Recent
Visits |
Memorial Stadium, Fort Wayne
Wizards
There's nothing much distinctive about
Memorial Stadium, the home of the Fort Wayne
Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League): it doesn't
have a signature ballpark element, nor is it an
attraction on its own. Mike Nutter, the energetic
general manager of the Wizards, seems to
understand this. From a small but efficient
merchandise shop just inside the main door to an
usher who actually retrieved a foul ball and
handed it to a kid, one gets killed with little
kindnesses. No one thing stands out alone but add
it all up and you walk away with the feeling
people were actually glad you came to visit --
deficiencies in the ballpark not withstanding.
Fifth Third Field, Toledo
Mud Hens
The
home of the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA;
International League),
Fifth Third Field is an impressive
edifice that seemed to have been carved out of
stone. The fact that it has helped turned Toledo's
warehouse district into the place to be during the
summer is one of the more impressive feats of the
young 21st century. In its sixth year of business,
Fifth Third has become one of the must-see stops
on the minor-league tour. After all, how can you
not like a park where the standing-room seats are
some of the best in the house and there is a
statue honoring kids peeping through the fence
watching a game? Dave Wright
shares his recent visit to Fifth
Third Field, while Jim Robins tells why the public
art at the ballpark may the finest in all of
minor-league baseball.
Comerica Park, Detroit
Tigers
OK,
so it's not Tiger Stadium; in fact, it's the
opposite of Tiger Stadium in every way, as if
Tigers owner Mike
Ilitch had ordered the architects to do everything
diametrically the opposite of how things were done
at Tiger Stadium. On those terms, Comerica Park
may be a disappointment to long-time Tigers fans.
On its own merits, however, Comerica Park is a
decent facility that isn't too subtle about
wanting to get the most revenue possible out of
your wallet. Detroit native Dave Wright reports on
his visit to Comerica Park.
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Archives: Oct.
9-15, 2005
Downtown KC
ballpark dreamers need a reality check
Posted October 14, 2005
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At
some point in life you realize that wishing isn't
enough to make things become real. Apparently the
proponents of a new downtown ballpark for the
Kansas City Royals haven't yet reached that point,
according to columnist Joe Posanski, who argues
that it's futile to discuss a new downtown
ballpark until the Kansas City Royals come on
board. They won't: from a business viewpoint, it's
the kiss of death to take the lead on something
like a new downtown ballpark when fans want the
team to stay at
Kauffman Stadium.
(Requires subscription.)
RELATED STORIES:
Offensive renewed for downtown KC ballpark;
Analyst proposes $357M downtown KC ballpark;
Downtown Council shapes plan for new KC ballpark;
Residents point out KC stadium benefits;
Lend downtown KC ballpark boosters an ear at
‘listening tour’;
Kansas City negotiator fired after comments;
KC stadium finance tilts toward Chiefs
Without a deal,
Nats could run to a new home
Posted October 14, 2005
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Harry
Jaffee opines the ballpark deal between MLB and
the District of Columbia for a new facility is on
the verge of collapse. Not quite sure that's true:
his main argument is that negotiations between MLB
officials and the Sports and Entertainment
Commission are stalled, and that could lead to a
collapse. But much of MLB's action stalls at
playoff and World Series time; we know of several
other business deals (big and small) that are
"stalled" because MLB officials are focused on
other things at the moment. (It's worse now
because Jerry Reinsdorf, the owner of the Chicago
White Sox, has a team in the ALCS, and he's lead
negotiator for MLB on a D.C. lease.) Jaffe also
faults MLB for wanting the best lease possible.
Welcome to the world of baseball business, Harry.
Special session
a slim possibility
Posted October 14, 2005
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The
chances of the Minnesota Legislature meeting in
special session are still slim, and the chances of
the House and the Senate discussing approval of a
local sales tax to partially fund a new ballpark
for the Minnesota Twins appears to be even
slimmer. The topic most legislators agree upon is
approval of state funding for a new University of
Minnesota Golden Gophers stadium; past that,
there's partial support for a Twins ballpark, but
we're hearing Republican leaders are overstating
the opposition to a local sales tax so the caucus
can protect vulnerable suburban legislators
seeking reelection next year. (Requires
subscription.)
RELATED STORIES:
Minnesota stadium special session looks doomed;
Minnesota special session may not include Twins
ballpark;
Twins: Ballpark costs to rise $30 million if
approval is delayed;
Stadium proposals jostle for support in Minnesota;
Minnesota governor to jump-start Twins ballpark
discussions with legislative leaders;
Key legislator backs special session to address
Minnesota stadium issues;
Twins ballpark may slip this year;
Minneapolis Greens hope ballpark issue helps them
in primary;
Legislative session to decide fate of Twins
ballpark back on track;
Will special session be called to pass Twins
ballpark legislations? Odds seem to be dropping;
State needs fall special session;
Twins ballpark stall raises costs;
State approval for Twins ballpark may wait until
fall;
Best-kept secret about the Minnesota ballpark;
Possible Twins site has new life;
Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota;
Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share;
Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote;
Big fans of a Twins move;
Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan;
Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative
leaders;
Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins
ballpark;
Few want to pay for Twins ballpark;
Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark
funding;
Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark
funding;
Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement
on ballpark funding;
Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location;
What's up with a Twins ballpark?;
House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums;
Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy;
Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans;
Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan;
Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first
City Walk out
for Frontier League team
Posted October 14, 2005
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As
we reported yesterday, the developers of a new
multiuse project in Lee's Summit, Mo., are
dropping a new ballpark and plans for an
independent Frontier League team from the project
-- at least the first phase. We've heard the group
seeking a team for Lee's Summit is now talking
with another independent league about a new
ballpark. Meanwhile, the development firm says
they'll place a Frontier League team at a ballpark
to be located near Longview Community College.
(Requires subscription.)
Official:
Patience running thin on York ballpark debate
Posted October 14, 2005
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The
issue in York, Pa., is simple: the city council
wants to have final say over the lease between the
city and Keystone Baseball on a new ballpark,
while the York County Economic Development Corp.
does not want to cede that authority. City
residents were on hand to speak out against the
deal, which is fairly interesting considering the
state is putting up relatively little of the
construction funds.
Noise, lights,
parking costs raised at North Little Rock ballpark
meeting
Posted October 14, 2005
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Parking,
lighting and noise are some of the concerns
downtown residents and Arkansas Travelers (Class
AA; Texas League) season ticket holders raised
Thursday about the team’s new ballpark in North
Little Rock during a meeting on the stadium’s
design. Construction is to start the second week
of January on the taxpayer-funded $28 million
ballpark just east of the Broadway Bridge in North
Little Rock, city officials said during the public
comment session. Some residents pointed out the
lack of free parking in the area, which is a
negative for retirees on a fixed income.
(Requires subscription.)
Baseball Notes
Posted October 14, 2005
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Binghamton
Mets GM Scott Brown has been named the
2005 Eastern League Executive of the Year.
Brown led the Binghamton organization to one of
their most successful seasons in recent memory.
The 2005 season was Scott’s first year as the
General Manager of the B-Mets after spending eight
of the franchise’s first 13 seasons as the
Assistant General Manager. Under Scott’s guidance
this season the Binghamton franchise welcomed
222,243 fans through the gates at NYSEG Stadium,
the third-highest attendance total in franchise
history.....The new South Coast League
announced the hirings of Nick Basso,
Chris Deines, Matt Krantz, Chuck
Roberts and Omar Roque, who will
be working out of the league office in Bluffton,
S.C. effective immediately. Basso joins the staff
of the South Coast League as coordinator of
baseball operations. Nick comes to the South Coast
League having worked for two years in affiliated
minor league baseball. Deines has been named
director of information technologies; he comes to
The South Coast league after two seasons with a
franchise in the Carolina League. Krantz joins the
South Coast League as the director of business
development after a two-year stint with a Carolina
League franchise, the second as director of group
sales. Roberts comes to the South Coast League
after one year in the Carolina League as director
of operations/merchandise and has been named
coordinator of professional and amateur scouting.
Roque comes to the South Coast League after two
seasons as assistant GM of the Greeneville Astros
(rookiel Appalachian League). He has been named
director of public and media relations for the
league office.....Bob McClure is the new
pitching coach of the Kansas City Royals....
Texas sells
naming rights to Disch-Falk Field; plans major
renovation
Posted October 13, 2005
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Officials
of the University of Texas and University Federal
Credit Union agreed on a plan for UFCU to buy
naming rights to Disch-Falk Field, the home of the
six-time national champion Texas Longhorns
baseball team. Under the terms approved today by
the UT Board of Regents, the ballpark will be
renamed UFCU Disch-Falk Field on August 1, 2006.
The ballpark honors legendary Longhorns baseball
coaches Billy Disch and Bibb Falk. UT Men's
Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds also announced a
plan for major renovations to the 30-year-old
facility, including a new ballpark structure,
additional seats (including club seating and
possible suites), a remodeled concourse complete
with improved concessions, restrooms and team
store, new locker rooms, training facilities and
batting cages, an expanded press box and new sound
system. Dodds added that an architectural firm and
construction manager should be selected by the end
of the year and construction should begin after
the 2006 college baseball season. More from the
Austin American-Statesman
and
the Daily Texan.
Colts to return
with new league
Posted October 13, 2005
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It's
official: The San Angelos Colts are moving from
the independent Central Baseball League to the new
United League.
As we reported yesterday, Brad Wendt is buying
the ballpark and the team, shifting the Colts to
the United League. San Angelo is the fourth team
to enter the league, joining Amarillo, Edinburg
and Harlingen, all of whom are former Central
League members. Two more cities are expected to
join soon, and the league could have as many as
eight teams by the start of the 2006 season.
Questions arise
about Lee's Summit ballpark development
Posted October 13, 2005
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There's
a minor brouhaha about a letter included by
Jackson County Sports Authority Chairman Mike
Smith in his group's bid for a state development
grant for a complex in Lee's Summit, Missouri (a
suburban area near Kansas City), that at one point
included a minor-league ballpark. Frontier League
Commissioner Bill Lee says a letter purporting to
be from him is not authentic; Smith says the
letter was dictated by Lee. Lee probably has
reason to complain, as his league isn't involved
with the Lee's Summit project any longer; we've
heard the Lee's Summit folks have made preliminary
contact with another independent league -- one
whose name would be very familiar to generations
of baseball fans in Kansas City -- and discussed
adding a ballpark during a secondary phase of
development.
League receives
new name
Posted October 13, 2005
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More
information on the American Association, the new
independent league anchored by the Lincoln
Saltdogs, St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers
and Sioux Falls Canaries. Mike Veeck, a co-owner
of the Saints and an investor in the Canaries,
says the league will be at 10 teams before the
beginning of the 2006 season; since there are no
plans to move into former Northern League cities
like Madison or Duluth, the logical assumption is
that some sort of agreement will be reached with
the remaining members of the independent Central
League. There's nothing new regarding the Northern
League's assertion it has rights to ballpark
leases in Sioux Falls and Sioux City; you can
expect some sort of resolution next week. More
from the
Sioux Falls Journal and
the
Lincoln Journal-Star.
RELATED STORIES:
New for 2006: the American Association of
Independent Professional Baseball;
Northern League looking at Sioux Falls lease;
New battles between Northern League, four
defectors;
Sioux
City leaves Northern League, joins three other
defectors; NL seeks Twin Cities team;
Saints to leave Northern League
Scandal reverberations ripple to Twins, Gophers
Posted October 13, 2005
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Though
the chances of a special session to address the
ballpark needs of the Minnesota Twins had faded
fast the last few days, allegations of a Minnesota
Vikings sex party involving hookers and public
nudity probably killed public sentiment for
support of sports teams. Normally we welcome
stories about hookers and blow, but Twins
officials admit this will be the final nail in the
coffin of a special session this year. It may also
put off any decisions regarding a new Twins
ballpark until 2007: next year both the Minnesota
House and Senate are up for election, and there
are plenty of nervous Republican legislators want
nothing more than to avoid a public vote on
ballpark financing.
RELATED STORIES:
Minnesota stadium special session looks doomed;
Minnesota special session may not include Twins
ballpark;
Twins: Ballpark costs to rise $30 million if
approval is delayed;
Stadium proposals jostle for support in Minnesota;
Minnesota governor to jump-start Twins ballpark
discussions with legislative leaders;
Key legislator backs special session to address
Minnesota stadium issues;
Twins ballpark may slip this year;
Minneapolis Greens hope ballpark issue helps them
in primary;
Legislative session to decide fate of Twins
ballpark back on track;
Will special session be called to pass Twins
ballpark legislations? Odds seem to be dropping;
State needs fall special session;
Twins ballpark stall raises costs;
State approval for Twins ballpark may wait until
fall;
Best-kept secret about the Minnesota ballpark;
Possible Twins site has new life;
Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota;
Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share;
Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote;
Big fans of a Twins move;
Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan;
Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative
leaders;
Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins
ballpark;
Few want to pay for Twins ballpark;
Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark
funding;
Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark
funding;
Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement
on ballpark funding;
Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location;
What's up with a Twins ballpark?;
House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums;
Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy;
Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans;
Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan;
Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first
Navs, Stadium
Authority at odds over stadium funding
Posted October 13, 2005
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The
Norwich Navigators (Class AA; Eastern League) and
the Norwich Baseball Stadium Authority are
disagreeing over the funding source for a new
$100,000 scoreboard for Dodd Stadium. The
Navigators expected a state grant to pay for the
scoreboard, but the authority thought ad sales on
the scoreboard would pay for half the cost.
The team also expects to unveil the new franchise
moniker next Monday.
Mud Hens,
Tigers extend affiliation pact to 2008
Posted October 13, 2005
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The
Toledo Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers extended their
affiliation pact through the 2008 season. This
extends the affiliation between these two historic
franchises that began in 1987. The Toledo Mud Hens
are coming off one of their best seasons of all
time. Toledo won the International League West
Division with an 89-55 record and won the
Governors' Cup for the first time since 1967. The
Mud Hens also broke a three-year-old attendance
record by attracting 556,995 fans during the
regular season (Toledo drew an additional 36,042
fans in five post-season games).
Help us and
we'll help you, FSU says
Posted October 13, 2005
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There
have been rumblings about minor-league baseball
coming to Tallahassee; here's some small
information about what the city would like to do:
the city would like to build a new minor-league
ballpark on Gaines Street, where the FSU
intramural fields are currently located.
State College must refocus
after securing a franchise
Posted October 13, 2005
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Here's
some unsolicited advice to the new owners of a
short-season NY-Penn League team, as the New
Jersey Cardinals are moving to State College for
next season. There's been more work on the
marketing and financial front than is assumed
here, and if the ballpark is as nice as the
renderings indicate, there might be more repeat
visitors to the ballpark than is assumed here as
well.
Lehigh County
has a good ballpark deal if final details can be
completed in time
Posted October 13, 2005
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The
day after Joe Finley and Craig Stein reached a
final lease agreement for an Allentown ballpark,
reality sets in as the local newspaper realized
how much work there is left to do. Some of the
work is probably more advanced than the newspaper
realizes, like acquiring the Ottawa Lynx (Class
AAA; International League), especially when
another party is set to be majority owner; other
parts are merely detail work, like closing with
Agere for the property. But it's time for Lehigh
Valley baseball fans to celebrate: the hardest
work appears to be done. The ballpark was a hot
topic at Wednesday night's meeting of the Lehigh
County commissioners:
all seemed pleased with the deal in place.
More from the Express-Times.
RELATED STORIES:
Baseball bunch, Lehigh County announce ballpark
lease deal
Baseball Notes
Posted October 13, 2005
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The
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx announced the
promotion of Dave Jojola to assistant
general manager. Jojola has served as the director
of advertising and group sales for the Diamond
Jaxx the past three seasons. Previous to his work
with West Tenn, Jojola served as assistant general
manager of the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class
A; California League) and the director of
corporate marketing for the Portland Beavers
(Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) and the
Portland Timbers soccer team....Andy
Crossley is the new GM of the Brockton Rox
(independent; Can-Am League)....Sam Perlozzo
signed a three-year deal as manager of the
Baltimore Orioles....
New for 2006:
the American Association of Independent
Professional Baseball
Posted October 12, 2005
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The
four defectors from the independent Northern
League announced a name for their new league: the
American Association of Independent Professional
Baseball. The original American Association ran
from 1902-1962 (beginning life as an independent
league, incidentally) and then again in 1969-1997.
The St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers, Sioux
Falls Canaries and Lincoln Saltdogs are expected
to be joined by additional teams in the new
venture. This will be St. Paul’s second foray into
the American Association. From 1902-60, the
original St. Paul Apostles (who changed their name
to Saints in 1915) served as a farm team for the
Cardinals, Yankees and Dodgers in the AA. The
franchise moved to Omaha when the Minnesota Twins
joined the American League in 1961. There's also a
personal connection for Veeck: his father Bill
Veeck, owned the Milwaukee Brewers of the original
American Association. The new league will commence
play in 2006, and you can expect more
announcements as league officials expect up to six
more team joining the American Association. Miles Wolff, one of the founders of
the new Northern League, has been asked to be
commissioner of the new league.
Baseball bunch,
Lehigh County announce ballpark lease deal
Posted October 12, 2005
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More
on the lease agreement -- and resulting
celebration -- between owners Joe Finley and Craig
Stein and Lehigh County for a new Allentown
ballpark. Stein and Finley's corporation, Gracie
Baseball L.P. (named after Finley's daughter) will
lease the county-owned $34.3-million ballpark for
$700,000 a year for 20 years. Annual rent payments
drop to $350,000 for the agreement's final nine
years. Lease payments and a percentage of the
hotel tax will pay off county construction bonds.
Gracie Baseball will also contribute annually to a
capital fund for ballpark repairs. Finley and
Stein also confirmed a Class AAA International
League team will be moving to the ballpark, but
declined to name the franchise; it's widely
assumed to be the Ottawa Lynx.
More from the Morning Call.
Offensive
renewed for downtown KC ballpark
Posted October 12, 2005
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More
on the proposal by the Downtown Council to build a
new ballpark for the Kansas City Royals, replacing
Kauffman Stadium.
Really,
the plan is simple: take the proceeds of a new
countywide tax scheduled for a 2006 vote and spend
them on a new downtown Royals ballpark, not a
refurbishment of Arrowhead Stadium. (The plan
would also augment that revenue with some other
smaller revenue sources, like a tax on players.)
The Royals' reaction: they'd rather see a $245
million renovation of
Kauffman Stadium (which doesn't
appear to be on the table at the moment) but would
consider a downtown ballpark. More from the
Topeka Capital-Journal.
Mike Hendricks isn't impressed with the proposal.
RELATED STORIES:
Analyst proposes $357M downtown KC ballpark;
Downtown Council shapes plan for new KC ballpark;
Residents point out KC stadium benefits;
Lend downtown KC ballpark boosters an ear at
‘listening tour’;
Kansas City negotiator fired after comments;
KC stadium finance tilts toward Chiefs
Northern League
looking at Sioux Falls lease
Posted October 12, 2005
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More
on the move by the independent Northern League to
take over the ballpark lease in Sioux Falls. The
following clause in the lease between the Sioux
Falls Canaries and the city reads as follows:
"If the club ceases to be a member of the Northern
League, this agreement may be assigned to the
Northern League upon request of the Northern
League, which it may reassign to another member."
(There's also another provision in the lease
suggesting the Canaries would need to consent to
this reassignment.) This would certainly give the city the power to
terminate the Canaries' lease, but does not compel
them to do so; as the Sioux Falls city manager
says, the city has all the power, and it's hard to
imagine the city would terminate relations with a
good tenant in favor of a league with no local
ownership ties. (Another fact that may sway Sioux
Falls leaders: the Canaries contributed $750,000
to the renovation of Sioux Falls Stadium; the
Northern League contributed nothing.) Mike Veeck
will be holding press conferences this afternoon
in Sioux Falls and Sioux City to address this
issue and discuss plans for a new league, although
we've heard the names of the other cities joining
the new league probably won't be announced today.
Meanwhile, city officials have scheduled meetings
Thursday with the Canaries and Sunday with
Northern League officials.
More from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
RELATED STORIES:
New battles between Northern League, four
defectors;
Sioux
City leaves Northern League, joins three other
defectors; NL seeks Twin Cities team;
Saints to leave Northern League
D.C. Council
seeks to revisit ballpark deal
Posted October 12, 2005
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The
D.C. Council reopened debate yesterday over the
financing and location of a ballpark for the
Washington Nationals, prompting fears from some
city officials that the timetable could be set
back on the high-stakes project. Two elements of
the deal were up for debate: some members want to
review the agreement with Deutsche Bank that
trades revenue streams at the new ballpark for
$245 million in upfront financing, while Linda
Cropp -- who is running for mayor -- renewed her
plea to place the ballpark at the current RFK
Stadium site, potentially saving $200 million. In
theory, the ballpark should be completing in time
for the 2008 season, but any delays now could push
the opening back a season.
RELATED STORIES:
Nationals more profitable than budgeted; D.C. will
earn less, though;
MLB sets price tag of $450 million for Nats;
As ballpark clock ticks, D.C. officials bicker;
D.C. lease progress is slow;
MLB is thinking locally for Nats;
Nats sale could come quickly now that lease is
done;
MLB likely to pick Nats owner soon;
MLB owners eager to sell Nationals, soon;
Nationals' sale mixes sports, politics;
D.C. ballpark architect has towering test;
Judge dismisses suit against D.C. ballpark;
Cropp still talking private financing for D.C.
ballpark;
D.C. Council members push bid of Nats suitor
Ledecky;
Nationals at RFK Stadium is summer's hottest
ticket;
Problems at RFK typical of District;
Washington's team is political football;
Issues continue to build at RFK;
Plans to build ballpark in D.C. receive a boost
from Supreme Court;
Businesses resist as D.C. collects on ballpark fee;
D.C. ballpark deal calls for union workers;
Is D.C. private financing finally dead?
Finalists for Nats ownership due soon;
Private ballpark funding lacking in D.C.;
Gandhi defends ballpark figures;
Ballpark financing plan goes to D.C. Council
Stingers sign
10-year lease with Franklin Covey
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The
Salt Lake Stingers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast
League) signed a 10-year lease at Franklin Covey
Field,
ending speculation that new team owner Larry
Miller would seek another ballpark in the Salt
Lake City area. for the first time since the
team started playing at the ballpark in the 1990s,
the lease also says the team cannot move anywhere
else in Salt Lake County. If the team tries to
move outside the county, the city would have a
first shot at buying the team. The lease drop from
$300,000 a year to $7,500, but the Stingers will
assume all maintenance costs -- which have been
more than $300,000 in recent years.
Fremont swings
for the fences with A's bid
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The
Fremont City Council Tuesday night unanimously
agreed to study the possibility of making a
proposal to bring the Oakland A's to Fremont.
The city will hire a consultant to look at
potential sites, costs and economic benefits. The
study also will analyze any impacts on neighboring
businesses and residential communities, and
explore the possibility of building a regional
sports complex in town. The study will cost
between $30,000 and $50,000, and it could take
three months or more to complete. It doesn't sound
like Fremont plans to directly compete for the
A's; rather, the city wants to be in position to
lure the team should a plan to build a new
ballpark near the current McAfee Coliseum site
falls through.
RELATED STORIES:
Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark;
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allies, public funds;
Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions;
Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near
Coliseum;
A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep
team in Oakland;
Have A's settled on new ballpark site?;
Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine;
A's think small with stadium plans;
Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's;
A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible;
Athletics announce committee
to plan new Oakland ballpark;
Another San Jose site eyed
for baseball;
The time has come for new
A's ballpark;
No specifics on new Oakland
ballpark, but plans in the works;
San Jose quits discussions
on cannery;
Wolff about to take over;
Going to bat for A's is big
opportunity for San Jose mayor;
Wolff: A's ballpark already
in works;
Deal near for San Jose
cannery site;
For A's, way to San Jose
paved with uncertainty;
San Jose baseball crusader
makes his pitch;
A's sale could happen
quickly;
Sale of A's to heighten San
Jose intrigue;
BART to the ballpark, what a
vision;
Another San Jose pitch for
baseball;
San Jose mayor makes his
pitch;
Q&A with A's new owner Lew
Wolff
Mavericks owner
strikes out with former employees, players
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The
locals are surprised that Gary Wendt closed up
Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier
League) operations in Columbia, Mo., but as we
reported here, Wendt is involved in the new
independent United League and focusing his
energies there.
He is setting up shop in Edinburg and is launching
the Edinburg team in the new United League; he's
already offered jobs to a few former Edinburg
Roadrunners (independent; Central League)
employees. His brother, Brad Wendt, is purchasing
the San Angelo ballpark and the San Angelo Colts
from Harlan Bruha; the Colts will also be part of
the new United Baseball League.
This articles says Wendt has talked to South Bend
and Topeka officials about moving the Mavericks
there, but we've heard any discussions with Topeka
were regarding the United League.
At 15, 'the
Cell' morphs into baseball palace
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U.S.
Cellular Field, which was reviled after
opening in 1991, is getting some new respect as
the American League Championship Series opens at
the home of the Chicago White Sox. You've got to
give White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and the Sox
front office credit: they listened to complaints
about the ballpark (the steep upper deck, the
sterile look of the park) and made a ton of
changes to the ballpark in the next few years --
and financed the whole thing with the sale of
naming rights. (For all you conspiracy buffs out
there: note it's the Chicago Tribune saying nice
things about the Cell.)
Hearing on San
Diego Ballpark Village delayed by week
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A
San Diego City Council hearing concerning the
future of the Ballpark Village surrounding
Petco Park was
delayed until next Tuesday.
The complex deal involves a 1.2
million-square-foot transfer of development rights
from Petco Park, grants of public land on the
7-acre site and obligations for affordable
housing; JMI (the development arm of Padres owner
John Moores) wants to eliminate low-income condos
from the development and instead donate money
toward affordable housing elsewhere in the city.
RELATED STORIES:
New San Diego Ballpark Village deal rejected;
Reject Ballpark Village, downtown group advises;
Council urged to reject change in San Diego
Ballpark Village master plan;
San Diego Ballpark Village proposal takes
surprising turn;
Padres eager to break ground on Ballpark Village
NY-Penn League
will realign for 2006; will not add games
Posted October 12, 2005
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The
short-season NY-Penn League will be slightly
realigned for the 2006 season after the New Jersey
Cardinals receive official approval for a State
College move:
the league's McNamara Division will include the
Hudson Valley Renegades, the Aberdeen IronBirds,
the Staten Island Yankees and the Brooklyn
Cyclones, while two former McNamara Division
teams, the Williamsport Crosscutters and new State
College team, will move to the Pinckney Division.
League officials also announced that the 2006
schedule will remain at 76 games, with play
beginning on June 20. Apparently there's a little
less support for a grand realignment of lower
minor leagues than some assumed; baseball owners
may address a proposal to dump the Arizona and
Gulf Coast leagues in November, but the numbers
didn't quite yield the savings proponents first
promised.
RELATED STORIES:
New San Diego Ballpark Village deal rejected;
Reject Ballpark Village, downtown group advises;
Council urged to reject change in San Diego
Ballpark Village master plan;
San Diego Ballpark Village proposal takes
surprising turn;
Padres eager to break ground on Ballpark Village
Big things
promised as Tourists sale inked
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The
sale of the Asheville Tourists (Class A; Sally
League) to Palace Sports & Entertainment was
finalized this week, and PS&E COO Sean Henry was
at McCormick Field
to introduce himself to the press and present some
ideas of what the team
would like to see done with the ballpark. Nothing
big, really: on Henry's list is a new fence, an
upgraded sound system expanded to the outer
concourse, and a play area down the left-field
line.
Baseball Notes
Posted October 12, 2005
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Fort
Worth Cats (independent; Central League)
manager Wayne Terwilliger, who led the team
to the 2005 Central League championship, has
decided to retire after more than five decades in
the game. He was named the Central League’s 2005
Manager of the Year after leading the Cats to a
franchise-best 60 wins. The team won both halves
of the season and eventually defeated San
Angelo in five games in the championship
series to win the team’s first CBL title. On June
27, Terwilliger turned 80-years-old and joined the
legendary Connie Mack as the only two
80-year-old managers in baseball history. When he
took over the Cats in 2003, he became the oldest
skipper in minor-league history....Clearwater
Threshers General Manager John Timberlake
was named executive of the year award by the
Class A Florida State League. He previously
was named FSL executive of the year in 1990....Jim
tracy is the new manager of the Pittsburgh
Pirates....Toledo Mud Hens General
Manager Joe Napoli has been named the 2005
International League Executive of the Year.
Analyst
proposes $357M downtown KC ballpark
Posted October 11, 2005
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Dan
Barrett, principal of Barrett Sports Group LLC,
unveiled a financing package today that would both
renovate Arrowhead Stadium and build a $357
million downtown ballpark to replace
Kauffman Stadium, the
home of the Kansas City Royals.
The downtown stadium would be financed in part
with about $202 million in bonds repaid with half
of the proceeds of a three-eighths-cent sales tax
assessed in Jackson County alone for 30 years. The
package also requires Royals owner David Glass to
provide $41 million for construction costs. No one
from the Royals was available for comment.
RELATED STORIES:
Downtown Council shapes plan for new KC ballpark;
Residents point out KC stadium benefits;
Lend downtown KC ballpark boosters an ear at
‘listening tour’;
Kansas City negotiator fired after comments;
KC stadium finance tilts toward Chiefs
Ballpark Visit: Rogers
Centre,
Toronto Blue Jays
Posted October 11, 2005
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In
many ways Rogers Centre was a groundbreaking
ballpark, correctly anticipating the trends that
would resonate with baseball fans: retractable
roof to let in and keep out the elements when
appropriate; multiple restaurants overlooking the
field; and a downtown location to add a layer of
sophistication to the proceedings. In many ways
SkyDome (as it was known as then) was ahead of its
time when built; too bad the engineers creating
this marvel didn't add the human touch -- an
omission the Blue Jays are still working to
address.
Minnesota
stadium special session looks doomed
Posted October 11, 2005
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A
special session of the Minnesota Legislature to
address state stadium issues appears to be dead
after an influential legislator, House Majority
Leader Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie), told Gov.
Tim Pawlenty there was no appetite in his caucus
for a special session. The original plan was to
debate stadium proposals for the University of
Minnesota Golden Gophers football team (to be
funded with state funds) and the Minnesota Twins
(to be funded with a Hennepin County sales tax).
Paulsen is looking out for suburban members of his
caucus, who are nervous about their reelection
campaigns (the western suburbs of the Twin Cities
are not as reliably Republican as they once were)
and would rather not be on record supporting or
opposing these facilities.
(Requires registration.)
RELATED STORIES:
Minnesota special session may not include Twins
ballpark;
Twins: Ballpark costs to rise $30 million if
approval is delayed;
Stadium proposals jostle for support in Minnesota;
Minnesota governor to jump-start Twins ballpark
discussions with legislative leaders;
Key legislator backs special session to address
Minnesota stadium issues;
Twins ballpark may slip this year;
Minneapolis Greens hope ballpark issue helps them
in primary;
Legislative session to decide fate of Twins
ballpark back on track;
Will special session be called to pass Twins
ballpark legislations? Odds seem to be dropping;
State needs fall special session;
Twins ballpark stall raises costs;
State approval for Twins ballpark may wait until
fall;
Best-kept secret about the Minnesota ballpark;
Possible Twins site has new life;
Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota;
Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share;
Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote;
Big fans of a Twins move;
Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan;
Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative
leaders;
Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins
ballpark;
Few want to pay for Twins ballpark;
Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark
funding;
Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark
funding;
Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement
on ballpark funding;
Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location;
What's up with a Twins ballpark?;
House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums;
Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy;
Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans;
Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan;
Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first
Fremont will
consider a pitch for A's
Posted October 11, 2005
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Fremont
(Cal.) officials are considering a bid for
a new Oakland
A's ballpark
should the current proposal by the team for a new
facility near the
McAfee
Coliseum fall through. Tonight the Fremont
City Council will decide whether to hire a
consultant to determine the economic feasibility
of a Fremont ballpark. There have been reports
that Oakland managing partner Lew Wolff has found
it hard to generate a lot of enthusiasm within
Oakland for the proposed development, which calls
for a ballpark surrounded by housing and office
space. Fremont officials like the idea of a
mixed-use development and want to be in place
should the Oakland proposal collapses.
RELATED STORIES:
Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark;
Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win
allies, public funds;
Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions;
Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near
Coliseum;
A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep
team in Oakland;
Have A's settled on new ballpark site?;
Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine;
A's think small with stadium plans;
Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's;
A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible;
Athletics announce committee
to plan new Oakland ballpark;
Another San Jose site eyed
for baseball;
The time has come for new
A's ballpark;
No specifics on new Oakland
ballpark, but plans in the works;
San Jose quits discussions
on cannery;
Wolff about to take over;
Going to bat for A's is big
opportunity for San Jose mayor;
Wolff: A's ballpark already
in works;
Deal near for San Jose
cannery site;
For A's, way to San Jose
paved with uncertainty;
San Jose baseball crusader
makes his pitch;
A's sale could happen
quickly;
Sale of A's to heighten San
Jose intrigue;
BART to the ballpark, what a
vision;
Another San Jose pitch for
baseball;
San Jose mayor makes his
pitch;
Q&A with A's new owner Lew
Wolff
Lease for Allentown ballpark
now in place
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Lehigh
County officials on Monday announced an agreement
with baseball entrepreneurs Craig Stein and Joe
Finley on the ownership and operation of a minor
league baseball stadium for a Class AAA
International League team in Allentown. Under the
agreement, Stein and Finley will lease the stadium
for 29 years at an annual cost of $700,000 for 20
years or until the stadium's construction loans
are paid off and $350,000 each year thereafter.
Stein and Finley will also pay into a capital
reserve fund the county will use to repair and
improve the stadium. The total cost of the stadium
project is estimated at $34.3 million. It's widely
expected the Ottawa Lynx will be sold and moved to
the new ballpark when it is completed.
York ballpark owners commit
to 20-year tax plan
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Owners
of a new ballpark planned for York, Pa., would pay
the city, county and school district $100,000 a
year for 20 years under a proposal made Monday
night to the York City School Board. The figure
represents nearly twice what the three governments
collect in property taxes currently. Under the
plan, the school district would receive $60,800 a
year, the city would get $29,400 and the county
would see $9,800 from the nonprofit York County
Economic Development Corp.
RELATED STORIES:
York ballpark vote delayed;
York ballpark design to honor Brooks Robinson;
York ballpark decision on the way;
Creating a ballpark wish list in York;
York homes' cost
tops estimate;
York hires ballpark consultant;
York mayor wants more revenue from new ballpark;
Plans to address York ballpark impact;
Ballpark questions fielded in York;
$8 million bond approved for York ballpark;
Property takeovers for York ballpark debated;
Mayor says York ballpark plan is grand slam;
Ballpark could be key for York;
York ballpark planning goes extra innings;
The race is on for York baseball
Lugnuts get new pact in 5-3
vote
Posted October 11, 2005
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The
Lansing City Council approved a new lease with the
Lansing Lugnuts (Class A; Midwest League) that
will keep the team at
Oldsmobile Park through 2020. The city's old
contract with the Lugnuts was slated to expire
after the 2010 season. Under the new deal, city
officials expect to receive about $475,081 in
revenue from the team this year. But the city will
get $125,000 less in revenue each year from
2007-2009 and about $225,000 less annually from
2010-2020.
More from WLNS.
RELATED STORIES:
City shouldn't cave to Lugnuts;
Tom Dickson and Sherrie Myers: Lansing, Lugnuts
should continue great partnership;
Lugnuts can be replaced, some say;
Retailers hoping Lugnuts will stay downtown
Forest district gains from
Cougars
Posted October 11, 2005
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The
Kane County Cougars (Class A; Midwest League)
returned more than $730,000 in profits to the
public coffers, according to a report filed Friday
with the Forest Preserve District. The Cougars
drew more than 518,000 fans in 2005, and the team
generated $7,928,464 in total revenue in 2005, up
from $7,602,122 last year. A $127,552 falloff in
revenue from ticket sales was offset by increased
revenue from concessions, souvenirs and
advertising for a return to the Forest Preserve
District of $734,277, or $26,107 more than what
was returned in 2004. Under the 10-year contract
the Cougars signed in 2001, the district receives
8 percent of total revenue from baseball
operations and is paid a guaranteed $100,000
annually in parking revenue.
Matthews not ready to hang
it up despite grind of losing
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Denny
Matthews, the longtime voice of the Kansas City
Royals, says he'll be back next season, but isn't
committing to anything past that. One trial
balloon was floated here: Matthews says he
wouldn't mind a schedule where he calls only home
games and a few road series (the Dodgers do this
with Vin Scully and the Twins do this with Herb
Carneal).
The right question in
Minnesota ballpark debate
Posted October 11, 2005
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I'm
guessing if we troll the archives of the St. Paul
Pioneer Press editorial pages we'll see some sharp
words condemning the economic benefits of building
a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins; after all,
the mantra for ballpark opponents is that they
rarely (if ever) provide an economic benefit. Yet
here the Pioneer Press endorses the idea of a
downtown St. Paul ballpark because it could
provide an economic impact in the same way Xcel
Energy Center did.
The Twins and most observers were stunned when
Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a St. Paul location;
we're sure it's because he wants to kill the
proposal while appearing to support it..
Baseball Notes
Posted October 11, 2005
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The
Evansville Otters (independent; Frontier
League) announced the promotion of Liam Miller
to assistant general manager and Joel Padfield
to director of sales. Miller, a graduate of
Indiana State University, joined the Otters in
February 2004, after having spent the previous
four seasons working for
the Oakland Athletics. Padfield has been with the
Otters since May, 2003, and is a graduate of
Central High School and Ball State State
University....The Midwest League announced
its 2005 awards: the Peoria Chiefs won the
Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy; the
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won the John H.
Johnson President's Trophy; Laurie Schill
of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won the
Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year; and
Dave Walker of the Burlington Bees
was named Midwest League Executive of the Year....Josh
Buchholz is the new general manager of the
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (independent; Northern
League). He's served the club in various
capacities since the team's inception 10 years
ago....Ed Wade is out as GM of the
Philadelphia Phillies....Jim Beattie is
no longer executive vice president of the
Baltimore Orioles....
New battles
between Northern League, four defectors
Posted October 10, 2005
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Despite
statements from independent Northern League
Commissioner Mike Stone about wanting amicable
relationships between the league and four
defecting teams (St. Paul, Sioux City, Sioux
Falls, Lincoln), things have taken on a nastier
tone after Stone told several journalists,
including those from the Winnipeg Free Press
(sorry, no link -- it's a subscription-only Web
site), that the league had a legal right to take
over the leases at the St. Paul, Sioux City, Sioux
Falls and Lincoln. While this statement doesn't
appear to be grounded in any reality -- the
individual team corporate entities hold the leases
-- the disinformation provided by Stone may
backfire as the league struggled to come up with a
workable 2006 schedule. Because of the vast
territory the league covers (from Gary, Ind., to
Edmonton), the league attempted an unbalanced
schedule with eight teams and couldn't come up
with anything better than Fargo-Moorhead playing
Edmonton more than 20 times. The league is now
looking at a 10-team lineup and initially sought
alternative venues in defector cities, but the
strategy now seems to be playing hardball and
trying to assume existing leases. In any case,
look for the tone to get nastier in the next month
as Northern League officials will probably reject
an overture from defector cities to play a series
or two each season to balance out the schedule.
You can also look for some battles within existing
Northern League markets: representatives from
Lee's Summit, which is seeking to bring pro
baseball to that Kansas City suburb (and had
previously talked with the independent Frontier
League) met with representatives from the new
independent league over the weekend.
RELATED STORIES:
Sioux
City leaves Northern League, joins three other
defectors; NL seeks Twin Cities team;
Saints to leave Northern League
Ballpark Visit: Petco Park,
San Diego Padres
Posted October 10, 2005
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Despite
some initial legal and political setbacks, San
Diego's Petco Park ended up being a welcome
addition to the world of big-league ballparks when
it opened in 2004. Besides being cheap-seat
nirvana (the beach-side bleachers are only $8,
while really good seats can be found at $12), the
ballpark is interesting on many levels:
ultimately, Petco Park manages to accomplish the
rare feat of catering not only to the fan focused
entirely on the game, but also the visitor
interested in the overall experience.
National Sports
Service looks to add second team in Denver
Posted October 10, 2005
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National
Sports Service, which has been working on a new
ballpark in Aurora, Col., is also looking at a new
ballpark in Jefferson County as well. Placing two
teams in the same large metro area makes
logistical sense for NSS: you can run both and use
the same expertise to launch both franchises as
well. We're not entirely sure the Central League
is the best place for these teams:
there's
a long
history
between Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Lincoln, St. Paul
and Denver when it comes to baseball, add Topeka
and a Kansas City-based team to the mix and you
have a league.
Nationals more
profitable than budgeted; D.C. will earn less,
though
Posted October 10, 2005
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The
Washington Nationals exceeded expectations by
selling 2.7 million tickets in their inaugural
season and will earn a $25-million profit, about
$5 million more than the team projected at
midseason, team officials said. However, because
fewer people actually showed up to games at RFK
Stadium than anticipated, the District of Columbia
will earn less than the $10.5 million expected,
potentially running a shortfall of $500,000 from
revenue generated by sales of tickets, parking,
concessions and merchandise. Nationals officials
said that though an average of 33,728 fans bought
tickets to each game, more than 25 percent did not
attend -- a pretty frank statement, considering
these sorts of figures are zealously guarded by
MLB officials.
RELATED STORIES:
MLB sets price tag of $450 million for Nats;
As ballpark clock ticks, D.C. officials bicker;
D.C. lease progress is slow;
MLB is thinking locally for Nats;
Nats sale could come quickly now that lease is
done;
MLB likely to pick Nats owner soon;
MLB owners eager to sell Nationals, soon;
Nationals' sale mixes sports, politics;
D.C. ballpark architect has towering test;
Judge dismisses suit against D.C. ballpark;
Cropp still talking private financing for D.C.
ballpark;
D.C. Council members push bid of Nats suitor
Ledecky;
Nationals at RFK Stadium is summer's hottest
ticket;
Problems at RFK typical of District;
Washington's team is political football;
Issues continue to build at RFK;
Plans to build ballpark in D.C. receive a boost
from Supreme Court;
Businesses resist as D.C. collects on ballpark fee;
D.C. ballpark deal calls for union workers;
Is D.C. private financing finally dead?
Finalists for Nats ownership due soon;
Private ballpark funding lacking in D.C.;
Gandhi defends ballpark figures;
Ballpark financing plan goes to D.C. Council
Eugene
contemplates Civic Stadium's future
Posted October 10, 2005
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Eugene
officials are debating the future of Civic
Stadium, the home of the Eugene Emeralds (short
season; Northwest League). Built in 1938, Civic
Stadium didn't begin life as a professional
baseball venue (it was designed as a WPA project
to house school football and baseball teams), but
when Eugene landed a Class AAA Pacific Coast
League team in 1969, it was pressed into duty. The
ballpark is still owned by the local school
district, which is debating whether to redevelop
the land as part of a long-term strategy.
In memoriam:
Tom Cheek
Posted October 10, 2005
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Tom
Cheek, the original broadcaster for the Toronto
Blue Jays, passed away yesterday from brain
cancer. He was 66. Cheek was first diagnosed with
a brain tumor last summer and had surgery to
remove it on June 13, his 65th birthday. The
procedure was partially successful and a round of
chemotherapy that hampered his short-term memory
followed. He called 4,306 consecutive games from
Bill Singer's first pitch April 7, 1977 until last
June 3.
Baseball team
could slide home to Bluffton
Posted October 10, 2005
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We're
already seeing some communities express interest
in fielding teams in the new independent South
Coast League, which announced a launch of
operations for the 2007 season. According to
league founder Jamie Toole, the league is
targeting areas from central Florida to central
Virginia that are interested in baseball and draw
from populations of 25,000 to 50,000. The goal is
to prevent bus trips that would exceed 12 hours.
RELATED STORIES:
South Coast League announces 2007 launch
Red Barons need
offseason work
Posted October 10, 2005
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The
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA;
International League) face a slew of challenges
entering the 2005 season: GM Jeremy Ruby needs to
work out some ballpark and sales issues. The 2005
season set an all-time record for lowest actual
attendance, 239,473, and marks the third straight
year of decline. Plus, there's a very strong
chance the Red Barons will lose their Phillies
affiliation when an Allentown team begins play:
the Phillies are much more involved in the
Allentown efforts to land a Class AAA
International League team than has been reported,
to the point of taking a large ownership stake in
the team.
Pitch for
ballpark leaves other area needs waiting on deck
Posted October 10, 2005
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Here's
one negative reaction to the idea of building a
new spring-training complex in Sarasota to house
both the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore
Orioles. The issue is whether building a new
complex for $40 million would be worth the
investment -- a very debatable point. However,
there's really nothing sophisticated about the
argument here: Rod Thomson argues that spending
any money is bad.
'Wolves explore
move to Michigan
Posted October 10, 2005
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More
on the potential move of the Erie SeaWolves (Class
AA; Eastern League) to the Detroit area. No one
seems to know a whole lot of about it, past some
brief comments made by Tigers head honcho Dave
Dombrowski about talks between the Tigers and
Mandalay Baseball Properties about moving the team
there. It's been reported Tigers owner Mike
Illitch has signed off on the move, but there's
probably nothing imminent: the Mandalay economic
model calls for development surrounding a new
ballpark, and officials in Dearborn and Taylor
(Mich.) say they've not been contacted. One idea
some are floating: renovating Tiger Stadium for
use as a minor-league facility (an idea floated at
one time by Mike Veeck, among others): the area
surrounding the ballpark is in the midst of a
revival.
RELATED STORIES:
Erie SeaWolves to Detroit?
Construction on
Marion ballpark to start Monday
Posted October 10, 2005
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Construction
of a new Marion, Ill., ballpark will begin on
Monday, as all financing issues have been worked
out. The ballpark will house a Class A Midwest
League team; it's not been officially announced,
but the South Bend Silver Hawks are the team
making the move. Work this fall will focus on site
preparation, while the more serious construction
will begin in the spring and be completed in time
for the 2007 season.
Medallions now
being installed at new Busch Stadium
Posted October 10, 2005
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Medallions
created by Wishstone are now being installed on
the exterior of the new Busch Stadium, scheduled
to open in 2006. The medallions feature various
St. Louis Cardinals logos from throughout the
team's history. The medallions are custom-made and
then reproduced for use on the ballpark from
casts. Fans should appreciate the look of the
medallions as they come to Busch Stadium for the
National League Championship Series, which begins
tomorrow. For more information, contact the
Bird on Bat
website.
It’s time to
step up to the plate, and swing away
Posted October 10, 2005
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Another
call for the University of South Carolina to work
in partnership with a minor-league team on a new
ballpark. As you'll recall, USC rejected this
approach, leading the Capital City Bombers (Class
A; Sally League) to leave for Greenville. So far
developer Alan Kahn has been working with the
ownership of the Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally
League) on a new-ballpark plan in suburban
Columbia, and despite interest from other teams --
ownership of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA;
Southern League) were interested in a move at one
point -- it looks like the Catfish plan will carry
the day.
PCL approves
sale of Fresno Grizzlies
Posted October 10, 2005
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To
absolutely no one's surprise, the Pacific Coast
League's Board of Directors approved the sale of
the Fresno Grizzlies on a 16-0 vote. The Fresno
Diamond Group agreed to sell the team in August to
the Fresno Baseball Club LLC, and received
approval from the Fresno City Council a week
later. The Grizzlies probably needed a change at
the top: lawsuits, internal dissension and some
questions about the skill level of the front
office (before this past season, anyway) all
proved to be distractions.
Majors mull
longer NY-Penn season
Posted October 10, 2005
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More
on the proposal to eliminate the Arizona and Gulf
Coast leagues and expand the NY-Penn and Northwest
league seasons. Many fans of NY-Penn League teams
don't want to see the changes: they don't like the
idea of a longer season, and they fear their teams
will turn into a loading pen for free agents, with
higher draft choices moving directly to Class A.
Baseball Notes
Posted October 10, 2005
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Fran
Riordan signed a three-year contract to
continue as manager of the Kalamazoo Kings
(independent; Frontier League) after winning the
league championship this season. Riordan is
probably the most dominant force on the field in
the entire league: He's the all-time leader in
games played (411), hits (449), RBIs (312) and has
the league's citizenship award named after him; as
a manager he's won three of the last four league
championships (twice with the Richmond Roosters,
once with Kalamazoo).... Dean Treanor says
he's returning as manager of the Albuquerque
Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)
next season....
Downtown
Council shapes plan for new KC ballpark
Posted October 9, 2005
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Leaders
of Kansas City's Downtown Council say they have a
financing plan for a new downtown Kansas City
Royals and are prepared to share the details on
Tuesday. The Royals have given off mixed signals
about their desire for a downtown ballpark: at one
point owner David Glass expressed interest in
talking with the Downtown Council, but withdrew
the offer a few weeks afterward. However, if
recent reports are to be believed -- that Jackson
County may be looking to spend more than $400
million on improvements to Arrowhead Stadium and
$40 million to
Kauffman Stadium -- then you can't fault the
Royals for reconsidering their options.
RELATED STORIES:
Residents point out KC stadium benefits;
Lend downtown KC ballpark boosters an ear at
‘listening tour’;
Kansas City negotiator fired after comments;
KC stadium finance tilts toward Chiefs
Pawlenty floats
St. Paul ballpark for Twins
Posted October 9, 2005
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If
you're a regular reader of this site, you know
we've been resolute in our observation that Gov.
Tim Pawlenty may claim to support a new Minnesota
Twins ballpark in the abstract but always working
behind the scenes to kill it (letting him weasel
his way through the controversy by having it both
ways). On Friday he made it clear he still wants
it both ways, suggesting that a new Twins ballpark
be placed in St. Paul, where he thinks it could
pass a public referendum. Surely Pawlenty isn't
dumb enough to think the public financing of a new
Twins ballpark could pass a St. Paul referendum (a
1999 vote went down in flames), so he's clearly
working to defeat the proposal by pushing a
clearly unworkable "solution" but wanting to give
the appearance of supporting the measure. The
Twins don't want a St. Paul ballpark, and neither
do St. Paul political leaders. Politicians wonder
why people hate them; this is a clear reason why.
(Requires registration.)
RELATED STORIES:
Minnesota special session may not include Twins
ballpark;
Twins: Ballpark costs to rise $30 million if
approval is delayed;
Stadium proposals jostle for support in Minnesota;
Minnesota governor to jump-start Twins ballpark
discussions with legislative leaders;
Key legislator backs special session to address
Minnesota stadium issues;
Twins ballpark may slip this year;
Minneapolis Greens hope ballpark issue helps them
in primary;
Legislative session to decide fate of Twins
ballpark back on track;
Will special session be called to pass Twins
ballpark legislations? Odds seem to be dropping;
State needs fall special session;
Twins ballpark stall raises costs;
State approval for Twins ballpark may wait until
fall;
Best-kept secret about the Minnesota ballpark;
Possible Twins site has new life;
Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota;
Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share;
Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote;
Big fans of a Twins move;
Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan;
Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative
leaders;
Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins
ballpark;
Few want to pay for Twins ballpark;
Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark
funding;
Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark
funding;
Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement
on ballpark funding;
Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location;
What's up with a Twins ballpark?;
House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums;
Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy;
Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans;
Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan;
Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first
Owner: Rays don't need new stadium
Posted October 9, 2005
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Smart
move by Stuart Sternberg, who's now running the
Tampa Bay Devil Rays, to say a new ballpark isn't
essential to the team's success. Yes, at some
point in the future the Devil Rays will need a new
ballpark, but people outside Tampa don't realize
how loathed the Devil Rays management is, and
Sternberg is savvy enough to know he has to mend a
whole lot of fences before he can demand a new
facility.
RELATED STORIES:
Tampa Bay's new boss: 'Baseball junkie' with
business savvy
Tanner ‘getting
anxious’ about new USC ballpark
Posted October 9, 2005
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University
of South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner said
Friday he is no longer certain that construction
on the school’s proposed baseball stadium will be
completed in time for the 2007 home opener. No
kidding: USC has basically dropped plans for a
Vista-located ballpark and is casting about for
other location; Tanner says an alternate plan is
in the works, and if things come together 2007
isn't out of the question at all.
Mavs, county
explore building new ballpark
Posted October 9, 2005
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Officials
from Missouri's Boone County are joining
Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; Frontier
League) owner Gary Wendt on a tour of Frontier
League facilities in Missouri to get a sense of
what the Mavs are looking for in a new ballpark on
the county fairgrounds. However, there is no
formal proposal on the table from Wendt and the
Mavericks to build a minor league ballpark at the
fairgrounds. A ballpark is just one part of
protracted discussions at the county level about
the fairground’s future. Don't assume this is
being done for the benefit of the Frontier League:
Wendt is reportedly an investor in the new
independent United League.
Fans hopeful
that pro sports return to Utica
Posted October 9, 2005
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Locals
continue to see a pro baseball team for Murname
Field in Utica, the former home of the Utica Blue
Sox (short season; NY-Penn League). Officials from
the Can-Am League have looked at placing a team
there the last few years and even had a road team
play a series there (to decent, but not great,
attendance). The ballpark is subsidized by the
county, and officials fear the lack of a team may
lead to the closing of the ballpark.
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