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Archives: Nov. 19-25, 2007

Archives: Nov. 19-25, 2007

Dodgers say they’ll keep split squad in Vero Beach next spring
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Spring training just got even more complicated for the Los Angeles Dodgers after officials confirmed part of the team would remain in Vero Beach for spring training. This means part of the team will head to China on March 15-16 and probably Taiwan on March 18-19 before spending the rest of spring training in Arizona. The timing of the team’s trip overseas is a terrible one: unless something goes wrong with the construction of a new Arizona ballpark, 2008 will mark the end of Dodgers training camp in Florida, and many fans are planning a nostalgic au revoir to their team at Dodgertown. Team officials say a "split squad" will remain in Dodgertown, but we’re guessing that really means future Las Vegas 51s and Jacksonville Suns will be taking the field at Holman Stadium. (It would not surprise us, however, if a few Dodgers — at the very least Tommy Lasorda and some of the coaching staff — returned to Vero Beach for the team’s last game in Florida. We’re also guessing the Dodgers will send some former greats for a weepy goodbye.) What really happened, we hear, is Dodger officials were caught unaware of the terms of their Dodgertown lease, which has a specific performance clause of 10 games. Speaking of the Dodgers: Lasorda, Vin Scully and owner Frank McCourt are among those expected to be in Glendale, Az., for the groundbreaking of their new spring-training home, slated to open in 2009.

Sixty-year Tucson tradition in danger
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Don’t look now, but there’s a very real chance Tucson could lose spring training, perhaps as early as 2009. Colorado Rockies officials say they are serious about negotiating with Goodyear officials about a move to a new spring-training complex that would be shared with the Cleveland Indians; City officials will fly to Denver soon to talk with team management about what can be done to upgrade Hi Corbett Field, the team’s home since entering the National League. If the Rockies leave, Tucson spring training will probably die after next spring. Here’s why: if only two teams are left in Tucson, the remaining teams (the White Sox and Arizona) would be free to walk away from their leases at Tucson Electric Park. The White Sox are already trying to leave Tucson Electric Park (the team signed a lease to play at Goodyear — a Phoenix suburb — beginning in 2009, but the TEP lease doesn’t end until 2012, and Pima County has been pretty blunt about saying the ChiSox will be held to the lease), but having the Rockies move solves the White Sox’s issues. Indeed, the baseball backroom chatter sees the fingerprints of the White Sox all over these actions. We’re not quite sure how the D-Backs front office feels; they’re wisely sitting things out because of the importance of the Tucson market to their regular-season efforts. A Pima County study says spring training brings $30 million into the local economy. Tucson spring training began when Bill Veeck brought out the Cleveland Indians 60 years ago. More from the Arizona Daily Star, which focuses on the politics of the situation: state funds are being used to lure teams from Tucson to Phoenix, and some don’t like it. Ray McNulty slams the Dodgers for how they’ve treated fans this offseason.

Capacity Group pulls out of Edmonton deal
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Sports marketing and management firm Capacity Group Inc. today announced its decision to terminate its contract to manage the day to day operations of the Edmonton Cracker-Cats (independent; Golden League). "Unfortunately we have found too large of difference in operating philosophy between our company and the ownership of the franchise," said Capacity partner Darren Parker. As you’ll recall, Capacity Group signed a deal to manage the team after the end of the 2007 season.

Rays: New ballpark could pump $1 billion into local economy
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A economic study from the Tampa Bay Rays says a new waterfront ballpark on the current site of Al Lang Field will generate a billion-dollar expansion of the local economy, create 2,500 permanent jobs and attract a million square feet of new retail, office and residential development on the current Tropicana Field site, including 900 homes. Reports like this tend to be rather rosy in nature, but downtown St. Pete is in the midst of a mini-revival by attracting new retail in recent years, and a new ballpark could be a key part of that expansion. The Rays want to be part of this revival: the team wants to head the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field area. There are some issues, mostly economic. First, $123 million is still owed on Tropicana Field, and some will argue a sale of the 70 acres — which is projected to be around $121 million — should be used to pay that debt. The Rays want to see that $121 million diverted to the new ballpark and debt continuing on the Tropicana Field land parcel — with the bonus that the 70 acres would be added to the local tax rolls. Second, the Rays want their share of local sales-tax rebates: the state already sends $2 million annually to other sports facilities, and Gov. Charlie Crist favors the same sort of tax rebate for the Rays. Third, current county tourist taxes used to pay Tropicana Field debt could be diverted to a new ballpark once they expire in 2015. Finally, voters would need to approve a rezoning of the Al Lang Field site for a new ballpark. None of these issues are insurmountable, although the diciest proposition will be state approval of sales-tax rebates. In their favor: the Rays have been upfront about paying for a third of the costs of the ballpark, as opposed to the current noncommittal approach exhibited by the Florida Marlins front office. More from AP , the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Ballpark shapes up, stays on schedule
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Construction of a new ballpark for the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) and other Billings baseball teams is still on schedule for a July 1 completion, said Brad Sinclair, project manager for Langlas and Associates, the project contractor. Sinclair and Mike Whitaker, the city’s parks director, conducted a tour of the construction zone Friday afternoon for two dozen city officials, baseball fans and media members. Along North 27th Street, the walls and roof are nearing completion on the clubhouse building for the Mustangs in the northwest corner of the park. Walls are up for the building that houses a concession stand and restrooms along the third-base side of the park. Friday, work crews were pouring the floor of the second clubhouse in the southeast corner of the park. That building will house American Legion teams, the Montana State University Billings team and visiting clubs. More from the Billings Gazette.

Alex Rodriguez gets a surprise assist from fan in Omaha
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Alex Rodriguez is poised to sign the largest contract ever offered to a pro player, but he’s not doing it with the aid of controversial agent Scott Boras. Instead, on the advice of investing superstar Warren Buffett, Rodriguez is negotiating the contract on his own with the assistance of two Goldman Sachs representatives. The decision to go without an agent could shake up the way business is done in the baseball world. Agents like Boras are known for being zealous in their representation of a client — perhaps a little too overzealous for the likes of team owners and fans. (Indeed, the decision to announce A-Rod’s intent to opt out of his contract in the middle of a World Series game was in retrospect a really dumb decision.) Business transactions can indeed be confrontational, but they don’t need to be. Execs from the likes of Goldman Sachs argue the economics of the deal without inflaming the emotions and egos of all involved. In this case, Rodriguez will indeed get a huge contract on terms all can live with, and Boras will still keep his commission — this time around. But if you’re a Scott Boras client, you’ve got to wonder if you’re receiving the best possible deal in terms of economics and taxes. It wasn’t a good week for Boras: Tigers pitcher Kenny Rogers dumped Boras as a client because he felt the agent was trying to push him away from Detroit.

Omaha ballpark panel picks architects to evaluate sites
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The committee charged with reviewing Omaha’s ballpark options has selected two architecture and engineering firms to assist in its evaluation of different sites. Local firm HDR will work with HOK Sport on the project. The committee will work with the firms to investigate different sites, construction and operating costs, construction schedules and financing plans for the different options. According to the statement, the engineering and architecture study should be complete by late February. The committee also plans to receive public input, all in time to deliver a ballpark recommendation before April 30. Omaha officials are weighing a remodeling of Rosenblatt Stadium versus a new downtown ballpark for the College World Series.

Talks planned for minor-league ballpark in Lee’s Summit
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Developer David Gale’s effort to bring a minor-league baseball team to Lee’s Summit (Mo.) is going into its final innings. Gale says he hopes to reach a conclusion to talks with the Metropolitan Community College about building a stadium at the Longview campus on View High Drive. He is planning meetings with city, county and college officials to throw his last pitches for a $14 million plan to bring an independent Frontier League team to the Southland. It would be the shared home of the Frontier League team, the college’s Longview Lakers baseball team, and some games of Kansas City’s Ban Johnson League, an amateur summer league for young men that’s looking for a permanent home. If he wins approval, Gale hopes for an opening day of Memorial Day 2009.

Bonds indicted
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Sadly, this was the biggest baseball news story of the weekend: Barry Bonds was indicted on four counts of perjury and an additional count of obstruction of justice. The indictments arose from his testimony from Dec. 2003 grand-jury proceedings concerning the BALCO steroid ring; Bonds claims he never knowingly used performance-enhancing substances. Now, it may seem that Bonds will have a huge out because he claims he never knowingly used performance-enhancing substances, but legally speaking that’s not the loophole you might think: if a jury can conclude Bonds should have known he was taking performance-enhancing substances that statement is meaningless. Certainly going up 10 shirt sizes and three shoe sizes should have told Bonds something was going on. More from the San Francisco Chronicle, USA Today and Sporting News. Not surprisingly, Barry Bonds’ attorney doesn’t think the government has a strong case.

Another attempt at Crystal Lake ballpark
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After Crystal Lake officials rebuffed an attempt by McHenry County College to build a new ballpark for an independent Frontier League team as part of a larger campus expansion, local officials say they’re looking at alternative plans to build a ballpark as part of a larger development containing a fairgrounds site and an arts venue or conference center. The discussions are very much on the preliminary front, and it’s not clear whether the Frontier League investors are part of the discussions.

Indians unveil new uniforms
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Cleveland Indians announced uniform changes for the 2008 season, encompassing two sets of uniforms both at home and on the road and featuring minor enhancements to the current uniform and a brand-new home alternate uniform to replace the old home alternate vest outfit. This will mark the first uniform change since 2002. The new home alternate uniform will take a step back in Indians history by combining past eras to include a crème colored uniform, block "Indians" lettering on the front chest, Chief Wahoo on left sleeve and "midnight" navy blue piping on the pant. This new uniform will also showcase a "midnight" navy blue cap with a block "C" that is vintage Indians baseball from the early 1900s. Finally, the uniform will include a red player number on the back with navy blue outline and will not include the player name. The traditional home white uniform will remain with a minor adjustment of the silver piping being eliminated on the jersey and pant, combined with the current blue home "wahoo" cap with red bill, minus silver accent color. The traditional road gray uniform will return with the all navy blue "wahoo" cap, minus silver accent color. The alternate road navy uniform will return, but will be combined for the first time with the navy blue "Script I" cap.

Massengill named 2007 Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) General Manager Shari Massengill is the winner of the 2007 Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award. This is one of minor league baseball’s top national awards. The Woman Executive of the Year is chosen from all of the women in all levels of minor-league baseball. Since 1976, the Woman Executive of the Year Award is given annually to a female executive "who made an outstanding contribution to her club, league or to baseball." Massengill is the first Carolina League recipient of this award. In one of the smallest cities hosting full-season baseball, the Indians welcomed 115,195 fans in 2007. That’s the biggest attendance at Grainger Stadium since 2001 and the second biggest mark this decade. The attendance total eclipses last year’s total attendance of 112,253 fans, even with twice as many rainouts as last year. The K-Tribe also saw an increase in revenues across the board, including ticket sales, concessions and sponsorship in 2007. The K-Tribe also increased their community involvement during the 2007 season. The team implemented the Tribe Tales reading program in local public schools and joined forces with the Lenoir County Boys and Girls club to help raise money and awareness.

D-Backs president establishes positive culture in workplace
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In two short years, Derrick Hall and the Arizona Diamondbacks management team have helped clean up a franchise mired in debt and mediocrity. Coming within four games of their second World Series appearance and defying prognosticators for much of the past season, Hall is all smiles, despite the rather abrupt and unceremonious ending to the season. Since being named the club’s second president in September 2006, the Los Angeles native and Arizona State University graduate has brought many initiatives to change the culture of the team, both on and off the field. That includes an employee outing every quarter, an annual trip, an "employee of the month" program and the President’s Council — made up of upper management and 10 to 12 staffers from different divisions.

At long last, new life for Q-C pro baseball
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The local newspaper comes out in favor of the sale of the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League) to Main Street Baseball. We’re guessing the Quad Cities team next season will look nothing like this season’s squad: look for the team to adopt a new nickname, new uniforms and logos, and a new approach to game-day operations.

O’s sign contract for new display
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority agreed to a contract with Mitsubishi to purchase a new video system for Oriole Park at Camden Yards. State of the art equipment that will be installed by Opening Day 2008 includes a Mitsubishi DiamondVision LED video board and LED scoreboard in center field, an LED out of town scoreboard display in right field, and LED "ribbon" boards along the club level and upper deck fascia. In center field, the DiamondVision LED video board will sit atop the LED scoreboard, reversing the placement of the system used since the ballpark opened in 1992. The new LED out of town scoreboard in right field will feature statistical information in addition to game scores. The narrow auxiliary matrix boards along the club level and upper deck will be replaced with LED ribbon boards, providing better definition, brighter images and wider viewing angles.

Chiefs say they don’t owe Onondaga County
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) say an audit conducted by the Onondaga County comptroller’s office will show the Chiefs do not owe the county for utility bills at Alliance Bank Stadium. County officials have said the Chiefs owe at least $450,000 for utility bills from 2004-06. A draft of Deputy Comptroller Tom Squires’ audit is expected to be presented to the Chiefs and county officials by the end of November. The audit will detail all of the financial activity at the stadium since it opened in 1997.

Arizona Winter League expands to Blythe
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Arizona Winter League (AWL) announced an agreement has been reached with the city of Blythe, CA and a partnership with Blythe Little League baseball to bring an Arizona Winter League expansion team to the city for the 2008 season, which begins this coming January. With a team name and former major league manager to be announced next week, the team will play nine home games in February on most Fridays and Saturdays during the 35-day season running from January 28 to March 2. The Blythe team will be on the road during the week playing in Yuma’s Ray Kroc complex and Desert Sun Stadium. The ballclub will play home games at Alexander Field Stadium, which has hosted amateur and Little League baseball. The City of Blythe is making improvements to the playing field and spectator areas and the Blythe Little League organization will be running the stadium operations during the games.

Sale of land for third hotel at baseball campus expected
Posted Nov. 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A luxury Hyatt or Hilton will likely become the third hotel project planned for Surprise’s spring-training campus, eventually bringing the number of hotel rooms near the stadium to about 350. The sale of 2.5 acres near what will soon become Young Street and Stadium Way is expected to clos