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Archives: June 11-17, 2005

Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A $80-million proposal by the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for a downtown ballpark with accompanying residential and retail has nearly tripled into a $230 million development that includes 600 residential units, 125 of which would be affordable housing. Baltimore-based Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse has increased its investment significantly since December 2003 when the project was $80 million and 225 residential units. A sticking point in negotiations over the ballpark was tax increment financing. Points of disagreement have centered around the city’s contribution of the former Thermal site and whether $20 million in tax increment financing needed to make the deal work includes that land value. Expanding the scope of the project helps make the numbers work.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Bob Wirz: Golden League draws crowds for openers
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Golden League got off to a rollicking start in Long Beach and Fullerton. Long Beach, previously known for its college baseball (Long Beach State) and three teams that did not exactly set the world on fire when the Western League was in the Southern California city, had opened with a standing-room-only crowd of 3,479 (seating capacity 3,000). Fullerton followed that up with 2,693 for its opener.

D.C. ballpark deal calls for union workers
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
District of Columbia Mayor Anthony A. Williams announced yesterday that the city has reached an agreement that requires local unions to hire and train hundreds of District residents for the construction of the new ballpark. The agreement, struck after nearly a year of closed-door sessions, essentially requires that bidders either have union shops or agree to have their workers join a union in order to participate. The agreement will require the approval of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission. Protesters argued the move would keep minority firms from bidding on the projects and force apprentices to join a union.

Marlins president: Team still reviewing ballpark options
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Florida Marlins President David Samson says the team is still looking at its options regarding a new retractable-roof ballpark in Miami. Samson did not say what any alternative options may include, nor would he say if the team's hope of being in a new facility in time for the 2008 season was still feasible. (It's probably not when you factor in land-acquisition issues.) The Marlins want a 38,000-seat ballpark to be built adjacent to the Orange Bowl in Miami.
    RELATED STORIES: Marlins shortfall still unresolved; Ballpark talks in Florida; Dolphins Stadium with retractable roof may be pitched to Marlins; Miami-Dade extends the clock on plan for ballpark financing; June deadline for Marlins ballpark; Marlins could look elsewhere after another loss in Florida; Marlins will reevaluate ballpark options; Las Vegas smacks its lips; Strikeout for Marlins ballpark as session winds down; Marlins keep pitching for ballpark subsidy; Selig doesn't rule out Marlins move if new ballpark isn't built; The Marlins' toughest foe: Tallahassee; Marlins may get new lease at Dolphins Stadium; Huizenga remarks help undercut Marlins stadium deal in Legislature; Marlins' ballpark plan gets resistance -- again; Las Vegas still willing to gamble on baseball; Miami-Dade OKs financing for $420 million Marlins ballpark; Poll finds little support for public funding of Marlins ballpark; Tentative Marlins ballpark deal announced; State open to Marlins ballpark proposal; Miami gives Marlins ballpark the nod

Full-speed ahead for ballpark-building juggernaut
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Just when things seemed to be slowing down on the ballpark front you had announcements from the New York Yankees and the New York Mets about their plans for new facilities; you may also see at least three more new MLB ballparks in the majors in the next five years as well as Florida, Minnesota and Oakland work on their ballpark issues. (Tampa Bay and Kansas City loom in the distance as well.)  One reason for the boom: tax-exempt bonds are a very attractive tool for financing ballparks, as well-rated municipalities are paying 4.25 percent to borrow money for 30 years. Meanwhile, reaction to the Yankees' proposal for a new ballpark trickles in; Jerry Izenberg offers qualified support, but the Cincinnati Post's Lonnie Wheeler is apparently unaware Yankee Stadium was renovated and extensively changed in 1978, as he talks about the current ballpark as if it's the same facility where Babe Ruth patrolled the outfield. It's not. Bob Raissman points out one fact left out of the discussion: because ballpark construction costs are deducted from MLB's revenue sharing plan, teams like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Kansas City Royals will be picking up a good chunk of construction costs.
    RELATED STORIES: Yankees officially unveil new ballpark plans; Yankees' ballpark plans stepping up to the plate; Bombers move on own plan as N.Y. turns two; SOS for Yankee fans: Save Old Stadium; Bronx Beep goes to bat for new Yankee Stadium; Inside the deal for the new Yankee Stadium; It's back to the future for the Yankees; Lots of ideas for Yankee Stadium; Yanks 90% toward new home; Stadium games in NYC: give and take and speculation; Macomb dams Yankees; New York's sports economy; Brooklyn beep ready to play ball with the Yankees

Ballpark workers to protest tonight for higher wages
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Not too many teams owners agree to union representation among ballpark workers, so Orioles owner Peter Angelos was already pushing the envelope when he agreed to help the United Workers Association bring in a new contractor that pledged better wages and better treatment. Workers want $8.85 an hour -- the livable minimum wage in Baltimore -- but the Maryland Stadium Authority raised pay only to $7 per hour. Tonight the UWA will be picketing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards to protest their plight.

Minor-league ballpark pitched for Monticello area
Posted June 17, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A New York City developer yesterday unveiled his proposed plans to build a large retail facility, a minor-league ballpark and other recreational activities on 650 acres of land at the Sullivan County Airport off Route 42 in the town of Thompson in the Monticello area. The ballpark would seat between 3,000 and 4,000 people and be open in time for the 2005 season.

Competing visions for Old Orchard Ballpark
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Here's a name from the past. The future of Old Orchard Ballpark, the former home of the Maine Guides and the Maine Phillies (both Class AAA; International League), is under some debate as a developer wants to tear down the ballpark and to develop the 75 acres with restaurants, retail and residential. Local residents want the tract to stay in control of the city and used for community purposes. Old Orchard Ballpark was briefly used for concerts once the Guides moved, but today the ballpark has deteriorated and the playing field is completely overgrown.

Yankees officially unveil new ballpark plans
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New York Yankees officially unveiled plans for a new Yankee Stadium. In a presentation led by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and attended by a slew of dignitaries -- including New York Gov. George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- details for the new 51,800-seat, $800-million ballpark were outlined. Construction on the new ballpark, on a site next to the current Yankee Stadium site in Macombs Dam Park across 161st Street, is scheduled to begin next spring, with a 2009 opening anticipated. The new ballpark will feature a facade (made of unpainted limestone and concrete, just like the original) reminiscent of the original Yankee Stadium, which opened in 1923, while the signature copper frieze of the old stadium, painted white in the 1960s and removed during the renovation in the mid-'70s, will return to the ballpark roof. The new Yankee Stadium will essentially be two structures: the ballpark bowl and a more formal-looking building. The new ballpark will also feature the same dimensions and bullpen placements as the original ballpark, while other elements -- like Monument Park -- will be moved intact into the new ballpark. With 30,000 seats on the first level and 20,000 in the second level, fans will have a a closer view of the field than the current ballpark provides, and the concourses will be designed to allow a better view of the game while fans are visiting concessions. It will be smaller than the existing stadium, which has 56,937 seats and about 18 luxury boxes. (Interestingly, most of the current Yankee Stadium will not fall to the wrecking ball. The city plans to preserve at least the existing baseball field, the dugouts and the first level of the stands for Little League and high-school use.) The ballpark is part of a broader redevelopment plan that includes a hotel, conference center and high school for sports-related careers. The price is right for the city: the Yankees will pay the $800 million cost of construction, operation and maintenance costs; the city and state will spend an estimated $208 million on work related to the stadium, bringing the total cost to more than $1 billion. The state has agreed to spend up to $75 million to build three or four parking garages, which will add up to 5,000 new spaces, and to do some road work. More from the New York Daily News, the Newark Star-Ledger, The New York Times, Newsday and the Albany Business Journal. While most of the current Yankees expressed pleasure with the announcement, some members of the Boston Red Sox expressed regret. Some fans have mixed feelings as well. (They're probably also bummed about the inevitable ticket-price hikes.) The New York Times' Nicolai Ouroussoff rips the design: "The Yankees have managed to propose a stadium design that has neither the charm of the rickety old stadiums nor the energy and power of the most innovative. It is a hollow replica of the past that may beguile fans of the current team, but it fails to tap into the spirit of what New Yorkers like to think of as the most legendary sports team in America." More renderings here.
    RELATED STORIES: Yankees' ballpark plans stepping up to the plate; Bombers move on own plan as N.Y. turns two; SOS for Yankee fans: Save Old Stadium; Bronx Beep goes to bat for new Yankee Stadium; Inside the deal for the new Yankee Stadium; It's back to the future for the Yankees; Lots of ideas for Yankee Stadium; Yanks 90% toward new home; Stadium games in NYC: give and take and speculation; Macomb dams Yankees; New York's sports economy; Brooklyn beep ready to play ball with the Yankees

Names in for new State College baseball franchise
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Nearly 5,000 submissions have been made with over 400 unique names after the first round of voting to name State College's future NY-Penn League baseball team. The top seven names after the first round, in alphabetical order, are: Black Bears, Copperheads, Miners, Mountain Bats, Ridge-Riders, Sliders and Stags. Because of the volume of responses, a semifinal round has been added in the contest. The semifinal round will run from Friday until June 26 and will allow fans to vote on one of the top seven names from round one, as well as an eighth line for a write-in vote. Votes may again be made through the team's Web site.

Developer pitches ballpark for Columbia (S.C.) area
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally League) and Alan Kahn, owner and developer of the Village at Sandhill retail project near Columbia, S.C., are exploring the possibility of moving the team to Northeast Richland. In a letter to the league dated May 12, Kahn spelled out plans for an $18 million to $20 million ballpark that would be constructed at the rear of the 300 acres of Village at Sandhill, a development off Clemson Road that, when completed, will include shops, office spaces, homes and businesses. Early reaction to the plan was somewhat negative, as local officials questioned the suitability of a ballpark in the retail area.

Hines deal took root last summer
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the deal between the owners of land envisioned as the site of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark and Hines, a large development and property-management firm. The participation of the Houston-based Hines Development changes the dynamics of the discussion: while we don't think Hines will up the price of the land for the ballpark, the general nature of the development could change to provide more retail and less office space; it may also bring about a change in the ballpark's architects from HOK (which did preliminary drawings) to Dallas-based HKS. Also, the general mood among movers and shakers following this project is a lot more pessimistic than it was even two weeks ago, when folks were generally optimistic about the chances of the Minnesota Legislature giving Hennepin County permission to add a 0.15 percent sales tax to finance the ballpark. The Legislature is basically in limbo after Gov. Tim Pawlenty called a special session earlier this month; the governor, the House and the Senate are all disagreeing on a new budget, and the multisided negotiations are going nowhere. Legislative leaders say they won't consider a Twins ballpark before they pass a budget, but with many state functions scheduled to shut down on July 1 if a budget is not passed, there's the distinct possibility negotiations will go down to the wire with the Legislature passing a budget and then quickly adjourning, leaving the Twins measure dead for this year.
    RELATED STORIES: Possible Twins site has new life; Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota; Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share; Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote; Big fans of a Twins move; Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan; Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative leaders; Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins ballpark; Few want to pay for Twins ballpark; Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark funding; Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark funding; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums; Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy; Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans; Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

FCC asked by O's to rule on Nats TV stalemate
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Baltimore Orioles yesterday asked the Federal Communications Commission to order Comcast cable company to begin carrying Washington Nationals games immediately and break a deadlock that has kept millions of fans in the Mid-Atlantic region from seeing Nationals games on television. The move by the Orioles, who control baseball's rights to the entire Baltimore-Washington television market through the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, escalates the war between the Baltimore club and Comcast over who will dominate cable television sports in the region.

Hey! How 'bout those 'Chucks?
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Vermont Expos (short season; NY-Penn League) are holding a contest to rename the team. The suggestion from this columnist is an original name like the Vermont Woodchucks, but that's not a very original name: the Wisconsin Woodchucks have been a mainstay in the college wood-bat Northwoods League for years. Other suggestions: the Vermont Moose, the Vermont Sugar Maples, the Vermont Flatlanders and the Vermont Mudders.

Majestic home, not so grand team
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
You've probably read the nice things we've said about Bright House Networks Field, the regular-season home of the Clearwater Threshers (Class A: Florida State league) and the spring-training home of the Philadelphia Phillies. So far the facilities have overshadowed the team: the Threshers have drawn well despite the Phillies supplying a less-than-competitive team this year and last.

Hall idea becoming great steal
Posted June 16, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Go to a Texas Rangers game this season and you'll see the team is putting a lot of emphasis on voting for the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame. Announcer Chuck Morgan says he got the idea for a Rangers Hall of Fame during his short stint with the Kansas City Royals and seeing their Hall of Fame, but the idea didn't exactly originate with the Royals; heck, Monument Park in Yankee Stadium is a whole lot older than the Royals franchise.

Suns prepare to welcome millionth fan to Baseball Grounds
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The Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League) are preparing to welcome the 1,000,000th fan to attend a Suns game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville walk through the gates for a Suns game since the ballpark was opened in April 2003. In the ballpark's inaugural 2003 season, the team drew 359,979 fans, setting an all-time Jacksonville baseball attendance mark, as well as achieving the second highest attendance total in Southern League history. However, in 2004, Suns fans proved they could do better, as the team welcomed 420,495 fans through the gates, again setting a Jacksonville mark and giving the Suns the second and third-best attendance figures in league history. Through the last home game on June 12, the Suns have drawn 194,892 in 2005, giving the team a three-year total of 975,366, just 24,634 fans short of 1,000,000.

Hitting home in San Antonio
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Here's an account of a visit to Nelson Wolff Stadium, the home of the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League). It sounds like a pretty festive atmosphere, heavy on the Tex-Mex food and the promotions you find in almost every minor-league park these days. It's nice to read an account of a ballgame where the writer is not so jaded as to be amused by the spinning-bat race.

Yankees' ballpark plans stepping up to the plate
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In one of the worst-kept secrets in the ballpark world, the New York Yankees today will unveil plans for a new Yankee Stadium to be built next to the current Yankee Stadium site in Macombs Dam Park, across 161st Street. The open-air ballpark, which could open as soon as 2009, would seat 51,800 -- although it could be expanded to 54,000 seats -- with 50 to 60 luxury suites. With 30,000 seats on the first level and 20,000 in the second level, fans will have a a closer view of the field than the current ballpark provides. It will be smaller than the existing stadium, which has 56,937 seats and about 18 luxury boxes. (Interestingly, most of the current Yankee Stadium will not fall to the wrecking ball. The city plans to preserve at least the existing baseball field, the dugouts and the first level of the stands for Little League and high-school use.) The design, by HOK Sport+Venue+Event, would restore many of the signature features of the original 82-year-old ballpark that were wiped out by the 1976 renovation, and it would retain the same field dimensions and dugouts, according to two executives who have seen the plans. The ballpark is part of a broader redevelopment plan that includes a hotel, conference center and high school for sports-related careers. The price is right for the city: the Yankees will pay the $800 million cost of construction, operation and maintenance costs; the city and state will spend an estimated $220 million on work related to the stadium, bringing the total cost to more than $1 billion. The state has agreed to spend up to $75 million to build three or four parking garages, which will add up to 5,000 new spaces, and to do some road work. It is interesting at how little fuss the proposal has generated in a city that stresses historic preservation: maybe the preservationists living on the Upper East Side don't really care about sports, or maybe most people realize the original Yankee Stadium was basically torn down in the 1976 "renovation."
    RELATED STORIES: Bombers move on own plan as N.Y. turns two; SOS for Yankee fans: Save Old Stadium; Bronx Beep goes to bat for new Yankee Stadium; Inside the deal for the new Yankee Stadium; It's back to the future for the Yankees; Lots of ideas for Yankee Stadium; Yanks 90% toward new home; Stadium games in NYC: give and take and speculation; Macomb dams Yankees; New York's sports economy; Brooklyn beep ready to play ball with the Yankees

Pairings set for College World Series
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
For college baseball fans, the climax of the season occurs this coming weekend when the College World Series in Omaha begins. The Super Regionals are now done, and we have the eight teams participating: Arizona State, Baylor, Florida, Nebraska, Oregon State, Tennessee, Texas and Tulane. Full coverage of the Super Regionals and the College World Series at College Baseball Digest.

Minneapolis committee conditionally approves Twins ballpark
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Minneapolis City Council's Intergovernmental Relations Committee officially endorsed a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins in downtown Minneapolis, but put some conditions on that support. The conditions: no negative impact on the city's general fund or capacity to deliver basic services; no imposition of costs upon the city for infrastructure improvements and reimbursement of the city for impacts on city services related to design, construction and operation of a new ballpark; no preemption of the city's charter provision, adopted by the voters, limiting city funding for a sports facility to $10 million without a citywide referendum; and preservation of the city's authority for local taxes, including the city's entertainment tax. It doesn't sound like the current plan from Hennepin County would break any of those conditions, however. Approval of the plan from the full City Council is expected Friday.
    RELATED STORIES: Possible Twins site has new life; Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota; Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share; Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote; Big fans of a Twins move; Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan; Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative leaders; Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins ballpark; Few want to pay for Twins ballpark; Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark funding; Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark funding; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums; Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy; Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans; Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Cat's out of the bag
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
So far the independent Northern League's expansion into Canada has to be judged a failure. In Edmonton, there's a full-scale revolt as Edmonton Cracker-Cats owner Dan Orlich has been feuding with GM Mel Kowalchuk and others in the city. Kowalchuk, who ran the Edmonton Trappers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for most of their existence, has been persuaded by league officials to stay on; meanwhile, league president Mike Stone is heading up to Edmonton to smooth out the situation. Part of the conflict involves a dispute over who is running the team: Orlich's significant other, vice-president Ericka Cruise, is said to have fired an usher in front of several highly placed members of the corporate community during an opening-day function in the Home Plate Lounge. In addition, Cruise and Orlich have been working to evict the Edmonton Big River Prospects from Telus Field; the Prospects say the Cracker-Cats have not been living up to the terms of their lease. Probably not a good business strategy for an out-of-town owner to piss off the locals.

Vipers blowing chance
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Meanwhile, things aren't that much better at Calgary's Burns Stadium. Attendance has been modest so far this season for the expansion Calgary Vipers (independent; Northern League). There are some good reasons for this -- owner Jeff Gidney took over the team late in the process after a Japanese investment group was booted by league officials -- but it doesn't sound like the team is being run with any élan: there are no in-house promotions, no pocket schedules, no game-day programs.

New on Ballpark Digest Directory: ConAgra announces minor-league promotion, Cingular unveils CWS promotion
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As you know, we've initiated coverage of the greater baseball business industry on our sister site, Ballpark Digest Directory. It remains the largest online directory of baseball-related vendors, now updated regularly with news items. Among the items posted recently:

- ConAgra Foods and Charlotte Knights team up to help feed children better
- Cingular Wireless asks fans in Omaha to 'Pitch in for Youth Sports' during NCAA men's College World Series
- Padres' Mark Loretta Joins American Melanoma Foundation

MiLB attendance remains strong through May
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Attendance at Minor League Baseball games remained strong through May as 7.3 million fans went through the turnstiles to boost the two-month total to 13,203,740 for the 176 teams in 11 leagues. It is the first time that April-May attendance has ever exceeded 13 million.

Bill to boost Saints revenue revised to benefit Zephyrs
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A tax bill designed to funnel revenue to the New Orleans Saints football team was rewritten Tuesday to give the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) a sales tax break the team has been seeking. Without objection, the House Ways and Committee sent House Bill 807 by Rep. Bryant Hammett, D-Ferriday, to the full House for debate. The original bill sought an increase in the hotel-motel tax in Orleans and Jefferson parishes from 4 percent to 5 percent and the imposition of up to a 10 percent tax on tickets to Saints home games and other National Football League events at the Superdome.

Atlanta a model for reusing an Olympic Stadium
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As the New York Mets plan for the possible use of a new ballpark for the 2012 Summer Olympics, they have a pretty good model for how to convert a ballpark into an Olympic venue -- Atlanta, which hosted the 1996 Summer Games, built Turner Field as the Olympic Stadium and then converted it to a baseball facility for the Atlanta Braves. It sounds like the construction of the New York Mets ballpark will happen no matter if the city lands the 2012 Summer Olympics, but the possibility must be planned into the facility.
    RELATED STORIES: Mets get city support for new ballpark -- but must pay for it; New look at Queens stadium options with Mets

Power talk of protection a net loss
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After three spectators have been hit in the face with lined or caroming foul balls in the first two months of season, West Virginia Power (Class A; Sally League) management, Charleston city fathers and architects apparently are going to discuss the potential addition of more netting to protect the crowd. Whether more is needed is the issue: the current netting at Appalachian Power Park is standard issue, and a problem is getting fans to be aware of the possibility of sharply hit balls into the grandstand.

Miller Park final tab: $392 million
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More than four years after Miller Park opened for baseball, the stadium district board announced Tuesday how much money was spent to build it: just under $392 million. The final price tag for the home of the Milwaukee Brewers came in $1.97 million less than originally estimated and is considerably less that the amount the Legislative Audit Bureau said it cost to build Miller Park and will likely be questioned and debated in the Legislature. Three years ago, the audit bureau said its own audit showed the cost of construction was $413.9 million.

State historical panel endorses Wahconah
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The state Historical Commission's review board recently recommended that the National Park Service place Pittsfield's Wahconah Park on the National Register of Historic Places. The ballpark is currently the home of the Pittsfield Dukes (college wood bat; NECBL).  The National Register is the nation's official list of buildings, districts, structures and objects considered to be important in American history, culture, architecture or archaeology.

Ridgway's bat men swing from the heels
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Randy and Kyle Drone are the guys behind Dinger Bats, a three-year-old bat company in Ridgway, Illinois. So far their sales have been acceptable -- $350,000 a year or so -- and they've landed a few major leaguers: Brad Wilkerson, the Washington Nationals' centerfielder, and Jamey Carroll, the Nationals' second baseman, both use Dinger bats.

New owners step up to plate for AquaSox
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The new owners of the Everett AquaSox (short season; Northwest League) aren't local -- in fact, they are fans of the Cleveland Indians -- but the Carfagna family say they'll continue the emphasis on community forged by the previous owners of the team. There's a reason the Carfagnas are Indians fans: they're from Ohio and also own the Lake County Captains (Class A; Sally League).

Stockton has game plan for polishing its image
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Stockton (Cal.) wasn't exactly the garden spot of California the last few years; the NFL's San Francisco 49ers put a dent in the city's image when the team's training camp was moved to Santa Clara, and Billy Hebert Field, the home of the Stockton Ports (Class A; California League), didn't do much to bring in fans. A $125 million waterfront development featuring a new home for the Ports is seen by city officials as a way to clean up Stockton's image, however.

Teacher takes home Sand Gnats tickets for life after winning contest
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Effingham County teacher Pete Iten survived and took home Savannahs Sand Gants (Class A; Sally League) season tickets for life for his troubles. Iten and Shannon Lamb, were the last two standing having spent eight
days and seven nights in left field at Historic Grayson Stadium for the team's Survivor competition. After more than a week of scavenger hunts, trivia quizzes, speed eating hot dogs and living in a tent, the final challenge came down to salesmanship. Iten and Lamb were knighted as "beer men" prior to the game by ballpark legend Frank the Beer Guy and were set off to sell their wares. The competitor who sold the most was crowned Sand Gnats Survivor.
    At the conclusion of the five-inning competition, Iten and Lamb had amazingly moved the exact same amount of product. After a short tiebreaker, Iten returned the victor. With the victory the unassuming teacher picked up a pair of Gnats tickets for life and two domestic round-trip airline tickets. Lamb, as runner-up, picked up two train tickets and a pair of seats for the Gnats' remaining 2005 home games.

Frontier League liked its visit to Marietta, but....
Posted June 15, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It sounds like Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee really wants a team to succeed in the Parkersburg-Marietta area, but disappointing attendance for Ohio Valley Redcoats games at Pioneer Park may force the league to look elsewhere. The league would be looking for a new ballpark and local ownership if it were to go into the Parkersburg-Marietta area, and both are dubious propositions. The Redcoats are also playing games this season in Lorain, Ohio, and Lafayette, Ind. The new home for the Redcoats may come from one of these three cities, but nothing is certain.

Be generous to York homeowners
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The York (Pa.) Daily Record says backers of a new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team should be fair with local homeowners as the city acquires various properties through direct negotiation. Yes, the city should be fair and the property owners should not be greedy, but this isn't a perfect world, and one person's fair price is another's ripoff. The key is designing a process to determine fair values and please both sides.
    RELATED STORIES: Property takeovers for York ballpark debated; Mayor says York ballpark plan is grand slam; Ballpark could be key for York; York ballpark planning goes extra innings; The race is on for York baseball

A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Oakland Athletics managing partner Lew Wolff now says building a new ballpark in the parking lot of the team's current home, McAfee Coliseum, isn't a feasible option for the team. The lack of land was the reason cited by Wolff, but there may be something deeper going on, as Wolff declined to promise the Athletics would stay in Oakland and would instead focus on finding a site in its territory, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Attractive sites in these areas are few and far between, and you can bet the committee members looking for a new ballpark site has some other metro areas (like Las Vegas and Portland) in the back of their minds, though you can bet Wolff won't fight the fight to move the team to San Jose.
    RELATED STORIES: 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

Bombers move on own plan as N.Y. turns two
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The announcement of a new ballpark for the New York Mets -- in a deal hastily arranged over the weekend -- will detract a little bit from a press conference tomorrow where the New York Yankees outline their plans for a new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have had their plan to finance an $800 million ballpark in place for weeks, but held off announcing it until the fate of a proposed West Side stadium for the NFL's New York Jets was decided. City officials did not want the Yankees going public with a plan to finance their own project while Olympic proponents were arguing that it was all right for the Jets to have public assistance. Meanwhile, reaction to the proposal for a new Mets ballpark appears to be positive; Shea Stadium is not the most beloved ballpark in the majors. Overall, we're seeing a lot of new sports facilities in the New York City area; here's an overview.
    RELATED STORIES: SOS for Yankee fans: Save Old Stadium; Bronx Beep goes to bat for new Yankee Stadium; Inside the deal for the new Yankee Stadium; It's back to the future for the Yankees; Lots of ideas for Yankee Stadium; Yanks 90% toward new home; Stadium games in NYC: give and take and speculation; Macomb dams Yankees; New York's sports economy; Brooklyn beep ready to play ball with the Yankees

Property takeovers for York ballpark debated
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
York (Pa.) officials are trying to determine how many properties will be to be acquired to make way for a new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team. The project is already under a tight timeline --  with construction scheduled to begin in 2006 for a 2007 opening -- but the issue will be defining an area as "blighted" before eminent domain proceedings can begin.
    RELATED STORIES: Mayor says York ballpark plan is grand slam; Ballpark could be key for York; York ballpark planning goes extra innings; The race is on for York baseball

Citizens to collect data on funds for sports complex
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Jackson County Executive Katheryn Shields on Monday announced the formation of a citizens committee to gather public input on how the county should pay for repairs to the Truman Sports Complex, which includes Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals. The county must make repairs and upgrades, some due as early as the end of next year, to avoid defaulting on its leases with the Chiefs and the Royals, which end in 2014. Also discussed by county officials: whether Jackson County Sports Authority chairman Mike Smith's involvement in a proposed Lee's Summit shopping district that would include a minor-league ballpark was in conflict with his role as chairman. Smith says there's no conflict, as the ballpark would be built for an independent Frontier League team; the Royals may disagree with that rather loose assessment of the politics of professional baseball.

Red Sox rename left-field foul pole "Fisk Pole"
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As interleague play brings the Cincinnati Reds to Boston for the first time since the memorable 1975 World Series, last night the Boston Red Sox commemorated the Series' 30th anniversary by naming the left-field foul pole in honor of Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk in pre-game ceremonies. It was Fisk's electrifying home run off the foul pole that completed a dramatic Game 6 comeback against the Reds and forced a decisive Game 7. The Reds led in the series three games to two and led the game 6-3 in the eighth inning. Bernie Carbo's three-run homer tied it, Dwight Evans' spectacular catch preserved it, and the stage was set for Fisk, who led off the bottom of the 12th inning with a game-winning home run off Pat Darcy. The blast banged off the foul pole atop the Green Monster and was immortalized by the NBC television image, shot from inside the left field wall, of Fisk waving his arms in an effort to will the ball fair.

Pair are base-closing foes
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Political activism hits the ballpark, as the Portland Sea Dogs or Norwich Navigators (both Class AA; Eastern League) are planning themed evenings to allow fans to protest the closing of local naval bases. The Sea Dogs plan a "Save Our Bases" night at Hadlock Field June 22, when the Thunder visit. The team has donated 50 percent of all ticket sales since June 1, leading up to the June 22 game, to forces dedicated to keeping Kittery and Brunswick open. Tonight the Navigators will host a "Save Our Sub Base" rally Tuesday, prior to its 6:35 p.m. home game with the Altoona Curve. (Thanks to John Cerone.)

Rockies' fans and revenues are vanishing into thin air
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ten years after entering the National League, the Colorado Rockies are suffering through some bad times: attendance is down at Coors Field, and the team is mired in last place in the National League West. Almost every team suffers through an attendance dip in their 10th year of existence, but the larger issue is how to build a winner in Colorado, as the fans will return if the team is winning. Right now the Rockies don't seem to have a plan, but the answer may be to go back to 1995 to find an answer: stock up on sluggers and outscore the other team. 

Mase ball
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ron Maestri is executive director and chief operating officer of the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), and he faces quite the challenge: how to get people to come to the ballpark in New Orleans when there are a host of bars and restaurants providing some stiff competition. So far Zephyrs are currently 10th out of 16 Pacific Coast League teams in attendance, though their average -- 5,071 per game -- is fairly respectable.

Ballpark Frank
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One of the best things about the Washington Nationals being in first place in the National League East is Frank Robinson enjoying some well-deserved fame. Robinson took a tough job -- managing the Montreal Expos on behalf of MLB -- and make the team competitive. It's also nice to see what will probably be Robinson's last on-field stint be a successful one: as a player and in his first stints as a manager Robinson was intense, probably a little too intense.

Bull's BBQ was not an original recipe
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Don Steinberg seems surprised to find out the Bull's BBQ -- the branded barbeque stand at Citizens Bank Park endorsed by former Phillie Greg Luzinski -- wasn't the first BBQ stand in the majors. There are loads: the first was Boog Powell's BBQ stand at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but there are loads of other former players (Luis Tiant, Manny Sanguillen, Randy Jones, Larry Dierker, Gorman Thomas, Orlando Cepeda -- lending their names to celebrity ballpark eateries.

Ballpark organists: They're out
Posted June 14, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Most major-league teams are dropping organists as fans seem to prefer loud music blaring through the sound system. Peggy Duquesnel, an accomplished jazz musician who had tickled the ivories for the Angels since 1998, was dismissed before the season started. Nancy Faust, who has been playing keyboard for the Chicago White Sox since 1970, doesn't expect to be replaced when she retires. Curiously, they seem to be making a comeback in the minor leagues, with some teams -- like the St. Paul Saints (independent; Northern League) adding organists the last few years. UPDATE: Thanks to all the good folks who wrote in about the organists still working in the minors. Worth noting: The Iowa Cubs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) added an organist this season -- Paul Radkowski can be found at Principal Park -- while David Ramsay has the been the Tim McCarver Stadium/AutoZone Park master of the keys for the last 25 years. And let's not forget the main musical entertainment at Ray Winder Field is an organist.

Mets get city support for new ballpark -- but must pay for it
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New York Mets and New York City came to a broad agreement over a new Mets ballpark to replace Shea Stadium. The terms of the deal aren't actually settled; what's agreed upon is a new ballpark (opening in 2009) could serve as the Olympic Stadium should New York land the 2012 Summer Olympics. If that happens, the Mets would need to vacate the ballpark for an entire summer, probably taking up residence in a new Yankee Stadium. (In a way, it will be payback for the days when the Yankees played at Shea Stadium when Yankee Stadium was rebuilt in the 1970s.) Mets owner Fred Wilpon will privately finance the construction costs (estimated at $600 million), though it appears the city will contribute the land and other infrastructure improvements valued at $180 million. The Mets ballpark will seat 45,000, expandable to 80,000 should it be used for the Olympics (the $242 million cost of expansion will be borne by the city and the MY2012 committee). The new ballpark will be built in the parking lot immediately east of Shea Stadium, which will eventually be torn down. More from The New York Times, Newsday, New York Daily News and Bloomberg.

Will the Arkansas Travelers stay in Little Rock after all?
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With funding for a new Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) ballpark in North Little Rock in doubt after cost estimates soared to $28 million, civic leaders in Little Rock are now looking again at whether it makes sense to build a new downtown ballpark for the team. There's nothing concrete on the table, but more than one proposal is being prepared. The team currently plays at venerable Ray Winder Field.
    RELATED STORIES: New Arkansas Travelers ballpark delayed; financing is in doubt; Actions to save Ray Winder Field sought; Travs ballpark development moves forward; Plans for new Little Rock ballpark unveiled; New home for Arkansas Travelers?; Little Rock ballpark near river in works; Replacing Ray Winder Field wasn't in my plans

Possible Twins site has new life
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The owners of a site projected as the home of a new Minnesota Twins ballpark came to an agreement with real-estate developer Hines Interests to develop the 16-acre site with or without a ballpark. The Star Tribune reporters seem surprised Rick Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht brought in a larger developer, but the pair have made it clear all along they would not be developing the area on their own. Hines has experience with ballpark-related development: the firm was the managing developer of Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. Plans call for either a $400 million, 1,000-condo development alongside a $478 million Twins stadium, or a mainly residential project with 3,000 condos and no stadium that would be worth $800 million. Wet blanket Sen. John Marty assumes the transaction means the cost of acquiring land for the ballpark will go up, but he's not working with any sort of inside knowledge.
    RELATED STORIES: Roof or no? The debate rages in Minnesota; Ballpark deal: Pohlad must share; Minneapolis Council panel delays ballpark vote; Big fans of a Twins move; Minneapolis may stand against ballpark plan; Twins ballpark passage predicted by legislative leaders; Hennepin County takes first step toward new Twins ballpark; Few want to pay for Twins ballpark; Hennepin County delays vote on Twins ballpark funding; Hennepin County to vote today on Twins ballpark funding; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; House GOP, DFL leaders clash over stadiums; Politicos bury Twins in ballpark hierarchy; Gov. Pawlenty talks of stadium plans; Minnesota drops the ball on ballpark plan; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Open-air baseball is a chilly memory
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In their rush to procure a new ballpark, the Minnesota Twins made one concession to cost containment: they dropped a requirement for a retractable roof. Some say you can't have April baseball in Minnesota without one, and that group includes Tom Mee, the Twins' former PR director and official scorer. He remembers back to the days of Metropolitan Stadium when game temperatures for April night games were below freezing. Now, there's a movement afoot to land state funding for a roof using TIF financing; the issue is whether the State Legislature will actually have time to act before the session ends.

Power fans must swelter for a while longer
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Meanwhile, fans of the West Virginia Power (Class A: Sally League) are suffering through the opposite problem: it's too doggone hot at the ballpark. The solution, a canopy shading the grandstand, has not yet been installed. The team and the city hope to have canopies installed by the end of the month; the issue isn't money (funding has been procured), but rather engineers have not finished the final plans.

Legends set single-game attendance record
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Sunday afternoon was an historic day for the Lexington Legends (Class A; Sally League). The Legends announced the attendance of 9,012, which is the largest in Applebee’s Park history. The sellout was the Legends twelfth of the season. The fans at the park witnessed the Legends inch closer to a South Atlantic League playoff berth with the 5-0 win over Hagerstown. After the game, fans enjoyed a concert by the contemporary Christian group Point of Grace. This record-breaking turnout puts the Legends weekend attendance at 17,196. It also increases the daily game average to 5,665, which is the second highest in the SAL.

SW Mich D-Ray's Cordaro loses bet, shaves head
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Class A; Midwest League) General Manager Martie Cordaro took on Sandy's Salon on Saturday and came away with a shaved head. Cordaro went under the razor because of and to thank the 6,003 fans who were in attendance at Saturday's game. That is the new number representing a hard sellout at C.O. Brown Stadium after reconfiguring the ballpark before the 2005 season. Cordaro has agreed to have his head shaved for each successive hard sellout at C.O. Brown in Battle Creek, Mich. throughout the season. The next chances he has will be on Friday, June 24 -- a fireworks night -- and on Saturday, June 25 -- Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Night.

Work progresses on new Traverse City ballpark
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Work progresses on a new ballpark for the expansion Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League), as you can tell from the photograph at right. It was taken in the last week of May, from an aerial vantage point looking almost due south. Apparently there's been a lot of work done on the site since this photo was taken. We're hoping to get renderings of the ballpark soon; when we do we'll post them for all to see.

Zephyrs seeking state tax break
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are seeking to waive the 8.75 percent tax on tickets to the team's games at Zephyr Field, as well as on souvenirs, food and drinks sold at the stadium. Walter Leger, vice president and general counsel of the Zephyrs, said the team is the only professional sports franchise in New Orleans that pays taxes on its concessions and tickets as well as rent in its state-owned ballpark.

Missions catch old-time feeling
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League League) turned the clock back to 1979, wearing San Antonio Dodgers uniforms and playing the game at St. Mary's University's Keefe Field. Attendance was decent -- 2,049 fans were on hand -- but the weather was hot and windy, just like the old days.

Knights need to play in Charlotte
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We've not heard much lately about the status of a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), but this column by Stan Olson is a generic call for the team to move from Fort Mill, S.C., to Charlotte proper. The issue is finding a suitable site; county commissioners rejected the team's pleas for a site close to downtown Charlotte and are now instead pushing a site close to Central Piedmont Community College.

Beguiled by the boys of summer
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Those of us who called for a move of the Montreal Expos to Washington, D.C. years ago are smug in the success of the Washington Nationals, who are taking D.C. by storm. Truth be known, D.C. in the summertime tends to be a little slow, as the government slows down and many leave the area for cooler climes. So without anything else going on, D.C. has discovered how entertaining a game at RFK Stadium can be.

Ballpark organists: They're out
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Most major-league teams are dropping organists as fans seem to prefer loud music blaring through the sound system. Peggy Duquesnel, an accomplished jazz musician who had tickled the ivories for the Angels since 1998, was dismissed before the season started. Nancy Faust, who has been playing keyboard for the Chicago White Sox since 1970, doesn't expect to be replaced when she retires. Curiously, they seem to be making a comeback in the minor leagues, with some teams -- like the St. Paul Saints (independent; Northern League) adding organists the last few years.

There's no place for ringers at ballpark
Posted June 13, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Amen. For those of us who spend a lot of time at ballparks, there's nothing worse than having the enjoyment of a close game interrupted by some yahoo on a cell phone making his post-game drinking plans. Other sports ban cell-phone usage during play (like tennis and golf); maybe it's time for baseball to suggest to fans that usage of a cell phone during a game is at best rude and at the least jarring to fans concentrating on the action.

New look at Queens stadium options with Mets
Posted June 11, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Now that a proposed stadium for the NFL's New York Jets appears to be dead, organizers of a bid for the 2012 Olympics are talking about two possible scenarios for a Olympic stadium involving the New York Mets. One involves retrofitting Shea Stadium for use as an Olympic Stadium, while the other involves building a temporary stadium in the city's Willets Point area: the site would be cleared for a temporary stadium and then using the site for a new Mets ballpark. Both of these plans are conceptual at this point: the 2012 New York Olympic committee has only $142 million to spend on a venue, so either plan will involve the financial involvement of the New York Mets. An Olympic stadium must accommodate the Olympic track and field competition, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.