Archives: Dec. 25-31, 2006
Ballpark site owners put squeeze on Twins
Posted Dec. 31, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Sid Hartman is reporting some problems with land acquisition for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in Minneapolis’s Warehouse District. The Twins are grumbling about a limited partnership involving Bruce Lambrecht and Rich Pogin — the pair behind the whole Twinsville movement years before the Twins pushed for a Warehouse District ballpark — asking for more money than the Twins and the ballpark authority apparently are willing to pay. From what we hear, there are a few factors at play here. First, the Pogin and Lambrecht limited partnership (associated with Hines Interests, the developer planning on condos and retail surrounding the ballpark) probably see what everyone else in the Minneapolis market sees: the downtown condo market is quickly slowing down and the associated development won’t be as lucrative as originally anticipated; hence the desire to see more money upfront. Secondly, some say the Twins and the ballpark authority didn’t set aside enough money for land acquisition and were expecting to pay below-market rates — an expectation that was fueled by the limited partnership, which for years told anyone who listened they would strike a fair price to make a deal work. The Twins and Hennepin County say they don’t want to go to court to acquire the land; we’re guessing the limited partnership doesn’t want to see any delays, either, as developers would rather be developing than litigating. Minnesotans, per usual, are second-guessing the design because they always know better, even though none of them have any experience in ballpark design. More from the Mankato Free Press.
Records show evolving talks between A’s, Fremont
Posted Dec. 31, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Fremont city officials have taken a public stance of caution and tempered optimism over the Oakland A’s move to Fremont. However, dozens of pieces of city correspondence obtained by The Argus newspaper through a public records request reveal that key city officials have been meeting with team officials and consultants since at least March to address potential security, transit and environmental issues connected to the Fremont ballpark site. We’re not sure this is really big news: there are discussions between teams and cities all the time, and we’re guessing Fremont isn’t the only city approaching the A’s in the last three years.
Batter up! Orlando has place for baseball
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We’ve hinted several times at plans for a new ballpark in downtown Orlando, and the details are finally being shared with the public. There’s some sentiment for fixing up Tinker Field, the longtime home of minor-league baseball in the city, but the place may not be salvageable, and city officials have settled on another site: next to the existing Amway Arena, where the Orlando Magic (NBA) now play. The long-term plan is to build a new arena for the Magic and use the Amway Arena site for a new residential and commercial complex. As we’ve reported, Mayor Buddy Dyer’s administration has some ties to Mirabilis Ventures, an Orlando equity firm, which was close to buying the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League), but the company backed away from the deal a few months ago because the city wasn’t ready to move ahead with plans for a ballpark. Though it doesn’t sound like a deal between Mirabilis and the Diamond Jaxx could be revived, you never know: the Jaxx are definitely still on the market, and Mirabilis officials now openly admit they’re looking to bring another team to a $25-million, 6,000-seat privately financed ballpark. Also, besides Mirabilis, there’s another existing minor-league operator working to bring a High Class A Florida State League team to Orlando, but we’re guessing a $25-million privately financed ballpark isn’t on their agenda.
Pirates to get 30-year lease, lights at McKechnie Field
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
McKechnie Field and Pirate City, spring homes for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will see significant upgrades after the city of Bradenton committed $18 million to facility enhancements, with the Pirates committing to a new 30-year lease, which goes into effect Feb. 1, 2008. That’s the expected date of completion for new dorms at Pirate City, lights at McKechnie Field — giving the venerable ballpark its first opportunity to host night games — and other improvements. Dorms at Pirate City, the organization’s practice facility on 27th Street East, have been closed since May 2005, forcing players to stay in hotels during training. The city will use approximately $12 million for new dorms, office space and a clubhouse. A bond will allow payment of the up-front construction costs, and the city will go into debt for 30 years because a $15 million state grant for spring-training facilities is designed to issue $500,000 a year for 30 years. The city is required to match that each year. Other improvements include a fifth field at Pirate City and a new visitor’s clubhouse at McKechnie Field, along with improvements to the existing clubhouse. McKechnie Field is the only spring-training ballpark lacking lights; in a way a little will be lost when lights are installed at one of our favorite spring-training venues. More from the Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Mallards ask for input on ballpark
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and the city of Madison are finalizing plans to modernize Warner Park in time for the 2008 season opener. The Mallards have drawn up a preliminary budget whereby they will pay most of the $4 million tab. The rest would come mainly from funds already set aside by Madison officials to pay for scheduled maintenance at the North Side ballpark. The plan calls for a sunken playing field, rotated 180 degrees so the current center field area would be replaced by a diamond and a new grandstand constructed, but much of what exists down each line (Duck Blind, home-plate concessions) would stay. The Mallards would fund a majority of the project. In exchange, the club wants to have a new ballpark by June 2008; to be allowed to sell naming rights for the facility; to take control of maintenance and scheduling; and to receive all revenues associated with the new ballpark.
Indians fan thrilled by new facility plans
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We’re guessing there will be many old Cleveland Indians fans happy to see the Tribe return to the Cactus League after a 17-year absence when the teams shifts spring-training operations to a new ballpark and complex in Goodyear. The Indians trained in Tucson for 40 years, and how the Tribe happened to end up in Arizona is a good story. When he owed the Indians, Bill Veeck shifted the team’s training from Florida to Tucson. The inability to secure lodging for the entire team — Larry Doby had been turned away from a Florida hotel the spring before — was cited as a reason for the move. The Indians left behind quite a few fans from their days training at Hi Corbett Field; we suspect they’ll make some nostalgic visits in 2009.
Florida group buys Swing of Quad Cities
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
As we reported yesterday, Main Street Baseball has signed an asset purchase agreement with Seventh Inning Stretch to purchase the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League). Next up: completion of the Control Interest Transfer, which is then submitted to the Midwest League, followed by approvals from MiLB and MLB. The local media makes up for its reporting gaffes with this story, but fails to acknowledge us as accurately reporting the news. (The local newspaper also gets another fact wrong: Main Street Baseball is headed by David Heller and Bob Herrfeldt.) More from WQAD.
Reds deal hinges on investor interest
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The key to making a $54-million Cincinnati Reds training complex in Sarasota work financially: the ability to find developers willing to pay $10 million for land surrounding the complex. So far funding from the state, the city, the county and team comes to $44 million, and a private developer is sought to make up the gap. Whether the location of the complex — in a quiet residential area — will work against a developer willing to come in and make a rather sizable investment remains to be seen; if none does, then the Reds are free to seek another spring-training home.
Residents at W-S ballpark site have until April 1 to move
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
People displaced by a proposed ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) are being offered $800 by the project’s developer to help with moving expenses. Billy Prim, an owner of the Warthogs who heads development of a mixed-use complex, made the offer at a public hearing last night. The area has a reputation for problems with prostitution and open-air drug sales, and many of the houses are dilapidated. None of the residents expressed opposition to moving, but they wondered how they will pay expenses. We’re guessing relocation costs will rise past that $800 per household, but it’s still a generous offer.
Mild weather helps Midland ballpark construction
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Developers of a new ballpark in Midland, Mich., for the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League) knew they were on a tight schedule for a 2007 opening, but mild winter temperatures are allowing the 120 workers on the $28-million ballpark to stay on schedule. More than 60 percent of the roof is done, and once it is all completed, interior work like hanging drywall will begin. The home opener is slated for April 13.
Wells Field has a nice ring to it…
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It’s all speculation at this point, but you can expect Coastal Federal Field, the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League), to have a new name after the sale of Coastal Financial Corp. to BB&T is finalized. BB&T is a player in the sports naming-rights world, so you can expect some sort of branding change.
Arizona Winter League set for Jan. 19
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The folks at the independent Golden Baseball League are preparing for their latest venture: the Arizona Winter League, where four teams will set up shop in Yuma’s Desert Sun Stadium. The four-team instructional league kicks off Jan. 19 when the Scorpions winter incarnation debuts hosting the Canadian Minors. Not sure if we’re reported on this aspect of the league, but it’s a pay-to-play league: the fee for entry is $2,900 per player. Between 80 and 100 players are expected to participate in the league.
New for 2007: the Niagara Power
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The name of the new Niagara Falls team in the summer-collegiate New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL): the Niagara Power. According to Cal Kern, president of the Power, the name comes from the hydroelectric power to western New York provided by Niagara Falls. The brand-new Niagara Power will play home games at the renovated Sal Maglie Stadium. The Power has already signed an agreement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to help provide players for their first season.
NYCBL officials also announced the team to replace a Utica franchise: the Rome Indians are returning to the league. The franchise ceased operations after the 2002 season. In September, NYCBL owners granted a group representing Utica an expansion franchise for 2007. But, due to the independent baseball league that will be using Donovan Stadium, the NYCBL plans for Utica had to be scrapped. Enter the Rome Indians. The Utica expansion group has combined with the Rome Baseball Association to return the Indians to the NYCBL. The Tribe will play home games at Larry DeLutis Field in Rome. Jeff DeLutis will be the president and Ray DiBrango will be the general manager of the Indians.
Ballpark Notes
Posted Dec. 29, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Former New York Yankees player Bobby Murcer was recovering at a Houston hospital Thursday after surgery to remove a brain tumor. The 60-year-old Murcer, now a Yankees broadcaster, was awake and resting comfortably at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the top cancer facilities in the nation, hospital officials said in a statement….
Sale of Swing close to completion
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite some erroneous reports in the local media, the sale of the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League) from Seventh Inning Stretch to Main Street Baseball is very close to completion, with Kevin Krause and Main Street Baseball signing the Asset Purchase Agreement earlier this week and the control interest transfer (CIT) expected to be submitted shortly, according to Main Street Baseball officials. Next up: approval from MiLB and MLB, which is not expected to be a problem; Main Street Baseball already owns and operates the Columbus Catfish (Low Class A; Sally League) with a clean financial record. David Heller is the principal of Main Street Baseball, with former minor-league owner and operator Bob Herrfeldt an investor.
Reds sign 30-year lease to train in Sarasota
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Sarasota City Commission approved a 30-year agreement with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, with the team committing to play at a new spring-training facility. But the deal is still tied to the proposed $54-million complex becoming a reality and replacing the aging Ed Smith Stadium. The Reds can walk away if the new complex is not built, and as it stands there’s a $10-million gap between what the city has committed from various sources (including the state and the Reds) and the price of the project. Both sides seem optimistic about the chances of the funding gap being closed, however; one option is to lease land surrounding the project to developers.
Attendance, costs at question in W-S ballpark plan
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
On Jan. 3, Winston-Salem taxpayers will say whether they support spending $29 million over 25 years for a proposed ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) and economic-development project near downtown. The city is counting on ticket sales to pay down more than one-third of its stadium-construction loan, which is expected to cost $21 million over the term of the loan. The city is being asked to provide the lead developer, Warthogs co-owner Billy Prim, with $11 million up front toward the cost of the $22.6 million ballpark. The plan relies on the team drawing 350,000 fans a year, and the newspaper is questioning whether the team can draw that many. In one sense, it doesn’t matter; if the team doesn’t, Prim has promised to make up the difference. Plus, North Carolina is a baseball hotbed, and given what’s happened in nearby Greensboro, it’s hard to see the ballpark not succeeding.
Devil Rays deal due soon
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Charlotte County are waiting a final decision due next week on whether the county will receive $15 million toward a renovated spring-training complex. Charlotte County formerly hosted the Texas Rangers, and that complex would be extensively renovated to accommodate the D-Rays and a High Class A California League team. It would be a massive surprise if the $15 million grant didn’t occur.
Building the public square
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The proposal for a mixed-use development in downtown Fort Wayne anchored by a new 8,000-seat ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) is getting some praise from the community, but the local newspaper asks whether a relatively high level of public funding — some 40 percent — is warranted. (That 40 percent figure is a little misleading: it relies on TIF money from the development itself, as property taxes generated from the development are in play. It’s not as though the 40 percent is sitting in a bank account somewhere.) True, the devil is always in the details for a project of this size. The Journal Gazette has a more upbeat take on the project; as you can see here.
New year brings new ballpark tax for Hennepin County shoppers
Posted Dec. 28, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A 0.15 percent sale tax — three cents on a $20 purchase — kicks in on January 1 for Hennepin County shoppers, with the proceeds used to pay for a new downtown Minnesota Twins ballpark. In the first year, the tax is due to raise $28.5 million, according to state Department of Revenue projections. The surcharge will be levied in 47 communities and raise the county’s sales tax rate to 6.65 percent. In Minneapolis, which already has a rate above the state’s base, the total will be 7.15 percent. We’re not quite sure most retailers will break out the 0.15 percent sales tax apart from the general sales tax, to be honest; business groups may be overrating any impact on shopping habits.