
the color line in baseball, and on hand will be
Jean-Pierre Roy, who played ball with Robinson
when both were with the Montreal Royals of the
International League. Roy, who also worked in the
Montreal Expos front office, will have a
homecoming of sorts: he played three seasons for
the Ottawa Athletics when that team played at
Landsdowne Park. The Lynx will roll back the clock
and wear replica jerseys and caps from the 1946
Royals, and the jerseys will be auctioned off in a
silent auction before Sunday's game.
Lacrosse at PGE Park?
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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PGE
Park, the home of the Portland Beavers (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League), already hosts professional
soccer as well, so it makes sense it could also
host another professional sport: outdoor lacrosse.
The Portland LumberJax are one of the most
successful teams in the indoor National Lacrosse
League, and they are looking at adding an outdoor
teams as well (which would not be affiliated with
Major League Lacrosse). If several teams in the
13-team NLL add outdoor lacrosse, look for PGE
Park to host games.
Ballpark Notes
Posted July 21, 2006 (feedback)
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For the fourth straight year,
Isotopes Park,
the home of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League) will be the host for the
Native American All-Star Baseball Game. This
year's game, to be played July 22 at 7:00 p.m.,
pits a team from the combined Northern and
Southern Pueblos against the Navajo All-Stars.
The game, which has become an anticipated annual
Albuquerque tradition, is to benefit the New
Mexico Highlands University Native American
Scholar Athlete Program, which provides support
and educational opportunities to Native American
college athletes. As usual, the contest will
feature some of the finest Native American
baseball players from New Mexico and Arizona.
MLB: D.C. government in
default of lease agreement
Posted July 20, 2006 (feedback)
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Major
League Baseball has declared the District of
Columbia government in default of the lease
agreement for the new Washington Nationals
ballpark, charging that the city has failed to
meet several deadlines for turning over critical
documents. In a letter to city officials Tuesday,
Tom Ostertag, a lawyer for MLB, said the city had
failed to meet 11 provisions called for in the
construction administration agreement between the
District and MLB. To say this is a bombshell is an
understatement: the incoming ownership group has
worked to repair relations with city leaders and
was using this weekend's homestand to promote the
grand re-opening of
RFK Stadium
as the team's home. The threatened legal action
could delay the closing on Ted Lerner's purchase
of the team; it could also push back the opening
of the new ballpark to the 2009 season. In more
than one letter to the city, MLB's lawyers have
charged that the city has been delinquent in
turning over documents, including the lease of the
grounds on which the ballpark will be built, proof
that the city has title of the land, soil boring
reports, fund balance reports for the project and
monthly project schedules.
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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
High winds damage new Busch
Stadium, injure 30
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Thirty people were injured as high wind blew out
press box windows, overturned portable concession
stands and ripped the tarp at new
Busch Stadium on
Wednesday night before the Cardinals' game against
the Atlanta Braves was scheduled to start. Five
fans were taken to hospitals, according to Norm
Corley, a supervisor with Accu-Care, which handles
medical issues at the ballpark. One of them had a
dislocated hip, another a dislocated shoulder, two
had back injuries and a fifth had a seizure
apparently unrelated to the storm, Corley said.
The start of the game was delayed 2 hours, 12
minutes as crews righted the concession stands,
cleaned up debris and mopped flooded areas.
More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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New Busch Stadium: The name remains the same, but
. . .;
Cardinals pledge to iron out lingering problems at
Busch;
Small fire breaks out in new Busch Stadium;
Arch-itecture;
Not everyone raving about the new Busch;
Busch foul poles will be replaced;
Backward, march;
New Busch Stadium has its own quirks;
Fans revel in new Cardinals ballpark;
Ready or not....;
Ballpark Visit:
Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals
Two groups pitch
minor-league ballpark near Boston's BC High
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Two
groups seeking to bring a minor-league baseball
team to Boston are holding talks with Boston
College High School in Dorchester about building a
ballpark on or near its campus. The first group,
which calls itself Boston Baseball Field of
Dreams, wants to open a park in 2008, modeled
after Hammons Field, the home of the Springfield
Cardinals (Class AA; Texas League). The second
group wants to build a stadium it can share with
BC High and the University of Massachusetts at
Boston, either on land from the high school or the
adjacent university on Morrissey Boulevard. Some
really big Boston names are involved here, so this
isn't just a pie-in-the-sky proposal. Either way,
a new ballpark would house independent baseball:
the Can-Am Association and the Atlantic League are
both involved with bids.
Bonita a 'perfect fit' for
spring training
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The Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles are
possible matches with Bonita Springs for spring
training, according to David Cardwell, the
Grapefruit League Association’s executive
director. The Indians have an agreement with
Winter Haven to walk away from their contract at
any time, and the Orioles are currently in stalled
negotiations with Fort Lauderdale, he told city
officials, while there's a long shot the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays would be looking to leave Fort
Lauderdale. The Indians have most often been
discussed in a potential move: their lease at
Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes Park can be broken
at any time, and Winter Haven officials have been
open about wanting to see the team lead. It's
interesting about the Orioles being mentioned:
team officials there were hot to renovate Fort
Lauderdale Stadium, but that talk totally ended,
and even with $15 million in state aid available
for a spring-training facility, things are fairly
dead there.
The Bonita Springs City Council voted 6-1 to
explore the possibility of moving forward with
construction of a $50-million spring-training
facility, but the vote is strictly
preliminary: no money is yet being spent, and the
vote merely authorizes city employees to begin
research.
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training;
Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark;
For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck;
Indians are likely headed for Disney;
Reds swing and miss;
Disney may open new world to Indians;
New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven;
FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp
runs into trouble;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million
to $62 million;
Osceola County wooing Indians;
Could Indians end up training at Disney World?;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature;
Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida
House;
County money just part of Indians spring site's
need;
Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly
at Dodgers;
Polk County commits $23 million to sports
facilities, including new Indians spring complex;
Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move;
Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding
Cactus League shift;
Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains
consistent in Florida;
Florida lawmakers approve spring-training
facilities bill;
FAU considering a deal with Indians for
spring-training complex;
Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training
complex;
Moving away from tradition;
Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses
for Casa Grande;
Tradition and economics in Florida;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding
war;
Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven
contract;
Dodgertown is a little less blue;
State should spring for aid to teams;
Glendale says it will be talking to teams about
spring-training site;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks;
Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training
ballpark?;
Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring
training;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities;
Lee County game for third team;
Spring-training facility not in city's best
interests;
Baseball, stadium would benefit city;
Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape
Coral
Sarasota finds help for
spring-training funding
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As city commissioners struggled with the idea of
raising taxes to pay for a new spring-training
complex for the Cincinnati Reds to replace
Ed Smith Stadium, two local
business groups offered to help raise private
money to make the project work. Since they found
out that the new complex could cost as much as $54
million, commissioners have said they are
unwilling to ask city taxpayers to come up with
more than $20 million of those costs. Help will
come from The Argus Foundation and the Chamber of
Commerce; county officials will also be asked to
contribute to the project as well.
City may get a chance to
counter Wrangler offer
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Wichita
could have a chance to keep the Wichita Wranglers
(Class AA; Texas League) team in town by matching
or beating an expected contract offer from
Springdale, Ark. Wranglers president Jonathan
Dandes told Wichita officials that if Springdale,
Ark., officials offer owner Bob Rich Jr. a
contract to move the team to its city to play in a
new $33 million ballpark, the Riches will give
Wichita a chance to respond, perhaps with a plan
to upgrade
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Dandes also said
Wichita could keep from losing the team if there's
an increase in attendance, so the city has
enlisted the sports commission and the Greater
Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau for help
with that. Bob Lutz
says it will take a lot, including some extensive
renovations to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, to keep
the Wranglers in town.
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new ballparks;
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Who could step up to the plate to keep pro
baseball in Wichita?;
Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark
funding;
Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?;
Wichita may accelerate improvements to
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium;
Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence;
City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move;
Arkansas town woos Wranglers;
Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need;
New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city
officials say;
Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark;
Election Commission finalizes details for
Springdale ballpark vote;
Springdale ballpark details still under
construction;
Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale
ballpark tax;
If Springdale ballpark built team will follow,
planners are told;
Royals’ farm club seeks home?;
Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball;
Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark
funding options;
Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark;
Springdale ballpark site under contract;
Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries;
Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter;
Public money may be needed to build Springdale
ballpark;
Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims
Wichita pitching to keep
team
Posted July 20, 2006 (feedback)
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The
lack of an announcement about a possible tenant
for a new Springdale, Ark., ballpark has some
local officials wondering if there is indeed a
tenant. Right now no one is talking -- which isn't
that unusual -- but city officials had expected
the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) to
step forward and announce they were exploring a
move to Springdale. (The news isn't any better in
Wichita, where local team officials have not
stepped up to definitely say what the future of
the team is, either.) None of this seems to be due
to secret negotiations on one side or another,
however. The new ballpark, which was narrowly
approved by local voters last week, could open in
time for the 2008 season.
New York City receives IRS
approval on ballpark bonds
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The U.S. Internal Revenue Service ruled in favor
of New York City's plan to issue $1.5 billion of
tax-exempt bonds for the New York Yankees and New
York Mets to build new ballparks. The
long-anticipated ruling follows the approval of
the financing package by the New York City
Industrial Development Agency July 11 and clears
the way for the city to sell the debt next month.
The Yankees will get about $920 million in
low-interest tax-exempt bonds and $25 million in
taxable bonds to build
its new ballpark in the
Bronx just north of the existing
Yankee Stadium.
The project will create about 9,700 construction
jobs and 615 permanent jobs, according to the
development agency. For
the new Mets ballpark, the
development authority will issue about $528
million in tax-exempt bonds and $104 million in
taxable bonds. The new Mets ballpark, to be built
in Flushing, Queens, just beyond the centerfield
fence at Shea Stadium where the Mets now play,
will create about 6,100 construction jobs and 970
permanent jobs, the agency said.
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ballpark bonding bills;
Squeeze play on Mets ballpark;
Mets: Forget about naming new park after Jackie
Robinson;
New Mets ballpark deal is stalled;
Squeeze play on the Mets;
Strike one for new Mets ballpark;
Mets park's name will fetch millions;
Mets unveil plans for new ballpark;
Yankees, Mets closer to new ballparks;
City goes to bat for Yankees, Mets ballparks;
State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets
ballparks;
Ebbets' echoes in Queens;
At Mets' park, you'll think you're
in...Pittsburgh?;
State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets
ballparks;
Mets to go old school in new park
MTA's $8M targets Shea fixes
Posted July 20, 2006 (feedback)
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The
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority is
stepping up to the plate for the New York Mets,
offering to spend $8 million on subway and
commuter rail enhancements to
Shea Stadium. In
addition to the $8 million, the MTA pledges that
the Mets will be treated as equals to their
crosstown rivals. In April, the MTA committed to
shelling out $40 million on a Metro-North station
at Yankee Stadium. "A similar level of commitment
is anticipated for access improvements for
Shea Stadium and the surrounding area," according to an
internal MTA summary outlining the proposed
Shea Stadium access enhancements.
USC ballpark off to rocky
start
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The
University of South Carolina still plans to begin construction on its
riverfront ballpark in the fall. But university
leaders might need to use smaller shovels at the
groundbreaking ceremony. Officials were forced to
tweak the design of the $20-million ballpark along
the east bank of the Congaree River after finding
granite not far below the surface of the proposed
eight-acre footprint at Williams and Wheat
streets. Designers had hoped to carve out the
playing surface 12 to 14 feet below the elevation
at the corner of Williams and Wheat streets, which
will serve as the entrance to the stadium.
Officials considered blasting and removing the
granite but determined it would be too costly.
Instead, the field will be built at a higher
elevation, eliminating the possibility for berm
seating beyond the left-field fence. Opening is
still expected for the 2008 season.
Officials: tainted soil no
threat to Allentown ballpark
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The discovery of contaminated soil at
Allentown's
future minor-league ballpark site shouldn't hamper
the project's timeline, officials said. Old vacuum
tubes and other electronic components containing
heavy metals were found in a section of the
property outside the proposed limits of the
ballfield, in an area that will remain
undeveloped, said Glenn Solt, Lehigh County's
capital projects manager. The area may become a
parking lot at some point. Work has begun on a
ballpark slated to host an as-yet-unspecified
Class AAA International League team beginning in
2008.
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but no;
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ticket tax;
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Instincts have made Finley a major dealer in the
minors;
Allentown ballpark plans moving forward;
Allentown baseball plans, team announced
Spring-training queries
abound
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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If
there's one thing to be gleaned from this article,
it's the somewhat important news that the
Cleveland Indians will indeed be spending Spring
Training 2007 at Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes
Park: the real question is where the Indians train
starting in 2008. Bonita Springs? Cape Coral?
Disney World? Winter Haven? All is up in the air
at the moment. Bonita Springs officials,
meanwhile, will decide whether to contemplate
hosting spring training. The cost -- $50 million
for a complex -- and the land needs -- 80 acres --
are causing them some pause. Meanwhile,
Sarasota officials are turning to the county to
help out with funding for a new training site for
the Cincinnati Reds.
RELATED STORIES:
Bonita sets vote for spring-training pitch;
Indians express interest;
Ballpark figures in Sarasota;
Bonita Springs council looking into luring spring
training;
Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark;
For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck;
Indians are likely headed for Disney;
Reds swing and miss;
Disney may open new world to Indians;
New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven;
FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp
runs into trouble;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million
to $62 million;
Osceola County wooing Indians;
Could Indians end up training at Disney World?;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature;
Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida
House;
County money just part of Indians spring site's
need;
Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly
at Dodgers;
Polk County commits $23 million to sports
facilities, including new Indians spring complex;
Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move;
Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding
Cactus League shift;
Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains
consistent in Florida;
Florida lawmakers approve spring-training
facilities bill;
FAU considering a deal with Indians for
spring-training complex;
Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training
complex;
Moving away from tradition;
Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses
for Casa Grande;
Tradition and economics in Florida;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding
war;
Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven
contract;
Dodgertown is a little less blue;
State should spring for aid to teams;
Glendale says it will be talking to teams about
spring-training site;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks;
Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training
ballpark?;
Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring
training;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities;
Lee County game for third team;
Spring-training facility not in city's best
interests;
Baseball, stadium would benefit city;
Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape
Coral
Team declaration a waiting
game in Springdale
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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Now
that Springdale, Ark., voters approved $50 million
in a tax extension to pay for a new ballpark,
they're waiting for a team to step up and announce
they're exploring a move. Speculation has centered
on the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League)
as the team in question, but so far no one is
talking, and the silence is already starting to
rub locals the wrong way. Meanwhile, the Wichita
City Council is scheduled tonight to discuss
hiring an architecture firm to calculate cost
estimates for improvements to Lawrence-Dumont
Stadium, including expanded locker rooms and a new
infield.
George Arnold frames the new ballpark as a
quality-of-life issue, not as a purely
economic investment.
RELATED STORIES:
Springdale vote certification put on hold;
City officials: Lawrence-Dumont can compete with
new ballparks;
Wichita awaits sign from Wranglers owner;
Interest in Springdale ballpark spreading;
Who could step up to the plate to keep pro
baseball in Wichita?;
Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark
funding;
Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?;
Wichita may accelerate improvements to
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium;
Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence;
City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move;
Arkansas town woos Wranglers;
Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need;
New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city
officials say;
Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark;
Election Commission finalizes details for
Springdale ballpark vote;
Springdale ballpark details still under
construction;
Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale
ballpark tax;
If Springdale ballpark built team will follow,
planners are told;
Royals’ farm club seeks home?;
Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball;
Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark
funding options;
Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark;
Springdale ballpark site under contract;
Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries;
Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter;
Public money may be needed to build Springdale
ballpark;
Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims
Burns backs federal aid for
Cobb Field
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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Sen.
Conrad Burns, R-Mont., announced Monday that a
$500,000 appropriation to help defray the cost of
rebuilding
Cobb Field,
the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer
League) will be included a federal spending bill.
The proposed federal appropriation is included in
the 2007 Treasury, Transportation and Housing and
Urban Development Appropriations bill. If
approved, the federal money would help offset the
cost of rebuilding the aging downtown ballpark.
(Of course, this assume Burns is reelected this
fall, and he's tangled up in a tight race.) The
Billings City Council will consider the issue of a
bond issue to fund a new ballpark at next Monday's
scheduled meeting.
RELATED STORIES:
Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field;
Funding dominates Cobb discussion;
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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
Dowling cites vandalism as
problem for visitors to New Britain Stadium
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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New
Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) owner
Bill Dowling says problems with vandalism in the
parking lot of New Britain Stadium is keeping fans
away from the ballpark. Fans apparently are having
their cars keyed, and Dowling wants the city to do
a better job patrolling the area. According to the
team's lease, the city is responsible for all
parking issues, and although Dowling has suggested
the team take over that responsibility, the city
says it will address the issue.
In memoriam: Keith LeClair
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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Keith
LeClair, East Carolina University's former
baseball coach who inspired many while facing the
crippling effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), known as Lou Gehrig's disease, died Monday.
He was 40. LeClair announced on Aug. 17, 2001 that
he had began suffering from ALS symptoms, and by
Christmas that year doctors officially diagnosed
him with the disease. LeClair's health
deteriorated quickly, forcing him in June 2002 to
resign his position as head baseball coach to
become a special consultant to ECU's athletic
department. The new ballpark at ECU is named for
him.
New Tulsa GM relishes role
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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New
Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) general
manager Mike Melega's predecessor, team president
Chuck Lamson, broke into pro baseball as a
pitcher. Melega's first pro baseball job wasn't
quite as glamorous, interning with the Erie
Sailors (short season; NY-Penn League). Now Melega
is the new GM of the Drillers, taking on the role
after Chuck Lamson closed on his purchase of the
team. Tulsa is an extremely stable situation:
Melega is only the third GM of the team since
1984.
RELATED STORIES:
Sale of Drillers finalized
One Monster of a success in
Greenville
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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The
State continues its tour of ballparks in the
region, this time visiting
West End Field,
the new home of the Greenville Drive (Low Class A;
Sally League). Another nice article about a
ballpark we were very impressed with when we
visited earlier this season. The Drive staff has
done an outstanding job integrating the ballpark
into the neighborhood, and its contribution to the
social life of Greenville can't be underestimated.
RELATED STORIES:
Fans flock to see downtown baseball in Greenville;
Sox of the South;
Leave, and they will build it;
Baseball Web site gives West End Field top grade;
A city getting it right
Goldklang Group to be featured on NBC Nightly News
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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he
Goldklang Group, a sports marketing and consulting
firm that owns and operates several minor league
and independent baseball clubs, today announced
that NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams will
profile the Group in their "Making a Difference"
segment on July 21.
The Goldklang Group has long held the belief that giving back
to the communities they work and live in should be
one of the primary focuses of the clubs. NBC
decided to profile the Goldklang Group after
learning of the Group's policy under which each
full time employee is expected to dedicate a
minimum of 25 hours of service per year, with pay,
to one or more worthy causes in his or her
community. The choice is made by the individual,
with guidance from management, and carried out at
the discretion of the charitable organization or
community group. The policy extends all the way
down to the initial hiring process, when potential
employees are educated on the importance of
establishing and building the relationships the
club has with local causes.
The Goldklang Group owns the Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class
A; Sally League), the Fort Myers Miracle (High
Class A; Florida State), the St. Paul Saints
(independent; American Association) and the Hudson
Valley Renegades (short season; NY-Penn League).
Ballpark boxing will be back
in Grand Rapids
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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The
West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest
League) brought boxing back to the ballpark, in
this case a seven-fight card that ran almost five
hours but came off without any major glitches
Saturday night. Dennis Baxter, the Whitecaps
co-owner who worked a year on the event, doesn't
"see any reason why" more shows won't be held at
the ballpark. There's a long tradition of boxing
at the ballpark, mostly heavyweight matches held
at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds.
River
City Rascals sold to private investment firm
headed by Malliet
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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Steve
Malliet, the highly regarded former GM of the
Joliet JackHammers (independent; Northern League),
has surfaced as the buyer of the River City
Rascals (independent; Frontier League). His group,
PS and J Professional Baseball, is buying the team
from the ownership group headed by Harold
Burkemper. Other members of the ownership group
include Timothy Hoeksema, currently president and
CEO of Midwest Airlines of Milwaukee, and Fred
Stratton, chairman of Briggs and Stratton of
Milwaukee. The Rascals play at T.R. Hughes
Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis.
More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Conseco
to pitch in GBL All-Star Game
Posted July 18, 2006 (feedback)
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The
independent Golden Baseball League announced that
Jose Canseco will make his GBL pitching debut on
Tuesday, July 18th, during the league’s All-Star
Game. Canseco will pitch a minimum of one inning
during the game being held at Nettleton Stadium,
home of the Chico Outlaws. Canseco has been added
as an honorary member of the South Team, led by
Terry Kennedy. After a slow start, including
striking out 11 times in his first 13 at bats,
Canseco's hitting has greatly improved over the
last week. In the last five games with the Long
Beach Armada, he has hit .333 with two home runs
and seven RBI. We're in the midst of All-Star
season: tonight the independent Northern League
(in Kansas City, Kan.) and summer collegiate
Coastal Plain League (in Fayetteville, N.C.) are
holding their midsummer classics. We're seeing
some pretty good attendance figures at All-Star
Games this season: last week, for example, the
independent United League Baseball had a sellout
crowd of 6,000 on hand at Edinburg Baseball
Stadium.
Minor deals in major area
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Speaking
of the Golden Baseball League: officials there say
the league will be playing in the Bay Area
beginning in the 2007 season, though they're not
ready to announce a venue. The plan is to launch
one team in 2007 -- probably in Santa Clara or
Vacaville -- and then launch an East Bay team in
2008. The issue with the East Bay: the lack of a
playing facility in Pleasanton, Livermore or
Antioch. One quote here that has us puzzled:
founder Dave Kaval says other leagues have adopted
the GBL business model of centralized ownership
and management, but we don't know of any other
indy leagues current or planned that follow this
model.
Bonita sets vote for
spring-training pitch; Indians express interest
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In the never-ending Cleveland Indians
spring-training saga, we have a new contender to
host the team: Bonita Springs, as local officials
will decide Wednesday if they wants to join the
league of Florida cities hosting spring training.
An affirmative vote Wednesday gets the ball
rolling to find a location for the 80-acre,
$50-million facility. The likely locations are
east of Interstate 75 along Bonita Beach Road and
Bonita Grande Drive. The
Indians would join the Boston Red Sox and
Minnesota Twins as teams training in the greater
Fort Myers area. Cleveland has been rumored to be
looking at a move to Disney's Wide World of Sports,
but apparently Disney didn't offer terms (or, more
than likely, a schedule) to the Indians' liking.
This article doesn't say when the Indians could
move, but we're guessing it's a little too late to
have a practice facility and ballpark ready for
February 2007.
RELATED STORIES:
Ballpark figures in Sarasota;
Bonita Springs council looking into luring spring
training;
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For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck;
Indians are likely headed for Disney;
Reds swing and miss;
Disney may open new world to Indians;
New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven;
FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp
runs into trouble;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million
to $62 million;
Osceola County wooing Indians;
Could Indians end up training at Disney World?;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature;
Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida
House;
County money just part of Indians spring site's
need;
Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly
at Dodgers;
Polk County commits $23 million to sports
facilities, including new Indians spring complex;
Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move;
Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding
Cactus League shift;
Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains
consistent in Florida;
Florida lawmakers approve spring-training
facilities bill;
FAU considering a deal with Indians for
spring-training complex;
Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training
complex;
Moving away from tradition;
Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses
for Casa Grande;
Tradition and economics in Florida;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding
war;
Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven
contract;
Dodgertown is a little less blue;
State should spring for aid to teams;
Glendale says it will be talking to teams about
spring-training site;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks;
Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training
ballpark?;
Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring
training;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities;
Lee County game for third team;
Spring-training facility not in city's best
interests;
Baseball, stadium would benefit city;
Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape
Coral
Metal bats are an issue of
life and death
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Each season a baseball player is either killed or
crippled after an accident involving a metal bat.
This season we've already seen 12-year-old Steven
Domalewski struck by a line drive hit off a metal
bat in a New Jersey Police League game, knocking
him down and stopping his heart for a few minutes.
He was revived on the field and taken to a
hospital, where he was put in a medically induced
coma, placed on a feeding tube and hooked to
electrodes to stimulate his brain. He is still in
a coma. Manufacturers say metal bats are no more
dangerous than wood bats, but we all know that's a
load of hooey: anyone who watches the college game
knows the balls hit off metal bats are hit much
harder than those hit off wooden bats in summer
collegiate leagues -- in the hands of the same
players. The final word in this article comes from
Scott Kvernum, whose son plays Legion ball in
Montana. His son is a homer-hitting catcher, so
he's a fan of metal bats -- but he admits he'd be
leery of letting his kid pitch in a metal-bat
league.
Ballpark Visit: Wade Stadium,
Duluth Huskies
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We
begin our updates of the ballparks of the
Northwoods
League
with a visit to Wade Stadium, the home of the
Duluth Huskies. The former home to original and
independent Northwoods League teams, Wade Stadium
has been around for decades and become an
essential part of summer living in the Twin Ports.
Sure, there's no exploding scoreboard and the
seating isn't the greatest, but Wade Stadium
represents everything great about a traditional
ballpark: it's a beloved institution in a very
traditional community.
Corporate boxholders waiting
to see how new Columbus ballpark plays out
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Corporate owners of rooftop suites at Cooper
Stadium say they're pleased the Columbus Clippers
(Class AAA; International League) will be moving to a new ballpark in 2008, but need
more information about the facility before
deciding whether they'll continue to purchase the
luxury boxes. The Clippers announced plans for the
park in February, a project which Nationwide
Realty Investors will guide and 360 Architecture
will design. Plans for the appearance of the
structure, seating capacity and ticket and parking
prices have yet to be announced. Not surprising:
with no model of the ballpark and no specifics
about the suites, there's really nothing for
current suiteholders to react to.
RELATED STORIES:
Clippers ballpark back on track;
County picks 360 Architecture to design Clippers
ballpark;
Clippers ballpark sponsors balk at labor plan;
Clippers' new home should have real baseball feel;
Nationwide to oversee Clippers’ stadium
construction
Birds consider minor
adjustment
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We're seeing a lot of speculation about
minor-league affiliations already for next season,
but much of the talk is premature: teams
technically can only be talking with existing
affiliates about renewals, not seeking out new
affiliate deals. (Philadelphia's announcement they
probably will not return to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
is a special circumstance, as we'll see over
time.) The speculation here is who the Baltimore
Orioles would sign as a Class AAA affiliate should
the Ottawa Lynx indeed move to Allentown and sign
on as a Phillies farm team. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
would appear to be an obvious choice, but you can
bet the Washington Nationals will be talking with
the Red Barons front office. We can't see the New
York Yankees dropping the Columbus Clippers: given
George Steinbrenner's ties to the region and the
new ballpark coming online in 2008, a shift would
make little sense.
More on our
Affiliates page.
Springdale vote
certification put on hold
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Hours after certifying the election approving a 1
cent sales tax to build a new ballpark in
Springdale, Ark., Washington County officials
found out their certification was premature. One
Springdale voting area is located in Benton
County, and those votes were not included in
Friday's certification. As a result, the
certification is on hold until Benton County can
certify its votes, which will take place Tuesday
morning. Washington County will re-certify the
votes on Wednesday. It doesn't sound like the
final margin, which shrunk to 15 votes in the
recount, will change.
RELATED STORIES:
Wichita awaits sign from Wranglers owner;
Interest in Springdale ballpark spreading;
Who could step up to the plate to keep pro
baseball in Wichita?;
Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark
funding;
Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?;
Wichita may accelerate improvements to
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium;
Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence;
City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move;
Arkansas town woos Wranglers;
Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need;
New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city
officials say;
Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark;
Election Commission finalizes details for
Springdale ballpark vote;
Springdale ballpark details still under
construction;
Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale
ballpark tax;
If Springdale ballpark built team will follow,
planners are told;
Royals’ farm club seeks home?;
Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball;
Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark
funding options;
Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark;
Springdale ballpark site under contract;
Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries;
Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter;
Public money may be needed to build Springdale
ballpark;
Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims
City officials:
Lawrence-Dumont can compete with new ballparks
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City of Wichita officials say that even though
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium will soon be the
oldest ballpark in the Texas League, it's still an
excellent facility for minor-league baseball. All
that's needed is money -- a relatively small
amount when compared to the cost of a new stadium,
they say -- for renovations, changes they hope
will keep the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas
League) in town. The Wranglers front office has
already laid out what it would like to see in a
renovated facility, and nothing is pie in the sky
-- widening of the concourses, expansion of
concessions, etc. (People get hung up on the age
of the facility, but we were impressed during a
visit to
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.) It may come down to
what the Wranglers owners consider a better market
and the future of the National Baseball Congress.
Talking trash in Springdale
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Don't know why Bob Caudle feels the need to talk
trash to Wichita residents over the passage of a tax for the
construction of a new ballpark in Springdale,
Ark., that could someday house the Wichita
Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League). Wichita
officials say they won't give up the Wranglers
without a fight, and while most assume Springdale
is a good location for a Class AA team, a deal for
a Wranglers move is certainly not done yet.
Xanadu won't kick out
baseball team -- for now
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The
Bergen Cliff Hawks (independent; Atlantic League),
on the verge of being shut out by the Meadowlands
Xanadu developers -- received up to a two-week
reprieve on Friday. Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali
agreed to postpone the issuance of a request for
proposals seeking an alternative baseball team and
owner. The delay was sought by Bergen County
Executive Dennis McNerney and backed by two state
senators from Bergen County and a key board member
of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
The developers and the owner of the Cliff Hawks
have been at odds over a lease for a proposed
ballpark, and the developers have threatened to
seek another tenant for the ballpark.
Three inducted into Reds
Hall of Fame
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Tom Seaver, Tom Browning and Lee May were inducted
into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame this
weekend. The three become the 69th, 70th and 71st
members of the team's hall, which took in its
first class in 1958. If you visit
Great American
Ball Park, a visit to the Reds museum and hall of
fame is essential: it's one of the best museums
run by a pro baseball team, highlighting the
fascinating history of baseball in Cincinnati from
the earliest professional days to today.
City seeks right pitch on
Ray Winder future
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More than a year after the Arkansas Travelers
(Class AA; Texas League) made it known they were
leaving Little Rock’s
Ray Winder Field, the old
stadium’s fate is still unknown. The Travs will
leave the 74-year-old ballaprk at the end of this
season to move to the under-construction Dickey
Stephens Park in North Little Rock. As the city
continues to look at Ray Winder’s future, an
informal group is emerging that hopes to keep it
as a baseball venue. Other ideas have called for
an expanded Little Rock Zoo elephant exhibit and a
commercial and residential development. John
Hoal's H3 Studio, a St. Louis urban design firm,
has been charged with mapping some potential
futures of the area, but he won't have a report
until next year. It's a tricky situation: the
entire War Memorial area serves several
constituencies, and the ballpark is merely one
part of that.
RELATED STORIES:
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
The unfinished ballpark deal
in D.C.
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Though the D.C. Council agreed to a renegotiated
parking deal calling for both aboveground and
underground parking, there's still serious
reservations from many in government and the
Washington Nationals offices about the ability of
the city to actually complete a ballpark by the
2008 season opener. Considering the design is
still not totally finished, it's hard to believe a
MLB facility can be built under such time
constraints. Plus, the parking deal is not final
-- the developer still needs to arrange financing
for an ambitious plan -- and any delays there
could delay ballpark construction as well.
RELATED STORIES:
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
Kasten is building
foundation for Nats
Posted July 17, 2006 (feedback)
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Though the sale of the Washington Nationals to the
Ted Lerner family is still not final, incoming
Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten is
already working on the issues facing the team. The
biggie, really, is the design of the new ballpark:
though site preparation has started, a final
design is not finished, and Kasten sounds like he
has some definite visions for the ballpark -- like
ensuring it's a good park for pitchers, as opposed
to some of the "bandboxes" (in his words) in Major
League Baseball today.
Playing a numbers game: If
teams build, fans will come
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Baseball in the Washington, D.C., area certainly
has changed since 1989, when there were only three
teams -- the Prince William (now Potomac) Cannons
(High Class A; Carolina League), the Frederick
Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) and the
Baltimore Orioles -- within an easy drive. Now
there are six, and when the Southern Maryland Blue
Crabs (independent; Atlantic League) come online
either in 2007 or 2008, another team will be in
the mix.
Venerable Civic Stadium
could use some TLC
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Eugene
Emeralds (short season; Northwest League) General
Manager Bob Beban has a new landlord in mind if
his present one decides to sell Civic Stadium.
Beban would like the city of Eugene to acquire the
stadium from the Eugene School District because he
believes the city would be willing to renovate the
aging ballpark. School officials have declined to
improve the wooden stadium, which they declared
surplus property four years ago. The stadium needs
a new roof, bathrooms, concession areas, lights,
box seats and ballfield with drainage system,
Beban said. The locker rooms, with anemic showers,
are cramped and old. Beban estimates that the
improvements would cost about $4.5 million.
Some citizens agree with the Ems about the need
for the city to buy the ballpark.
Study argues that incentives
for pro teams are waste of cash
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Tampa
Bay area taxpayers spend at least $27 million a
year keeping their professional sports teams
housed in state-of-the-art stadiums and arenas.
They should have held on to their dough, according
to a new study by two economists at the University
of South Florida. The authors think the same
sports teams would find it profitable to locate in
the same cities even if taxpayer handouts
vanished. However, the "study" appears to be more
political than economic, decrying tax subsidies to
millionaire team owners.
Barbeau's busy spreading the
word of baseball in Midland
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Paul Barbeau has one of the best gigs in baseball:
start a baseball team from scratch. He's head of
the new team in Midland, Mich., which will enter
the Midwest League with the move of the Southwest
Michigan Devil Rays at the end of the season. He's
in charge of hiring staff, overseeing construction
of a new ballpark, and doing all the little things
that goes along with running a baseball team.
Midland officials, meanwhile,
are looking to Lansing to see how the Lansing
Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League) and
Oldsmobile Park interact with the community.
RELATED STORIES:
Midland to pick up infrastructure costs for new
ballpark;
Michigan Baseball Foundation asks city for
financial help;
Midland ballpark takes shape;
Sale of Southwest Michigan Devil Rays finalized;
Fever pitch in Midland;
Midland ballpark should be team's jewel;
Final count: More than 3,000 baseball team name
suggestions;
Construction starting on Midland ballpark;
Michigan Baseball Foundation to hold "name the
team" competition;
New D-Rays owners meet with Midwest League;
Midland planners approve ballpark site plan;
Michigan Baseball Foundation signs purchase
agreement for D-Rays;
New Midland ballpark a big -- and exciting --
undertaking;
It's official: Midland group buying SW Michigan
D-Rays;
Owner says he's discussed moving Battle Creek team;
Midland officials have seen no plans for baseball
team;
Will Midland get minor league baseball team?
Power of promotions: Special
features help Bats appeal to broader audience
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The Louisville Bats (Class AAA; International
League) seem to be fielding the benefits of a
broad array of promotions. Thursday happy hours,
which the ballclub began in 2002, feature live
music and $1 Budweisers on the Overlook Deck
beyond the right-centerfield wall. The happy hours
were designed to bring a younger clientele to
Louisville Slugger Field, and it appears to be
working: at a recent game, there were plenty of twentysomethings hanging out at the ballpark. The
Bats achieved a goal many minor-league teams are
now aspiring to: hosting a promotion every game of
the season.
They'll do anything for fans
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We've already covered some of the noteworthy
promotions thrown this season by the Kansas City
T-Bones (independent; Northern League). The
T-Bones are launching their most noteworthy
promotion during the Northern League All-Star
Game, to be held tomorrow night: The T-Bones
signed baseball icon Buck O'Neil to a one-day
contract, effective Tuesday, July 18. O'Neil will
become the oldest professional baseball player in
history, at 94 years, seven months and 28 days,
surpassing Jim Eriotes, who played earlier this
season for the Sioux Falls Canaries (independent;
American Association) at the age of 83.
The All-Star festivities begin today, along with
an owners' meeting we assume will be interesting,
to say the least.
Here's a report from something called the Winnipeg
Sun.
Baseball and a three-ring
circus
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Fifteen years ago the theatrics at a Charleston
RiverDogs (Class A; Sally League) game may have
been unusual, but these days it's not unusual at
all to see a game announcer wander the stands with
a wireless mike and watch odd clips played on the
scoreboard between innings. That's because the
influence of Mike Veeck, RiverDogs co-owner,
really has spread through the minors: you can look
at teams across independent leagues and affiliated
leagues buying into his philosophy of pushing
entertainment and fun at the ballpark. It's not
necessarily anything new -- heck, his father was
flamboyant promoter Bill Veeck -- but Mike
certainly honed the formula.
Hot dogs, family atmosphere
abound at Diablos games
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The new El Paso Diablos (independent; American
Association) seem to be doing well in their season
year as an independent team. El Paso was formerly
a solid Texas League area before the original
Diablos moved to Springfield, so the team's
success isn't a surprise. The way they're doing it
may be, though: when Jim Paul owned the original
Diablos he was somewhat of a maniac (and we mean
this in a good way) in terms of promotions and
giveaways, but the current Diablos front office
has done things differently, stressing Cohen
Stadium as a family destination.
Major attractions in the
minor leagues
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Here's a pretty good overview of what's happening
in the minor leagues these days: thanks to an
abundance of new ballparks and solid promotional
strategies, attendance at minor-league baseball
games is booming. More and more ballparks are
being integrated into the community, not located
in an industrial area on the edge of town.
Oklahoma City's ballpark is the anchor of the
town's entertainment district.
Louisville Slugger Field is a short trolley ride from the bat maker's
museum. And Brooklyn's KeySpan Park is steps from
New York's famed Coney Island boardwalk.
Reuss takes stroll down
memory lane
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We had no idea former major leaguer and current
Dodgers broadcaster Jerry Reuss was a ballpark
buff, but that's pretty clear in this article,
telling how he toured the new
Busch Stadium and
hearkened back to his St. Louis childhood,
attending games at Sportsman's Park and the former
Busch Stadium. It's funny how few broadcasters are
actually ballpark buffs: they may remember the
quirks of the ballpark and the excitement
surrounding big games, but many never take the
time to tour the ballpark and see how the crowds
interact with their surroundings.
Fort Wayne ballpark report
due
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Mayor Graham Richard is scheduled to receive the
recommendations from a committee researching the
practicality of a new downtown ballpark for the
Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League)
on Friday. Members of the BaseballPLUS committee
met last Friday to review a draft of the report.
The committee members have been researching the
viability of a downtown ballpark, including
possible locations. If, as expected, the committee
recommends the city go ahead with a new downtown
ballpark, a new issue surfaces: what would happen
with the team's current home, Memorial Stadium.
The Fort Wayne paper says
advocates for a new ballpark should be allowed to
make their case.
RELATED STORIES:
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark;
Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Field of dreams in Fort Wayne?
Full count: Teams tally up
no-shows
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There's always a discrepancy between the announced
attendance and the tickets sold at a baseball
game, and this article explains why in an analysis
of Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest
League) games. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
analyzed 224 games over four seasons, finding the
average announced attendance was 4,032 fans per
game and the average turnstile count was 2,406.
Wizards officials say the numbers take into
account tickets sold for canceled games: Because
they still want their attendance figure to be
representative of their ticket sales at the end of
the season, the Wizards will build in the numbers
from canceled games over time.
Hard days for Knights
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This seems to be a recurring theme in coverage of
the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International
League) this season: even though the team's new
front office has made some needed changes to
Knights Stadium and how the team does business,
fans still aren't flocking to Fort Mill, S.C., to
see the team in action. It's even more mystifying
when you consider many former Knights played in
the World Series last year for champ Chicago, and
the team is doing quite well on the field this
season. If the team lands a new ballpark in town
-- which looks like a distinct possibility -- you
can expect baseball fans to flock to Knights games
once again, but in the meantime the front office
has to pay the bills and balance the books.
RELATED STORIES:
Knights see more fans, but lag league;
Pittman Stadium only a
memory
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Here's a look at Pittman Stadium, the former home
to minor-league baseball in Fayetteville, N.C.
Part of the old ballpark still remains: an old
cinder-block wall, which has since been painted
and turned into a storage shed, is located between
Alger Wilkins Elementary School and Crown Ford,
was part of the concession stand. The ballpark
stood for only 10 years -- 1946-1956 -- and no one
quite remembers why it was torn down, as the
Fayetteville Hilanders were a good draw even to
the end. Speaking of Fayetteville: we'll be there
Tuesday for some of the Coastal Plain League
All-Star festivities.
Heart of the team in Indy
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Max Schumacher was honored over the weekend for
his service with the Indianapolis Indians (Class
AAA; International League). His license plate "VIC
FLD" is a tribute to
Victory Field, the Indians'
downtown ballpark that he persuaded city officials
to build. The street leading to the park, which
opened a decade ago, was renamed Schumacher Way.
Growing up a baseball fan, he's now president and
chairman of the board for the Indians. He joined
the team in 1957 as a ticket manager after
graduating from Butler University, where he was a
middle infielder, and a stint in the U.S. Army. A
corporal, he was stationed in Illinois and looking
for a job to bring him home when he saw the
Indians' one-paragraph advertisement in The
Indianapolis Star. Four years later, he became the
team's general manager. In 1969, he was named
president. In 1997, Warren handed him the chairman
title.
Postal Service putting a
winning team in play today
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Ceremonies are scheduled for
Yankee Stadium today
to release new 39-cent stamps and 24-cent postal
cards honoring Mickey Mantle, Roy Campanella, Hank
Greenberg and Mel Ott. Campanella played in five
World Series and hit 242 home runs during a decade
with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ott was a star for the
New York Giants for 22 seasons, leading the league
in homers five times. He was the first National
League player to hit 500 home runs. Mantle was --
well, he was the Mickster -- and Greenberg was the
first Jewish superstar in the major leagues. He
was named most valuable player at first base and a
second time as an outfielder.
From state of the art to
state of flux
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When it opened in 1989, Lackawanna County Stadium
was one of the premier venues in minor-league
baseball. As if swallowed by a hillside, the
ballpark was a modern baseball cathedral engulfed
in nature. Its driveway was a winding mountain
road, its backdrop a mixture of trees and rocks.
Today, the remote location of the home of the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA;
International League) is seen by some as a
drawback, and while many changes have been made to
the ballpark over the years, county officials are
looking at more.
Grrrounder unveiled in
Harrisburg
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The Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League)
announced the name of the team’s new mascot during
Friday’s game at Commerce Bank Park. The name was
selected by a vote and the winner was Grrrounder.
More than 1,400 fans voted in the name the mascot
event with Grrounder receiving more than 40 per
cent of the vote. The only name close was
Southpaw, which received 32 per cent of the total
votes. Grrrounder is a dog-like character, who
will be on hand at all Senators games. Grrrounder
will join long-time Senators’ mascot Rascal in
making Commerce Bank Park a fun place to be and
both will make public appearances.
Checketts off base on claim
about Bees' ballpark lease
Posted July 17, 2006 (feedback)
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Here's your daily dose of local politics. Real
Salt Lake (MLS) owner Dave Checketts has been
working toward a new soccer stadium for his team,
but so far the effort has come up short, and he's
alleging one of the reasons why is the sweetheart
deal Larry Miller has to rent Franklin Covey Field
-- a dollar a year, Checketts alleges. The reality
is the deal is much more expensive: the Salt Lake
Bees (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) do indeed
rent the ballpark at a reduced rate -- $7,500 a
year versus the $300,000 paid by the previous
owners -- but under the new lease Miller picks up
maintenance costs (saving the city $400,000 a
year) and gives the city first crack at buying the
team should Miller want to break the lease.
Pro ball belongs in Halifax
Posted July 17, 2006 (feedback)
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Here's
a call for the independent Can-Am Association to
expand to Halifax, Canada, as well as other cities
in the region. After all, the Quebec Capitales are
a great draw, and other Canadians could be
persuaded to come out to a ballgame. One issue:
there's no ballpark in Halifax capable of
supporting professional baseball.
Fans feeling summer baseball
void in Richmond
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Former fans of the Richmond Roosters (independent;
Frontier League) are feeling sad this summer, the
first in many seasons where the Roosters were in
town. The team, which moved at the end of last
season, left a void in their lives, and they'd
like to see minor league or summer collegiate
baseball return to McBride Stadium. Minor-league
baseball may be a stretch, but Richmond may be a
perfect market for a summer collegiate team.
Missing its swing in Rocky
Mount
Posted July 17, 2006 (feedback)
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Here's a call for baseball in Rocky Mount, N.C.,
the former home to summer-collegiate Coastal Plain
League and High Class A Carolina League teams. The
ballpark housing both leagues -- Gryphon Stadium
-- still stands, but it's not even up to CPL
standards (1,200 seats, covered roof, locker
rooms, umpire dressing rooms, concessions), much
less Class A standards. Though you could argue
Rocky Mount has the minimum population for the
Class A team, it would appear the city is in the
territory of the Carolina Mudcats (Class AA;
Southern League), located just 26 miles away. The
best bet for baseball in Rocky Mount would be at a
renovated Gryphon Stadium hosting a CPL team.
This space could be for rent
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Naming rights are always a tricky deal, especially
for a ballpark that's been around for a year or
two. It happened this year in Missoula, when Play
Ball Missoula formally named the home of the
Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) Ogren
Park at Allegiance Field. That's not a bad names
as far as commercialization goes: we've seen a lot
worse.
Hawaii baseball takes a
swing where others have struck out
Posted July 17, 2006 (feedback)
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With a 40-game season in place, the finishing
touches are being put on the marketing plans for
Hawaii's newest baseball league before its October
debut. The $1 million-plus venture, led by
Honolulu entrepreneur Duane Kurisu, aims to
combine a roster of 112 international players with
an array of affordable family entertainment. It
sounds like the promotions are fairly standard in
terms of minor-league baseball -- some giveaways,
some freebies should a designated batter strike
out, etc. The league also is working on an
aggressive campaign to help sell at least half the
seats at its two ballparks: the 4,312-seat Les
Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawaii and
the 2,000-seat Hans L'Orange Field in Waipahu.
Hawaii Winter Baseball made a run in the 1990s but
faded about eight years ago. The difference now:
the league is underwritten both by MLB and by
Japanese baseball teams.
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