Oneonta Tigers sold
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Miles
Prentice, owner of the Huntsville Stars (Class AA;
Southern League) and the Midland RockHounds (Class
AA; Texas League), is buying the Oneonta Tigers
(short season; NY-Penn League) from longtime owner
Sam Nader and the rest of the investors in Oneonta
Athletic Corp. The deal was announced yesterday by
the 88-year-old Nader and is subject to approval
from the NY-Penn League, MiLB and MLB. No terms
were released. As part of the deal Prentice will
keep the team in Oneonta through the 2010 season,
but we can't imagine he'll be in a hurry to move
it: he's kept the Stars in Huntsville despite
offers of new ballparks from other cities. The
more immediate issue is whether Prentice will
serve beer at Damaschke Field: under Nader and
crew the Tigers
have never sold beer at the
ballpark, the only minor-league franchise to pass
on that particular revenue stream. We're guessing
Prentice will have the taps ready to go next
season.
More from the Oneonta Daily Star.
Ballpark Visit:
Damaschke Field, Oneonta Tigers
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Last season saw the long-needed renovation of
Damaschke Field,
the home of the Oneonta Tigers
(short season; NY-Penn
League). The basic character of the ballpark,
which opened in 1940, was left intact; added were
sorely needed concessions and clubhouses, as well
as a general cleaning of the place. But box seats
for season-ticket holders still ring the field,
and you still can't buy a beer there.
Read more here.
Sarpy County hires
consultant to work on new O-Royals ballpark
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Convention
Sports and Leisure International snared a $70,000
contract to consult with Sarpy County on a
potential new ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class
AAA; Pacific Coast League). The contract has CSI
looking at the suitability of Sarpy County for
baseball and how the county could finance a new
facility, which would seat at least 9,000. The
suburban Omaha county is growing and includes
retail like Cabela's, so we're not talking about a
location potentially in the sticks. One scenario
to keep in mind: the consultants may come back
with a recommendation that Sarpy County is better
suited for a Class A team than a Class AAA team.
More than one Midwest League owner at the recent
All-Star Game asked us what we thought of Omaha as
a Midwest League market. Meanwhile, MECA -- the
board running the new downtown ballpark for the
College World Series -- is expected to make a
financial proposal to the owners of the O-Royals
this week.
RELATED STORIES:
O-Royals accelerate talks with Sarpy County;
NCAA commits to 25-year Omaha ballpark lease;
Omaha, NCAA reach agreement on new-ballpark lease;
MECA approves ballpark deal; O-Royals lease not a
sure thing;
MECA approves ballpark deal; O-Royals lease not a
sure thing;
Omaha, MECA reach agreement on new ballpark; NCAA
on board;
MECA, city break off
talks on new Omaha ballpark;
Letter: NCAA neutral
on new Omaha ballpark;
Parking issues at
play at proposed Omaha ballpark;
Rosenblatt
defenders give Omaha mayor an earful;
Omaha
formally commits to 24,000-seat downtown ballpark;
Should Omaha
tell to NCAA to live with Johnny Rosenblatt?;
Committee
recommends new downtown Omaha ballpark;
MECA formally
opposes new ballpark on its land;
Is Omaha ballpark plan
falling apart?;
O-Royals ready to bail on
new downtown ballpark?;
Downtown
ballpark remains choice of Omaha officials, despite higher price tag;
Nebraska
Legislature enters Omaha ballpark fray;
Lot C emerges as frontrunner
for new Omaha ballpark site;
Two sites emerge as
frontrunners for new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha ballpark
panel picks architects to evaluate sites;
Save Rosenblatt
Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee;
NCAA's feelers out
for CWS sites;
Omaha mayor's public
pitch for ballpark begins;
More options
introduced for new home of College World Series;
Skeptics of Omaha
ballpark proposal look for return on funding;
Public to have say on
Omaha ballpark proposal;
Omaha restaurant
owners vow opposition to ballpark tax;
Omaha mayor unveils
$117-million ballpark plan;
Rosenblatt group
sends petitions to NCAA;
Omaha and the CWS: City
bids for 20-year deal;
Omaha Royals support
plan for new ballpark;
NCAA ties College World
Series to new ballpark;
Today's video:
Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium;
Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest;
Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner;
Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark
suggestions;
Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt;
Could Indy someday be host for CWS?;
New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes;
Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed
downtown ballpark;
Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before
ballpark work;
Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
Demolition of Tiger
Stadium begins
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Demolition
of historic
Tiger Stadium began this week, as
wrecking crews erected barricades and began taking
down the longtime home of the Detroit Tigers. The
current plan is for demolition to proceed in
stages, keeping intact (for now) the grandstand. A
conservancy group led by former Tigers broadcaster
Ernie Harwell has until Aug. 1 to raise enough
money to preserve the original grandstand, but
it's not looking good; it doesn't look like
Congress will come up with any funds (despite the
efforts of Sen. Carl Levin), and passion for the
project really hasn't swept through Motown.
More from the Detroit Free Press.
Tiger Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered
Ballparks listings.
RELATED STORIES:
Will
conservancy group meet June 1 deadline to save Tiger Stadium?;
Tiger Stadium demolition OK'd; could baseball
return?;
Fans shell out $2
million for Tiger Stadium seats;
Nonprofit
submits plans for saving part of Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium
auction a $192,729 home run;
Online auction of
Tiger Stadium memorabilia runs through October;
A new vision for Tiger Stadium;
Harwell heats up Tiger Stadium pitch;
Harwell: I can save Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium to be torn down;
Tiger Stadium demolition plan close to vote;
Wreck the old park; praise the new one;
Detroit City Council delays action on Tiger
Stadium demolition;
City: Revisit Tiger Stadium plans;
Today's video: The final days of Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium plan hits a snag;
Tiger Stadium's fate divisive;
Tiger Stadium: Up for auction?;
Tiger Stadium outta here by '08;
Time running out for Tiger Stadium;
Dave Wright: Time to let Tiger Stadium go;
Razing memories of 95-year-old Tiger
Stadium before demolition work begins;
Final farewell planned for Tiger Stadium;
Old house is hard to forget;
Once a baseball cathedral, Tiger Stadium now sits
in disrepair;
Memories of Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium demolition delayed;
Progress is in the ballpark;
Developers didn't stand a chance with Tiger
Stadium;
Artifacts from Tiger Stadium to be auctioned off
under city plan;
Tiger Stadium to be razed: condos, retail to be
built on historic site;
Detroit should sell Tiger Stadium as is;
Historical marker at Tiger Stadium stolen;
Tiger Stadium would make fine vacation destination;
8 innings of words get us no closer to a Tiger
Stadium fix;
Documentary makes case for saving Tiger Stadium;
Plenty of options for Tiger Stadium;
Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick wants Tiger Stadium razed;
Hope fades for Tiger Stadium;
Detroit ignores calls to save Tiger Stadium;
Save Tiger Stadium as scaled-down ballpark;
City should tear down Tiger Stadium;
Is it the final out for Tiger Stadium?
Bandits attendance up
sharply
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Despite
some very bad weather forcing the team to play
home games on the road, the Quad Cities River
Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) has been one
of the big turnaround stories in MiLB this season.
Last night's crowd of 5,221 pushed the season
attendance to 97,715 in 31 dates, an average of
3,152. That puts the team well ahead of Wisconsin
in attendance, in the middle of the Midwest League
pack. And we're sure the Tiki Village will draw
even more fans through the turnstiles as the
season progresses.
More on the resurgence of the River Bandits from
Quad Cities Online.
This week's podcast:
Omaha, Tampa Bay and Billings news
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On
this week's podcast: The Omaha Royals (Class AAA;
Pacific Coast League) talk with three markets,
including Sarpy County, about a new home; Tampa
Bay withdraws a controversial new-ballpark plan;
the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA: Texas League) face
some impending deadlines on their quest for a new
ballpark; and we visit Billings to check out the
new home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer
League). Publisher
Kevin Reichard and Senior Editor Dave Wright
review the hot topics in the baseball and ballpark
worlds in the weekly Ballpark Digest podcast.
We've added the ability to listen directly to
Ballpark Digest podcasts from the front page of
the site: just click on the audio button in the
box directly below this -- no need to load a media
player or other software. The Ballpark Digest
podcast has proven to be a popular feature of the
site: according to the Feedburner stats it's been
heard 12,940 (!) times via that service alone
since Sept. 17, 2007. To directly subscribe to the
feed using Firefox or Internet Explorer,
go to this page and click on the "Subscribe Now"
button.
Comments are welcome.
You can listen directly to the podcast on your own
PC via this link
(it's a standard MP3 file).
More on Ballpark Digest
podcasts here.
Final tally in Fort Wayne
name-the-team contest: 2,574
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In
just two weeks over 2,500 team names were
submitted in the Fort Wayne Wizards "Re-Name the
Team" contest. "We are thrilled with the response
we’ve received from the fans," said GM Mike
Nutter. "None of us knew what to expect when we
launched the contest two weeks ago. We consider
this an overwhelming success." Team
officials now face the daunting task of digging
through the suggestions and pulling out the best
of the best. They will take the next week to work
their way through the submissions. The team plans
to release up to ten names and allow the community
to voice their opinion.
Cards to clean up Ballpark
Village area
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Under
pressure from the city government, the St. Louis
Cardinals will clean up the vacant lot formerly
housing the previous Busch Stadium, an eyesore
envision as the home of a future real-estate
development, Ballpark Village. There's still
debris from the Busch Stadium demotion, as well as
some footings from the ballpark, and a small pond
has popped up. The pond will be drained, the
debris will be removed and new fencing will be
erected. The development of a Ballpark Village was
a key part of the new
Busch Stadium
development, but tenants have been hard to find
and some original tenants, like the Bowling Hall
of Fame, have bailed on the project.
More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Renegades offer
citizenship in new promotion
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The
Hudson Valley Renegades (short season; NY-Penn
League) held a "Born in The USA" promotion last
night, giving one fan on the process of becoming a
U.S. citizen. Four pre-selected fans competed in
several on-field contests throughout the game,
earning points for their performance in each
event. At the end of the night the points were
totaled with the overall points winner having his
or her naturalization process paid for by the
Hudson Valley Renegades. “We’re really excited
about this,” Renegades General Manager Eben Yager
said before the game. “We’re talking about
potentially improving someone’s life forever in
just one night. That’s what we’re all about here.
I was born in Canada and when I turned 18, I had
to go through the process of becoming a U.S.
Citizen and now I’d like to be a part of helping
someone else become a citizen of the greatest
country in the world."
Bucks expect to be back in
Riverfront Stadium July 11
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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The
baseball team hit the hardest by Iowa flooding has
been the Waterloo Bucks (summer collegiate;
Northwoods League), who will have lost a quarter
of their home schedule after high waters closed
down Riverfront Stadium, damaging the team's party
deck and causing at least $100,000 of damage to
the ballpark's electrical system. The team has
played in other Northwoods League ballparks and
local high schools while waiting for waters to
recede and cleanup to commence. The current target
for being back at the ballpark: July 11.
Avon breaks ground on new
Frontier League ballpark
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Avon
(Ohio) officials broke ground on a new ballpark
for an independent Frontier League team and expect
to have the ballpark open in time for the 2009
season. The new ballpark will seat 3,500 and cost
$10.9 million, Matt Perry of National Sports
Services signed a 15-year lease for the ballpark
and pay $250,000 annually (retaining naming rights
and assuming year-round maintenance
responsibilities); Chicago businessman Steve
Edelson will own the team.
More from the Morning Journal.
Griffith pitches Topeka
on charms of Northern League
Posted July 2, 2008 (feedback)
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Independent
Northern League Commissioner Clark "Harold Hill"
Griffith was in Topeka the other day, touting
what
wondrous things his league would bring to the
Kansas community: 15 concerts a year, a league
that includes a team in Burnsville, Minn. next
season, and a great product that warrants a
5,000-seat ballpark. Well, Clark, you gotta know
the territory, and we're not sure what's being
promised matches the reality. For starters: As of
two weeks ago Griffith was cold-calling potential
investors in the Twin Cities area to put money
down on the Burnsville team; we spoke to members
of one group (who are currently restaurateurs and
have interests in sports teams) who were not
impressed and decided to pass. And the nature of
the pitch strongly indicates there's nothing close
to enough investors to make a privately financed
$25-million ballpark a reality for the 2009
season, leading us to seriously question whether the
Northern League will be fielding a team in
Burnsville next season. (Legal
considerations may delay the project as well.) Next, we're interested to
hear more details on how the Northern League plans
on scheduling 15 concerts a year in each of its
ballparks; that's pretty ambitious, but we're not
sure how realistic it is. Finally, the independent
American Association has been working the Topeka
area pretty well, and we're guessing whoever
brings in the most realistic financial plan will
have the best shot at landing the territory -- and
Topeka just doesn't strike us as a 5,000-seat
market. All kidding aside, the Northern League
faces some challenges that perhaps won't be fixed
by Topeka anyway: the six current teams are fairly
strong if current attendance figures stay steady,
but the geographic challenges of a six-team league
stretching from Winnipeg to Gary, Indiana makes
expansion a necessity, and adding Topeka -- which
is outside the league's current footprint, albeit
slightly -- doesn't solve that issue. American
Association owners we talk with are adamantly
against any notion of interleague play. And with
Burnsville an increasingly iffy proposition and
Waukesha a dead end (hell, in that Milwaukee
suburb city officials are worrying that a
2,000-seat Northwoods League ballpark is too big),
we don't see the Northern League breaking out of
its geographic straitjacket. Which is too bad, but
maybe a fresh approach is in order.
Stenographer's notes from the Topeka
Capital-Journal.
O-Royals accelerate talks with
Sarpy County
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are
in negotiations for a new 7,000-8,000-seat
ballpark in suburban Sarpy County, as the team
ownership continues to work out a plan for the
future once
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
is torn down in favor of a new downtown Omaha
ballpark for the College World Series. Now, loyal
readers of Ballpark Digest should be well aware of
Sarpy County, as this is the only media outlet
anywhere to report on the potential of the team
moving away from the city of Omaha proper (and, in
fact, we took a few shots from the Omaha
World-Herald at the time; funny how silent the
paper is now). A move downtown is possible, but
problematic, as the entity doing the negotiating
for a new ballpark, MECA, has its hands tied as to
how attractive a lease can be be for the Omaha
Royals (a sweetheart lease is out of the question,
apparently). O-Royals management and MECA
officials are meeting today to discuss a potential
lease; depending on what happens there Sarpy
County may move ahead tomorrow with the hiring of
a consultant to evaluate a ballpark project. We
also hear the O-Royals have received permission to
explore a move to two other markets: suburban
Houston and Vancouver.
RELATED STORIES:
NCAA commits to 25-year Omaha ballpark lease;
Omaha, NCAA reach agreement on new-ballpark lease;
MECA approves ballpark deal; O-Royals lease not a
sure thing;
MECA approves ballpark deal; O-Royals lease not a
sure thing;
Omaha, MECA reach agreement on new ballpark; NCAA
on board;
MECA, city break off
talks on new Omaha ballpark;
Letter: NCAA neutral
on new Omaha ballpark;
Parking issues at
play at proposed Omaha ballpark;
Rosenblatt
defenders give Omaha mayor an earful;
Omaha
formally commits to 24,000-seat downtown ballpark;
Should Omaha
tell to NCAA to live with Johnny Rosenblatt?;
Committee
recommends new downtown Omaha ballpark;
MECA formally
opposes new ballpark on its land;
Is Omaha ballpark plan
falling apart?;
O-Royals ready to bail on
new downtown ballpark?;
Downtown
ballpark remains choice of Omaha officials, despite higher price tag;
Nebraska
Legislature enters Omaha ballpark fray;
Lot C emerges as frontrunner
for new Omaha ballpark site;
Two sites emerge as
frontrunners for new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha ballpark
panel picks architects to evaluate sites;
Save Rosenblatt
Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee;
NCAA's feelers out
for CWS sites;
Omaha mayor's public
pitch for ballpark begins;
More options
introduced for new home of College World Series;
Skeptics of Omaha
ballpark proposal look for return on funding;
Public to have say on
Omaha ballpark proposal;
Omaha restaurant
owners vow opposition to ballpark tax;
Omaha mayor unveils
$117-million ballpark plan;
Rosenblatt group
sends petitions to NCAA;
Omaha and the CWS: City
bids for 20-year deal;
Omaha Royals support
plan for new ballpark;
NCAA ties College World
Series to new ballpark;
Today's video:
Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium;
Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest;
Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner;
Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark
suggestions;
Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt;
Could Indy someday be host for CWS?;
New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes;
Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed
downtown ballpark;
Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before
ballpark work;
Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
Rays withdraw
controversial ballpark funding plan
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Tampa Bay Rays have withdrawn a controversial
proposal to build
a
$450-million waterfront ballpark on the
Al Lang Field site in downtown St.
Petersburg.
The decision comes on the face of increasing
public opinion against what was turning into a
rather complicated funding plan to retire
Tropicana Field debt and clear up funds for a new
ballpark. Instead, a task force headed by Progress
Energy head Jeff Lyash will be charged with
scouting out the best location and funding method
for a new ballpark, The victory may be pyrrhic for
St. Pete residents, however; we're guessing the
Rays will use this as an occasion to scout out
other locations in the Tampa-St. Pete area, and we
know the folks in Hillsborough County are mighty
keen on professional sports. Just sayin'.
More from the Tampa Tribune.
RELATED STORIES:
Council strikes down ballot measure designed to
kill Rays ballpark;
Rays accelerate ballpark lobbying efforts, call in
Selig;
Rays propose small changes in ballpark design;
Poll: St. Pete residents
oppose new downtown ballpark;
Parking key to new Rays financing plan;
Rays unveil ballpark financing plan;
Tampa Bay ballpark
status: From simple to complicated in 30 seconds;
St. Pete raises objections to Rays ballpark plan;
Public: We want new Rays ballpark;
Public
responds to Rays' ballpark proposal;
Rays sweeten pot for
new ballpark with additional upfront money;
Opposition to new
Rays ballpark growing?;
St. Pete newspaper:
errors plague Rays ballpark debate;
Proposal for Al Lang
park land conversion tabled for Rays ballpark plans;
City lays out vision for
Tropicana Field site;
So, let's say the Trop's
for sale....;
Opponents say Rays,
manatees don't mix;
Rays will not seek state
aid for new ballpark;
Rays brass willing to be
stakeholders in Trop site;
It's outta here! But
what's next?;
Parking for proposed
Rays ballpark an issue;
Key player in Rays
ballpark proposal won't show his hand;
Rays' land request for
ballpark may be hard to fill;
Rays unveil plans
for new ballpark;
Rays: New ballpark could
pump $1 billion into local economy;
Rays ballpark plan
kept secret for months;
Land under the Trop is
a developer's dream;
Tampa Bay ballpark cost
looms as curveball;
Rays on the bay?
Drillers face deadlines on
new ballpark
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) are
inching closer to a new downtown ballpark, but it
may come down to the wire. We're expecting an
announcement next month about a 2010 opening, but
there are a few hurdles before anything is
announced: the city must renew a downtown
assessment district by July 10 and come to a lease
agreement with Drillers owner Chuck Lamson by July
15. Neither is necessarily a huge challenge
(indeed, we've been told they're closer to
formalities than anything else), but the lawyers
will inevitably have to weigh in. There's a new
location for the ballpark: an eight-acre site in
the city's Greenwood District, bounded by
Interstate 244, Archer Street, Elgin Avenue and
Greenwood Avenue. The new ballpark, with a design
from HOK Sport (a rendering is shown below), will feature
6,200 seats, berm seating, 25 luxury boxes, picnic
areas and a party deck. The $60 million ballpark
will be funded with $30 million in donations, $25
million from a city assessment and $5 million from
the Drillers.
More from Tulsa World.
RELATED STORIES:
Legislation would give boost to new Tulsa ballpark;
Lodging leaders await specifics on proposed tax
for new Drillers ballpark;
Initial Drillers
ballpark plan released; city waiting for more details;
Drillers, city agree
on ballpark talks;
Drillers, Tulsa
reach agreement on new downtown ballpark negotiations
Judge removes himself from
Braman case; Marlins ballpark trial delayed
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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A
court case involving a legal challenge to Florida
Marlins ballpark funding from local auto dealer
Norm Braman has been postponed after Miami-Dade
Circuit Court Judge Pedro Echarte Jr. recused
himself after discovering he's a distant relative
of one of the plaintiff's attorneys.
The trial will now
proceed on July 1. Braman is charging the
$515-million ballpark funding plan should be
approved by voters. Meanwhile, in depositions
local lawmakers
never asked about the financial health of the
Marlins before committing to a ballpark funding
plan.
RELATED STORIES:
Braman lawsuit against new Marlins ballpark can
move forward: judge;
Do Marlins have enough votes to finalize ballpark
deal?;
Dispute over spoils could derail new Fish pond;
Fish fans: Will new
ballpark lead to better team?;
Will fans flock
to new Fish pond?;
City, county approves
Marlins ballpark deal;
Marlins ballpark
inches closer to fruition; deal could be done by Thursday;
Marlins ballpark
plan hits parking snag;
More specifics
revealed on new Marlins ballpark proposal;
Miami mayor swings for
the fences with ballpark plan;
Vote on new Marlins
ballpark delayed;
Braman makes pitch against new Fish pond;
Marlins to seek state aid for new ballpark;
New ballpark could be
suite deal for commissioners;
Plan for Marlins ballpark gets support from Miami-Dade;
Marlins funding
closer to reality;
Marlins' ballpark
plan gets new life;
New Marlins ballpark
funding plan proposed;
Marlins: Ballpark
woes led to trade;
Marlins ballpark
negotiations continue;
Marlins' share key
to ballpark deal;
DuPuy: Marlins
ballpark top priority;
Ho hum: Marlins hand county yet another ballpark deadline;
Marlins may get $50 million for new ballpark;
DuPuy meets with Crist
about new Fish ballpark, says MLB will make use of Dodgertown;
Marlins about to bring
ballpark deal in from the bullpen;
Selig receptive to Orange Bowl site for new
Marlins ballpark;
UM exit from Orange Bowl paves way for new Marlins
ballpark;
Selig: Relocation an option if ballpark issue not
settled;
University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by '08;
Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?;
Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring
training;
Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark:
muted;
State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when
session ends;
Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins
ballpark;
Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix;
Vote on Marlins ballpark
financing again comes late in legislative session;
New Marlins ballpark bill
likely to strike out;
State House endorses $60
million for Marlins ballpark in Miami;
Marlins' pitch for ballpark
cash apt to fall short;
Dade lawmaker unsure about
Marlins subsidy
BayBears,
Diamondbacks extend PDC
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) and
the Arizona Diamondbacks have announced a two-year
extension on their affiliation, through the 2010
season. This season is the final year of the
original agreement that the BayBears signed with
Arizona when they became their Class AA affiliate
in 2007.
"Our first two years here have been great," said A.J. Hinch,
Arizona's director of player development. "Working
with the front office and management group here
has been great. We know our people are in good
hands."
"You can't guarantee that we're going to win a Southern
League championship but the players who have come
through here are quality players with a passion to
excel and be promoted to 'The Show,'" said
BayBears President/COO Bill Shanahan. "That's our
goal here, to get them to 'The Show,' and that's
A.J.'s job, developing players."
More on the
affiliation status here.
Aeros, Indians extend PDC
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League) and the
Cleveland Indians extended their Player
Development Contract for the maximum length of
four years, ensuring that Akron will continue as
the Double-A affiliate of the Indians through the
2012 season.
"This is obviously an exciting announcement, and it’s one
that we are happy to release publicly today,"
Aeros General Manager Jeff Auman said. "The
Indians player development staff is filled with
quality personnel, and they are a pleasure to work
with on every issue we are faced with on a daily
basis. We are extremely proud to have been an
Indians affiliate for 20 years and we look forward
to continuing our relationship for many more
seasons to come."
The Aeros franchise first joined forces with Cleveland in
1989 when the club was still located in Canton.
Since that inaugural season, more than 75 players
have donned the purple and black before eventually
making the Major Leagues, including All-Stars like
Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, C.C. Sabathia and
Manny Ramirez.
"We could not be more excited about continuing our
relationship with the Akron Aeros," said Cleveland
Director of Player Development Ross Atkins, who
himself spent parts of two seasons with the Aeros
in 1998 and 1999. "The chance for us to have
first-class resources in Double-A just 40 miles
south of Cleveland is a separator for us. With the
upgrade of the playing surface and the
professionalism of Jeff Auman’s staff, we know our
Double-A staff and players are in very good
hands."
More on the
affiliation status here.
Grasshoppers,
Marlins extend PDC
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The
Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally
League) and the two-time World Series Champion
Florida Marlins have extended their Player
Development Contract through the end of the 2010
season.
"We love being here. This is a great place," Marlins Vice
President of Player Development and Scouting and
Assistant General Manager Jim Fleming said during
a recent visit to Greensboro. "The fans are
amazing, Donald [Grasshoppers President and
General Manager Donald Moore] and his staff have
treated us tremendously and it’s been a great
experience for us. To ensure that we remained here
for another two years was a big deal."
Greensboro has been the Single-A affiliate of the Florida
Marlins since the 2003 season when the team was
still known as the Bats; the Marlins are the only
parent team the Grasshoppers have ever known.
Since moving to
NewBridge Bank Park in 2005 and changing their
name, the Grasshoppers have seen 146 Florida
Marlins prospects suit up.
More on the
affiliation status here.
Name-the-team contest ends
today for Fort Wayne Wizards
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The
name-the-team contest for the Fort Wayne Wizards
(Low Class A; Midwest League) ends today, as the
team prepares a new identity to go along with a
new home next season. "Suggestions
have been steady for the last two weeks," said
Michael Limmer, Wizards assistant general manager.
"We want to hear from everyone that has a creative
idea. We hope that people will take the time to
submit their names before the deadline passes on
Monday night." Once the open suggestion period
comes to a close team officials and Minor League
Baseball consultants will dig through all
submissions to evaluate which names have the most
potential. You can weigh in at
HarrisonSquareFortWayne.com.
MiLB launches charities
wing; will donate funds to Iowa flood victims
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Minor
League Baseball announced it has established MiLB
Charities, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable
organization affiliated with the National
Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL).
Any donations to MiLB Charities will qualify as
tax-deductible contributions.
The first act for this newly created charitable arm of Minor
League Baseball will be to donate $50,000 to the
four Minor League cities in Iowa affected by the
recent floods; Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Davenport
(Quad Cities) and Des Moines.
"Minor League Baseball is an American institution of grass
roots, hometown baseball played out in cities and
towns all throughout this country,” said Minor
League Baseball President Pat O’Conner. “And
nothing is more American than neighbor helping
neighbor. As our friends and fellow fans in the
Midwest struggle with the aftermath of the recent
flooding, we are proud to participate in a
nationwide campaign to ease their pain and hurry
along their recovery.
“Minor League Baseball fans everywhere empathize with all our
friends and fellow fans in the Midwest. Our
thoughts and prayers go out to them, and we will
do all we can to help get them back on their feet
as quickly as possible."
In conjunction with this endeavor, Minor League Baseball
clubs have been encouraged to stage a "Flood
Relief Night," if possible, over the July 4th
holiday weekend. The July 4th holiday is typically
one of the industry’s best drawing dates, in terms
of attendance. Clubs can tailor their "Flood
Relief Night" as they wish, regarding donations
and/or gifts-in-kind. Any clubs that do not have a
home game during this time are welcome to donate
as they see fit. The proceeds from these "Flood
Relief Nights" will be collected and also
dispersed by MiLB Charities to the cities of
Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Davenport (Quad Cities)
and Des Moines.
Proposal for Pima County
sports authority fails; could spring training
leave Tucson?
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A proposal to keep spring training
in Tucson via increased tourism taxes died in the
final days of the Arizona Legislative session,
leading Tucson and Pima County officials
frustrated in their attempt to raise money for new and renovated
facilities. The proposal would
have set up a Pima
County sports authority and levy a
three-quarter-cent sales tax on hotels,
restaurants, bars and rental car; the proceeds (up
to $14 million annually) would be used to fund a
new complex and a renovated Hi Corbett Field. But
the proposal died after lawmakers first attempted
to extend it to all county purchases. With the
Chicago White Sox all but out of Tucson, the
Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks are sure
to be looking at an exit as well.
More from Spring Training Online.
Mass transit of a sort
approved for Dodger Stadium
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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One
of our biggest complaints about
Dodger Stadium
is the total lack of any sort of public transit to
the ballpark; sure, you can take a bus near the
ballpark and hoof it in, but we're more than a
little wary of that plan late at night. We finally
have some level of mass transit to the ballpark,
as the Los Angeles City Council approved a special
line running from Union Station to
Dodger Stadium,
with the route extending to Caesar Chavez and
Sunset boulevards. The DASH line will run until
the end of the season.
Catfish officially to
Bowling Green next season
Posted June 30, 2008 (feedback)
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We've
treated this as a fait accompli for the
last few months, so the news that Major League
Baseball joined with MiLB and the Sally League in
approving the move of the Columbus Catfish to
Bowling Green next season didn't exactly have us
going. The real news, apparently, is that the team
may play at Western Kentucky University if a new
downtown ballpark isn't completed on time. As far
as Columbus goes: we'd be surprised to see any
team at Golden Park next season.
Dehler Park opens
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Yes,
we were away last week, hitting the backcountry of
Yellowstone National Park. We managed to drop by
Billings on our way home and checked out
Dehler Park,
the new home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie;
Pioneer League). We'll be visiting later in the
season to see how the place works with a game and
a crowd, but our first impression was one of
disappointment. Dehler Park replaces
Cobb Field,
one of the grand old ballparks of minor-league
baseball, a 1940s-era gem with true box seats, a
soaring grandstand and a major presence. While
Dehler Park works on a functional level -- in
addition to the Mustangs, Dehler Park will host
two American Legion teams and a college team --
there's little sense of place there. It could be a
ballpark plopped into any city, and the only
reminder of Cobb
Field is the gorgeous
view of the rimrock. Yes, we know there were some
budgetary issues with the facility, and not
everything was fully in place during our
walkthrough. And we expect the Mustangs will
personalize things during the in-game
entertainment. But the design seems to have
purposely avoided any links to
Cobb Field
(hell, a little stucco at the front entrance would
have been nice), and that's a wasted opportunity.
On the plus side, the facility honors notable
figures in Billings baseball history,
including Dave McNally and Legion coach Ed Bayne.
More from the first game -- a Legion match -- from
the Billings Gazette.
Jon Dehler's donation made the new ballpark
possible.
This trailer pushes a documentary on the last days
of Cobb Field.