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Archives: Dec. 17-23, 2005

MLB tries to thwart Nats ballpark deals by potential owners
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Major League Baseball has ordered bidders for the Washington Nationals not to promise D.C. government leaders money for a new ballpark because their involvement could disrupt negotiations, angering some city officials who believe the bidders could help solve their cost concerns. Despite what some bidders have called a "gag order" issued by baseball, at least two of the eight groups have offered to cover cost overruns for the stadium project, with one brandishing a $100 million check in the halls of the city's John A. Wilson Building, according to a council member. The email from MLB says in part: "No bidding groups have any standing at this point, and therefore no group should be in direct or indirect communications with the City or Commission in regard to any stadium issues. Similarly, no bidding groups should be in communication with the press about these issues." The logic is simple: the more a group pays for a ballpark the less it will bid for the team, so every dollar going to D.C. is one lost to MLB. And MLB hates losing a dollar.
    RELATED STORIES: Washington ballpark vote delayed until next year; D.C. Council vote on Nats ballpark delayed; Williams, Cropp push to tweak Nats ballpark lease; MLB opposes moving Nats ballpark site; D.C. ballpark price tag rises by millions; True costs of D.C. ballpark go beyond budget; Accord reached on new D.C. ballpark; New cost estimate for D.C. ballpark: $700 million; Washington ballpark 'hurdles' are cleared, Cropp says; Tentative deal reached on lease for D.C. ballpark; MLB does not rule out RFK site for new ballpark; Evans: No need for $20M for D.C.; D.C. lease talks stumble; New hurdle for D.C. ballpark lease deal; D.C. ballpark property takeover delayed; Washington ballpark's rising price tag compels cuts; D.C. ballpark's modern design is clear winner on Council; Baseball hopes to resolve Nationals' lease; D.C. to seek more money from MLB; It's official: no vote on Nats owners next week; MLB, District close to lease; Some D.C. ballpark features may be cut; MLB seeking to merge D.C. bidders; Cropp: D.C. financing agreement fixed; Cropp vows ballpark on Anacostia; D.C. seizes 16 owners' property for Nats ballpark; D.C. ballpark property owners balking; D.C. landowners face deadline today; Williams defends Anacostia site for Nats ballpark; Cropp to limit exposure of ballpark plan; Cropp stands by Anacostia ballpark site as Council debate on financing looms; D.C. Council seeks to revisit ballpark deal; 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

Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Community leaders pursuing a minor-league baseball team for Springdale, Ark., say they’re encouraged by the response from franchises considering a move to Northwest Arkansas. We've heard the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) is the leading contender to land a ballpark, but both the independent Frontier League and American Association remain keenly interested in the outcome. The new ballpark probably won't be done in time for the 2007 season, but a team moving to Springdale could conceivably play at the University of Arkansas’s Baum Stadium in Fayetteville for one season.
    RELATED STORIES: Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter; Public money may be needed to build Springdale ballpark; Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims

Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape Coral
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Two Cleveland Indians team officials were in Cape Coral scouting out the city’s potential as a spring training site. The tour was purely preliminary, and both sides will be exchanging figures and information about needs and such. Cape Coral is in the greater Fort Myers area; the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins already train in Fort Myers. More from the Naples News.

Macon moves toward bringing baseball back to the city
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After negotiations between the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) and Macon officials have ended thanks to a potential ownership change in the team, city officials have decided to go ahead with a Luther Williams Field lease for the startup South Coast League. City officials clearly preferred bringing in a Class AA team, but instead are going with the sure thing for the moment. The independent South Coast League is looking at a 2007 launch and is looking at placing teams in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
    RELATED STORIES: Minor-league baseball in Macon -- again?; Macon ponders two baseball proposals; City explores baseball's return to Macon; Baseball team could slide home to Bluffton; South Coast League announces 2007 launch

Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball plan
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Could a new soccer stadium in downtown San Jose be the death knell for major-league baseball in that city? Baseball backers go out of their way not to pit one sport against the other. But while they are circumspect, some also see how City Hall's newly discovered willingness to put $80 million in public support toward a soccer stadium could hurt their cause. The irony that Oakland A's managing partner Lew Wolff, once assumed to be leaning toward MLB baseball in San Jose, is interested in owning a soccer team is too rich. Still, the barriers to any new stadium downtown remain huge: the public must approve public funding of a new facility.
    RELATED STORIES: A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose

Skylands back in the game
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Negotiations between Millennium Sports Management, owners of Skylands Park, and Floyd Hall Enterprises, which owns the New Jersey Jackals (independent; Can-Am Association), to bring a Can-Am League team to Sussex County are back on today after ending Wednesday afternoon. Hall now says things are looking good to bringing a Can-Am team to Skylands Park, the former home of the New Jersey Cardinals (short season; NY-Penn League). Things quickly changed in a day.
    RELATED STORIES: Can-Am close to placing team in Skylands Park; Can-Am Association not done for 2006; Skylands might stay teamless; Pride to play in Can-Am Association in 2006; Nashua baseball fans: don't sell Can-Am short; New owners, league possible for Pride; Pride seeking a league that’s a better fit; Can-Am Association considers Nashua; Pride plan proceeds, but not Hobson

A's will limit ballpark capacity to smallest in majors
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It's official: the Oakland Athletics announced Wednesday that they will no longer sell tickets in the third deck of McAfee Coliseum, giving the ballpark the lowest capacity in the major leagues. The capacity of the ballpark will fall from 44,073 last year to 34,179 in 2006. The team, who is hoping to build a 35,000-seat baseball-only facility, said the changes would make for a better environment to watch games. The team said it plans to keep the seats covered even for high-profile games against the Giants, Red Sox and Yankees, and for possible postseason play.

Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A day after a plan was presented to Charlotte city officials for a new uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), details of the complicated plan were still being unraveled. The biggest development of note was the willingness of Knights owner Don Beaver to step forward and offer more than the $17 million he had previously offered for a new ballpark, though the exact sources of the $34 million needed for the new Knights facility still has not been determined. City officials also like the other development announced as part of the plan.
    RELATED STORIES: Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark

A's owner has real interest in soccer
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The interest shown by Oakland A's managing partner Lew Wolff to enter the pro-soccer ownership world is real and not just a development ploy, apparently, but it's also a precursor to San Jose possibly landing the Oakland A's: ''If a viable program can be formulated for soccer, it will be a good indication of San Jose's interest in major-league sports.'' Yes, the Giants control San Jose as part of the team's territory, but everyone has a price, and a shiny new publicly subsidized ballpark in San Jose could be argued as being for the good of baseball.

Richland County has more pressing needs than baseball park
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A Richland County (S.C.) county commissioner steps forward with a strongly worded diatribe against a proposed ballpark in a new development for the Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally League), but this is purely an appeal to emotion. For starters, there's no public funding of the ballpark or the $100 million development; the only public financing comes in the form of tax-increment financing, money that wouldn't be there if the ballpark weren't built. There's nothing exotic or unseemly about tax-increment financing; developers and cities use it as a financing mechanism all the time. Furthermore, the decision isn't between a new ballpark and better roads; it's between having a ballpark and not having a ballpark. So chalk this up as a frustrated appeal to the emotions.
    RELATED STORIES: Richland County ballpark plans move forward; Taxpayers deserve open debate about proposed ballpark; Richland County Council should hold stadium discussions in open session; Private investors should finance new Richland County ballpark; Catfish already have one fin out of Columbus; New plans for Richland County ballpark unveiled

Scottsdale Stadium to be ready for Giants
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A renovated Scottsdale Stadium should be ready for the San Francisco Giants and the World Baseball Classic in March. Spring training fans and players can also look forward to new locker rooms, ticket and concession spaces. The Giants’ clubhouse has been rebuilt to include an additional 8,000 square feet and an underground passageway to the locker rooms for players and coaches. New lockers are to be installed next week. Bulletproof glass has been installed at the ticket windows. The main field is already green, with the base paths cut sharply into the grass. Behind the outfield fence, the Giants are replacing the scoreboard and moving it back 40 feet to double the lawn seating area. A bridge has been constructed to link the lawn seating to an upper deck bar and food court, from which fans can watch batting practice.

Wings post 11th straight profitable season
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA: International League) have enjoyed two straight winning seasons on the field (after six straight losing seasons) and Rochester Community Baseball in 2005 turned a profit for the 11th consecutive fiscal year. The annual financial report will be mailed to shareholders this week and they'll see a profit of $296,836 this past season, compared to $350,195 the prior year. Turnstile attendance was up 9 percent (to 288,059) in 2005 despite six rainouts. Paid attendance was 452,302 (437,088 in 2004).

Padres get OK to move in right-center wall
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Major League Baseball has approved the San Diego Padres' request to shorten the distance to right-center – a change that will knock 11 feet off the distance to the deepest point of the right-field power alley. Once the change is made, the longest distance at Petco will be 402 feet to both sides of the batter's eye in center field. The distance to straightaway center will remain 396 feet. The change will be accomplished by bringing in the see-through fence in front of the "beachers" in right-center. The realigned fence will run directly from the corner of the right-field scoreboard to the right-field corner of the green-canvassed fence in front of the batter's eye.

Brock Ballpark to be dedicated
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The dedication of Jim Brock Ballpark at Arizona State will be held on Jan. 20 during alumni weekend. The late Brock led the Sun Devils to two national championships during his 23 seasons and the baseball facility will be known as Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark. A dedication dinner and program is planned. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased through the ASU athletic department. The weekend will conclude with the alumni game on Jan. 21 that will include a ceremony honoring Brock and a tribute to the 1981 national championship team.

Ballpark impasse in D.C. affects projects
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The inability of the D.C. Council and MLB to agree on a lease for a new Washington Nationals ballpark has had some side effect for innocent bystanders. A community benefit fund created under the ballpark legislation directs up to $125 million for school construction and modernization, $45 million for improving public libraries, $10 million for plans to build a new hospital and $2 million for supplies at McKinley Technology High School in Northeast. These are all on hold pending the outcome of the negotiations.

Only two MLB pay luxury tax in 2005: Yankees and Red Sox
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Only two major-league teams paid a payroll tax to MLB coffers for the 2005 season: the Yankees owe about $34 million and the Red Sox about $4 million, both paying the tax for the second consecutive year. Considering the Yankees may have already lost $85 million 2005, the tax payment is pretty stiff, but it didn't keep the team from signing Johnny Damon to a long-term contract -- thus ensuring the team will be paying the tax again in 2006.

In memoriam: Elrod Hendricks
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Elrod Hendricks, who spent more than four decades as a player and coach with the Baltimore Orioles, died Wednesday at a local hospital, a spokeswoman said. He was 64. Hendricks broke into professional baseball in 1959 and made his major-league debut with the Orioles in 1968. He played in 711 games -- including 658 with the Orioles -- before retiring in 1979.

Baseball Notes
Posted December 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) and Clear Channel Radio announced that the Drillers' 2006 radio broadcasts will again be heard live on KTBZ AM 1430, The Buzz. It will mark the second straight year that the Drillers games will air on The Buzz, and the 21st consecutive year that the Drillers and Clear Channel have partnered on the game broadcasts. The Drillers also announced that Mark Neely would be returning as the play-by-play voice of the Drillers for the 2006 season....After one season as the voice of the Brockton Rox (independent; Can-Am League), Dave Raymond has been hired by the Houston Astros to join their 2006 radio team. He will work alongside Hall of Fame broadcaster of Milo Hamilton and newly hired broadcaster Brett Dolan. During the 2006 season, Hamilton will serve as the play-by-play analyst for the Astros radio broadcasts during home games with Dolan and Raymond sharing color analyst duties. For road games, Dolan and Raymond will share play-by-play duties along with pre- and post-game responsibilities. Raymond is a graduate of Stanford University and 11-year broadcasting
veteran. His Major League Baseball broadcasting experience includes selected games for the Baltimore Orioles in 2005 and the San Francisco Giants in 2003.

Washington ballpark vote delayed until next year
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The situation surrounding a new ballpark for the Washington Nationals has descended into complete chaos, as the fragile coalition once supporting a Southeast Washington location has collapsed. Mayor Anthony Williams withdrew a lease agreement from D.C. Council consideration Monday after it was clear the votes were not there for passage. Further complicating things, former Mayor Marion Barry has been working on his own version of the lease, and chairperson Linda Cropp is once again pushing the RFK Stadium site as a lower-cost alternative. There is backroom maneuvering galore, in the best Washington tradition, but in this instance it sounds like those opposing the lease as written were right to do so: it's a one-sided document that gives all the revenue to the Nats and all the risk to the District. Barry isn't working to kill the deal, but rather ensure Jonathan Ledecky lands the deal after he promised to cover cost overruns and sell 40 percent of the team to African-Americans. MLB then warned Ledecky not to make such an offer, but Ledecky isn't the only potential owner making such an offer, and MLB may need to relent on that point. Since the legislation won't be heard before the end of the year, D.C. will be technically in violation of the original agreement to bring the Nats to D.C. and could request arbitration to resolve the issue, but that doesn't seem likely at the moment. The whole issue is leverage: MLB had assumed it had all the leverage and is discovering D.C. political figures can be quite formidable -- and many locals like that their representatives are standing up to baseball. More and more it looks like baseball and the D.C. Council deserve one another, though. More from the Wall Street Journal, while the Post opines.
    RELATED STORIES: D.C. Council vote on Nats ballpark delayed; Williams, Cropp push to tweak Nats ballpark lease; MLB opposes moving Nats ballpark site; D.C. ballpark price tag rises by millions; True costs of D.C. ballpark go beyond budget; Accord reached on new D.C. ballpark; New cost estimate for D.C. ballpark: $700 million; Washington ballpark 'hurdles' are cleared, Cropp says; Tentative deal reached on lease for D.C. ballpark; MLB does not rule out RFK site for new ballpark; Evans: No need for $20M for D.C.; D.C. lease talks stumble; New hurdle for D.C. ballpark lease deal; D.C. ballpark property takeover delayed; Washington ballpark's rising price tag compels cuts; D.C. ballpark's modern design is clear winner on Council; Baseball hopes to resolve Nationals' lease; D.C. to seek more money from MLB; It's official: no vote on Nats owners next week; MLB, District close to lease; Some D.C. ballpark features may be cut; MLB seeking to merge D.C. bidders; Cropp: D.C. financing agreement fixed; Cropp vows ballpark on Anacostia; D.C. seizes 16 owners' property for Nats ballpark; D.C. ballpark property owners balking; D.C. landowners face deadline today; Williams defends Anacostia site for Nats ballpark; Cropp to limit exposure of ballpark plan; Cropp stands by Anacostia ballpark site as Council debate on financing looms; D.C. Council seeks to revisit ballpark deal; 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

Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Charlotte Center City Partners is pitching a potential deal to bring a new ballpark to uptown Charlotte. The plan would move the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) -- now playing in Fort Mill, S.C. -- to a new home near Bank of America Stadium. The ballpark would be built on land owned by Mecklenburg County that has been set aside for a park. It is a complicated deal, requiring land swaps between several government entities. When it is all said and done, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools would have a new headquarters, Marshall Park would be in the hands of private developers, and the Knights would move from Fort Mill, S.C., to a new $34-million ballpark financed by the team and private developers. One interesting part to the deal: despite the potential availability of the Florida Marlins, this ballpark project is not being set up so it can be expanded for an MLB team, meaning the powers that be in Charlotte have no interest in going after major-league baseball. More from the Charlotte Business Journal.

USC chooses new home for baseball
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After several false starts, University of South Carolina officials took the first step to a new ballpark by announcing they have acquired a 29-acre tract of land bordered by Blossom, Williams and Catawba streets on which they plan to build a riverfront ballpark with views of the Congaree and the Capitol. Work on the $28.5-million project is scheduled to begin in October. USC plans for the 6,800-seat stadium to be open for the start of the 2008 season; in the meantime the Gamecocks will play at Sarge Frye Field.
    RELATED STORIES: USC eyes riverfront ballpark

Joliet OKs ticket hike after Aramark overreports concession revenue
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The city of Joliet approved a hike in ticket prices for the Joliet Jackhammers (independent; Northern League) after it was discovered Aramark overstated concession revenue by more than $4 million. Ticket prices for Jackhammer games are set by the city, and the city was ready to reject a ticket hikes based on the Jackhammers receiving at least $2.1 million in their share of $7 million in concessions revenue. (The team receives at least 30 percent of all concession revenues.) Not so fast, says Aramark: we received only $1.5 million in concession revenues, so the Jackhammers made only a half-million dollars or so. There's something a little fishy about this story: either Aramark was incredibly sloppy or there's some revisionist history going on. We suspect every team owner doing business with Aramark will be reviewing the books after this.

Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Oakland City Council denied a request by the Oakland Athletics to extend the team's lease at McAfee Coliseum through 2013 in exchange for allowing the Oakland Raiders more ad space within the facility. The council also dropped the controversial Personal Seat Licenses used to generate revenue when the Raiders returned to Oakland. The thinking on the A's part was that an extension would give the team and Oakland more time to find a location in the city for a ballpark. It also would help the team squash constant rumors that it was looking elsewhere for a ballpark, but city officials worry the denial of the lease will drive the A's from Oakland permanently.

Name of bidder in sale of Jaxx becomes public
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As we reported yesterday, Timothy Bennett and his Overtime Sports company is the leading candidate to last the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League), according to team ownership and city officials. The Lozinak Baseball Group had asked the city for $12.5 million for the franchise, but the real value is probably closer to $8.5 million -- or even less should MiLB officials refuse to let Bennett move the team, as is highly possible with debt service of $5 million still remaining on Pringles Park and the city willing to renegotiate the lease. Bennett worked on the move of the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League) to Pearl and has been working on a ballpark plan for Biloxi.
    RELATED STORIES: Bennett to buy Diamond Jaxx; Council pushes back Jaxx lease deadline; potential buyer emerges; Baseball's future in Jackson up in air; Council faces Jaxx's lease pitch; West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to Macon?; Both sides must give a little to save Jaxx; Deal would keep Jaxx in Jackson for two years; Jaxx submit second lease for city's OK; City keeps getting in way of baseball success; City's demands could force Diamond Jaxx out on Dec. 15; Bottom line in Jackson hasn't met expectations

Redbirds' bottom line looking good
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After suffering through some financial worries in the last few years, the bottom line for the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) is looking better. The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation has found financial stability after several years of straining to pay for the most expensive minor league park ever built, co-founder Dean Jernigan said this week. Unspecified stadium revenue shortfalls, particularly in the early years, have been made up by Jernigan, co-founder with wife, Kristi. But Jernigan said that every debt-service payment has been made, the operation now is financially stable, and -- putting speculation to rest -- the team is not being sold. Gross annual revenue is $17 million to $19 million -- highest in the minors, the team says. But operational costs can exceed $10 million, and debt-service payments -- which aren't an issue for teams playing in taxpayer-financed parks -- are about $6 million. Bond payments continue through 2028.

Pro sports should bet on Vegas
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here's a call for the Florida Marlins or an NBA team -- perhaps the Sacramento Kings -- to move to Las Vegas. We are talking about a $72 billion economy here, and some of the arguments against a Vegas pro team are based on old assumptions and stereotypes. The idea that gambling is the predominant activity in town is no longer true: fine dining and shopping are increasingly popular. The notion that casinos will not send patrons to a ballpark is also outdated: yes, the casinos do work to keep you within their walls, but not to the extent they once did.

Second SkyChiefs mediation called off
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A second mediation session between the Syracuse SkyChiefs (Class AAA; International League) and Onondaga County scheduled for Monday was postponed because the SkyChiefs want to first meet with members of the County Legislature about possible ballpark upgrades. During the first mediation session Dec. 1, the SkyChiefs said they wanted to talk with the Legislature about the possibility of getting county money for Alliance Bank Stadium. The county owns the stadium, and the SkyChiefs are the primary tenant.
    RELATED STORIES: SkyChiefs, county seek ballpark solution; SkyChiefs' entrenched board facing tough lineup

Dukes to return to Wahconah Park for two more years
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Pittsfield Parks Commission voted 3-2 to approve a two-year agreement that will allow the Pittsfield Dukes (summer collegiate; New England Collegiate Baseball League) to remain at Wahconah Park for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. What should be a simple deal that keeps Wahconah Park in use and someone else paying for the maintenance ends up being this drama of epic proportions.
    RELATED STORIES: Dukes pitch 2-year park deal for Wahconah Park

Graphic Connection number-one licensee in minor-league ball
Posted December 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Graphic Connection, the official merchandise manufacturer of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League), is the number one local licensee of official Minor League Baseball merchandise in the country, having sold more goods than any other local retail outlet in the United States that specializes in Minor League Baseball. Out of more than 150 total licensees throughout the country, 71 of which are based in individual markets, Graphic Connection accounted for 13.9 percent of all revenue generated by local licensees nationwide. Licensees are entities which are granted permission by Major League Baseball Properties to sell official team merchandise in local markets. This year, with national and local licensees combined, Minor League Baseball is projected to generate more than $41.7 million of retail revenue.

Bennett to buy Diamond Jaxx
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We're learned Timothy Bennett, the founder of the summer collegiate Cotton State League and a key figure of the development of the new ballpark in Pearl, Miss., that attracted the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League) to that city, plans on signing a letter of intent to buy the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) from Bob Lozinak. This doesn't mean a deal is final, and Bennett will be performing due diligence on the acquisition. The team has several suitors, including Ryan Baseball and Mandalay Baseball. This information comes from information provided by Lozinak to Jackson officials. Bennett has been working on the development of a new ballpark in Biloxi, Miss., which theoretically could be open in time for the 2007 season.
    RELATED STORIES: Council pushes back Jaxx lease deadline; potential buyer emerges; Baseball's future in Jackson up in air; Council faces Jaxx's lease pitch; West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to Macon?; Both sides must give a little to save Jaxx; Deal would keep Jaxx in Jackson for two years; Jaxx submit second lease for city's OK; City keeps getting in way of baseball success; City's demands could force Diamond Jaxx out on Dec. 15; Bottom line in Jackson hasn't met expectations

D.C. Council vote on Nats ballpark delayed
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mayor Anthony Williams requested yesterday that the D.C. Council delay today's scheduled vote on a lease agreement between the District and Major League Baseball for a new Washington Nationals ballpark as council support for the project appeared to be waning. The last-minute move angered Major League Baseball officials, who threatened to take the lease deal to binding arbitration if it is not finalized by Dec. 31. But council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D), who complied with the mayor's request, said she does not expect to schedule a vote until after Jan. 3, when the council reconvenes from its winter break. MLB might have played things wrong by immediately threatening legal action: if the lease is not approved, "the City will be in default on its contractual commitments and we will then have no choice but to prepare for arbitration," MLB COO Bob DuPuy said in a letter to Cropp. "In arbitration, all prior concessions by MLB would be revisited." Complicating matters (at least where MLB is concerned); two potential ownership groups (those headed by Franklin Haney and Jonathan Ledecky) say they'll cover any cost overruns on ballpark construction, while MLB's preferred group, the Malek group, has been silent on the issue. For council members undecided on the lease, there are two groups: one group is opposed to any lease at all, while the crucial swing bloc is more concerned about cost overruns -- and that's the group both Williams and MLB must appease for this deal to move forward. More on the atmosphere surrounding the negotiations. More from the Globe and Mail, where Brian Milner says the battle over financing could change the terms of sports teams and how they pursue new facilities. More from the Washington Times, as well as a Times overview.
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Twins ballpark financing deal unlikely to be renewed
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Minnesota Twins and their ballpark supporters on the Hennepin County Board are not optimistic Monday about the future of a $508 million ballpark in downtown Minneapolis's Warehouse District, and neither had the confidence to try to extend a ballpark agreement that's scheduled to expire Dec. 31. The Twins and Mike Opat, the board's lead ballpark supporter, said the agreement will be allowed to expire because the Twins have battled to build a subsidized ballpark for 10 years and have been forced to go back to the drawing board each time. Opat and Twins officials said an attempt to revive the agreement in 2006 would be made only if Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders clearly said the chances of approval at the Capitol are very good.
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Sounds ballpark vote delayed
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Metro Council’s Budget and Finance Committee voted Monday to defer a decision on a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) ballpark to January due to what it believes is the complex nature of the plan. One issue: a councilman wants to change the lease to allow the city to hold more events at the new ballpark. Meanwhile, the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors (GNAR) endorsed the deal, saying it would be a boost to the economy, while an anti-tax group, Tennessee Tax Revolt, came out against the plan, saying the city would be better served selling the land to a private developer. More from the Tennessean.
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Elmore takes over as new owner of the Blaze
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As we reported last week, the Bakersfield Blaze (Class A; California League) have been sold to D.G. Elmore. Elmore is the son of Dave Elmore and part of the Elmore Sports Group. Individually, Elmore owns the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League), while the Elmore Sports Group owns the Inland Empire 66ers (Class A; California League), the Idaho Falls Chukars (rookie; Pioneer League) and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), among other teams. Elmore Sports Group has been an owner of the Blaze for the past year. Right now there's no new ballpark in the works, but Cal State-Bakersfield officials say they're willing to discuss a new facility with the Blaze.
    RELATED STORIES: CSUB to launch baseball program

Potter to hear Three Rivers seat request
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The owners of the new Amarillo team in the independent United League are seeking to have the seating updated at Potter County Memorial Stadium. On Thursday, Potter County commissioners will consider a request from Byron Pierce, an official with Dallas-based United Sports Equities, to help the former Amarillo Dillas owners acquire 3,000 seats from the now-demolished Three Rivers Stadium, once home to the Steelers and Pirates. Pierce said he'll ask county commissioners to pay about $45,000 for shipping the seats and installing them at Potter County Memorial Stadium.
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Memorabilia king Halper dead at 66
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Barry Halper, owner of one of the most extensive collections of baseball memorabilia and a limited partner in the New York Yankees, has died. He was 66. Halper, who died Sunday at St. Barnabas Medical Center, was bedridden for nearly a year from complications of diabetes, said longtime friend and former Yankees spokesman Marty Appel. A portion of his Halper's collection was acquired by Major League Baseball and donated to the Hall of Fame in 1998. Halper also fetched a staggering $21.8 million -- a record for sports memorabilia -- during a weeklong auction at Sotheby's in 1999.

College Township approves amusement, parking taxes
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The College Township Council on Monday adopted new amusement and parking taxes to tap revenues from minor league baseball games at Penn State's new stadium -- but also to try to get a piece of intercollegiate sports revenues after 2016, when a 20-year agreement with the university expires. The new amusement tax ordinance doubles the levy from 5 percent to 10 percent and will take effect on Oct. 1, 2006. It will thus not affect financial plans already in place for this summer's inaugural season of the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) baseball team. The delay also will give the township one season to figure out whether and how much baseball adds to municipal costs.

Topeka still interested in ballpark proposals
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Topeka city officials recently rejected Pennsylvania developer Michael Johnson's proposal to build an entertainment district featuring a minor-league baseball stadium in downtown Topeka's Watertower area, saying he lacked the financial backing to make it work. But the city is still interested in hearing proposals anyone might put forth to develop the area. Tax-increment financing is still an option, according to city officials.
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The final word on the last ball
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Murray Chass says the battle between Doug Mientkiewicz and the Boston Red Sox over the ownership of the ball used to make the final out of the 2004 World Series is clear: it belongs to Mientkiewicz, and that the Red Sox have no right to ask for the ball. Traditionally, the first baseman making the last out of the World Series does get to keep the ball and decide what to do with it: this season Paul Konerko presented the ball to White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf of his own accord.

Daktronics to install new Rosenblatt Stadium scoreboard
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Daktronics announced that it will design and manufacture an integrated scoring and video system for Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb., the long-time home of the College World Series. The new video screen will be installed behind the left field seats where the existing scoreboard now stands. With an active area of more than 1,550 square feet (27 feet 7 inches high by 56 feet 6 inches wide), the new ProStar screen will provide fans with larger than life video images. With more than 830,000 individual red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) to compose the images and information shown, fans will enjoy the high resolution imagery the large video screen will provide. The word "ROSENBLATT" will adorn the top of the video screen, spelled out in decorative illuminated channel letters measuring 4 feet high. The back of the display will also identify Rosenblatt Stadium as the "Home of the NCAA Men's College World Series." The top of the structure will rise more than 75 feet above grade when installed.

Baseball Notes
Posted December 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Orlando Merced, a veteran of 13 major league seasons, has been added to the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) coaching staff. Merced, in his first professional coaching assignment, will serve as the team's hitting coach. He joins manager Stu Cole and pitching coach Bo McLaughlin on the Tulsa staff. Merced replaces Darron Cox in the Tulsa dugout. Cox has been named the manager of the Tri-City Dust Devils (short season; Northwest League).

A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion team for San Jose
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The ownership of the Oakland Athletics has expressed an interest in acquiring an expansion Major League Soccer franchise for San Jose. The new team would replace the Earthquakes franchise, moved last week to Houston, but would retain the Earthquakes name and colors. Lew Wolff, the A's managing partner, has a background in San Jose real-estate development, and one scenario has the city building a new downtown soccer stadium. Another scenario has the city building both a downtown soccer stadium and a ballpark for an MLB team. The possibilities are intriguing, but any move of the A's to San Jose hits one huge roadblock: the San Jose territory is controlled by the San Francisco Giants, and team ownership has been steadfast in their opposition to giving up the Bay Area to the A's. However, the territorial rights are not absolute: they were granted by the Commissioner's Office and could be changed by the Commissioner's Office, and in theory a team or city could pay the Giants for their agreeing to a San Jose move. From what we hear, it would not be impossible -- just expensive. Ray Ratto comments on the situation.

Council pushes back Jaxx lease deadline; potential buyer emerges
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Jackson (Tn.) City to extend its Dec. 15 deadline for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) to vacate Pringles Park and defer consideration of a lease extension for Pringles Park until next year after team ownership announced it was in discussions to sell the team. According to Mayor Charles Farmer, the potential new owners are not local, and we're guessing they don't intend on keeping the team in Jackson; Biloxi has been mentioned as a likely destination. The city is still seeking a new long-term league, but ballpark organizers in Biloxi say they can have a facility ready for the 2007 season. More from the Jackson Sun.
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Williams, Cropp push to tweak Nats ballpark lease
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Mayor Anthony A. Williams and D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp yesterday asked Major League Baseball's president to agree to changes in a stadium lease agreement and pressed federal government officials to help pay for infrastructure upgrades near a new ballpark along the Anacostia River, city government sources said. MLB COO Robert A. DuPuy, who was in town and met with several council members, agreed to make the changes in the lease document, which were described as relatively minor clarifications in wording, the sources said.
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USC eyes riverfront ballpark
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
University of South Carolina officials are close to finalizing a deal to build a $15 million to $20 million baseball stadium on a site along the Congaree River. The proposed site, on the east (Columbia) side of the river, would replace USC's most recent plan to build a ballpark behind the Colonial Center in the city's Vista area. The city would be asked to fund some infrastructure costs, but the university has dropped plans to ask for additional financial assistance.

Soccer might help Cuba for World Classic entry
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It was a little surprising when a Cuban baseball team was denied visas to enter the United States to play in the World Baseball Classic in March: the rationale was that Cuban participating in profit-making exercises would violate U.S. laws. Here's an argument that the U.S. government set a precedent when it allowed a Cuban soccer team in the United States to play in a tourney. One huge difference: the soccer tourney was not a for-profit enterprise, and the WBC clearly is. Considering how tied MLB is with the Bush administration, the denial of Cuban participation must have been shocking to MLB. If Cuba is ultimately denied entry, MLB officials say Nicaragua or Columbia could supply a replacement team. Some Cuban expatriates like Livan and Orlando Hernandez, say they'll form their own Cuban team for the tourney -- a move MLB officials are against. Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez says he's skipping the tourney and will spend spring training with the Yankees.

With help from his friends, Ripken plots rapid growth
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the plan by Ripken Baseball to buy up to 10 minor-league teams and set up baseball academies with each one. We're always a little skeptical of plans like this. Do the math: let's say it costs $7 million (on average) to buy each of these 10 teams. Is minor-league baseball really the best place to park $70 million in capital? Joseph N. Geier, a financial adviser to many baseball players -- including Ripken and several of his partners in Baseball Enterprises -- said he expects the group's structure to give momentum to Ripken's expansion plans because ballplayers view minor-league teams a good investment, with rates of return comparable to or better than conservative instruments like bonds.
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Beyond Washington, most teams cover stadium overruns
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
MLB pushed for one big concession in its lease for a new Washington Nationals ballpark: the District will cover all cost overruns. This clause is unique among baseball teams: almost every new ballpark build since Safeco Field has called for the teams covering cost overruns, under the theory that if teams asked changes and additional features -- as they inevitably do -- they should pony up for the additional expense. This concession alone makes the lease one of the most generous in recent years, but baseball officials say there are additional concessions that make it one of the most generous ever, giving the Nats all naming rights, ballpark, parking and concession revenue. The Washington Post admits it's a bad lease but urges the D.C. Council to sign it and later work out a better deal with the new Nationals owners. Though we don't normally link to letters to the editor, here's an interesting one from Mayor Anthony Williams.

Fisher Cats Ballpark to host summer concerts
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) are going after concert business after forming a subsidiary to book and promote musical acts at Fisher Cats Ballpark. Rick Brenner, former GM and COO of the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League), heads the subsidiary, which will bring three or four concerts to the ballpark in 2006. President and General Manager Shawn Smith also signed a two-year deal to continue running the Fisher Cars. Fisher Cats owner Arthur Solomon also wants to leverage his purchase of the team by investing in property near the ballpark and develop it. More on what happens at Fisher Cats Ballpark in the offseason. Meanwhile, the opening of the new hotel next to the ballpark has been delayed by a month, though it should be open in time for the 2006 season.

D.C. ballpark foes look to council for help
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There will be dueling rallies today in the District of Columbia, as both Mayor Anthony Williams and anti-ballpark forces are planning public displays to attempt to influence members of the D.C. Council as they prepare for an important Tuesday vote on the proposed lease between the city and the Washington Nationals for a new ballpark. Critics distributed hundreds of fliers near the Wilson Building last week and are sending emails to council members expressing their fear residents will be on the hook for hundreds of millions in cost overruns.

At times, you build it, no one comes
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After the Midwest League denied a Marion application to reenter the league, some opponents of a new ballpark in downstate Illinois said the project had all the earmarks of a lost cause. But Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he plans on going ahead with state funding of the ballpark. He's right that professional baseball is interested in the area, but that interest comes in the form of independent ball.
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Out of necessity, Red Sox are expanding their horizons
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It is misleading to think of the Boston Red Sox as a baseball team. These days. the Boston Red Sox corporation is basically a land-development firm, leveraging their investment in Fenway Park with purchases of land and buildings in the area surrounding the ballpark. Some of this defensible: Red Sox management says they need to protect their investment in the BoSox and Fenway Park by guiding development in the area. But sometimes you get the impression baseball is now a secondary concern for the Red Sox front office (witness the whole Theo Epstein fiasco), and no matter how much team officials say they were dragged into the real-estate field, the fact is they've spent millions of dollars on property.

JetHawks to install new scoreboard for 2006 season
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Lancaster JetHawks (Class A; California League), Clear Channel Radio of the Antelope Valley and the city of Lancaster announced the addition of a new Daktronics video board, which will be installed prior to the 2006 season, and will replace the ten-year-old board that was installed at the time of ballpark construction. Clear Channel Radio of Antelope Valley, the title sponsor of the facility, has agreed to a nine-year title sponsorship of the new board. The 13’X16’ board will be placed in the existing structure located in left-centerfield and will feature video and graphic capabilities that fans are accustomed to seeing at most major league facilities across the nation. In addition, live action video will be experienced via a camera that will be set-up on the field at Clear Channel Stadium.

Aligning security a 'serious issue' for D.C. ballpark
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The southeast location of a new Washington Nationals ballpark will raise some issues about security, as the site is ringed by three high-security complexes: the headquarters of the Army Military District of Washington at Fort Lesley J. McNair; the Naval District of Washington, comprising the Navy Yard and the Marine Corps Barracks; and the Air Force District at Bolling Air Force Base, with an annex just across the bridge. Each has its own security force, and coordinating them will be a big task for the D.C. government.

Dukes pitch 2-year park deal for Wahconah Park
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Berkshire Parks Commission will consider a proposal tomorrow that would allow the Pittsfield Dukes (summer collegiate; NECBL) to continue to play at Wahconah Park for the next two years. Owner Dan Duquette wants a longer deal and the ability to promote additional events at the ballpark; the city wants to make sure it's not leasing the ballpark at a loss.

'For Sale' sign has buyers calling Braves
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Steve Greenberg, a managing director of New York investment banking firm Allen & Co., says his phone has been ringing off the hook from parties interested in pursuing a purchase of the Atlanta Braves. You can imagine the team would be a hot property -- its lease is great, and Atlanta is still a great market -- and given the high interest in a purchase of the Washington Nationals, you can expect to see additional bidders crawl out from the woodwork in the coming months.
    RELATED STORIES: Dunn: 'We’re going about out daily routines'; Atlanta Braves may be up for sale

Braves ballpark deal a sweet one
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One of the big selling points for a Braves owner is the favorable lease enjoyed by the team. Turner Field carries no debt due to Olympic funding, and the Braves lease calls for the team to pay $500,000 in yearly rent, contribute $1 million annual to a capital fund and maintain the facility. The lease runs another 32 years, and although there have been no big spats over the terms of the lease (the Braves picked up the cost of a new scoreboard after the stadium authority said it lacked the funds for a purchase), there's always the potential for disagreements over what constitutes maintenance and what constitutes a capital expenditure.

Braves weren't the problem
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More background on the decision by Time Warner to sell the Atlanta Braves and Turner South. The ultimate rationale for selling the duo: the tiny (8.3 million subscribers) Turner South, where slow growth has frustrated Time Warner officials, who would rather focus on their larger properties (TNT, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network). In theory, the pair do not need to be sold together -- and since the Braves make up such a small percentage of the Turner South programming, it doesn't likely they will.

York ballpark supporters haughty
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Proponents of a new ballpark in York, Pa., may have irritated some local citizens with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude toward yearly payments in lieu of property taxes on a new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team. The York County Economic Development Corporation is offering to pay $60,000 a year instead of property taxes and is relying on a single legal opinion to argue the corporation would not need to pay anything at all in property taxes. The local school board isn't too sure and is seeking other legal opinions.
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Marlins a business-retention issue for community
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The issues faced by the Florida Marlins should be viewed as a business story, not a sports story, according to this opinion piece. What the Marlins have done is pretty clear: team officials said they'd invest in their team, and they have, bringing home two World Series titles in the last 10 years. But Dolphins Stadium cannot generate the revenues for owner Jeffrey Loria to continue running the team at this level. The question asked here: if another large business in south Florida was in the same situation, would people be opposed to governmental aid?

Playing for the pros in San Antonio
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The debate in San Antonio is whether the city wants to pursue major-league baseball. Given that the area is so football-crazy, the more likely course for the city is to pursue a retention of the New Orleans Saints. Plus, there's the larger issue of demographics, which is a curious omission from this article: San Antonio may have raw population, but there's some issues about the demographics and the level of possible corporate support.

Cards' owners want to make money, and that's not bad
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There's been some public criticism of the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason, as the team has failed to land any notable free agents and lost pitcher Matt Morris to the Giants. On one level, the criticism is warranted: the Cardinals sold the public on a new ballpark by saying the team would spend new revenues on the team. But a look of the details yields a more nuanced story: the team payroll will be over $90 million this season (with Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen and Jim Edmonds accounting for $39 million), and there simply weren't a lot of high-profile free agents this offseason.

Wishstone reaches agreement to sell Cardinals medallions
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Wishstone, which is providing large logo medallions affixed to the exterior of the new Busch Stadium, has reach a licensing agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals and MLB to sell miniature versions of the medallions. Wishstone hand-carved each of the original 13 stone medallion designs; authentic replicas created in designer-resin composites will be available at http://www.birdonbat.com and St. Louis area retailers.

Baseball Notes
Posted December 19, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will return manager Chip Hale and his coaching staff for the 2006 season, as announced by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hale will once again be flanked by his 2005 staff of hitting coach Lorenzo Bundy and pitching coach Mike Parrott.