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Archives: July 9-15, 2006

Schaumburg, Gary, Joliet to Frontier League?
Posted July 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More than one reliable source today passed along an interesting nugget of information: a representative of the three Chicago-area teams in the independent Northern League -- the Schaumburg Flyers, the Joliet JackHammers and the Gary-SouthShore RailCats -- have approached officials of the independent Frontier League about a league shift. The three Chicago-area teams are a nice fit into the Frontier League's footprint, and we're guessing the moderate Frontier League economic structure (more stress on lower-priced, developmental players) would be especially welcomed in Schaumburg and Gary. From what we can tell, there's a lot of internal dissention about the future of the Northern League, and the current geographic arrangement -- with Edmonton and Calgary to the west, Fargo-Moorhead and Winnipeg to the west, Kansas City to the south and the three Chicago-area teams to the east -- satisfies no one. If the three Chicago-area teams were to defect, it would also put the future of the remaining Northern League in some jeopardy: there's just little rhyme or reason to a league with Calgary, Edmonton, Fargo-Moorhead, Winnipeg and Kansas City (especially with Calgary and Edmonton on shaky ground), and we'd bet the smarter owners would be seeking out membership in the independent American Association for next season.

Delay in solving cloud over Marlins' future has to end
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Greg Cote says it's time for the Florida Marlins to either relocate or move ahead with a new ballpark. The Fish drew 8,216 last night at Dolphin Stadium for a game that actually mattered: the team has gone 27-17 since late May, the Marlins are (theoretically) in the wild-card hunt after a horrible start and playing some interesting ball under Joe Giraldi, and Dontelle Willis was on the mound. In any case, there's the basis of an entertaining team in place, with the great angle of scrappy young underachievers in action. Fans may have rightfully tuned out the team: waiting for a new ballpark in Hialeah -- Hialeah! -- shows the Marlins to merely be waiting for any sort of deal that doesn't cost them serious money. The concern, however, should be the fact the Marlins are pocketing $30 million in revenue sharing and spending $15 million on payroll -- some fellow MLB owners are reportedly peeved with a scenario ready-made for Major League III. It's pretty clear nothing will happen with Jeffrey Loria owning the Marlins: the team doesn't have the resources for a new ballpark, and until he either steps aside or sells a chunk of the team to local owners, the Fish are fried.
    RELATED STORIES: Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark; DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins ballpark again; Marlins ballpark suffers setback; DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new ballpark; Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial feasibility; Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks; Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins ballpark; San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now; Tough times for Marlins and their fans; Marlins players adjust to the empty seats; Marlins to view San Antonio sites: Officials will visit as planned with Florida park talks continuing; Marlins hit new lows in 8-5 loss; Failing bid for Marlins teaches Wolff a lesson; New funding plan proposed for Marlins ballpark in Hialeah; Development OK'd for potential Marlins ballpark site in Hialeah; Hopes fade in pursuit of Marlins; Marlins have until May 15 to decide about San Antonio move; Wolff plans to give Marlins a deadline; Loria wants Marlins' fate decided soon; House-hunting for Marlins on hold, for now; Willis, ballpark deal key issues for Marlins; Is Texas big enough for three MLB teams?; San Antonio makes first pitch to Marlins owner; Loria: Marlins seriously talking with San Antonio; Will Florida Marlins jump into San Antonio's net?; San Antonio officials get an invite Nolan Ryan backs San Antonio Marlins idea; City and county forming teams to lure Marlins; San Antonio bid for Marlins on hold; Wolff reveals site possibilities for San Antonio ballpark; Plan would provide $200 million toward new Marlins ballpark; Spurs looking to be part of ownership if San Antonio lures Marlins; San Antonio to Marlins: Include locals; Marlins move may spur border battle; Wolff makes ballpark pitch to Marlins; San Antonio under 'serious consideration' for Marlins relocation; Marlins front office meets with Homestead officials; Marlins to Oklahoma City?; Half-cent hike in Miami-Dade might help fund a Marlins ballpark; Owner laughs off idea of his track as Marlins ballpark site; Marlins, FAU to discuss stadium options; Norfolk session pleases Marlins; Possibility of Marlins ballpark deal called remote

South Coast League announces Aiken franchise
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The South Coast League announced the naming of Aiken, S.C., as home to one of the league's six inaugural franchises. The Aiken franchise will call USCA's Roberto Hernandez Stadium home. Opened in 2004, the stadium is the home of the University of South Carolina Aiken Pacers, an NCAA Division II national power. Recently, the Pacers have played host to the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Tournament and earned their second straight NCAA Regional bid. Named after USCA alum and current Pittsburgh Pirate reliever Roberto Hernandez, the state-of-the-art ballpark features a partially covered grandstand, administrative offices, and ample space to add group picnic areas down the lines. The SCL is working toward a 2007 launch date; teams are already slated for Charlotte County, Fla., and Macon, Ga. More from the Augusta Chronicle.
    RELATED STORIES: City may go other route on bringing professional baseball to town; Bradenton officials wary of South Coast League proposal; Jackhammers' owners eyeing a league: their own; Charlotte County approves South Coast League lease; SCL looking at Beaufort County; South Coast League proposing play at Port Charlotte in 2007; South Coast League announces ownership group; Sanford rejects South Coast League bid; South Coast League fails to reach agreement in Sanford; Macon City Council approves baseball contract; Baseball's return now in hands of Macon council; League looking to bring pro baseball to Greenville; South Coast League contacts Wilmington officials; Macon moves toward bringing baseball back to the city; 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

D.C. says it has found parking near new Nats ballpark site
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District officials said yesterday that they have identified nearly 9,000 potential parking spaces near the site of a new Washington Nationals ballpark in Southeast Washington, more than enough to handle sellout crowds of 41,000 when the ballpark opens in 2008. Not all of the land for parking is under the city's control, and some of the spaces would be as far as 10 blocks away. The farthest parking lots would be a 15-minute walk from the ballpark, but city officials pledged that fans will find access convenient at the ballpark's premiere. More from the Washington Times.
    RELATED STORIES: D.C. Council approves parking garage plan; Nats announce 'Grand Reopening' for old RFK; Environmental issues raise concerns on new Nats ballpark; D.C. mayor asks for ballpark plan approval; D.C. parking plan faces significant hurdles; Compromise reached on D.C. ballpark parking; Nats sale targeted for July finalization; D.C. mayor offers proposal to end ballpark parking controversy; Battle brews for control of D.C. ballpark project; Nationals firm on issue of above-ground parking; Hazmat removal at D.C. ballpark site up by $2.9M; Nats ready to pitch sponsorship deals for new ballpark; D.C. ballpark plan clears important hurdle, but concerns linger; D.C.'s Williams creates Office of Baseball; The Nationals' wish list; Nats owners want city to shift gears on parking; Lerner group plans RFK 'grand reopening'; Lerner receives initial approval to buy Nats; full approval expected today; Nats ballpark design up in the air; It's official: Lerner nabs Nats

Legends, Astros extend PDC
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The Houston Astros and the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League) announced today that they have agreed to extend their Player Development Contract (PDC) for two years. The two-year extension continues the affiliation between the Astros and the Legends through the 2008 season.
    "The Lexington Legends are very fortunate to have an affiliation with a first-class organization like the Houston Astros," said Alan Stein, President and CEO of the Lexington Legends. "They really emphasize player development and that always translates into winning teams and quality players for our fans to enjoy."
    The 2006 season marks the sixth that Lexington has been a Houston affiliate. The Legends became part of the Astros organization in 2001. More on our Affiliates page.

Diamond's status is still uncertain
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As we've been reporting (literally) for months, the Richmond newspaper finally acknowledges the truth: the future of the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) and a new ballpark are in limbo until the parent Atlanta Braves organization is sold by Time Warner to Liberty Media -- a deal that (at present) includes the R-Braves, the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League) and the Rome Braves (Low Class A; Sally League). That deal, which calls for Liberty Media to trade Time Warner stock back to T-W for the Braves organization and cash, is still in negotiations. Still, the most outcome is a renovation of The Diamond.
    RELATED STORIES: Polishing the Diamond; Atlanta just might hold all the cards; Braves sell out The Diamond -- thanks to American Idol; Wilder tells council that Richmonders have no problems with Diamond; City, R-Braves see need for new talks; City of Richmond, Braves down to last few swings; Richmond talks about new ballpark -- without the R-Braves; What do the Braves mean to Richmond?; R-Braves cite new ballpark proposals; Richmond Braves say concerns go unanswered; Communications breakdown in Richmond; Wilder: Braves balking on downtown ballpark; Wilder worries about silence from Braves; Developer joins ballpark initiative; Fans hail R-Braves' decision to stay in Richmond; Braves to stay in Richmond, Wilder says; Minor attractions in Richmond: Part Three; R-Braves give Richmond ultimatum: new ballpark or we're history; Minor attractions in Richmond; Richmond ballpark search hits rock bottom; New site for Richmond Braves ballpark causes debate; Ballpark project for Richmond's Shockoe Bottom seems dead; Atlanta Braves may be up for sale; News expected in Richmond ballpark situation; Shockoe committee report won’t include ballpark; Developers threaten historic slave-trade site; Richmond hires man who led N.H. projects; Richmond ballpark gets financial backer; Phone isn’t ringing for owner of The Diamond; Richmond Braves back to The Diamond?; Wilder speaks out on proposed Richmond ballpark; Braves again make pitch for ballpark; Richmond putting a squeeze play on Braves?; City says 'show me the money' for arts center and ballpark; Richmond ballpark plan has makings of solid transaction; Richmond ballpark plan strikes out on site, economics, financing; Wilder quits role in Richmond group; Threat not part of deal for Richmond ballpark; Braves getting outside pitches; Braves or bust?; Drains a strain on Richmond ballpark plan?; Wilder: Stadium proposal lacks details; Richmond ballpark questions remain; Richmond Braves assume role as developer; New ballpark plan for Shockoe Bottom; Proposed ballpark may rescue flood-damaged Richmond area; Global ballpark bid asks much from D.C.; Protests drowned out at rally for Shockoe Bottom ballpark; The Boulevard blues

Wichita awaits sign from Wranglers owner
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Wichita remains in the dark about the status of the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) as city employees still have not had contact with the baseball team's owners, Bob and Mindy Rich. City spokesman Van Williams said they are in a waiting mode following a special election in Springdale, Ark., in which the residents voted to build a $33-million ballpark with the possibility that a Double-A team -- which we identified months ago as the Wranglers -- will move into it. (Springdale officials certified the tax vote, by the way.) City officials say they've not formulated a plan should the Wranglers announce a move; the lease for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium gives the city 30 days to buy the team for a fair-market value should it be broken before 2009.
    RELATED STORIES: Interest in Springdale ballpark spreading; Who could step up to the plate to keep pro baseball in Wichita?; Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark funding; Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?; Wichita may accelerate improvements to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium; Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence; City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move; Arkansas town woos Wranglers; Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need; New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city officials say; Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark; Election Commission finalizes details for Springdale ballpark vote; Springdale ballpark details still under construction; Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale ballpark tax; If Springdale ballpark built team will follow, planners are told; Royals’ farm club seeks home?; Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball; Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark funding options; Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark; Springdale ballpark site under contract; Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries; Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter; Public money may be needed to build Springdale ballpark; Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims

Joplin ballpark plans should be made in open
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Joplin (Mo.) officials are looking at a renovation to historic Joe Becker Stadium, the former home to minor-league baseball in the city. Trouble is, these plans are being made behind closed doors, and with the city acquiring some properties near the ballpark, some local residents are wondering what the deal is. Let's see: a renovated historic ballpark in Missouri, in the midst of a market of 400,000 within a 40-mile radius. We wonder if a certain independent league is looking at a Joplin team next season.

Next up in York: Construction bids
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The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) is scheduled to play ball next year, but there is a possibility the team's proposed downtown ballpark might not open in June 2007, as planned. It could take much longer, considering potential obstacles in the construction process. Organizers, therefore, already have a contingency plan that includes taking York's team across the Susquehanna River to play "home" games in Lancaster. The biggest issue will be building a new ballpark for $18.09 million, and given the rising prices of steel and concrete in recent months, it will be amazing if they can pull it off. Higher-than-expected bids are keeping the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, owned by the same group as the Revolution, on the sidelines until 2008 at the earliest.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2007: The York Revolution; York ballpark project gets OK; York team name finalists announced; York hopes to duplicate Lancaster Barnstormers' success; Owner fights seizure for York ballpark; HARB OKs razing for York ballpark; State grant brings York ballpark nearer; Review unlikely to derail York ballpark; Preservation voice needed on York ballpark project?; Sharing the history behind York's ballpark site; Lease deal set for York ballpark; York board questions ballpark payments; Ill-timed epiphany on York ballpark; Bottom of the 18th for York ballpark; Brenner goes to bat for York ballpark; York ballpark on life support?

Now this is how it's done
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The model for Sarasota's spring-training-complex plans is Bright House Networks Field, the spring home of the Philadelphia Phillies and the regular-season home of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State League). To say Bright House Networks Field is a success is an understatement: Phillies spring-training attendance is way up since the move, the Threshers are averaging an amazing 2,400 fans a game, and several events have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into city coffers. More importantly, the ballpark has given Clearwater -- a formerly nondescript suburb of Tampa and St. Pete -- a sense of identity.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark figures in Sarasota; Bonita Springs council looking into luring spring training; Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark; For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck; Indians are likely headed for Disney; Reds swing and miss; Disney may open new world to Indians; New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M short; A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven; FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp runs into trouble; Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes; Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million to $62 million; Osceola County wooing Indians; Could Indians end up training at Disney World?; Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for Sarasota bed tax revenue; Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature; Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida House; County money just part of Indians spring site's need; Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly at Dodgers; Polk County commits $23 million to sports facilities, including new Indians spring complex; Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move; Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding Cactus League shift; Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains consistent in Florida; Florida lawmakers approve spring-training facilities bill; FAU considering a deal with Indians for spring-training complex; Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training complex; Moving away from tradition; Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses for Casa Grande; Tradition and economics in Florida; Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in Sarasota move forward; Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding war; Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven contract; Dodgertown is a little less blue; State should spring for aid to teams; Glendale says it will be talking to teams about spring-training site; Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for stadium, event center, ballfields; Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site to keep Reds; Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks; Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training ballpark?; Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring training; Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities; Lee County game for third team; Spring-training facility not in city's best interests; Baseball, stadium would benefit city; Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape Coral

Things are just Beachy for Bums
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It's been a good year so far for the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League). The Beach Bums own the best record in the league at 29-15, and they've also drawn more fans that any other team -- 86,444 through 21 games -- and are second in average fans per game (4,146 to 4,116) behind the Gateway Grizzlies.

Big-league effort in minor-league adventure
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A reporter from the Chicago Sun-Times hits five minor-league ballparks in the Chicago area -- Alexian Field, Elfstrom Stadium, Silver Cross Field, Hawkinson Ford Field and U.S. Steel Yard -- on a single day, the Fourth of July. We've done this once in North Carolina, and to do this you need a little luck, a willingness to swoop in for just an inning, and some kindness from the scheduling gods.

New York Agency approves ballpark financing for Yankees, Mets
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New York City's Industrial Development Agency approved $1.58 billion worth of tax-exempt and taxable financing for baseball's Yankees and Mets to build new ballparks. Agency officials said the deal was contingent upon the U.S. Internal Revenue Service approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for most of the financing. The agreement would save the city about $113 million in the next 40 years by relieving it from maintenance and repair costs that would have exceeded rent payments at the two existing ballparks (including meeting ADA standards at Yankee Stadium), agency officials said in a prepared statement. By the time the stadiums are completed in 2009, they will have created 16,000 construction jobs, the officials said.
    RELATED STORIES: MTA pressed to create shortcut to Shea; Is Steinbrenner house, which Ruth built, poor?; NY City Council easily passes Yankees, Mets ballpark bonding bills; Squeeze play on Mets ballpark; Mets: Forget about naming new park after Jackie Robinson; New Mets ballpark deal is stalled; Squeeze play on the Mets; Strike one for new Mets ballpark; Mets park's name will fetch millions; Mets unveil plans for new ballpark; Yankees, Mets closer to new ballparks; City goes to bat for Yankees, Mets ballparks; State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets ballparks; Ebbets' echoes in Queens; At Mets' park, you'll think you're in...Pittsburgh?; State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets ballparks; Mets to go old school in new park

Springdale voters narrowly approve ballpark funding
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Voters in Springdale, Ark., narrowly approved a sales-tax extension Tuesday to pay for a $33 million minor-league ballpark project in the southwest area of the city. The vote was close -- 2,410 for, 2,393 against -- and city officials seemed surprised it the margin was so narrow. The 6,000-seat ballpark, which began as a much more modest project for an independent-league team, should be completed in time for the 2008 season. The Springdale City Council will negotiate a lease agreement that would likely include a 20-year contract with two five-year renewal options for a total of 30 years, and the team widely assumed to be in play is the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League). If so, there are a number of complicating factors. For one, the Wranglers' lease for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium runs through 2009, and the lease gives the city the right to buy the team should the owners -- the Rich family -- break the lease. (City officials say they have no interest in buying the team, but don't be surprised if some enterprising potential team owner has offered to buy the Wranglers from the city should that option be exercised.) If the Wranglers move, the future of the National Baseball Congress, which has been revitalized in recent years, would seem to be in some doubt. If the Riches want to move the team immediately, there's the chance the Wranglers could play a season at Baum Stadium, the home of the University of Arkansas baseball team, in nearby Fayetteville. And, finally, should the Wranglers move, you can be sure the independent American Association will have a proposed lease for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium ready for signing. More from the Wichita Eagle, the Wichita Business Journal and AP.
    RELATED STORIES: Why don't Wichitans turn out for Wranglers?; Wichita may accelerate improvements to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium; Pastor supports ballpark minus alcohol presence; City caught by surprise on possible Wranglers move; Arkansas town woos Wranglers; Sponsors of Springdale ballpark sure of need; New ballpark to be boon for Springdale, city officials say; Springdale Chamber pushes for support for ballpark; Election Commission finalizes details for Springdale ballpark vote; Springdale ballpark details still under construction; Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale ballpark tax; If Springdale ballpark built team will follow, planners are told; Royals’ farm club seeks home?; Mayor’s idea: Extend bond, gain baseball; Bond underwriters to study Springdale ballpark funding options; Turn-back funds to go for Springdale ballpark; Springdale ballpark site under contract; Springdale: Chamber fielding baseball inquiries; Texas League boss dispels baseball chatter; Public money may be needed to build Springdale ballpark; Springdale: Sports park feasible, study claims

Baseball according to Bud: All's well
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One of the great spectacles of the MLB All-Star break is Bud Selig's annual state of the game press conference. To his credit, Bud takes all questions and answers them with a modicum of honesty. One issue of contention at yesterday's meeting: progress being made over drug testing, steroid abuse and HGH testing. Bud insists MLB has made a lot of improvement on those issues, and he's right: the mechanisms of making changes to drug policies and testing are seen by the players' union as bargaining chips, not real-world programs, so progress happens much slower than fans and sportswriters want. Still, Bud seems to be whistling past the graveyard when he says he's happy with the current drug-testing policy as it stands now; at some point the fans' perception of the game will suffer if there's a widespread belief that players bulk up with HGH and other performance-enhancing drugs. The apathy shown toward Barry Bonds' slow crawl toward Hank Aaron's home-run record should be a wake-up call. More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the New York Times and the San Jose Mercury News.

Selig: Marlins need a new ballpark
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Honestly, there's little new about Bud Selig telling the press Miami is a great market and that the Florida Marlins need a baseball-only ballpark to replace Dolphin Stadium as the team's new home. Yeah, he's right: the Marlins need a new home. Local government officials are working on a terrible plan for a new ballpark in Hialeah -- which might as well be Orlando to the majority of baseball fans in the greater Miami area -- and so far the Marlins haven't really shown any imagination in putting forth a more doable plan. Really, it's time for Jeffrey Loria to consider selling the team and letting a new owner start anew with local officials. We hear he's clearly pissed off his fellow baseball owners by pocketing the proceeds of revenue sharing (the Marlins are expected to receive $30 million this season, but the team's payroll is only $15 million), and local elected officials aren't eager to work with the Fish.
    RELATED STORIES: DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins ballpark again; Marlins ballpark suffers setback; DuPuy meets with Marlins officials about new ballpark; Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial feasibility; Marlins to San Antonio: No thanks; Hialeah mayor upbeat on prospects of new Marlins ballpark; San Antonio, Marlins end courtship for now; Tough times for Marlins and their fans; Marlins players adjust to the empty seats; Marlins to view San Antonio sites: Officials will visit as planned with Florida park talks continuing; Marlins hit new lows in 8-5 loss; Failing bid for Marlins teaches Wolff a lesson; New funding plan proposed for Marlins ballpark in Hialeah; Development OK'd for potential Marlins ballpark site in Hialeah; Hopes fade in pursuit of Marlins; Marlins have until May 15 to decide about San Antonio move; Wolff plans to give Marlins a deadline; Loria wants Marlins' fate decided soon; House-hunting for Marlins on hold, for now; Willis, ballpark deal key issues for Marlins; Is Texas big enough for three MLB teams?; San Antonio makes first pitch to Marlins owner; Loria: Marlins seriously talking with San Antonio; Will Florida Marlins jump into San Antonio's net?; San Antonio officials get an invite Nolan Ryan backs San Antonio Marlins idea; City and county forming teams to lure Marlins; San Antonio bid for Marlins on hold; Wolff reveals site possibilities for San Antonio ballpark; Plan would provide $200 million toward new Marlins ballpark; Spurs looking to be part of ownership if San Antonio lures Marlins; San Antonio to Marlins: Include locals; Marlins move may spur border battle; Wolff makes ballpark pitch to Marlins; San Antonio under 'serious consideration' for Marlins relocation; Marlins front office meets with Homestead officials; Marlins to Oklahoma City?; Half-cent hike in Miami-Dade might help fund a Marlins ballpark; Owner laughs off idea of his track as Marlins ballpark site; Marlins, FAU to discuss stadium options; Norfolk session pleases Marlins; Possibility of Marlins ballpark deal called remote

Jays bidding for 2010 or 2012 All-Star Game
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The All-Star Break is also a good time for teams to announce their intentions to secure a future All-Star Game. The Minnesota Twins have already had discussions about landing the All-Star Game at a new downtown Minneapolis ballpark, the Arizona Diamondbacks want to bring the Midsummer Classic to Chase Field as soon as possible, and the Yankees are positioning Yankee Stadium as the game's host in 2008 before it closes. In the meantime, Paul Godfrey believes the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre have a good chance of landing the 2010 or 2012 All-Star Game, a process he hopes will develop momentum next month when Major League Baseball's club owners meet in Toronto. Toronto last played host to the All-Star Game in 1991, which will hurt the Jays' chances to land the game when so many new ballparks are coming online (Great American Ball Park, for instance, has never hosted an All-Star Game) and teams like Tampa Bay and Florida have never hosted the bash. More from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Hey, Nuttings, pay attention
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One bittersweet aspect to the All-Star Game at PNC Park: Pittsburgh Pirates fans now can look forward to a depressing second half of the season. Attendance at Pirates games has been up this season, partially because tickets to the All-Star Game were held out as an incentive to season-ticket buyers. But the team is underperforming on the field, and despite some bright spots -- Jason Bay, Freddie Sanchez -- the team's owners don't seem capable to laying the groundwork for a winning franchise.
    RELATED STORIES: All-Star game in an All-Star park -- PNC finally gets its due; Event to mark Forbes Field wall of dreams; All-Star Game security to cover all the bases

Cougars may get cozier confines
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Minor-league baseball will be even bigger in Kane County under plans being discussed by Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) and forest preserve district officials. Hundreds of seats -- including an upper deck and the ballpark’s first skyboxes -- could be added to accommodate the growing number of fans who visit Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva every summer, forest district Director Monica Meyers said Tuesday. District officials will hire an architect and engineer to assess the site and develop plans under a $50,000 agreement approved by commissioners Tuesday. The forest district owns and operates the 15-year-old ballpark.

D.C. Council approves parking garage plan
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The D.C. Council ignored pleas from the Washington Nationals' incoming ownership group and unanimously authorized the city to partner with Western Development on a plan to build two parking garages with condominiums and retail space on the north side of the team's new ballpark, currently under construction, in Southeast Washington. The plan calls for two parking garages to be built on parcels outside the left-field wall of the ballpark, with about 600 condominiums to be built around and on top of the garages. Retail outlets and a boutique hotel are also part of the proposal, which was crafted as a compromise designed to satisfy much of the parking requirement at the site while spurring commercial development in the area. More from the Washington Post.
    RELATED STORIES: Nats announce 'Grand Reopening' for old RFK; Environmental issues raise concerns on new Nats ballpark; D.C. mayor asks for ballpark plan approval; D.C. parking plan faces significant hurdles; Compromise reached on D.C. ballpark parking; Nats sale targeted for July finalization; D.C. mayor offers proposal to end ballpark parking controversy; Battle brews for control of D.C. ballpark project; Nationals firm on issue of above-ground parking; Hazmat removal at D.C. ballpark site up by $2.9M; Nats ready to pitch sponsorship deals for new ballpark; D.C. ballpark plan clears important hurdle, but concerns linger; D.C.'s Williams creates Office of Baseball; The Nationals' wish list; Nats owners want city to shift gears on parking; Lerner group plans RFK 'grand reopening'; Lerner receives initial approval to buy Nats; full approval expected today; Nats ballpark design up in the air; It's official: Lerner nabs Nats; MLB seems settled on new Nationals owner; And the Nats' owners are....; Impending Nats sale arouses speculation; Bob DuPuy pays a visit to the Lerner family; Smulyan promises African-American president for Nats Lerner adds two more to group bidding for Nats; Hey, MLB: Nats need an owner now; New Nats owner might find cracks in the foundation

MLB, USA Baseball form 10-year business partnership
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MLB and USA Baseball (USAB) have reached a new 10-year agreement in which Major League Baseball will acquire all USAB commercial rights for $10 million, enabling USAB to focus its resources on growing amateur baseball in the United States, the two organizations announced today. MLB has acquired USAB sponsorship, licensing, and other business rights, which will immediately be transferred to the league's business arm, Major League Baseball Properties. MLB Properties will provide USAB with a guaranteed level of annual funding to support its athlete programs. MLB Advanced Media LP (MLBAM) also controls USAB's Internet rights.

MLB, Turner, Fox formally announce TV deals
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As we reported yesterday, MLB has reached new broadcast deals with Fox Sports and Turner Broadcasting System on new over-the-air and cable television rights packages through the 2013 season. Fox will continue to maintain the exclusive annual rights to the All-Star Game and the World Series. Game 1 of the World Series will now be scheduled to take place on the first Tuesday after the completion of the League Championship Series. The network will broadcast the American League Championship Series in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 and the National League Championship Series in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Under the TBS agreement, TBS will telecast all regular season tie-breaker games, all Division Series games and the All-Star Game Selection Show each year. In addition, beginning in 2008, TBS will telecast a window of Major League Baseball games on 26 Sunday afternoons. TBS will continue to air Atlanta Braves' games through the 2007 season, a year in which that contract and the new deal will co-exist.
    RELATED STORIES: MLB, Fox to sign new broadcast deal

A chance to make a billion impressions
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The American League may have won last night's All-Star Game in dramatic fashion, but the real winner may have been PNC Bank, the owner of naming rights to PNC Park, where the game was held. PNC officials were thrilled the ballpark was named in 626 media reports in the past week, according to Factiva, a Princeton, N.J.-based company that tracks more than 10,000 news sources, and some media experts say the exposure was worth $10 million in marketing. Perhaps, but let's also be honest: those mentions of PNC were wasted on viewers where the bank doesn't do business. More on PNC Park's performance during the All-Star Game.

Curve not going all-out to set single-game attendance mark
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Speaking of All-Star Games: don't forget many leagues are holding games this week. The Eastern League All-Star Game will be played tonight at Blair County Ballpark, the home of the Altoona Curve. All the seats are sold out for the match, but standing-room-only ducats are available, and there's the chance the game will be set an EL All-Star Game attendance record. Toledo is expecting a full house at Fifth Third Field for the Triple-A All-Star Game between International League and Pacific Coast League stars. Meanwhile, we'll be at La Crosse's Copeland Park tonight for the Northwoods League All-Star Game; a full crowd is expected there as well. We've been hitting the Northwoods League ballparks as of late: next week we'll be updating our pages on Franklin Rogers Field, Mayo Field, Carson Park, Wade Stadium, Warner Park and Copeland Park. We're also hitting the road next week, with stops planned at Spartanburg's Duncan Park (July 15), Thomasville's rebuilt Finch Field (July 16), Hickory's L.P. Frans Stadium (July 17), Greensboro's First Horizon Field (July 18), Kinston's Grainger Stadium (July 18), Burlington Athletic Stadium (July 19) and Zebulon's Five County Stadium (July 19).

In search of deep pockets
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The gap between $40 million in identified sources -- a $10 million contribution from the Cincinnati Reds, $15 million in state sales-tax rebates and $15 million in tourist taxes -- and the $54 million price tag for a new spring-training complex have led Sarasota officials to declare an impasse in the effort to replace Ed Smith Stadium as the spring home of the Reds. Pat Calhoon, facilities manager of the City of Sarasota Sports Complex, says he plans to find out if any private citizens want to be a "major part'' of the new ballpark -- which would require some sort of hefty financial contribution, perhaps in a naming-rights deal. No one involved here has shown a whole lot of imagination in getting a deal done, and any ballpark project that already has $40 million in identified funding should be able to be completed.
    RELATED STORIES: Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark; For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck; Indians are likely headed for Disney; Reds swing and miss; Disney may open new world to Indians; New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M short; A big boost for spring training in Winter Haven; FAU proposal for $45 million spring-training camp runs into trouble; Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes; Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million to $62 million; Osceola County wooing Indians; Could Indians end up training at Disney World?; Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for Sarasota bed tax revenue; Spring-training bill awaits Bush signature; Spring-training facilities bill passes Florida House; County money just part of Indians spring site's need; Goodyear's Cactus League radar is pointed directly at Dodgers; Polk County commits $23 million to sports facilities, including new Indians spring complex; Goodyear inviting Dodgers to move; Dodgers confirm contact from Glendale regarding Cactus League shift; Cardwell says spring-training attendance remains consistent in Florida; Florida lawmakers approve spring-training facilities bill; FAU considering a deal with Indians for spring-training complex; Goodyear chooses site to build spring-training complex; Moving away from tradition; Baseball complex proponents envision many pluses for Casa Grande; Tradition and economics in Florida; Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in Sarasota move forward; Mum's the word in spring-training facility bidding war; Indians signal they may consider Winter Haven contract; Dodgertown is a little less blue; State should spring for aid to teams; Glendale says it will be talking to teams about spring-training site; Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for stadium, event center, ballfields; Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site to keep Reds; Cactus League may grow as cities plan new parks; Three-city race for new Arizona spring-training ballpark?; Apopka making its pitch for Indians spring training; Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities; Lee County game for third team; Spring-training facility not in city's best interests; Baseball, stadium would benefit city; Cleveland Indians scout training site in Cape Coral

Bonita Springs council looking into luring spring training
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The effort to make Bonita Springs, a city outside Fort Myers, home to spring training for a major league baseball team is continuing, and later this month City Council members will consider whether the idea merits further investigation. Simons and Bonita Springs City Manager Gary Price met in May with county sports officials to float the concept. Since then, city staff have been researching to identify potential sites to accommodate an 80-acre facility and figure out the cost, which is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars. With Sarasota officials and the Cincinnati Reds at a standoff over a new spring-training facility there, Bonita Spring may have a little better chance of luring a team than was the case a month ago.

Indians resurrect team Hall of Fame
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The Cleveland Indians are finally bringing back the Indians Hall of Fame, which hasn't seen an induction since 1972. When the team moved to Jacobs Field, management wanted to make a clean start to the franchise -- which makes sense, given how bad the team was in the years prior to the move. But now that there's a winning tradition of sorts again at the Jake, the team is turning its attention back to its storied history. Addie Joss, Al Lopez, Ray Chapman, Rocky Colavito, Sam McDowell, Al Rosen and Herb Score will be inducted in a pregame ceremony on July 29. The four living members of the class -- Colavito, McDowell, Rosen and Score -- all plan to be present. Also, for the first time next season, the hall of fame will actually have a physical location, just beyond the center-field wall at Jacobs Field. The area will be open during games.

Wings aim for record books -- in Groucho glasses
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Fans at the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) game Saturday will get a chance to set a new Guinness World Record. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield -- as part of its generics public awareness campaign -- will team with the Red Wings to see if they can get at least 5,000 people at the game to wear Groucho Marx-style glasses, which will have the attached nose and moustache. Excellus and Frontier Field volunteers will be at both main entrances to collect names and distribute the glasses. Red Wings management will also go on the field and let everyone know when to put on their glasses, which they must do for at least 10 minutes. The current world record of 1,437 people wearing such glasses in one place was set in Australia in 2005.

Suns to give away kitchen sink
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The Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) will be giving away a free kitchen sink at today’s game at Municipal Stadium, courtesy of Hagerstown Kitchens. The Suns play the Hickory Crawdads beginning at 7:05 p.m. "Fans have always told me, 'Kurt, the Suns have given everything away but the kitchen sink.' Well, now I can tell them we’ve even given that away too," said Suns President and General Manager Kurt Landes.  As fans enter the ballpark, they’ll be able to guess the number of peanuts inside the kitchen sink on display. The closest guess at the end of the game keeps the kitchen sink.

Eriotes, Canaries claim record
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At 83-years-old, Jim Eriotes claims the record for the oldest person to ever bat in a professional baseball game as the Sioux Falls Canaries took a 5-3 win against the St. Joe Blacksnakes in an independent American Association match last night. Eriotes came to the plate to lead off the bottom of the first inning. He struck out swinging on an 83-mph fastball, but not before making contact and fouling a pitch off. After Eriotes struck out Ralph Santana singled and stole his 24th base of the season. Chad Hermansen followed with a two-run homer giving the Canaries an early 2-0 lead. More from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
    RELATED STORIES: Eriotes to attempt to break record for oldest pro baseball player

Who's on first? It's your call
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More on the experiment from MSN and LivePlanet allowing Internet voters to choose lineups and game strategies for the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League). Actually, there's a lot more to the deal: cameras will be recording whatever the team does -- in the clubhouse, in hotels, on the road, on dates. Reading between the lines, you can tell there's already some tension in Schaumburg: manager Andy McCauley is clearly peeved he's lost control of the team on the field, and some players are not happy with the prospect of cameras following them to bars and dates.
    RELATED STORIES: Fan Club: Reality Baseball launches today; Flyers to allow online voters to guide team in second half of season

XM, Sirius could pair to fend off other digital technologies
Posted July 12, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Where will your game broadcasts come from in the future? It's looking muddier, not clearer, every day as rumors continue to swirl about XM and Sirius exploring a merger of satellite-radio providers. XM has just committed $650 million for the rights to broadcast every Major League Baseball game from 2005 to 2016, but they'll be facing some competition from an unexpected source: MLB AM plans on broadcasting games to mobile devices for $5.99 a month. This doesn't affect just the 30 MLB franchises; MLB AM also holds rights to minor-league games as well.

All-Star game in an All-Star park -- PNC finally gets its due
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Tonight's All-Star Game will allow a national audience to see one of the crown jewels in the ballpark world: PNC Park. We loved this ballpark when we visited it last season, and we're not alone -- the riverside setting is spectacular, the scale is people-friendly (38,000-40,000 would appear to be the sweet spot when it comes to MLB ballpark sizes) and the architecture is retro without being out of place. There are parts of the ballpark designed to invoke Forbes Field, the former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as other long-gone ballparks. Here are some other interesting facts about PNC Park. More from USA Today.
    RELATED STORIES: Event to mark Forbes Field wall of dreams; All-Star Game security to cover all the bases

Vote on Springdale ballpark is today
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Springdale (Ark.) residents will vote in a special election today on whether to extend a 1-cent sales tax to build a $33 million ballpark that could house the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) for the 2008 season. There are three questions on the ballot that must receive yes votes for the ballpark to be built. Under one (unlikely) scenario, the Wranglers could move as early as next season to the University of Arkansas' ballpark in Fayetteville before the Springdale ballpark is ready in 2008. This doesn't sound like the Rich family (owners of the Wranglers) is posturing to gain improvements to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, though Wichita officials have floated that possibility out there. Plus, depending on how the ballpark lease is written, the Riches could keep the Wichita ballpark and use it for the National Baseball Congress and other summer collegiate games through 2009. One thing is for certain: the minute after the Wranglers leave Lawrence-Dumont Stadium the independent American Association will be ready with a team.
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Nats announce 'Grand Reopening' for old RFK
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The incoming owners of the Washington Nationals launched an aggressive campaign Monday to address complaints about RFK Stadium, in an effort to stem a serious decline in attendance this season. The Nationals' next home series, July 21-23 against the Chicago Cubs, will serve as a "Grand Reopening" of the 45-year-old ballpark. The whole ballpark is getting a good scrubbing, new food stalls will be added, in-game entertainment features are being upgraded, the entrance is getting a landscaping overhaul, and an outside company has been hired to conduct customer service training sessions for vendors, ushers, security personnel and anyone else who might come into contact with the public. The team will be holding a giveaway for fans for each of the three games, beginning with the first 40,000 fans to attend Friday night's game receiving a red Washington Nationals cap. Saturday, the first 40,000 through the gates will get a red Nationals T-shirt, and Sunday, 40,000 red Washington rally towels will be passed out to fans.. More from the Washington Post and the Washington Times.
    RELATED STORIES: Environmental issues raise concerns on new Nats ballpark; D.C. mayor asks for ballpark plan approval; D.C. parking plan faces significant hurdles; Compromise reached on D.C. ballpark parking; Nats sale targeted for July finalization; D.C. mayor offers proposal to end ballpark parking controversy; Battle brews for control of D.C. ballpark project; Nationals firm on issue of above-ground parking; Hazmat removal at D.C. ballpark site up by $2.9M; Nats ready to pitch sponsorship deals for new ballpark; D.C. ballpark plan clears important hurdle, but concerns linger; D.C.'s Williams creates Office of Baseball; The Nationals' wish list; Nats owners want city to shift gears on parking; Lerner group plans RFK 'grand reopening'; Lerner receives initial approval to buy Nats; full approval expected today; Nats ballpark design up in the air; It's official: Lerner nabs Nats; MLB seems settled on new Nationals owner; And the Nats' owners are....; Impending Nats sale arouses speculation; Bob DuPuy pays a visit to the Lerner family; Smulyan promises African-American president for Nats Lerner adds two more to group bidding for Nats; Hey, MLB: Nats need an owner now; New Nats owner might find cracks in the foundation

New for 2007: The York Revolution
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With nearly 3,000 total votes received, fan voting for the "Name York's Team" contest has concluded, with Revolution narrowly edging out White Roses as the most popular among the five finalists. The York Revolution is scheduled to begin play in the independent Atlantic League in the spring of 2007.
    The name Revolution connects with York’s colonial past, when the Continental Congress met in York and passed the Articles of Confederation during the Revolutionary War. Following the American Revolution, York briefly became the first capital of the United States.
    Because of the close nature of fan voting, when the York Revolution begins play next year, club officials have announced plans to recognize the name White Roses. The team uniforms will feature a special patch commemorating the White Roses, the last professional baseball team to play in York. Also, officials of the York club and the Lancaster Barnstormers are in discussions to create a “turn-back-the-clock” series, in which York will wear vintage White Roses uniforms and the Barnstormers will wear uniforms paying tribute to the old Lancaster Red Roses. More from the York Daily Record. One issue that remains with a new York ballpark: parking.
    RELATED STORIES: York ballpark project gets OK; York team name finalists announced; York hopes to duplicate Lancaster Barnstormers' success; Owner fights seizure for York ballpark; HARB OKs razing for York ballpark; State grant brings York ballpark nearer; Review unlikely to derail York ballpark; Preservation voice needed on York ballpark project?; Sharing the history behind York's ballpark site; Lease deal set for York ballpark; York board questions ballpark payments; Ill-timed epiphany on York ballpark; Bottom of the 18th for York ballpark; Brenner goes to bat for York ballpark; York ballpark on life support?

MLB, Fox to sign new broadcast deal
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Major League Baseball has reached a new seven-year TV deal with Fox Sports, according to SI.com. The new agreement, which will be announced at 5:30 p.m. today by commissioner Bud Selig, will guarantee baseball more than the $400 million it received from the network's previous contract, which expires after this season. Fox will air the World Series, the All-Star Game, a schedule of Saturday games and one League Championship Series each year, with another network able to buy the rights to the other LCS. Also, TBS and MLB agreed to a new deal giving TBS rights to divisional series next season and weekly games in 2008.

Marion to join Frontier League
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We've heard from various sources close to the action that it's a done deal for Marion, Ill., to field a team in the independent Frontier League next season, with final details still needing to be worked out. A new ballpark is under construction in Marion, originally envisioned as the home of a Low Class A Midwest League team before league officials denied permission for a franchise move. While Marion would be a small market even by Frontier League standards, the move makes sense both for the potential owners of a Marion team and the Frontier League: there's a better geographic fit (the American Association makes no sense, and neither does the Northern League) and the Frontier League is better suited toward markets of Marion's size.
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IL, PCL champs to meet in one-game playoff
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Triple-A Baseball has scheduled a press conference for tomorrow to announce the creation of a championship game between the winners of the International League and the Pacific Coast League, starting this year. IL president Randy Mobley declined comment on the topic of the press conference yesterday but admitted that he would like to see a championship game between the two leagues.  The championship game would be held at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. It would be called the "Bricktown Showdown" and be the first meeting of the league champions since the Triple-A championship was held in Las Vegas from 1998 until 2000.

Mississippi to host 2007 Southern League All-Star Game
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The Mississippi Braves are hosting the Class AA Southern League All-Star Game in 2007, according to league officials. Trustmark Park opened last season, and the Braves front office has some experience hosting the game, having thrown the 2000 event in Greenville. The M-Braves will announce ticket information, a full schedule and further details at a later date. This year's game, played last night in Montgomery, included a home run derby.

Fan Club: Reality Baseball launches today
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League) are entering some dangerous territory here, turning control of the team over to fans voting online. Fans will be in charge of key managerial decisions, including selecting the team roster (who takes the field and who rides the pine), determining the batting order, choosing the pitching rotation  and making off-the-field calls (everything from on-the-road roommate assignments to potential player trades and free agent pickups). The idea is to build up a national following for the Flyers by giving fans what they think is a voice in what happens on the field, but we're looking forward to seeing how much power the fans really have, especially if they make some bone-headed decisions. The online reality experience is sponsored by MSN and LivePlanet, the production company headed by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
    RELATED STORIES: Flyers to allow online voters to guide team in second half of season

Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark
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More on the financing for a potential new spring-training ballpark for the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota. The city is sticking with a price tag of $54 million for a new ballpark and complex, which seems awfully high for a 9,000-seat ballpark and new training fields. (What's not being reported here, however, is that the city is trying to include a renovation of Ed Smith Stadium for amateur games and rolling it into the spring-training project.) The Cincinnati Reds are trying to play nice by agreeing to up their contribution from $6 million to $10 million, and Reds officials say they'll continue discussions but are not willing to come up with more money. Sarasota officials are loathe to raise taxes to pay for a new ballpark, but with the potential state contribution of $15 million (the article is wrong about the state contribution being only $7 million), a half-cent sales tax yielding $15 million, and the Reds' payment of $10 million, you're already at $40 million -- and a new ballpark at the current Reds training site may be a lot more affordable than is being pushed here.
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Revamped Point Stadium takes shape
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An $11 million renovation project to Johnstown's Point Stadium has progressed quickly, and officials with the All-American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament say the 80-year-old ballpark will be ready when the tournament starts next month. Some aspects, possibly including locker-room construction, may have to wait until after the tournament. Also, the ballpark will not get artificial turf until next year. New bleachers now stretch into left field and right field, and contractors have fashioned a concrete area for seating and a plaza behind home plate. Large poles rising from the plaza will support netting protecting spectators from foul balls.

Measuring homers a guessing game
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If you watched last night's Home Run Derby telecast from PNC Park last night, you heard the announcers say how far the home-run blasts traveled. The numbers were accurate: ESPN used laser technology to provide an accurate distance. The thing is, most MLB ballparks really don't have accurate charts showing how far home runs travel, and (despite what the stats freaks say) any number passed along is merely an estimate, until MLB installs laser technology to estimate shots.

Friends go to bat for Duncan Park
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The movement to save Duncan Park Stadium took one large step forward and one small step back Monday night at a City Council meeting where supporters spilled into the hallways to show their concern to city officials. After plenty of discussion, council agreed to cancel its contract with the Spartanburg Stingers (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), preventing the team from playing in the historic stadium next season. At the same time, and in the same resolution, council voted to create a public/private consortium that would allow the city to work hand in hand with the Friends of Duncan Park to try to renovate and reopen the facility. Opened in 1926, Duncan Park is one of the oldest baseball parks in the country. It featured textile league baseball for decades and minor league baseball until 1994, when the Spartanburg Phillies left town. It doesn't look like Duncan Park will be used next summer, but there's the chance the Stingers will play next summer at the Wofford College ballpark until the future of Duncan Park is decided. We'll be at Duncan Park this Sunday to catch the Stingers action.
    RELATED STORIES: For Duncan Park neighborhood, ballpark's future hits close to home; Friends try to keep Duncan Park in play; Group forms in effort to save Duncan Park; Duncan Park down to 9th inning, 2 outs

Chase Field overdue for All-Star bash
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It's about time for the All-Star Game to be played at Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it doesn't look like it will happen until 2009 at the earliest: the 2007 is slated for San Francisco, and now Commissioner Bud Selig says the 2008 will be awarded to an American League city -- probably New York for Yankee Stadium in that ballpark's swan song. The fear in Phoenix is that St. Louis's Busch Stadium will be awarded the 2009 game, but the Diamondbacks can lay a better claim to deserving a shot at the game.

Knights see more fans, but lag league
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The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) may have the league's best record, but that doesn't seem to be translating into a huge increase in fans at the box office: attendance is up some 15 percent at Knights Stadium. We're not fans of the ballpark, and apparently we're not alone. Still, new Knights GM Dan Rajkowski did make some noteworthy changes to the ballpark, including the installation of a private patio area down the right-field line.

Twins seek partners for naming rights, sponsorships
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The Minnesota Twins will probably be selling the lights out of the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark scheduled to open in 2010. The Twins have had little chance to sell anything at Metrodome -- the Minnesota Vikings control the suites and the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission controls most of the signage and the concessions at Metrodome, leaving the Twins with very little in their control.
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Eriotes to attempt to break record for oldest pro baseball player NEW!
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This is a gimmick that probably goes over the line. 83-year-old Jim Eriotes will suit up for the Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association) in tonight's game against the St. Joe Blacksnakes. The Canaries are pitching it as a consciousness-raising experience in senior health in conjunction with a local sponsor, but this would seem to break one of the rules of a successful promotion: never let the promotion affect the product on the field, and allowing Eriotes to bat will surely affect the game one way or another, even if he strikes out as a pinch-hitter. Speaking of gimmick signings: Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) officials announced that four-time World Champion skiier Bode Miller has signed a one-game contract to play for the Pride on July 29. Yeah, it's for charity, and it keeps both the Pride and Miller in the headlines.

City tour features plans for growth
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More than 100 neighborhood officials, downtown advocates and residents Monday toured several downtown sites to learn about Fort Wayne’s plans to bolster its central city. The big topic: whether the city needs a new downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). Some neighborhood activists question whether a downtown ballpark is needed, but city officials are selling the project as part of a downtown revitalization project a la Dayton and Fifth Third Field.
    RELATED STORIES: Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial Stadium; A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?; Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future; New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne; Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown; A new downtown castle?; Memorial Stadium far from obsolete; Fort Wayne Wizards sold; Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability left, says architect; Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Group set to discuss downtown Fort Wayne ballpark; Field of dreams in Fort Wayne?

Root, root, root for the start-up
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If there are two areas where the independent Golden Baseball League has been successful, it's been in attracting venture capital and garnering positive press, as illustrated by this New York Times article on the league's second season. League officials have already made a splash signing Jose Conseco this season, but one really must wonder whether the business success is following the media success, To be honest, we're a little skeptical of some of the numbers being thrown around here: our experience with other indy leagues leads us to question whether they can break even at an announced 1,700 fans a game (a more typical break-even point for an indy team is 2,300 or more fans a game, and some fixed costs, like workers' comp, simply don't scale), and we're really skeptical whether they can reach 80 or so teams across the United States. One cause for concern: investors have already poured over $15 million into the league, and so far every team is playing in an older or college ballpark, with little success shown in convincing local taxpayers to spring for new facilities.

Sale of Drillers finalized
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) announced today that Chuck Lamson has received final approval from Major League Baseball for his majority purchase of the franchise from Went Hubbard. With the approval, Lamson will now assume the role of president of the Drillers, with Went Hubbard remaining as vice president. Lamson also announced that Mike Melega has been named general manager and Jason George has been named assistant general manager of the team.

Mayor pitches Medlar Field as the answer to football woes
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Penn State athletic department is weighing how it might fit more students into Beaver Stadium for football games this fall. State College Mayor Bill Welch has his own idea: Put the overflow students in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the new home of the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League). There, they could watch the football games on the big screen, but still be together and still be outside, Welch says.

In memoriam: Hugh Stubbins Jr.
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Hugh Stubbins Jr., who designed Veterans Stadium, the former home of the Philadelphia Phillies, has died. He was 94. Stubbins was better known for designing landmarks such as Manhattan's Citicorp Center, Boston's Federal Reserve Bank, the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Cal., and Congress Hall in Berlin. Veterans Stadium was not the greatest of sporting facilities, alas, and it seems to typify everything bad about cookie-cutter facilities: it didn't please Phillies fans, nor did it work as a football stadium.

Ballpark Notes
Posted July 11, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The New York Yankees announced that Charleston RiverDogs (Low Class A; Sally League) manager Bill Mosiello has resigned in order to return to the college ranks. Mosiello, who was in the middle of his second season as the RiverDogs’ skipper, leaves with a 129-98 (.568) managerial record including a 49-40 mark this season. Mosiello's replacement will be named by the Yankees prior to the team’s next game, which is scheduled for Wednesday night at Rome. Mosiello will be named an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. He is scheduled to be the third base coach, which includes guiding the hitters and infielders, and he is expected to start his new opportunity within the next week or so.