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Archives: Nov. 5-11, 2006

New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If Cisco Systems has its way, the Oakland Athletics' new ballpark in Fremont will be the ballpark of the future. Fans will swipe electronic tickets stored on cell phones. Bleacher bums will view instant replays at their seats with laptop computers. And digital advertising displays will be able to switch images based on the buying habits of the people walking by through data embedded in their cell phones. That was the vision that A's owner Lew Wolff laid out to Fremont City Council members this week in a pitch for Cisco Field, a planned ballpark featuring the company's technology, Fremont Mayor Bob Wasserman said Thursday. Now, ballpark going high-tech isn't altogether big news -- indeed, many major-league and minor-league ballparks offer wireless access, and AT&T Park (back in the days when it was Pac Bell Park) offered game information to Palm users. It will be interesting to see how much of this technology actually makes sense in an outdoor, heavily trafficked environment; to say it will need to be ruggedized is an understatement. More on the move of the A's to the suburbs from the Contra Costa Times and the Oakland Tribune.
    RELATED STORIES: The next big thing: the San Jose A's?; A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark; Oakland City Council grants A's extension; A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Deadline nears for moving Snappers to LaPrairie
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As the deadline of Dec. 29 approaches, the pressure is on the Rock County Board to take action on a proposal that could move the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A: Midwest League) from Pohlman Field to a 346-acre plot of land near the Highway 11/Interstate 90 ramp. If a recently submitted proposal makes it past the Rock County Board, the Beloit Snappers could move from Pohlman Field to the I-90 corridor in the Town of LaPrairie. Watson is offering three pieces of land totaling 346 acres located near the Highway 11/Interstate-90 ramp in return for the 421 acres of Rock County farm land on the north side of Janesville. In addition to a new baseball stadium, the land would be used for a new Rock County fairgrounds, according to the proposal. Ken Hendricks, owner of ABC Supply in Beloit, has proposed a racetrack similar to the Rockford Speedway for the site.
    RELATED STORIES: Beloit ballpark proposal hits snag; New deal cited for land swap; Snappers, fairgrounds deal proposed

Lehigh Valley team name to be announced Monday
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gracie Baseball L.P., operators of a new Phillies Class AAA International League team coming to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley in 2008, has scheduled a news conference for Monday, November 13, 2006. The team naming contest that began on October 4 has yielded a name that will be discussed in detail at the event. The news conference will begin at 10:30 AM and will be followed by lunch. The event will take place in the Public Hearing Room in the Lehigh County Government Center located at 17 S. 7th St., Allentown.
    RELATED STORIES: 'Iron Pigs' clash with convention, but just might fly; Eight finalists announced for Lehigh Valley Triple-A team name; Triple word play when naming new baseball team; Lehigh Valley announces front-office personnel; International League approves sale of Lynx; Lynx poised to leap after 2007

Fans heartened by new direction of the home team
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Longtime Staten Island Yankees (short season; NY-Penn League) season-ticket holders were on hand as team owners from the New York Yankees introduced Mandalay Baseball Properties as the new day-to-day operators of the minor-league franchise.  Reaction was generally positive as fans listened to a series of speakers promising better days for the Baby Bombers, who have struggled with low attendance figures during recent seasons at the 7,500-seat Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The short-season Class-A team averaged a reported 3,393 fans per game last summer.
    RELATED STORIES: Aiming to up game of S.I. Yanks; New hope for S.I. Yanks' empty seats; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Major changes can bring minor-league success to S.I. Yankees;

Replay issue in foul territory
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Hal Bodley comes out against a proposal for instant replay at MLB games. The item will be discussed at the winter meetings next month, and there seems to be a solid core of support for it: as most games are televised now, adding instant replay won't be a huge financial burden. What it will do is remove one more element of the human factor from the game: baseball is unique among sports because the players are the most human as they compete, and any move toward more tech would diminish that. Besides, the umpires already do a pretty decent job; there's really no problem crying out for a solution.

New Warthogs ballpark won't affect local streets
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Plans for new Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark proposed for downtown Winston-Salem do not involve redirecting any of the main roads near the prospective site, city officials said yesterday. The development is planned for a tract on the north side of Business 40 between Peters Creek Parkway and Green and First streets, just west of Broad Street. City economic officials are entering the final stages of negotiations with Billy Prim, a co-owner of the Warthogs and the developer behind the $170-million project, which, in addition to a 5,500-seat stadium, could include a multiplex theater, offices, stores and residences. Prim has indicated to city officials that he would like to see the ballpark ready by the 2008 season.
    RELATED STORIES: Winston-Salem ballpark plan takes time to stretch

Yankees report Steinbrenner is fine
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite some reports that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is in poor health, team officials say he's fine despite comments from Gary Sheffield indicating he was feeling too poorly to renegotiate a contract. Steinbrenner fainted last month while attending his granddaughter's play, the second time in three years he has collapsed in public, and he returned to his Florida office several days later. Sheffield said "middle men" had blocked him from speaking with Steinbrenner and that "if it wasn't for his health, I'd have made that conversation happen." Officials say GM Brian Cashman is the appropriate person for contract negotiations.

Swing suitor receives good marks on report
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The company planning to buy the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A: Midwest League) is financially healthy, has never had a lawsuit or lien filed against it and is unlikely to fail to pay its bills on time, according to a background report conducted by the business information firm Dun & Bradstreet. The results were shared Thursday with the Davenport Finance Committee, which discussed ongoing lease negotiations with Florida-based Main Street Baseball. Main Street plans to buy the Swing from the current owner, Seventh Inning Stretch -- which is headed by Kevin Krause -- pending a lease agreement for John O’Donnell Stadium. Main Street Baseball also owns the Columbus Catfish (Low Class A; Sally League).
    RELATED STORIES: Swing's Krause optimistic deal will go through; Swing likely will be getting new owners; Swing of the Quad Cities sale underway

Terlecky takes the reins of the Gary-SouthShore RailCats
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League) named Bill Terlecky as the club’s new vice president & general manager, effective December 1. Terlecky will replace Roger Wexelberg, who had served in the same role since the club’s inception in 2001. Terlecky brings 28 years of experience in professional baseball to the RailCats operation, including 23 years as a general manager. Most recently, he served as special advisor to the president of the Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League). Terlecky is also familiar with independent baseball: he spent four years as a GM in the Northern League.
    Terlecky has long-term experience at the top levels of minor league baseball. He spent 13 years as a general manager at the Triple-A level in the International League from 1982-’84 and 1988-’97, earning I.L. Executive of the Year Honors in 1991 when he served as G.M. of the top minor league club of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. More from the Gary Post-Tribune.

B-Royals announce front-office additions
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League) announced the hiring of Steve Brice as general manager and Matt Schweitzer as assistant general manager.
    Brice, a 2004 graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, expressed excitement about his new opportunity. "I think this is a great time for baseball in the city of Burlington with the Royals coming to town and having their inaugural season in 2007. I am thrilled to be a part of it."
    Both Brice and Schweitzer spent the previous season with the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Brice spent the season as the retail assistant while Schweitzer was the baseball operations assistant. "We both have different knowledge and experiences that we bring to the organization. The combination of these will put us in a position for not only a successful 2007 season, but seasons to come," Brice said.
    "We are pleased to have Steve and Matt join the organization," said Burlington Royals President Miles Wolff. “They were highly recommended by Memphis Redbirds’ President and General Manager Dave Chase." The GM position opened when Mark Cryan resigned to pursue other opportunities.

Sheaffer leaves Sand Gnats
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After three seasons, Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League) Co-General Manager Brian Sheaffer has announced he is leaving the team to pursue other interests. November 15 will be his final day with the team. In Sheaffer’s absence, Bradley Dodson will now be the lone general manager of
the team.
    Sheaffer joined the Sand Gnats prior to the 2004 season and worked in the promotions and merchandise departments before his promotion to Co-G.M prior to the 2005 season. For the past two years, he has shared the general-manager duties with Dodson.
    "I'm thankful for all the great people I’ve worked with in the Savannah community and all of the business leaders who made my job easier and more enjoyable," Sheaffer said.

Belmonte to head up personnel for NY State League
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Independent New York State League Commissioner Jay Acton announced that Nick Belmonte, widely considered Independent Baseball’s premier talent scout, has been appointed the league’s first Director of Player Personnel, effective immediately.
    "Nick is an old friend who has been scouting players on the independent side for fifteen years. No one has had more experience on the player side of independent baseball than Nick,” said Acton.
    As Director of Baseball Operations for the Northern League from 1992 to 1999, Belmonte signed over 400 players including future major leaguers Rey Ordonez and Kevin Millar. Nick has also been a successful minor league manager with the Salt Lake Trappers (rookie; Pioneer League) and played four years of minor-league ball himself.
    Belmonte will be responsible finding the NYSL’s players through tryout camps and his extensive network of college coaches. He will also be the league’s primary liaison to other independent and affiliated clubs. "There is really a need for a true rookie league in Independent Baseball and I’m thrilled to be working with Jay again. I think the Mohawk Valley is really going to like what they see this summer," Belmonte noted. "We're going to have lots of kids, who have had four years of collegiate experience, and they can really play."
    Teams representing Utica, Rome, Oneida and Herkimer will play a 50-game schedule at Murnane Field in Utica beginning July 3 and ending August 31, 2007. A local tryout camp will be held at Murnane in mid-June.

2 men wrongly arrested at ballpark get $1 million each
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A jury awarded $1 million each to two men who claimed they were wrongly accused of throwing an explosive device akin to a firecracker at Jacobs Field during a Cleveland Indians game in 2002. Clifton Oliver, 26, and Donald Kreiger, 27, sued the city for malicious prosecution, false arrest and causing emotional distress. A third man, Andrew Mendez, was convicted of aggravated arson, assault and three counts of negligent assault in the case. He was sentenced to three years in prison and served seven months. Police arrested all three men and accused them of acting together. Oliver and Kreiger spent four days in jail before being released because security video showed they weren't with Mendez when the explosion happened.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Nov. 10, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Doug Dascenzo, who spent five years with the Chicago Cubs and one season with the San Diego Padres, was named 2007 manager of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). Dascenzo follows in the path of Randy Ready, who also spent time with the Padres on the major-league level. Wally Whitehurst joins the Wizards as the new pitching coach after two seasons in Eugene. Tom Tornincasa returns to the Wizards staff as the hitting coach, the same role he held for five seasons from 2001 until 2004, before being promoted to the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) for the last two years....Landon Sears is the new voice of the Rome Braves (Low Class A; Sally League) for all 140 regular season games. Sears takes over in the booth for stations owner Randy Davis and his son, Matt Davis, who will both continue to work at WLAQ Talk Radio 1410AM and The Ridge 95.7FM, and may appear on the air for several game broadcasts. Sears brings two full seasons of professional baseball play by play to Rome. Last season the Ardmore, PA native was the director of broadcasting and media relations for the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League). He spent the 2005 season as the voice of the Camden Riversharks (independent; Atlantic League). In total, he has called close to 300 baseball games. Sears currently is majoring in Broadcast Journalism at the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University. He has also studied at Harvard University....Jon Peters has stepped down as GM of the Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League). No word on an immediate successor....Bobby Jones returns as manager of the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Mike Boulanger, manager of the team for most of last season, is the assistant coach, while the pitching coach is Andy Hawkins....Paul Runge is set to return as manager of the Danville Braves (rookie; Appalachian League)....Britt Burns is the new pitching coach of the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League)....

The A's to play at Cisco Field?
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Oakland A's have reached a deal with Cisco Systems to build a new ballpark -- dubbed Cisco Field -- on company-held land in southern Fremont, A's owner Lew Wolff told select city officials Wednesday. Pushing ahead in Fremont after giving up on building a new ballpark in Oakland, Wolff and his son Keith met privately with four city council members and invited them to attend a public announcement of the proposal, set for Tuesday, at Cisco's San Jose headquarters. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to attend. Major League Baseball, however, is unlikely to be played in Fremont until 2011, at the earliest. Cisco is apparently highly involved with the planning of a a high-tech ballpark -- probably 32,000 to 35,000 seats -- filled with Cisco-produced infrastructure dubbed by Wolff as the most modern, most advanced technological facility in the country. More from the Monterey Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, Mark Purdy, Gwen Knapp and the Sacramento Bee.
    RELATED STORIES: The next big thing: the San Jose A's?; A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark; Oakland City Council grants A's extension; A's could move away; A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in Fremont; Fremont looking more and more like future home of Oakland A's; A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet; A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum; Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose; A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season; Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into obstacles; 'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told; San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan; Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area; A's, Fremont near deal; A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say; A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say; Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark; A's owner in Fremont for meetings; Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in Fremont; A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont ballpark; A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site; The San Jose A's of Fremont?; San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark; Will smaller mean better for the A's?; A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06; A's owner's new plan for ballpark; Talks for new A's ballpark sputter; Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan; A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose; Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension; A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision stage; Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose; San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark; Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost $100 million; San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property; Fremont will consider a pitch for A's; Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark; Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win allies, public funds; Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions; Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near Coliseum; A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep team in Oakland; Have A's settled on new ballpark site?; Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine; A's think small with stadium plans; Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's; A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible; Athletics announce committee to plan new Oakland ballpark; Another San Jose site eyed for baseball; The time has come for new A's ballpark; No specifics on new Oakland ballpark, but plans in the works; San Jose quits discussions on cannery; Wolff about to take over; Going to bat for A's is big opportunity for San Jose mayor; Wolff: A's ballpark already in works; Deal near for San Jose cannery site; For A's, way to San Jose paved with uncertainty; San Jose baseball crusader makes his pitch; A's sale could happen quickly; Sale of A's to heighten San Jose intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A's new owner Lew Wolff

Mecklenburg County set for baseball deal role
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mecklenburg County appears ready to drive the exchanges of land and money that could bring the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) to uptown Charlotte. County commissioners on Wednesday approved, in concept, County Manager Harry Jones' suggested adjustment to a complicated land swap that would free Third Ward land for a new ballpark. Commissioners voted 6-2, with Commissioner Bill James absent, to approve the general idea. Jones will continue to negotiate the details with city officials and MassMutual, the Massachusetts firm that owns Third Ward land next to the stadium site that the county wants to develop as an urban park. Basically, the new plan -- heavily supported by local business leaders -- would eliminate the city's role in the deal, simplifying the process. More from WSOC.
    RELATED STORIES: Charlotte Council seeks answers on baseball; Uptown park for Knights makes sense; Charlotte council gets update on baseball plan; Chamber: poll shows overwhelming support for Knights ballpark; Backers urge: Make noise for Charlotte ballpark; A slow curve in Charlotte; Charlotte ballpark land swap seen as feasible; Charlotte Knights select Barton Malow to oversee ballpark construction; Hard days for Knights; Knights see more fans, but lag league; Knights select Odell Associates, HOK to design new ballpark; Knights meet with potential architects; Competing plans for baseball parks in Charlotte; The big pitch for uptown baseball in Charlotte; Charlotte turns to funding plans for ballpark; Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?; Third Ward residents object to new Knights ballpark; Uptown baseball in Charlotte may cost city $5 million; Charlotte ballpark plan now turns to question of real estate; Arts package heads the agenda for city funding, but baseball is now up to bat with a new plan; Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers; Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark

Asking price for Cubs: One billion?
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Tribune Company well on the way to bring broken up, word is the asking price for the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field could be a billion dollars. Some say the hiring of John McDonough and the infusion of money into the payroll means the team is being pumped up to be an attractive purchase. Forbes says the team is worth $448 million, but there are a lot of intangibles when you start talking about the Cubbies and Wrigley Field.

Golden winter in works as Yuma may host baseball league
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Golden Baseball League is in the process of gearing up a winter league to be hosted in Yuma, according to Commissioner Kevin Outcalt. Scorpions general manager Jason Matlock confirmed that the GBL is in negotiations with the city of Yuma to host a four-team league at Desert Sun Stadium from Jan. 15 through Feb. 15. The proposed league could revive the mascots of the dormant Miners and Fighting Falcons -- both former GBL clubs -- or create entirely new monikers. According to Matlock, a separate Yuma Scorpions squad will round out the winter rotation which is scheduled to run daily doubleheaders after a brief spring training. Outcalt said he expects the GBL to make an official announcement by early next week assuming the GBL can reach an agreement with the city of Yuma. This would be the second winter league: United League Baseball is planning a four-team league based in Harlingen.
    RELATED STORIES: United League Baseball announces winter league

Winston-Salem ballpark plan takes time to stretch
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The latest version of a proposal to build a new Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark on the western cusp of downtown Winston-Salem comes with a lot more than peanuts and Cracker Jack. What had last been discussed publicly in the summer as a $70 million project is now up to $170 million and would include a multiplex movie theater, offices, stores and residences. City economic officials said yesterday that negotiations with the developer are entering their final phases, but two major questions remain: How much public money should be invested, and who would pay the city's debt if the project does not attract the number of fans, customers, tenants -- and revenue -- that the city's financial models show are needed? The team currently plays at Ernie Shore Field; one plan has Wake Forest taking control of that ballpark should a new ballpark become a reality. More from the Triad Business Journal.

Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Now that Billings voters have approved $12.5 million in bonding for a new Cobb Field, home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League), the real work of design and construction can begin. CTA Architects Engineers of Billings, working with HNTB Architects of Kansas City, will work on final design plans for the ballpark. Demolition work on the Athletic Park pool, which is just west of Cobb Field, could start in four to six weeks. General obligation bonds could be sold as early as January, with construction of the new ballpark beginning next spring. Then, as soon as the Mustangs' baseball season ends next summer, Cobb Field could be demolished and construction of a new sunken field could begin.
    RELATED STORIES: Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark; Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark; Join local teams in support for new ballpark; Three groups, family pledge $200K for maintenance of new Cobb Field; New vote on an old park; Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field; Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement; Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign; Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings ballpark; Cobb backers unveil campaign; Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field; Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot; Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field; Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field; Funding dominates Cobb discussion; Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field of dreams; Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs; Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs; Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure; Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal; Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field; Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate; Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million; HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation; Cobb proposals narrowed to 2; Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field

Professional baseball in Wolfforth: still on hold?
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Tribune Company well on the way to bring broken up, word is the asking price for the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field could be a billion dollars. Some say the hiring of John McDonough and the infusion of money into the payroll means the team is being pumped up to be an attractive purchase. Forbes says the team is worth $448 million, but there are a lot of intangibles when you start talking about the Cubbies and Wrigley Field.
    RELATED STORIES: West Texas Baseball says plans are on again for baseball in Wolfforth; Mayor looking into bringing minor-league baseball to Lubbock; Wolfforth ballpark project on the rocks?; Wolfforth voters approve liquor sales, paving way for new ballpark; Early voters go to the polls in Wolfforth; Texas Tech makes deal to play at new Wolfforth ballpark; Lubbock ballpark plan clears hurdle

Failure of Jaxx deal is strike two for Bennett
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The collapse of the deal to sell the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) also means Overtime Sports' Tim Bennett's deal to lease Pringles Park is off. From what we've heard, the collapse of the deal between Lozinak Baseball Properties, LLC and Orlando-based Diamond Jaxx Properties, LLC (formerly known as Mirabilis Baseball Ventures, LLC) led less to do with the permissions cited by the team and more to do with the group's realization that obtaining a new ballpark in Orlando would be more of a struggle than originally anticipated. Speaking of the Diamond Jaxx: we expect potential buyers to be back at the team's door, though the sales price will probably be lower than the $10-million-plus price for the Orlando group. A very possible scenario: a Ryan-Sanders Baseball or Ripken Baseball buys the team on the cheap and moves it to Baton Rouge, where city officials have looked at building a new waterfront ballpark. Nolan Ryan has already met with and made a pitch to Baton Rouge officials.
   RELATED STORIES: Diamond Jaxx purchase scrapped; Ten-year lease spells hope for Pringles Park; Council approves Pringles Park deal; Pringles Park contract on City Council's agenda; Where will Jaxx fall?; Mississippi-based businessman helping broker Jaxx sale; Orlando group buys West Tenn Diamond Jaxx; Lozinaks sell Diamond Jaxx; Orlando group wants to buy West Tenn Diamond Jaxx; Sportsplex could help solidify future of Diamond Jaxx

RailCats to announce new VP/GM today
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League) will be announcing the team's new vice president and general manager in a news conference on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 4:00 p.m. (CST) at U. S. Steel Yard. The announcement and press conference can be heard live via streaming media at www.railcatsbaseball.com.

Connecticut Defenders seeking easier access
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As the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA: Eastern League) look once again to bolster attendance figures next season, owner Lou DiBella said it's vital the city help provide better access to Dodd Stadium. To do so, he's looking for city help opening the contentious gate that blocks ballpark traffic from Plain Hill Road. And he's looking for financial support to put an electronic billboard on Interstate 395 that would promote the team and ballpark location, but also could be used to advertise Norwich events. It would seem a no-brainer for a city to improve access to a facility. Meanwhile, GM Charlie Dowd unveiled his plans to increase attendance at Defenders games next season.

Murphy donates $100,000 for ASU baseball's Tillman Room
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Arizona State baseball coach Pat Murphy is donating $100,000 to his program to fund facility improvements. The donation will be used to fund the Tillman Room in honor of brothers Pat and Kevin Tillman. Kevin played baseball for ASU from 1997-99. It was during that time that Murphy became friends with Pat, whose number 42 he now wears to honor Tillman, who died fighting in Afghanistan in April 2004. The sports medicine room inside the baseball clubhouse will become the Tillman Room. Murphy's donation is the latest in a series of gifts toward renovating Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. The family of the late coach Jim Brock made a significant contribution last spring. The final phase of renovation will include a shade canopy, press box expansion, chairback seats and alumni tributes.

Ballpark Notes
Posted Nov. 9, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Dan Laing, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League), has resigned his position. Laing was with the Potomac franchise for four seasons. He broadcast over 500 games for Potomac and was a part of the 2006 Carolina League-California League All-Star broadcast. "Baseball is a lifestyle and I will truly miss the day to day interaction with the players, scouts, managers, coaches and front office people from around the Carolina League. The fans in Potomac have been tremendous supporters of the broadcast and me. I want to thank the Silber family for the opportunity to be a part of a professional baseball organization," Laing said....Bud Black is the new manager of the San Diego Padres, replacing Bruce Bochy....Lloyd McClendon is the new hitting coach of the Detroit Tigers....Gerald Perry is the new hitting coach of the Chicago Cubs....

Diamond Jaxx purchase scrapped
Posted Nov. 8, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) announced that the pending sale of the franchise by Lozinak Baseball Properties, LLC to the Orlando, FL based Diamond Jaxx Properties, LLC (formerly known as Mirabilis Baseball Ventures, LLC) has been terminated for failure of the proposed buyer to obtain any of the required consents from the Southern League, Minor League Baseball or Major League Baseball. A larger issue: an ambitious redevelopment plan for downtown Orlando unveiled last month didn't include a new ballpark and instead called for a renovation of the Citrus Bowl. We expect the team to stay on the market, however, as the team's long-term future in Jackson remains in some doubt. More from the Jackson Sun.
   RELATED STORIES: Ten-year lease spells hope for Pringles Park; Council approves Pringles Park deal; Pringles Park contract on City Council's agenda; Where will Jaxx fall?; Mississippi-based businessman helping broker Jaxx sale; Orlando group buys West Tenn Diamond Jaxx; Lozinaks sell Diamond Jaxx; Orlando group wants to buy West Tenn Diamond Jaxx; Sportsplex could help solidify future of Diamond Jaxx

Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark
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Billings voters approved a $12.5 million bond issue by 2,447 votes, 21,710 to 19,263 in final, unofficial results, a decisive 52.99 percent to 47.01 margin. The issue: funding a replacement for dilapidated Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) and several Legion and college teams. The new ballpark, which has already attracted more than $2.2 million in private contributions, could open as soon as 2008. The new ballpark will be built on the current Cobb Field site, eliminating the next-door swimming pool. The condition of Cobb Field, which opened in 1948, has been an issue for several years: the old wooden ballpark is literally rotting away and does not meet current pro-baseball standards.
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Groundbreaking imminent for new Mets ballpark in Queens
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New York Mets fans, some of whom likely have yet to fully dry their eyes after a heartbreaking loss in the seventh game of the National League Championship Series, will get to celebrate on Monday, at a ceremonial groundbreaking for their new 45,000-seat ballpark. In April, the Mets announced details of plans to build an $800-million ballpark in a parking lot adjacent to their current home in Flushing. Preliminary construction has already begun, and the Mets hope to complete it in time for the 2009 season, the same time the Yankees are scheduled to begin playing in a new ballpark. The new Mets ballpark will contain 12,000 fewer seats than Shea Stadium and will carry a different moniker, most likely the name of a corporate sponsor. The design, by the firm HOK Sport, will evoke Ebbets Field, the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers before they were moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s.
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New Knights ballpark plan on county agenda
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Mecklenburg County stands ready to play ball with the city on a complicated land-swap proposal designed to bring a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) uptown, but only if the roster of properties can be reshuffled from an earlier proposal by Charlotte Center City Partners. County Manager Harry Jones plans to introduce his vision for a revamped land swap at the county commissioners meeting Wednesday. Jones sent a letter to City Manager Pam Syfert last week outlining his plan. Basically, a complicated swap of city, county and private properties is being proposed by Charlotte Center City Partners. Some of that land would end up as the ballpark site. The Knights would then finance and build a $35-million ballpark as part of a larger development encompassing office, residential and retail components.
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The next big thing: the San Jose A's?
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The feeling in San Jose is that the Oakland Athletics should adopt the San Jose A's name even though the team won't be playing in San Jose -- they'll be moving to a new ballpark in Fremont, on the edge of Silicon Valley -- and San Jose is technically part of the territory controlled by the San Francisco Giants. While Bud Selig has recently given teams a lot of leeway in team names -- witness the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim -- it's highly unlikely he'd allow a San Jose A's name to pass without the permission of the Giants. However, Golden State A's may be a more logical moniker. If the A's move to a new city, they'd be the most-traveled team in MLB history; the A's (Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland), the Orioles (Milwaukee, St. Louis, Baltimore) and the Braves (Boston, Milwaukee, Atlanta) have each moved twice. More on the plans by the A's to announce a new Fremont ballpark next week. The team isn't on immediate pressure to move, however. More from Gary Peterson and the New York Sun.
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Greensboro voters reject renovation of War Memorial Stadium
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Greensboro, N.C. voters apparently rejected via referendum a $5.5 million renovation of War Memorial Stadium, the former home of the Greensboro Bats (Low Class A; Sally League) and other minor-league teams, and the current home of college and high-school teams in the area. While voting is not final, the measure is losing by a wide margin -- 19,629 (37.51 percent) yes, 32,703 (62.49 percent) no. The measure would have scaled back the ballpark and restored the grandstand closer to its original configuration.

Kane County ballpark improvements delayed a year
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It's almost official: the Kane County Forest Preserve District will hold off for a year on expansion and improvements to Elfstrom Stadium, home of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League).  The district's Executive Committee Friday recommended an amended agreement with the Cougars to delay beginning the stadium improvements until after the 2007 baseball season. The delay will ensure no disruption in the Cougars home schedule and will give officials a chance to solidify project construction contracts. In concert with the amended stadium improvement schedule, the Executive Committee also recommended an amendment in three bids for the steel for the project. The change in the bids will result in the county buying the steel for about $2.28 million, $239,323 less than if the county had ordered the steel for a December start to the project.
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Twins ballpark supporters easily win reelection
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So much for the notion that any Hennepin County commissioners supporting a new downtown Minnesota Twins ballpark would face the wrath of voters. Three of the four county commissioners who voted for the proposal -- Mike Opat, Mark Stenglein and Peter McLaughlin -- won by large margins, all garnering at least 61 percent of the vote. A small group of anti-ballpark folks in the media tried to make the election into a larger referendum on the Twins ballpark funding; apparently the public is cool with how the deal went down, making this prediction breathtakingly out of touch.
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In memorium: Johnny Sain
Posted Nov. 8, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Johnny Sain, a pitching great with the Boston Braves who later achieved great success as a pitching coach with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, passed away yesterday. He was 89. "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain" was the refrain for Braves fans in 1948: Sain pitched nine complete games in 29 days, winning seven and teaming with Warren Spahn to lead the Braves to the National League pennant. As pitching coach for the White Sox, Yankees, Twins and Tigers, Sain tutored 16 pitchers who won 20 or more games in a season. Jim Kaat, of the Twins and the White Sox, and Jim Bouton of the Yankees credit him with rejuvenating their careers.

FCSL announces 2007 lineup
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The summer-collegiate Florida Collegiate Summer League will go with six teams in 2007, adding a team in Leesburg and dropping the Orlando Shockers team, which played at Tinker Field. Or, rather, attempted to play at Tinker Field: the poor condition of the facility led more than half of the Orlando Shockers games to be played elsewhere. Leesburg's Buddy Lowe Field at Pat Thomas Stadium is a great little facility, formerly hosting minor-league and spring-training baseball. Existing FCSL returning: the Altamonte Springs Snappers, Orlando Hammers (playing at Orel Hershiser Field), Sanford River Rats, Winter Park Diamond Dawgs and Winter Springs Barracudas.

A's plan improvements to Clarinda Municipal Stadium
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The Clarinda A's (summer collegiate; M.I.N.K. League) Board of Directors has joined forces with the City of Clarinda to ensure that baseball continues to have a bright future at Clarinda Municipal Stadium. Among the needed improvements identified at the ballpark are the replacement and reshading of the lights, repairs to the scoreboard, repairs to a portion of the centerfield fence that was blown down late last season, the repair and enlargement of the press box, repairs to the base wall behind home plate and replacement of the cages, screens and roofs of the dugouts.

Texas will start season with 4-game set at Dell Diamond
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The University of Texas baseball team will play its first four games of the regular season, beginning Feb. 2 against San Diego, at Dell Diamond, the home of the Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The Longhorns, who released their 55-game schedule on Tuesday, then switch to Disch-Falk Field, their home ballpark that is undergoing renovations, where they will play 34 games.

Ballpark Notes
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John Agresti is the new director of media relations for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), with current PR head Timothy O’Reilly moving into the role of director of community & public relations. Agresti’s responsibilities include writing all press releases, editing and producing publications and being the primary contact person for the media with the Knights. He joins the Knights following an eight-year career as a reporter in radio/television news and two years in the public relations field. His TV travels have taken him from Harrisonburg, VA to Mobile, Alabama to Charlotte, where he was part of the news staff that helped launch News14 Carolina in 2002. O’Reilly will facilitate all community relations activities for the Knights. He joined the Knights staff in 2005 after spending two seasons with the Springfield Spirit of the National Women’s Basketball League, where he served as General Manager during the 2004 season. Prior to joining the Spirit, O’Reilly worked in the New York Rangers Hockey Club in the public relations department. ....Steve Stone may be moving from ESPN to a spot broadcasting Washington Nationals games. The former Cubs broadcaster has openly lobbied for a return to the Cubs broadcast team, but with no openings there, Stone has been fielding other offers....Kevin Uhlich is the new senior vice president-business operations for the Kansas City Royals. Uhlich joins the Royals with 30 years of baseball experience, most recently with the Washington Nationals where he served as executive vice president for the past two years. In his new role, Uhlich will oversee the entire business side of the Royals organization....Mandalay Baseball Properties has announced four additions and a number of new titles and responsibilities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League) front office, including that of current General Manager Jeremy Ruby, who is now Executive Vice President/COO of the club. All full-time front office employees of the Red Barons who were employed prior to the consulting agreement signed with Mandalay Baseball Properties remain on staff..... Alan Cockrell, a part of the Colorado Rockies organization for the last nine years, was named the club's hitting coach. Former big league outfielder Glenallen Hill, a three-year member of the Rockies minor league coaching staff, was selected as the team's first-base coach.

A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark
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Multiple news reports from the Bay Area indicated ownership of the Oakland Athletics is ready to close the deal on 143 acres of land in nearby Fremont and build a new ballpark in the midst of a mixed-use development. The timeline: Wolff will meet with the Fremont City Council tomorrow in a private meeting to brief members on the project, with a formal announcement of the project scheduled for Nov. 14, complete with an appearance from Bud Selig. There are some hurdles to overcome. Fremont must agree to rezone the land from industrial to residential: Cisco had planned to build office and warehouse space at the site, but a rezoning would increase property rates at the site, with the team using proceeds from the residential development to finance the ballpark. Though the ballpark and the surrounding "ballpark village" are expected to be privately financed, the team will ask for public monies in the form of an extension of the BART line, public utilities and roads. The move south to Fremont better sets up the team to serve the San Jose market: team officials had sought a move there but was blocked by San Francisco Giants, who control the territory. There's some speculation as to whether the team will change its name, but we're not betting on it: the A's will gain from the move in terms of public awareness in Silicon Valley, and retaining "Oakland" will help them retain longtime fans in the East Bay. However, Fremont officials are expecting to generate some good pub for the city with the move. Ray Ratto says the team is missing out by not moving to a downtown site, though a move to downtown San Jose was blocked by the Giants. More from InsideBayArea, the San Jose Mercury News and the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Billings ballpark vote slated for today
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The only ballpark item on today's electoral slate: Billings voters will be asked to approve a $12.5 million bond for a new Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) ballpark to replace Cobb Field. Some early opinion polls indicated support for the measure, but considering how much polling is being done in Montana (the senatorial race between Conrad Burns and Jon Tester has been highly polled and tracked nationally) we're surprised there wasn't more. An earlier bond referendum for a new ballpark failed two years ago, but this one may do better: $211,000 in private funds has been pledged toward the project, and the proposal calls for a bare-boned ballpark with no suites or added amenities. Randy Bishop lays out the case for the new ballpark.
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Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Normally there's a good amount of rancor during public discussions of new ballparks, as hardcores on both sides of the equations tend to be less willing to compromise or even discuss than folks closer to the middle. We're seeing a remarkably civil discussion in Fort Wayne, where the owners of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) say they'd like to see a new downtown ballpark, but if that doesn't happen they'd be very happy to discuss renovations to the team's existing home, Memorial Stadium. No threats of leaving from owner Hardball Capital, while the discussion of a downtown site is being led by local citizens, not the team. The Wizards will probably be winners no matter what happens.
    RELATED STORIES: Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is unpopular; Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal; Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you remember; Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a ballpark; Playing ball downtown; We need to build ballpark downtown; Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?; Learning by example from Dayton; Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial Stadium; A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?; Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future; New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne; Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown; A new downtown castle?; Memorial Stadium far from obsolete; Fort Wayne Wizards sold; Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability left, says architect; Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Field of dreams in Fort Wayne?

Lakeland Tigers to announce new team name next week
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The Lakeland Tigers (High Class A; Midwest League) will be hosting a press conference on Saturday, November 11 at Joker Marchant Stadium to announce the new team name and logo. The Lakeland Tigers are an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and 2007 will mark the 41st season as a Tigers affiliate, the second-longest affiliation in all of Minor League Baseball. The 2007 season will also mark Lakeland's 55th season in the Florida State League (FSL). Lakeland is an original member of the FSL, which was established in 1919. Lakeland has played in 6,207 games in the FSL, third most in the history of the league trailing only Daytona Beach (8,308) and St. Petersburg (6,335).

Express yourself at the Cell
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The Chicago White Sox announced plans to build a diamond-shaped brick plaza, with a commemorative bronze-and-granite sculpture celebrating the team's 2005 World Series championship, near the main entrance of U.S. Cellular Field. The bricks, inscribed with fans' messages, will range in price from $175 for a 4-inch-by-8-inch brick, to $4,000 for an 8-inch-by-8-inch granite brick at the monument's base. All proceeds will go to charity. The plaza and monument, which will include a Sox timeline, will be built on a landscaped area outside Gate Four in time for Opening Day 2008.

Otters shake up front office
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The Evansville Otters (independent; Frontier League) have made several changes to their front office. Out is GM Steve Tahsler, generally regarded as the architect of the team's success to date at Bosse Field (setting records for attendance and profits the last three years). The Otters' new general manager is Deana Johnson, a 1992 Reitz High School graduate who joined the ballclub in 2004 as an account executive and party planner. Manager Greg Jelks did not have his contract renewed. Meanwhile, director of sales Joel Padfield was fired, and assistant GM Liam Miller was reassigned to senior account manager.

Bitters resigns as GM of Blaze
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It's not easy to make a 65-year-old ballpark like Sam Lynn Park a destination. But during his tenure as general manager of the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League), Chris Bitters certainly tried. But after a year and a half at the helm of the team, Bitters is moving on, his resignation effective Wednesday. Bitters is taking a similar job with another minor league team, which has yet to be announced. "I would like to thank the entire community of Bakersfield for the support of the team and myself personally over the last two seasons," Bitters said. "From assisting the operation during the 2004 season and taking over full-time during the 2005 season, the fans really made me feel like family. It is going to be hard to leave such great fans, sponsors and staff." Shawn Schoolcraft, the team's director of ticket sales, will take over as the interim general manager.

As good as it gets for the Cardinals' ballpark
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the plan to use tax-increment financing to help build the new Ballpark Village next to Busch Stadium. Some critics of the project say there should be public funding at all of the project, but the issue isn't subsidizing a new ballpark: it's subsidizing a mixed-use development that will presumably enhance downtown St. Louis, which sorely needs a shot in the arm. Most people don't realize how often communities big and small use tax-increment financing for projects big and small: in those terms, there's actually nothing unusual about the deal made by the city, the Cardinals and Cordish.
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Agency likes road plan to aid ballpark project
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A proposed intersection near a major downtown bridge would be good for traffic flow in the area while helping people get to Nashville Sounds games and surrounding condominiums and shops, a Metro official said Monday. A developer working with the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League), which plans to build a baseball stadium along the Cumberland River by April 2008, has asked for a new road off the approach to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge, also commonly known as the Gateway Bridge. The developer, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, says it wouldn't be able to build one of the three buildings it's planning around the ballpark without an intersection east of the District Energy System building.
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Battle scars: Reflection and recovery
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here's your unusual baseball story of the day, courtesy of The State. Former major leaguer Lonnie Smith admits he once had both a gun and a plan to kill John Schuerholz, at that time the general manager of the Kansas City Royals. Smith blamed for sabotaging his career while he played for the Royals; Smith left the team on bad terms and believed Schuerholz was telling other GMs Smith was a problem due to behavior and drug usage. Smith's response was to buy a gun and map out a plan to shoot Schuerholz. After Smith was signed by the Atlanta Braves, the plan was dropped.

In memoriam: Ken Griswold
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Rockford (Ill.) baseball historian Dr. Ken Griswold passed away last Tuesday, just short of what would have been his 69th birthday. The author of the book "Baseball in Rockford" was a familiar face at both Marinelli Field, the longtime home of baseball in Rockford, and at RiverHawks Stadium, the home of the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League). Griswold, a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, presented a paper on Rockford-area baseball pioneer A.G. Spalding at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. "Ken will be missed by all," RiverHawks general manager Josh Olerud said. "I will take with me the countless talks about baseball and the many great stories and experiences shared."

Ballpark Notes
Posted Nov. 7, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Detroit Tigers announced several managerial appointments yesterday. Matt Walbeck is the new manager of the Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League), while Andy Barkett is the new manager of the Oneonta Tigers (short season; NY-Penn League). Barkett spent the bulk of his professional playing days as a first baseman at the Triple-A level and appeared in 17 games as a left fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001....Tom Paciorek, who served as a color analyst on Washington Nationals broadcasts on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, was told that his contract would not be renewed.....John Massarelli returns as manager of the Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League), his fourth at the helm....Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) officials announced four new hires to bolster their front office this off-season. Chris Morgan has been named the new director of sales. Also joining the revamped sales staff are Briana Lynch, Michael Harold and Andrea Dempsey....

The D.C. ballpark parking debate
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Post looks at the problems facing the District of Columbia as officials there struggle to meet a clause in the Washington Nationals lease, promising 1,225 parking spots next to the ballpark. There's a lot of political posturing going on: Council member David A. Catania (a critic of the ballpark) says penalties for not supplying the spots isn't nearly as what ballpark supporters claim: $100 million versus $2.5 million. Catania is technically correct; the larger point is by not providing the parking spots the opening date of the ballpark could be pushed back a year and leaving the Nats to ask for financial relief.
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Ballpark financing not set as deadline approaches
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) has yet to finalize a $23 million loan it needs to help finance the project, financing which must happen before the Metro Council votes on the leasing of land to the Sounds at its Dec. 19 meeting. Council members must vote to accept a final version of the Metro lease of land to the Sounds, an approval required by the Sounds-Metro baseball agreement passed in February. And the team must secure approval from among four Metro agencies of the final design of its ballpark and a final version of the master plan for the entire ballpark site — a plan delineating final placement of residential, office and retail buildings that Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse will develop in concert with the Sounds — as well as placement of required greenway and roadways. However, final plans for any of this have yet to be submitted to Metro. Struever, for its part, has yet to secure a necessary $20 million tax increment financing (TIF) loan, money it will feed to the Sounds for construction of the $43 million ballpark. Because of mergers and acquisitions, there have been some changes to the banking consortium — led by First Tennessee — that promised the loan to the Sounds last year, but GM Glenn Yaeger says he's been holding meetings regularly to keep process going.
    RELATED STORIES: Struever mulling ballpark-area changes in Nashville; Sounds unveil ballpark plans; PCL president applauds Nashville ballpark deal; Yaeger calls stadium plan flexible and fan-friendly; Sounds settle on 2008 opening date for new ballpark; Ballpark opening date up in air, Sounds say; Nashville Metro Council approves new Sounds ballpark; Company says Sounds deal sets stage for Frank project; Sounds send commitment letter to Council; Caucus continues pressure for minorities' role in stadium; Nashville Council Black Caucus wants more minority work on ballpark; Sounds are rounding third; Sounds remain at bargaining table; Nashville Sounds one vote away from new ballpark; Council should give Nashville ballpark their support; Sounds woo minority business owners for ballpark project; Sounds ballpark vote delayed; Museum, dining wanted at new Sounds ballpark; Sounds move ahead with ballpark design; Sounds weak; Sounds ballpark proposal passes first test on Council; Opposition to Nashville ballpark gears up on council; Many good questions raised over Sounds deal; Chamber of Commerce backs Sounds ballpark plan; Downtown merchants rally for Sounds; Board seeks information on Sounds ballpark deal; Neighbors of Nashville ballpark expect project to spark development; Sounds, Nashville sign agreement for new ballpark; Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan; Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size; New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt; Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until fall; Sounds deal stalls, but still in play; City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan; Sounds ballpark negotiations slow; Will ballpark make SoBro soar?; Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark; Sounds win city approval for new ballpark

Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to development
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In Goodyear, Az., city leaders and developers anticipate that a 10,000-seat spring-training facility for the Cleveland Indians will set off a chain reaction leading to mid-rise office buildings, restaurants, entertainment, shops and housing at the planned Wood Corporate Campus. That's the vision of the "Ballpark Village" many have as the city rallies funding for the Indians' new spring-training home, which would relocate from Winter Haven, Fla., to Goodyear. It won't happen quickly: it usually takes several years for the market to follow the installation of a new spring facility. Only now is there development around Surprise Stadium, opened four years ago as the spring home of the Rangers and Royals.
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Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Baseball fans stepped up to the plate to announce an additional $210,000 in private donations to help pay for construction and maintenance of a new downtown Billings ballpark for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). A bond issue to build a new stadium goes before Billings voters Tuesday. The list of donors includes Ralph Nelles, a longtime friend of the Billings Mustangs and a former Pioneer League president. His $50,000 donation will be dedicated to a long-term maintenance fund for the new stadium. An anonymous donor added another $50,000 to the maintenance fund, which has grown to $300,000. Three other donations, totaling $110,000, will go toward offsetting the bonded debt for the new stadium. Bresnan Communications contributed $50,000, Pepsi of Billings contributed $10,000, and an anonymous donor contributed $50,000. The new ballpark would replace dilapidated Cobb Field.
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Council looks at ballpark design
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The green pasture on the corner of Watkins Avenue and 56th Street in Springdale, Ark., will be transformed into a baseball field in less than two years as the home of the relocated Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League). Designers of the planned Springdale ballpark at the southwest corner of the intersection want people driving by to be able to see the field. Martin DiNitto and other HOK Sport designers have rules they follow in laying out a field. They want the field to be seen from outside; a concourse to surround the field; and avoid having the sun shine in the pitcher's or batter's eyes, DiNitto said. Equally important, DiNitto adds, is they don't want a stadium identical to an existing ball field.
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Dombrowski receives extension; Washington new Rangers manager
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Two personnel decisions of note from the weekend. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, fresh off his team's appearance in the World Series, received a four-year contract extension from owner MIke Ilitch. Dombrowski built the Tigers into a winner with a shrewd combination of trades, free-agent signings and cultivation of the farm system. Meanwhile, Oakland A's third-base coast Ron Washington is the new manager of the Texas Rangers. Washington gained a reputation with the A's as a defensive-minded coach with better-than-average communication skills.

Group looks at Dallas for new ballpark
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Investors hope to land a new downtown ballpark in downtown Dallas -- but first they have to find the land. Dallas officials say they’re being courted with a serious proposal to open a downtown ballpark, one that would bring thousands of fans and their wallets into the city’s core. But a source close to the negotiations said the locations the investors are considering – behind the Dallas Convention Center; on the fringe of the Arts District; and between City Hall and the Dallas Farmers Market – could be controversial. The Farmers Market site, which Mayor Laura Miller and other city officials indicated is the investors’ top pick, is nearby the future Homeless Assistance Center. Two groups are mentioned, but only one is named: Southern Independent Baseball, which is working on an independent American Association team.

New for 2007: the Green Bay Bullfrogs
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The name for the new Green Bay team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League: the Green Bay Bullfrogs. "There were so many excellent suggestions, but Bullfrogs really fits the concept of the Northwoods League itself and the type of entertainment were bringing to the Green Bay community," said Jeff Royle, President of Titletown Baseball Group. "Bullfrogs are a very catchy and unique nickname which will allow us to have a lot of fun with logo designs, promotions and merchandise. Fun is what the Northwoods League is all about." Titletown Baseball Group hopes to unveil the team’s logo within the next couple of weeks and expects merchandise to be available around the same time. More from the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
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York Revolution unveils logos
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) unveiled its new logos and a revamped website for the 2007 season. "Local history played a big role in the logo design," said Revolution GM Matt O’Brien. "We chose to convey the historical importance of York in bold and dynamic way. The team colors of sergeant’s red, continental navy, silver and brass seemed appropriate and give us a unique identity. Our logo and colors represent a conscious effort to make a connection between the past and the present of baseball in York County."
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Cryan resigns as B-Royals GM
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League) announced that General Manager Mark Cryan has resigned. Cryan led the Burlington franchise for four seasons.
    "This was a difficult decision, but the time is right. Working in baseball is tough with young children," Cryan said. "We’re looking forward to our first summer vacation ever as a family next year."
    "We'd like to thank Mark for moving the team forward over the last four years,” said Burlington Royals President Miles Wolff. "There have been some great improvements during his term."
    Cryan and his family plan to continue living in Burlington. A new general manager should be announced shortly, although Cryan will remain with the team in an advisory capacity during the transition.
    Cryan’s tenure as General Manager was marked by an increased level of community involvement, with the ballpark hosting numerous community events, including Red Cross fund-raisers and the United Way campaign kick-off, as well as the implementation of the LabCorp Community Spotlight program that provided a complimentary game sponsorship to dozens of charities each year. He spearheaded a variety of ballpark improvements, including a playground, upgraded picnic and group areas.
    His next job is yet to be announced, but we're pleased to announce one of his future activities: Mark has been working on a history/travelogue of North Carolina ballparks for August Publications, and we expect to have the book available for purchase before the beginning of the 2007 season. If you've met Mark, you know he's quite the ballpark/baseball maven, so we're sure this will be a most illuminating and entertaining book.

Umps can do job with heart, without replay
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Will we ever see instant replay in baseball? The argument here is that major-league umps do a good job as it, so there's no need to add a game-stopping tool. Umps have a success rate of .980, which is good enough for baseball. Besides, when you insert instant replay, you lessen the human factor of the game -- and baseball is a game where the human factor reigns supreme.

Nationals give Suns, Hagerstown a new chance
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The argument here is an affiliation with the Washington Nationals will give some new life to the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). The bigger issue will be if there's enough new local interest in the team to warrant a new ballpark. Mandalay has been fairly open about seeking a new home for the Suns; Municipal Stadium is an older facility and doesn't really fit into Mandalay's stated economic model of larger developments anchored by a ballpark.

Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League) are jointly owned by Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, which makes Mandalay Baseball's management task a political minefield. Luzerne County officials wanted some assurance the team wouldn't move without their participation -- which Mandalay's Richard Neumann was ready to give -- but a bigger problem is looming. Mandalay has an option to buy the team, with a purchase agreement calling for Lackawanna County to receive the first $10 million. Trouble is, the deal between the two counties calls for the proceeds of a sale to be divided equally between them.
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Fixes needed at Dutchess County Stadium
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There's been quite the debate between Republicans and Democrats over the funding of operations at Dutchess County Stadium, the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades (short season; NY-Penn League). Both sides are posturing during election season, but the irony is neither side has bothered to consult with team ownership about the future of the ballpark and how future rent and payments will be made. The local newspaper points out this lack of communication.
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Aiming to up game of S.I. Yanks
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New York Post discovers something we've been reporting for months: Mandalay Baseball will be managing the Staten Island Yankees (short season; NY-Penn League) this season on behalf of owner New York Times. We're shocked, actually, that the Post is acting like this is big news: it's a coup for both Mandalay and the Yankees, to be sure, but it's certainly not been a secret. The goal will be to market the Yankees past Staten Island and into lower Manhattan: given the ease of attending a game via the ferry, the team should be looking to draw fans from Manhattan.
    RELATED STORIES: New hope for S.I. Yanks' empty seats; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Major changes can bring minor-league success to S.I. Yankees;

Tanner's vision clear
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ray Tanner stepped out of his SUV and saw a baseball stadium. He is one of the few who can see it. And he can see it all. USC’s baseball coach stood at the corner of Williams and Wheat Streets this week and envisioned the stadium that has seen more hurdles than Tanner expected when discussions of the project began nearly six years ago. It is a site Tanner said he visits at least twice per week; he occasionally drives several miles out of his way from his office on Rosewood Drive to his home in Shandon, just to check out his team's future home.
    RELATED STORIES: USC ballpark project moves forward

Ballpark Notes
Posted Nov. 6, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Veteran minor-league manager Dave Brundage will manage the 2007 Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) Brundage joins the Braves from the Seattle Mariners organization where he managed for nine seasons. Brundage replaces Brian Snitker, who managed the Braves for one season and will coach third base with Atlanta next season. Brundage will be the 26th manager in R-Braves history. Brundage managed Seattle’s Triple-A club, the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, last season. The Rainiers were 74-70 and finished second in their division in 2006....Gateway Grizzlies (independent' Frontier League) all-time hits leader Phil Warren has been named as the field manager for the Frontier League franchise. Warren replaces Danny Cox, who resigned the position last month. He becomes the fourth manager in the team’s history. Former River City Rascals manager Randy Martz has also joined the staff as the Grizzlies’ pitching coach. Warren, a St. Louis native, is back in uniform after spending the 2006 season as the Grizzlies Director of Player Personnel. Prior to the 2006 season, he spent three seasons on the playing field for the Grizzlies and parts of six seasons total in the Frontier League....Tom Brookens, a former Detroit Tigers infielder and a member of the 1984 World Series champions, is the new manager of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League)....