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Archives: Nov. 12-18, 2006

Judge dismisses lawsuit on new Yankees ballpark
Posted Nov. 17, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to stop construction of the new $1 billion ballpark for the New York Yankees. Construction of the new ballpark involves paving over large portions of two parks in the Bronx and cutting down about 400 mature oak trees. The Yankees are to offset the loss of the parks by building new parkland, including three ballfields at the site of the current Yankee Stadium, which will be dismantled. A group of South Bronx neighbors and parks advocates filed a federal lawsuit in September protesting the loss of the parks, after first filing a suit in state court seeking a restraining order that was dismissed. The suit was dismissed based on lack of merit. More from the New York Daily News and AP.
    RELATED STORIES: Bronx group goes to court vs. new Yankee Stadium; New York City receives IRS approval on ballpark bonds; New York Agency approves ballpark financing for Yankees, Mets; 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

Sounds ballpark developer needs to score soon
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It may be the bottom of the ninth for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) new downtown ballpark plan, but the team and its developer are not ready to say extra innings will be needed to close the deal. The Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse are working to close a complicated $43 million financing package by the end of the year, a requirement of a memorandum of understanding between both parties and Metro. However, despite lacking a final design and finalized financing as of this week, neither party would say an extension to the end-of-the-year deadline to close the deal would be needed.
    RELATED STORIES: Ballpark financing not set as deadline approaches; Struever mulling ballpark-area changes in Nashville; Sounds unveil ballpark plans; PCL president applauds Nashville ballpark deal; Yaeger calls stadium plan flexible and fan-friendly; Sounds settle on 2008 opening date for new ballpark; Ballpark opening date up in air, Sounds say; Nashville Metro Council approves new Sounds ballpark; Company says Sounds deal sets stage for Frank project; Sounds send commitment letter to Council; Caucus continues pressure for minorities' role in stadium; Nashville Council Black Caucus wants more minority work on ballpark; Sounds are rounding third; Sounds remain at bargaining table; Nashville Sounds one vote away from new ballpark; Council should give Nashville ballpark their support; Sounds woo minority business owners for ballpark project; Sounds ballpark vote delayed; Museum, dining wanted at new Sounds ballpark; Sounds move ahead with ballpark design; Sounds weak; Sounds ballpark proposal passes first test on Council; Opposition to Nashville ballpark gears up on council; Many good questions raised over Sounds deal; Chamber of Commerce backs Sounds ballpark plan; Downtown merchants rally for Sounds; Board seeks information on Sounds ballpark deal; Neighbors of Nashville ballpark expect project to spark development; Sounds, Nashville sign agreement for new ballpark; Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan; Sounds ballpark plan nearly triples in size; New Sounds ballpark proposal in doubt; Nashville ballpark bill may have to wait until fall; Sounds deal stalls, but still in play; City bobbling save on Sounds’ perfect plan; Sounds ballpark negotiations slow; Will ballpark make SoBro soar?; Sounds swing deal to get new ballpark; Sounds win city approval for new ballpark

Pima County trying to avert loss of White Sox for spring training
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As we've been predicting the last few days, Pima County will put up a struggle before letting the Chicago White Sox move spring-training operations to Glendale from Tucson Electric Park. Pima County Supervisor Ramon Valadez sent a letter to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority's top executive asking that the agency not approve money to construct a $76.8 million stadium on a chunk of land abutting Glendale. The county supervisors also sent a letter this week to state Senate President-elect Tim Bee, R-Tucson, urging a legislative fix that would block the White Sox's possible move from Tucson to a publicly funded stadium. White Sox officials have hinted to us about the possibility of buying out the team's lease, but Puma County officials apparently will hold the ChiSox to the terms of the lease, which calls for the team finding a replacement before a move can be made. More from the Lakeland Ledger, the Arizona Daily Star and the Tucson Citizen. In Florida, local officials are lamenting the loss of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they think another team can be lured to Dodgertown and Holman Stadium.
    RELATED STORIES: Dodgers, White Sox reach deal with Glendale; A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix; Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark funds; What could the future hold for Dodgertown?; Glendale wants to bring Dodgers' spring training to Valley; Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to development; Goodyear finds support for spring-training plan; It's official: Indians agree to Grapefruit League move; Indians, Dodgers close to deal to move spring training to Arizona; Clock ticks on Disney-Indians deal; Cleveland says no to Cape Coral's springtime offer; Arizona move still a possibility

New for 2007: The Southern Illinois Miners
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The new Marion team in the independent Frontier League has a name and logo: the Southern Illinois Miners. "We wanted a name the people of the region should identify with in a personal way," said team spokesperson Erik Haag. "We think the miner was an excellent choice because he represents the many great qualities of people in Southern Illinois -- hard working, honest and dedicated." Along with the name, the team unveiled the new logo, consisting of the team name in letters chiseled out of a rock face and a strong miner swinging a baseball-bat-shaped axe at a baseball in a mound of coal. The team's new Website is now live at southernillinoisminers.com. More from the Southern.
    RELATED STORIES: Construction crews work around weather to have ballpark built by spring; Build it and they will come: Marion ballpark development progressing nicely; New Marion Frontier League team makes personnel announcements; Marion baseball gets 'tremendous response'; Ballpark gets team; Marion gets $1 million more; It's official: Marion to join Frontier League in 2007; Marion to join Frontier League; Ballpark with no team going up in Marion; Major construction of Marion ballpark to begin mid-June; Simmons backs out of deal to buy Silver Hawks; Midwest League approves sale of Silver Hawks to Simmons; Midwest League reconsidering Marion application; Minor-league baseball in Marion is not dead yet; Marion baseball still seen as possibility; $16 million ballpark needs league of its own; Midwest League rejects Marion; Group awaiting the words 'play ball': Final approval on sale of South Bend baseball team may come next month; Construction on Marion ballpark to start Monday; Marion ballpark expected to be ready in 2007; Victory Sports announces Northern League team for South Bend; Ballpark funding draws some boos; Butler, Blagojevich discuss baseball strategy for Marion; Williamson County state's attorney calls McKenna allegation 'reckless'; Prosecutor to review state funding for Marion baseball project; Sky box mentality doesn't sit well with bleacher crowd; Controversy swirls around Marion ballpark development; South Bend to Marion; No word yet on Marion ballpark construction; Spelius: Simmons has no deal for Midwest League team; Simmons acquires Midwest League team for Marion; Batter up: Dignitaries dig in, break ground on new Marion ballpark; SIGB happy with signs of progress on minor-league baseball; Baseball project progressing slowly, steadily

New for 2007: The Corvallis Knights
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Starting this summer, Oregon State’s Goss Stadium at Coleman Field will be the home of the Corvallis Knights (summer collegiate; West Coast Collegiate Baseball League). The team -- formerly based in the Portland area as the Aloha Knights -- will play 26 games on the home diamond of the OSU Beavers, the 2006 NCAA national champions. It's an interesting move: most summer-collegiate teams eschew college facilities for some pretty obvious reasons, but if this works out you can see similar moves from other leagues.

If Tribune puts Cubs on the block, investors are interested
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A group of 15 investors is lining up financing for a possible purchase of the Chicago Cubs if the baseball team is put up for sale by its parent, Tribune Co. Tom Begel, chairman of TMB Industries, said Thursday that he and other investors expect the team to be sold for up to $600 million. That seems very low to us when you throw in ownership of Wrigley Field: We would expect the purchase price to be closer to $800 million for a powerful brand whose television and radio revenues could be adequately exploited outside the Tribune ownership, and some are whispering the final tally could be closer to a billion dollars. The Chicago-based media company bought the Cubs in 1981 for $20.5 million.
    RELATED STORIES: Wolves owner wants chance to buy Cubs; Asking price for Cubs: One billion?

Missions, city agree on ballpark lease
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When the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) open the 2007 season April 12, their longtime home will have a new look, from the concourses to the scoreboard. The San Antonio City Council approved a new lease for Wolff Stadium at its meeting Thursday, clearing the way for more than $1.5 million in renovations at the 12-year-old ballpark. The Missions will take over operations Nov. 26.  Under the 10-year contract, which was approved unanimously, the city will spend $300,000 to bring the lighting system up to Minor League Baseball standards. The Missions will spend approximately $1.25 million on projects ranging from the installation of a new scoreboard with a video screen to renovations of the sound system. More from the San Antonio Business Journal.
    RELATED STORIES: New Missions deal winner for the fans

Firms lined up early for stadium work
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The Star Tribune appears to be unaware of the fact that the Minnesota Twins have already come to unofficial agreements with M.A. Mortenson (construction), HOK Sport (design) and Hammel Green Abramson (site work) to work on the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark, but that's OK -- as a Ballpark Digest reader, you know the score. The real story here is how firms like Mortenson must begin work years in advance to woo the powers that be in order to land sizable contract. In the case of HOK Sport, Earl Santee was working with the Twinsville organizers literally for years before Hennepin County officials came up with a ballpark-financing plan.
    RELATED STORIES: Eminent-domain effort begins for Twins ballpark land; Designing the experience around the Twins ballpark; Ideas for Twins ballpark, some from left field; A freeze frame for Twins; Experts blow hot, cold on ways to heat new Twins ballpark; Appraisal delay puts Twins new ballpark off schedule; Twins pick ballpark designers; As Twins chase playoffs, ballpark preparations push on; Twins ballpark on track to open in 2010; Hennepin County Board approves ballpark sales tax; Opposition turns out for hearings on new Twins ballpark; Twins ballpark debate keeps going with deal all but done; It's official: Twins to switch broadcast rights to KSTP-AM; Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons; Twins seek partners for naming rights, sponsorships; Twins searching for trademark ballpark design; Hennepin County OKs spending plan for Twins ballpark; Twins' ballpark push tab: under a hundred grand; Twins ballpark spending plan outlined; Naming rights options scary; More than a ballpark in Minneapolis; Twins' ballpark opponents were tired of the fight; supporters weren't; Pawlenty says he'll sign Twins ballpark bill this week; Legislature approves Twins ballpark; opening slated for 2010; Legislature moves toward original Twins ballpark plan; Poll shows majority of Minnesota residents don't think Twins need new ballpark; Hennepin County Board OKs Twins ballpark plan; Will new Twins ballpark go green?; Hennepin County board OKs revised Twins ballpark plan; Politics, tax tangle Twins' quest for new park; Supporters say Twins ballpark bill has enough votes to pass; Twins ballpark proposal picking up steam in Minnesota Legislature; Twins laying off threats, for now; It's back! Twins ballpark issue still with us; Twins are hearing dreaded 'C' word again;  Twins make pitch in court to leave Dome; Bonoff won despite supporting ballpark; Hennepin County gives go-ahead for study related to Twins ballpark;  Twins sue to get out of Metrodome lease; Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County reach agreement on ballpark funding; Twins back Minneapolis ballpark location; What's up with a Twins ballpark?; Ballpark tax plan is calling for a first

Motorcycle club to challenge use of IronPigs name
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The Lehigh Valley's new Class AAA International League team has some competition for their choice of the name IronPigs. The Texas-based Iron Pigs Motorcycle Club told the team this week that it holds a trademark on its name and plans to take action to force the baseball team to change. Bob Nowlin is the club's national secretary-treasurer. He said the club has defended its trademark "several times," including earlier this year against a Harley-Davidson dealership in Arkansas. He said the group spent lots of time and money to get the trademark. Most people misunderstand the nature and intent of trademarks: it's not to prevent anyone else from using a term or phrase, it's to assert ownership of the term or phrase in a specific area. Will consumers be confused by the name? Probably not, and MiLB attorneys don't think so, either. More on the nickname from the Citizen's Voice.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2008: the Lehigh Valley IronPigs; 'Iron Pigs' clash with convention, but just might fly; Eight finalists announced for Lehigh Valley Triple-A team name; Triple word play when naming new baseball team; Lehigh Valley announces front-office personnel; International League approves sale of Lynx; Lynx poised to leap after 2007

MLB still open to hosting games in China
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Not much of note came out of the recent MLB owners' meetings, but one possibility still lingers: the chance MLB will send two teams to China to play a season-opening series. If MLB opens the 2008 season in China, it would come three months before the Beijing Games -- the last Olympics where baseball and softball are to be played. The International Olympic Committee took both sports off the program for the 2012 Games in London. MLB is opening an office in China, but the lack of a suitable facility could end up dooming a trip.

Metal bat ban plan draws protests
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Is there a move away from metal bats? We're seeing amateur groups announcing plans to dump metal bats in favor of wood bats. Currently high-school baseball leaders in New York City are considering a proposal to switch to wood bats, and that's creating a backlash, as officials from USA Baseball, the American Baseball Coaches Association, and Protect Our Nations Youth (PONY Baseball) have entered the fray, quoting studies that they say show that a safety issue does not exist and arguing that the ban makes the national pastime appear exaggeratedly dangerous. USA Baseball and the ABCA (as well as many individual coaches) rely on funds from metal-bat manufacturers and shouldn't be totally trusted on this issue. Metal bats have no place in the game of baseball, and groups and publications pushing them (and we all know who they are) are selling themselves out to the highest bidder.

Ballpark Notes
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Keith Michlig is the inaugural General Manager of the South Georgia Peanuts (independent; South Coast League). Michlig will oversee the entire Peanuts organization from corporate development down to player management.  Keith’s professional career began in the Midwest League (Class A) in 1995 where he was the Director of Merchandising and Food & Beverage for the Beloit Snappers. After two seasons in Beloit, he became Director of Promotions and Retail for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Appleton). In 1998, he was appointed General Manager of the Northwoods League’s Wisconsin Woodchucks (Wausau). He left baseball in 2000 to attend graduate school. His work in sports continued, as Michlig was named Director of Marketing & Promotions at Mercer University (Macon), an NCAA Division I member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Michlig moved to Florida in 2003 to become the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s Marketing Manager, where he was actively involved with the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award planning committee. Most recently, Keith was the Director of Marketing & Community Affairs for the National Alliance for Youth Sports in West Palm Beach....Former Major League pitcher Dennis Lewallyn was named as the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) pitching coach for the 2007 season after spending the last twelve seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League operation. "I'm a southern boy and East Tennessee will be a good fit for me." Lewallyn said. "I am excited to be with the Cubs organization, this will be my first year with them and I am looking forward to it." Lewallyn was most recently Arizona's minor-league pitching coordinator in 2005-2006, a position he also held from 2002 to July of 2004 before he was promoted to the Diamondbacks as their bullpen coach....John Mizerock, who managed the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High Class A: Carolina League) from 1995-97, will return this season to manage in Wilmington. Nelson Liriano will serve as hitting coach. The Kansas City Royals also made a slew of other organizational coaching announcements. Tony Tijerina is the new manager of the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League), coming over the New York Mets organization. He's joined by Tommy Gregg as hitting coach. Darryl Kennedy is the new manager of the Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League) after serving in the same capacity for the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) the past two seasons. He's joined by hitting coach Jon Williams. Ryan Long returns to the Royals organization after being named the new hitting coach for the Burlington Bees (Low Class A; Midwest League)....Bob Geren is the new manager of the Oakland A's....

Dodgers, White Sox reach deal with Glendale
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Glendale (Az.) officials on Wednesday announced their proposal to build a spring-training complex for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox on Phoenix land that was purchased by Glendale several years ago. The official announcement of the deal marks just the beginning of actions that would need to occur for the ballpark to become a reality. The city now will seek funding from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority in a proposal that will request nearly two-thirds of the $76.8 million construction cost. Goodyear, which wants to build a facility for the Cleveland Indians, has already made a request. If approved, the White Sox must either buy out the remaining seven more years in its contract for Tucsoon Electric Park with Pima County or find a replacement team. The Sox say they've talked with several Grapefruit League teams about a move, but given that most are committed to long-term leases (except the Baltimore Orioles), a move would be problematic, given MLB's requirement teams move in pairs for scheduling purposes. It won't be that difficult for the Dodgers to move: a provision in their Dodgertown/Holman Stadium lease allows them buy back the facility from the county (essentially paying off any bond monies owed on the facility), move spring training and the sell the land to a developer. Glendale is becoming quite the sports mecca: the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes play at Jobing.com Arena, while the NFL's Arizona Cardinals play at University of Phoenix Stadium. More from the Business Journal of Phoenix, the Tucson Citizen and the OCRegister.
    RELATED STORIES: A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix; Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark funds; What could the future hold for Dodgertown?; Glendale wants to bring Dodgers' spring training to Valley; Goodyear sees spring-training complex as path to development; Goodyear finds support for spring-training plan; It's official: Indians agree to Grapefruit League move; Indians, Dodgers close to deal to move spring training to Arizona; Clock ticks on Disney-Indians deal; Cleveland says no to Cape Coral's springtime offer; Arizona move still a possibility

Davenport City Council approves JOD lease
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Despite misgivings from a couple of aldermen, the Davenport City Council approved a long-term lease Wednesday night with Florida-based Main Street Baseball, paving the way for new ownership at city-owned John O’Donnell Stadium. The lease approval also clears the way for Main Street Baseball to buy the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League) from Seventh Inning Stretch, headed by Kevin Krause. Under the conditions of the lease, Main Street -- which also operates the Columbus Catfish (Low Class A; Sally League) -- will lease the stadium for 25 years. Under the terms of the contract, the city gets an annual payment of $273,000 for the first two years of the lease and $385,000 annually in years three through 25. Current owner, Seventh Inning Stretch, now pays a little less than $490,000 on its 15-year lease. If the Swing purchase goes through, it must also be approved by MiLB and MLB.
    RELATED STORIES: Swing suitor receives good marks on report; Swing's Krause optimistic deal will go through; Swing likely will be getting new owners; Swing of the Quad Cities sale underway

A $105 box seat? It’ll be Fenway reality in 2007
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Days after announcing the team committed $51.11 million for the rights merely to negotiate a contract for highly touted Japanese starter Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Boston Red Sox released details of some pretty steep ticket hikes for 2007. Box seats will cost $105, a $10 per ticket increase, while other seating prices will rise 3 to 5 percent, according to the club. The Red Sox said the price increases will affect fewer than 1-in-5 tickets in Fenway Park; big spenders will be hit the hardest. The team has not yet established a cost for Green Monster and right-field roof seating. Speaking of Matsuzaka: the baseball world is buzzing about the "gyroball" he pitches that supposedly will revolutionize baseball. Too bad he doesn't actually throw one.

GBL makes it official: Yuma will host new winter league
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The Arizona Winter League (AWL), a new professional baseball league is now set to play in Yuma, Arizona from January 15-February 17th, 2007. The four team instructional league will be administered by the independent Golden Baseball League (GBL) and will be staffed with instructors and managers from the GBL summer season that has resulted in over 40 GBL players signing with major league organizations over the last two seasons. The GBL chose Yuma over Phoenix and El Centro, CA as the inaugural site for the AWL.
    "Yuma was our first choice and we have been very impressed with the City's support to bring the AWL here," said David Kaval, CEO of the Golden Baseball League. "The weather is fantastic, the Ray Kroc Complex is first class, and I'm excited about bringing pro baseball to the winter visitors who aren't able to see the Yuma Scorpions play in the summer. We are thrilled that the city has recognized the economic and quality of life value of this new league and we hope to make this a permanent part of Yuma's winter calendar."
    Arizona Winter League games will be held at the Ray Kroc Complex and Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma where a 21-game season with a Championship Game will be played during the month. The four teams of 25-man rosters will be made up of professional free-agents, independent professional players under contract using this as a development/instructional opportunity to get ready for the 2007 summer season, and collegiate players that were overlooked in the 2006 MLB amateur draft.
    RELATED STORIES: Golden winter in works as Yuma may host baseball league; United League Baseball announces winter league

Boro buzzes with talk of new Mets ballpark
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Flushing's boys of summer may be in hibernation, but that hasn't stopped talk about the Mets' new ballpark from circulating across the borough. And with Citi Field scheduled to open in 2009, residents from Jackson Heights, Woodhaven and elsewhere chimed in this week on the Mets' future home. "There's always something good about something being new; technology's always better," said Warren Alvarez, 23, who came to Flushing with his twin brother, Wilson, to watch workers constructing the new stadium. The Alvarez brothers seemed excited about the amenities that Citi Field will offer, including more luxury boxes and restaurants. But they said they were disappointed the ballpark will not be named after Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson or William Shea, the lawyer who helped bring the National League team to New York.
    RELATED STORIES: Mets break ground on new ballpark; New Mets ballpark to be called CitiField; Yankees, Mets bond sales set, both teams rated junk; Bronx group goes to court vs. new Yankee Stadium; New York City receives IRS approval on ballpark bonds; New York Agency approves ballpark financing for Yankees, Mets; 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

New Dayton development plan has city officials beaming
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Dayton city officials could barely contain their excitement Wednesday as developers publicly unveiled a proposed development they've been negotiating with city administrators since March. The area near Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League), would be "Ballpark Village," complete with a gourmet grocery store, a bookstore and other shops, restaurants, a fitness facility and entertainment spots. Developers and city officials will spend the next six months trying to determine if the deal can work: looking at financing, doing environmental studies, and analyzing the market. The $230-million development is proposed by a subsidiary of Mandalay Baseball Properties, owner of the Dragons, and Cincinnati-based Bear Creek Capital.
    RELATED STORIES: Dragons owner proposes $200 million development near ballpark

Fix the D.C. ballpark parking plans
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The Washington Times comes out against a plan by District of Columbia officials to build above-ground parking next to the new Washington Nationals ballpark currently under construction. Their reasoning is pretty sound: Three ugly parking garages will do nothing for local economic development, while plans for condos and mixed-use development in the area would. Part of the fault must be laid at the feet of the Washington Nationals: by pressuring the council to meet the terms of the lease for 1,225 parking spots, they turned their back on the neighborhood. Baseball owners always have a weird attitude toward development surrounding ballparks: if they economically benefit they're for development, but they're against it if it looks like people will spend less money in the ballpark.
    RELATED STORIES: D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages; The D.C. ballpark parking debate; Severe penalties await city if parking garages aren't provided, Gandhi warns; Ballpark garages proposal rejected; Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight over new Nats ballpark; New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for 2008 opening; Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC ballpark; Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking; DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in country; Legislation would revive condo and garage development at new DC ballpark; New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking; D.C. parking issue threatens budget; Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat; Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk

Stadium authority members argue over letter requesting delay on contract
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Political intrigue among members of Lackawanna County’s Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority has seeped onto the desks of minor league baseball executives. Chairman Anthony Lomma and board member James Moran clashed Wednesday over a letter in which Moran urged baseball officials to delay deliberations over a management contract between the county and California-based Mandalay Baseball Properties to run the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League). It sounds like the whole kafuffle is a waste of time: baseball officials can't delay deliberations because no documents have yet been submitted.
    RELATED STORIES: End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium; Here to stay, keep baseball fifty-fifty; Red Barons will stay, Mandalay vows; Moosic councilman presses county on amusement tax; New grass field, fixing leaks are ballpark priorities; Hard-nosed Mandalay known for investments in minor-league teams; Will Moosic get a new ballpark?; Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, California management firm heading to Moosic; Mets representatives expected to tour Lackawanna County Stadium today; Proposal would combine front offices of Barons and Pens; It's official: Yankees leaving Columbus; move to Scranton a done deal?; Authority will consider giving Cordaro power; Yankees to SWB?

Twins' spring home to get $1.2 million facelift
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An extreme makeover is coming to Hammond Stadium at the Lee County Sports Complex — $1.2 million in changes for the Minnesota Twins’ spring-training home opener on March 2. Among the improvements: A grassy berm will be installed adjacent to right field, current location of the visitor’s bullpen. The bullpen will be moved farther back, to the right of deep right field. The berm will have space for about 230 fans; a spot there will cost $12. Behind the berm will be another new spot, called the Drink Rail, a deck with concession stands that will hold 50 people at $15 a ticket. About 130 seats, from dugout to dugout, will be put in place behind home plate. Those seats, known as the Dugout Box, will cost $35 a game and will bring fans to field level a few yards behind home plate.

Hawks: Time is right for new look
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Judy Pierce smiled as she looked at her husband Leon's new green hat with the Boise Hawks (short season; Northwest League) new orange and red logo. The Pierces, a host family for the Boise minor league baseball team, can keep Judy's "HAWKMOM" license plate, but Leon might have to replace the red Hawks jacket he wore to the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise on Wednesday as the Chicago Cubs affiliate officially unveiled its new logo, color scheme and uniforms in front of media and fans. The team's traditional navy blue, red and white have been replaced by Tampa Bay Green, Tennessee Orange and Desert Red, in a design from Plan B Branding.

Rent figures lowered for Biscuits
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An All-Star Game and a Southern League championship for the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern League) didn't lead to a record year in rent for the city. The Montgomery Biscuits' quarterly rent payment, due at the end of October, totaled almost $270,000, according to city records. The rent for the 2006 season, which is based on a percentage of sales at Riverwalk Stadium, came to $728,315 -- almost $20,000 short of last year's number. The $728,000 still greatly exceeded projections used by the City Council when it approved stadium construction in 2002. Third-year projections called for $498,485.

Construction crews work around weather to have ballpark built by spring
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Mother Nature is one entity working against Marion’s much-anticipated ballpark, which will house an expansion Frontier League franchise next season. On Monday, the first of ten sections of concrete was poured for the stadium seating. Concrete dugouts and the footing for two buildings have also been poured. Bad weather has slowed down construction, but officials say the $18-million ballpark should be open for the beginning of the season. Speaking of the new Marion team: an announcement of the team's moniker and logo takes place tonight.
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Bluefish cut ties with LaPoint, hire new GM
Posted Nov. 16, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Dave LaPoint sat behind his desk in his office at Harbor Yard late last season and professed that he hoped to remain the manager of the Bridgeport Bluefish for years to come. It won't happen as his tenure has come to an abrupt conclusion after one successful season. Bluefish CEO Mary Jane Foster informed LaPoint, who was named the Atlantic League manager of the year, on Monday that his contract will not be renewed for the 2007 season. Foster cited her wish to start fresh behind newly appointed general manager Bill Larsen, who was hired Monday night, as the reason for LaPoint's dismissal. LaPoint becomes the third high-ranking member of the Bluefish to be fired in the last three months, joining assistant general manager John Cunningham and general manager Charlie Dowd.

A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark village in Fremont
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Networking giant Cisco and the Oakland Athletics announced a ground-breaking deal to bring the team to Fremont that gives Cisco naming rights and guarantees that the A's buy land and technology from the San Jose-based company. Cisco will spend $4 million annually for 30 years to name the A's proposed Fremont ballpark; in addition, Cisco will be granted an undisclosed amount of guaranteed print, radio and television exposure. In exchange, the team will buy 143 acres for the new Cisco Field in a multi-million dollar deal. The team also agreed to buy equipment from Cisco that promises to inject high-tech options to fan services. The A's will continue to work with 360 Architecture on a design. No final word on when the new ballpark could open: A's officials said it would open between the next three and five years. Cisco Field will be located in Fremont, which is approximately 20 miles to the south of McAfee Coliseum, five miles north of the Santa Clara County line and 12 miles from downtown San Jose. With a population of over 210,000 people and an area of 92-square miles, Fremont is the fourth most populous city in the Bay Area and California's fifth largest city in area. The ballpark site is proposed to be located on the west side of Interstate 880 off the Auto Mall Parkway. The partnership with Cisco also includes a broad marketing and business agreement which will underscore the A's commitment to create a unique fan experience by leveraging state-of-the-art network technology throughout the ballpark and franchise operation. The partnership allows Cisco to utilize the facility for corporate and community events and to create a Cisco Customer Solutions Center at the ballpark in an effort to showcase the use of networking technology in a stadium. Cisco becomes the "Official Technology Partner of the A's and Cisco Field" and the A's will deploy Cisco technology to serve the needs of Cisco Field and the baseball village. The whiz-bang technology will range from what's become mundane at a sporting event -- like ordering concession items from a wireless device -- to something that could be truly unique, such as watching replays from a small display on back of a seat. As you might expect, Oakland baseball fans weren't pleased with the move away from McAfee Coliseum, even though most knew the move was inevitable. (McAfee Coliseum officials didn't sound too teary at the prospect of the move, noting the A's had a pretty good financial arrangement.) Fremont residents, on the other hand, are happy but worry about increased traffic in the area. In an interesting development, A's managing partner Lew Wolff promised Fremont would be part of the team's name, a la the Oakland A's of Fremont (though for some reason the San Francisco Chronicle twisted this to say the team would be known as the San Jose A's of Fremont). A's GM Billy Beane is looking forward to increased payroll in the future. More from Mark Purdy, the San Francisco Chronicle, East Bay Business Times, San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times and AP.
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Dragons owner proposes $200 million development near ballpark
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The owner of the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League), Mandalay Baseball Properties, wants to expand entertainment venues around Fifth Third Field with a $200 million development that would include a mix of retail, restaurants and possibly condominiums. The project will include three separate developments, confirmed Tom Biedenharn, the city's director of public affairs: a residential development at Deeds Point along the Great Miami River; an entertainment and retail complex just north of the ballpark and a large retail project on the site of Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority's Parkside Homes. There's been some signs of developmental life around Fifth Third Field, but Dayton officials have envisioned more for the area. It's been a busy offseason for Mandalay: besides landing management deals for the Staten Island Yankees (short season; NY-Penn League) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League), the firm also received permission to explore the Martinsburg, W.Va., market as a possible destination for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). More from the Dayton Business Journal.

Eastern League, Express win 2006 MiLB postseason awards
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Minor League Baseball announced the winners of its major postseason awards for the 2006 season. The Altoona Curve won the 2006 John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, Reading Phillies Assistant General Manager Ashley Folini has been selected as the 2006 Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year and Eastern League President Joe McEacharn has been named the recipient of the 2006 Warren Giles Award. Joining the Eastern League selections as Minor League Baseball’s award winners for the 2006 season is the Round Rock Express of the Pacific Coast League, selected as the winner of the Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy.

It's official: World Baseball Classic to return in 2009
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The timing and the format still needs to be determined, but MLB officials confirmed the World Baseball Classic will be return in 2009. The inaugural edition, held in 2006, was mostly a success, with some venues drawing better than others and some managers complaining about losing important players during spring training. We're guessing the 2009 edition will be held closer to the end of spring training, rather than the beginning; that will allow pitchers to participate more in spring training and not burn out their arms so early in the season.

MLB official hopes Crist can pave way for new Marlins ballpark
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Charlie Crist has been Florida's governor-elect for only a week, but he already seems to have the approval of Major League Baseball. Bob DuPuy, the sport's president and chief operating officer, said Tuesday at the general managers' meetings that he sent Crist, a former attorney for the minor leagues, a congratulatory note and hoped to meet with him soon regarding potential state funding for a new Florida Marlins ballpark. There's still the possibility of a new downtown Miami ballpark, as MLB's options on several parcels have yet to expire, and Marlins officials have been discussing a new Hialeah ballpark. The problems with both plans: a lack of governmental funding and the inability of the Fish to contribute more than rent. More from the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post.
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Battle Creek approves Northwoods League lease
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Battle Creek approved a C.O. Brown Stadium lease for the summer-collegiate Northwoods League, paving the way for a major expansion of the league into Michigan. Northwoods League president Dick Radatz Jr. has already signed the stadium lease and the deal will become official when city manager Wayne Wiley inks the dotted line today. No word yet on owners of the team: the league may run the team, but Radatz has met with at least ownership group; the league may also run the team if need be. (Disclaimer: Kevin Reichard sits on the Board of Advisors of the Northwoods League.)
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A new Glendale ballpark -- in Phoenix
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If Glendale does built a new spring-training ballpark for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, it won't be located in Glendale -- it will be located on 130 acres of Glendale-owned farmland in west Phoenix. Development around the facility would cross into both cities. The Glendale City Council is expected to vote on tentative agreements with both teams today. City officials say they are proposing a 12,000-seat ballpark with an additional 3,000 lawn seats at 107th Avenue and Camelback Road. The facility and infrastructure would cost as much as $80 million. The city will seek $48 million from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and turn to private developers to kick-start the rest, mainly through some form of tax-increment financing.
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Goodyear prepares to make its pitch for ballpark funds
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The decision by Glendale to seek state funds for a new spring-training complex for the Dodgers and White Sox could affect a deal struck by Goodyear officials to bring in the Cleveland Indians, as both cities will be seeking funding from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. Whether the authority has enough money to fund two new facilities is not known, but there's a delicate balancing issue: neither the Dodgers nor the Indians can move to Arizona individually (for scheduling purposes MLB requires an even number of teams in each spring-training league). A decision to fund the Glendale facility and not Goodyear would keep the Indians from moving (unless the Indians moved to Tucson, something that might not be out of the question, although the Tribe's Paul Dolan has written a letter to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority saying the team would prefer to stay in Winter Haven rather than move to Tucson). It could get complicated quickly. More from the Tucson Citizen and the Tucson Daily Star.

Dodgers may move Florida training site to Arizona
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More on the potential move of the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cactus League and Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, this time from the Florida angle. The Dodgers have a long-term deal to stay in Dodgertown and Holman Stadium. In order to move, the Dodgers will either have to pay off a bond issue or buy the stadium to get out of the local agreement. It could cost the Dodgers about $16 million to break the lease, which expires in 2021. The Chicago White Sox will also need to get out of their spring-training lease at Tucson Electric Park, set to expire in 2013, and that could get tricky: there's a specific performance clause that requires the Sox to find a replacement should they move, and Pima County officials say it will cost $28 million for them to waive that clause. More from the Los Angeles Daily News and the Los Angeles Times.

What could the future hold for Dodgertown?
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If the Los Angeles Dodgers do indeed move to the Cactus League, the future of historic Dodgertown is in doubt. To be honest, the complex is a little long in the tooth -- one baseball executive told us it broke his heart to attend a game at Holman Stadium last spring -- and while it is a quaint reminder of what spring training used to be, it's not exactly a state-of-the-art complex. Most Grapefruit League teams are already tied to their current facilities; a remote possibility would be the Baltimore Orioles moving should they not procure state financing for a renovated Fort Lauderdale Stadium -- something we view as being very remote. Local fans are saddened by the potential loss.

Charlotte OKs fixing Sports Park for Devil Rays
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The Charlotte County (Fla.) Commission approved the start of negotiations for Charlotte Sports Park renovations, as the county looks to invest no more than $2.8 million into renovations to make the facility an adequate spring training baseball facility for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The approval also moves back the fifth-cent lodging tax which will finance a majority of the renovations, to April. It was originally schedule to start in February. The Devil Rays and Charlotte County came to an agreement to move D-Rays spring training to Port Charlotte in 2009, pending state approval of a $15 million grant designed to keep teams in the Grapefruit League. The new ballpark will have 6,000 fixed seats and an outfield general admission area that can accommodate up to 1,500 fans.

Golden Baseball hops on Grand Junction railroad
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The Arizona Western College baseball team and the independent Golden Baseball League share a common goal this offseason — getting to Grand Junction, Colo., by June. The GBL is seeking approval from the west-Colorado town of about 130,000 to establish an eighth club at Suplizio Field, site of the annual National Junior College World Series, according to Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Director Joe Stevens. Suplizio Field has a listed capacity of 9,000, but 843 bleacher seats were added during renovations in 2005, which would rank it behind only Yuma's Desert Sun Stadium in the GBL in terms of seating. Suplizio Field also boasts a pair of scoreboards and a year-old sound system.

It's Citi Field for Mets
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By and large the media reaction to the Citi Field naming-rights deal struck by the New York Mets for a new ballpark has been negative. The tabloids -- the Post and the Daily News -- were pushing hard for the ballpark to be named after Jackie Robinson. Newsday doesn't slam the deal and finds the silver lining: there will be a very noticeable memorial to Robinson in the ballpark. We don't expect the new ballpark to be known as "The Jack" in the future, however.
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Banks shouldn't name ball fields
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Here's an interesting twist on the naming of Citi Field: banks that buy naming rights for MLB ballparks see their stock underperform in the long run. Citigroup is paying an average of $20 million annually for the naming rights to the new Mets ballpark, and although you could argue Citigroup transcends the definition of a bank -- it's really a financial-services behemoth -- this stock analysis is interesting indeed. So sell that Citigroup stock if you believe history repeats itself.

New for 2007: South Georgia Peanuts
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Albany’s team in the independent South Coast League has a name: the South Georgia Peanuts. The name and team logo were unveiled at a public ceremony at the State Theatre in downtown Albany. The Peanuts were one of hundreds of catchy names suggested in a “Name the Team” contest. Other submissions that were considered were the Albany Anacondas, Albany Snappers, and South Georgia Heat, but in the end, the name Peanuts just seemed to fit. Georgia and peanuts are synonymous for many reasons -- nearly half of the peanut crop in the United States is grown within its borders. Last year, 80 counties in Georgia produced almost 2 billion pounds of peanuts. The South Georgia ball club will take the field at the Paul Eames Sports Complex.
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D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages
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The D.C. Council approved a plan to build parking garages next to the new ballpark in Southeast, resolving a months-long deadlock with the Washington Nationals and putting the ballpark on track to open in 2008. By a 10-3 vote, council members voted to override a decision by the D.C. Zoning Commission in July and authorize construction of two free-standing garages just north of the ballpark, which is near South Capitol Street and the Navy Yard along the Anacostia River. Members said they had little choice but to approve the emergency legislation because the city is required to provide 1,225 parking spaces to the Nationals by March 1, 2008 -- or face potentially severe financial penalties. More from the Washington Times.
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Nearing the goal in Winston-Salem
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The Winston-Salem Journal comes out in favor of a plan to build a new downtown ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League). -- conditionally. The project has morphed from a small project featuring a ballpark and a limited amount of housing to a $170 million megadevelopment spearheaded by Warthogs co-owner Billy Prim. We're not quite sure the numbers add up -- getting $5 million from the sale of Ernie Shore Field to Wake Forest seems to be a stretch --  and two major questions remain. How much public money should be invested, and who would pay the city's debt if the project doesn't attract the numbers of fans, customers, tenants and revenues that are needed?
    RELATED STORIES: New Warthogs ballpark won't affect local streets; Winston-Salem ballpark plan takes time to stretch

End of Astroturf at Lackawanna County Stadium
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Crews are peeling the cover off Lackawanna County Stadium, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League). The Astroturf is coming out to make way for a new grass field as part of the agreement to bring the Yankees Triple-A team to town. Getting the turf off the field doesn't just happen overnight. First crews have to cut the carpet of Astroturf, peel it back, then chop up the concrete beneath it. It will take about a week to get the 115,000 square feet of carpet on its way out of Lackawanna County Stadium. It will be used for mini-fields, patios and putting greens, maybe even in some backyards. The bluegrass field will be identical to the sod at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, a field surface unlike anything Lackawanna County Stadium has seen before. The county is paying more than $500,000 to get the new sod in this March.
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Concrete poured for new Idaho Falls ballpark
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Two weeks ago construction crews broke ground, and Tuesday they were laying the concrete at a new ballpark in Idaho Falls for the Idaho Falls Chukars (rookie; Pioneer League), slated to open next season. Tuesday marks the first day of construction. After crews finish putting in a solid base, which takes about three weeks, they'll start on the clubhouse immediately. Then they'll go from there and continue working all winter long. The project still faces a budget shortfall of $1.4 million.
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Developers pitch hotel, sports, retail for Angel Stadium area
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Office towers, a hotel with a rooftop bar and a youth-sports facility could fill the land next to Angel Stadium, under three developers' proposals. The city solicited ideas for the well-placed property after the National Football League failed to choose the site for a stadium by the city's May deadline. Lennar Corp. would bridge Honda Center and the ballpark with a series of high-rise office buildings and pedestrian walkways, as well as add housing south of the ballpark. Windstar would build houses in the area, while SunCal would implement a mixed-use area with retail and lots of entertainment. If you've been to Angel Stadium, you know the area around the ballpark is nothing to write home about, and it's been a priority for Anaheim officials to upgrade the area.

Work continues rapidly on Dow Diamond
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here's an update on the construction of the Dow Diamond, the new home of the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League). The outside landscaping work is nearly complete, the dugouts are being painted, and the bricks on the exterior of the ballpark are being laid. Two interesting features to the ballpark: fire pits will provide warmth during a cold evening, while solar panels will provide power to the ballpark.
    RELATED STORIES: New for 2007: Dow Diamond

Wolves owner wants chance to buy Cubs
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If the Chicago Cubs are for sale, Don Levin wants to buy them. Amid rampant speculation that Tribune Co. will sell all or some of its holdings, Levin, a wealthy businessman and lifelong Chicagoan, is eager to make a bid on the baseball team he has been rooting for his entire life. Levin, 59, said Friday that he planned to call Cubs President John McDonough as a first step in expressing his interest and in ascertaining what Tribune's plans are for the team and for the company. Estimates have placed the value of the Cubs from $500 million to as high as $650 million, but we suspect these are a little low when you include Wrigley Field in the mix. Levin owns the popular Chicago Wolves (AHL) hockey team, but he's achieved much of that success by taking shots at the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) and exploiting feuds between former Blackhawk stars and team management; that formula won't sell the Cubbies.
    RELATED STORIES: Asking price for Cubs: One billion?

City OKs deal for ballpark display boards
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Surprise City Council approved a contract of almost $600,000 to design and place two electronic display boards in the Surprise Stadium, the spring home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, and to retrofit and maintain the scoreboard that is now there. The electronic display boards will provide additional visual options for fans and help to forge some new corporate partnerships, the city hopes. The scoreboard maintenance improvements will brighten the lighting digits and make other improvements to make it easier to read the numbers and words on the scoreboard. The new scoreboards should pay for themselves in six years.

Foltin: Avon also eyeing ball team
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In his continuing efforts to persuade City Council members to fund an expansion of Campana Park for an independent Frontier League team, Lorain (Ohio) Mayor Craig Foltin pointed out what we've reported here: nearby Avon is also eying a new ballpark. Last week, Foltin unveiled his plan for a 989-seat stadium that would feature a press box and dugouts at the park and asked Council to approve the $400,000 expenditure by using recycle grant money. Cleveland State has already expressed a strong interest in playing at a renovated ballpark, but we can't imagine it would be big enough for a Frontier League team. The local newspaper comes out in favor of the renovation.
    RELATED STORIES: Foltin faces opposition over upgrades at park

Budget hike OK'd for USC baseball stadium
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The State Budget and Control Board on Tuesday OK’d a $7.5 million budget increase for the University of South Carolina  to build a new 6,800-seat ballpark. The action follows approval earlier this month by a legislative joint bond review committee of $20 million for the project. The additional funds will enable USC to buy property and fully fund construction of the $28.5 million facility, planned near Blossom and Huger streets. Construction should begin by early 2007. USC is buying 26 acres adjacent to the river to erect the new ballpark, which is scheduled to be ready for the baseball team’s 2008 season.
    RELATED STORIES: USC ballpark project moves forward

Ballpark Notes
Posted Nov. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Craig Colbert will return as the manager of the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for a fourth season, as the San Diego Padres named the 2007 field staff for their Triple-A affiliate. Hitting coach Jose Castro and pitching coach Gary Lance both return to Portland for a third season, while athletic trainer Will Sinon is set to mark his second campaign with the club. In three seasons at the helm of the Beavers, Colbert, 41, has compiled a 222-209 (.515) record. Portland went 68-76 under Colbert in 2006, with the club finishing third in the Pacific Conference North Division of the Pacific Coast League. In 2004, Colbert, who resides in Portland, led the Beavers to a division title, a playoff berth and the best record in Triple-A Baseball at 84-60....The Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) announced that 1450 KMRY will be the home of Kernels baseball on the radio through the end of the 2008 season. KMRY will broadcast 136 of the Kernels 140 games in 2007....Desi Wilson retired as a player after a stellar 2006 season with the Chico Outlaws (independent; Golden Baseball League). He'll stay in indy ball, managing the Anderson, S.C. team in the start-up South Coast League....

New Mets ballpark to be called CitiField
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The new 45,000-seat ballpark for the New York Mets will be called CitiField as part of a 20-year naming-rights deal struck between team ownership and Citigroup. The deal is by far a record for sporting-facility naming rights, as Citigroup is paying an average of $20 million yearly for naming rights and other commercial arrangements. The previous record for a naming rights deal occurred when Reliant Energy agree to pay the Houston Texans (NFL) $10 million annually for naming rights to Reliant Stadium. The deal will be formally announced today. The Mets have played at Shea Stadium since 1964 after playing two seasons at the Polo Grounds. More from AP, Newsday and The New York Times.
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New for 2008: the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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The name of the new Allentown team in the Class AAA International League will be the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The name hearkens back to the area's importance in the steel industry -- pig iron is the raw iron melted down to make steel -- and say what you will, the name certainly stands out. Indeed, it's one of those names that you think is silly upon first hearing it and then realize a day or two later it's sticking with you. The official unveiling of the name took place at a press conference this morning. More from AP and the Allentown Morning Call.
    RELATED STORIES: 'Iron Pigs' clash with convention, but just might fly; Eight finalists announced for Lehigh Valley Triple-A team name; Triple word play when naming new baseball team; Lehigh Valley announces front-office personnel; International League approves sale of Lynx; Lynx poised to leap after 2007

New for 2007: the Lakeland Flying Tigers
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The Lakeland Tigers (High Class A; Florida State League) will have a new name next season: the Lakeland Flying Tigers. It's a pretty clever marketing move: Joker Marchant Stadium and Tiger Town were built built on the site of a World War II flight school, the Lodwick School. Between 1940 and 1945 more than 8,000 cadets, including British Royal Air Force cadets, attended the Lodwick School of Aeronautics and more than 6,000 graduated. Some of the remnants of that school still exist, including several hangars that have been renovated and used for various purposes. Sadly, the most recent renovations to Tiger Town included the removal of a runway beyond the outfield wall, but some still exist. Keeping the Tigers name was a brilliant move (kudos to the L-Tigers management and Plan B Branding for a great idea) given the emphasis on the Tiger brand at the ballpark. Instead of traditional gray, the Flying Tiger's road uniforms are military tan. A squadron patch with a P-40 and the words "Tiger Town USA" is worn on the sleeve. Managers' caps will display special "Scrambled Palms," designating their status as "commander" of the team. During WWII, pilots would paint a symbol under their window to signify each confirmed kill. To salute those days, team pitchers will get a star added to their cap for each win. This season the franchise is featuring USO nights, an opening day P-40 fighter dogfight over Marchant Stadium, and Big Band music throughout the game day experience. More from the Lakeland Ledger.

Ball clubs' economic payoff for communities is no sure thing
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As South Bay fans cheer the prospect of the San Francisco 49ers playing in Santa Clara and the Oakland Athletics moving to Fremont, two things seem certain: Boosters will tout economic benefits, and skeptics will warn that team owners will be the prime beneficiaries, potentially at taxpayers' expense. The usual suspects -- Roger Noll, Andrew Zimbalist -- are here, but the level of hooey is amazing: Noll argues the success of Petco Park is hurting local businesses because the record crowds are clogging the streets. Think about it: billions of dollars in new development in the area around San Diego's ballpark are meaningless because there are too many people attending games. (Yes, Yogi Berra told the same a joke a thousand times better when speaking of crowds at Toot Shors'.) That doesn't sound like an economic argument to us: that sounds like someone with an ax to grind grasping for an argument against a shining example of a ballpark stimulating economic development. Would be a slam dunk in Fremont? Of course not. But hang around developers and you discover one truth: there's no such thing as a slam dunk in any economic development.
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Ballpark name before Billings council
Posted Nov. 13, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The replacement for Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League), probably won't have the same name, as part of John Dehler's million-dollar donation to project included naming rights. Dehler is owner of Fleetwood Gaming. The decision is somewhat by default: last month the city issued a request for proposals for naming rights, but received no responses. Cobb Field has one of the more colorful names in baseball: it was named for Billings native Bob Cobb, who also owned the Pacific Coast League's Hollywood Stars. When locals were looking to bring professional baseball to Billings, Cobb said he'd send players down from the Stars if a new ballpark was built. Today, Cobb is better known as the founder and owner of the legendary Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood and as the man who claimed to have invented the Cobb Salad.
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Build it and they will come: Marion ballpark development progressing nicely
Posted Nov. 13, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Interested onlookers continue to drive by the new ballpark presently under construction on the west end of Marion, Ill. The field wall that creates the perimeter of the field has also been formed and poured. Dugouts are built. Foundations have been poured and masonry walls are being built for concession and restroom buildings. Rock has been laid in the parking lot, which surrounds the stadium to the south and the west. The design from 360 Architects for the independent Frontier League team should impress some folks when completed; we'll have renderings shortly.
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Burlington Bees unveil new logos
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The Burlington Bees (Low Class A; Midwest League) will have a new look for the 2007 season. In front of a gathering of over 160 season-ticket holders, sponsors, and contributors to the "Drive it Home" fundraising campaign, the organization unveiled its new logo and identity to applause and cheers. While the team name will remain the Bees, the new logo will change the look and identity of the team.
    "We felt that a new logo was necessary to help us capture the attention of future Bees fans," Bees General Manager Chuck Brockett said. "We have a beautifully renovated stadium, a long-term relationship with the Kansas City Royals, and have watched our attendance grow 30% over a five-year span. We want to continue these trends, and our staff felt in order to do that we needed something that younger fans will think is cool and be more likely to identify with."
    This will be the third different version of the "Bees" logo in the organization's history. The first logo was introduced in 1954 and was in use until 1981. From 1982-1992, the Bees' name and logo reflected the team's Major League affiliate. The last Bees logo was in use since 1993 when the team changed back to its own nickname and identity.

Israel starts pro baseball league
Posted Nov. 13, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Dozens of Jewish athletes flocked to a Baptist convention center in the heart of Israel on Friday in hopes of realizing an American dream: becoming a professional baseball player. Israel's fledgling pro baseball league held its first tryout for local ballplayers in this Tel Aviv suburb, putting them through a grueling battery of sprints, fielding drills and simulated games on an unseasonably warm November day. Players included Orthodox seminary students, Israeli soldiers and Mideast peace activists. They freely mixed Hebrew and English baseball jargon -- there apparently is no Hebrew word for "curve ball" -- and some left early to get home in time for the start of the Sabbath at sundown. We've covered Larry Baras and his work on the Israel Baseball League before; it's a fascinating venture.
    RELATED STORIES: Israel Baseball League working towards opening day; Sports always transcends the crisis at hand; Baseball in Israel, Part II; Notes from Israel

Open the gate for Defenders
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For some reason or another Norwich city officials are hesitant about making some relatively minor changes for the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) to allow better game-day access to Dodd Stadium. The ballpark's location isn't great, so the team wants easier access via a side gate, but some in the community object to the traffic. Other requests, like new signage, does need more economic consideration. There's no doubt this will be a key season for the Defenders; a bad year and you can expect owners to look for better situations elsewhere.
    RELATED STORIES: Connecticut Defenders seeking easier access

Jaxx sale strikes out
Posted Nov. 13, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on the collapse of the deal to sell the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) to an Orlando-based investment firm. It's the second such transaction Tim Bennett of Overtime Sports has attempted to broker for the Jaxx. For the Diamond Jaxx management, the collapse of the deal means another challenging season -- it's never easy to draw fans when they assume the team's leaving -- but it does open the door for another group to make a deal, though we're guessing the sales price for the team will end up being lower than what the Orlando-based group was willing to pay.
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GBL's Surf Dawgs aren't straying
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The San Diego Surf Dawgs (independent; Golden Baseball League) are in the process of downsizing their office space, but still plan to step up to the plate for their third season. A two-year lease is expiring on the Surf Dawgs' original office at the end of the month, so the team is moving to a smaller space, said Amit Patel, the GBL founder who ran the team for half of last season. He noted that the team's offices were bigger than the league headquarters in Pleasanton. 

Tetzlaff resigns post as Casper Rockies GM
Posted Nov. 13, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Casper Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League) President and General Manager Danny Tetzlaff has resigned from his post with the team and has, in baseball terminology, been "called up." Ending five years with the Rockies, and two in his current position as GM, Tetzlaff has accepted a new significant position within the baseball industry. He will be leaving the Rockies the week of Thanksgiving.
    Tetzlaff began with the Rockies during the inaugural season in Casper as the Stadium Manager before taking a position with the New Haven Ravens (Class AA; Eastern League) . He returned in 2003 as the Assistant General Manager before being promoted to President and General Manager following the 2004 season.
    "It's sad for me to leave the Casper Rockies and this great community, but I have a tremendous opportunity in front of me," Tetzlaff said. "The team has reached new heights in 2006. I am sure the popularity and success of the Casper Rockies will continue to grow for years to come."