If it’s the offseason, it’s the time for front-office changes — and we have some for the Atlanta Braves, Camden RiverSharks (independent; Atlantic League) and Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League). In Atlanta, General Manager Frank Wren’s contract has been extended through 2014. Wren, the 13th general manager of the Braves, finished his fifth […]
Tag Archives | frontier league
Parkersburg continues ballpark debate; Ripken Design reportedly interested
Parkersburg (W. Va.) officials held a third public meeting about a possible new ballpark for an independent Frontier League team, with Ripken Design expressing interest in the planning process. Crowds were small for the three public meetings, and many of the concerns were what you’d expect: whether public money should be spent on a new […]
Indy ball back to Marinelli Field?
With RiverHawks Stadium now controlled by an Illinois bank after a bankruptcy auction, Rockford (Ill.) officials are looking at sprucing up Marinelli Field to attract indy ball and youth tournaments. Marinelli Field was the longtime home to pro baseball in Rockford, hosting the likes of the Rockford Reds (Low Class A; Midwest League) before the […]
Twin Cities group negotiating to buy Slammers
Attorney Josh Schaub and real-estate developer Tom Gump — both of Minneapolis — emerged as the potential buyers for the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League), as they met with the City Council about a revised ballpark lease. According to his LinkedIn profile, Schaub is an attorney specializing in sports law, teaching at Hamline University School […]
Joliet Slammers sale imminent
A sale of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) is close to fruition, with changes to the Silver Cross Field memo of understanding expected to be approved Monday night by the city council. The city council doesn’t have a direct say in the sale of the Slammers, but does have an indirect one: if the […]
2012 Independent Attendance by Average
Our final independent-baseball attendance ranking of the day: Here are 2012 independent attendance numbers, listed by average. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of multiple independent teams, with […]
2012 Independent Attendance by Total
More attendance goodness for you today: here are the 2012 independent-league attendance rankings, listed by total. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of multiple independent teams, with the North […]
2012 Independent Attendance by League
With the independent-baseball regular season wrapping up yesterday, it’s time to parse the attendance numbers for 2012. Here are 2012 independent attendance numbers, listed by league. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of […]
Joliet Slammers on the market
After two years of losses, the owners of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) put the team on the market and are negotiating with two prospective new ownership groups. Alan Oremus of Steel City Baseball LLC, along with team president Bill Waliewski, decided to pull the plug on their ownership of the team after totaling […]
Champaign to move forward with ballpark study
City staff in Champaign (Ill.) has been instructed to move forward with a study of the potential of minor-league baseball, but stopped short of authorizing any money toward the task. A report issued by the Illinois Business Consulting group, a student-run organization operating under the University of Illinois College of Business, concluded that the area could support professional baseball […]
Champaign to discuss ballpark plan tonight
The Champaign City Council will hear a report on the potential of professional baseball in that Illinois community, with both affiliated and independent ball on the agenda. The county will hear a presentation from the Illinois Business Consulting group, a student-run organization operating under the University of Illinois College of Business, regarding a feasibility study […]
Indy ball apparently not good enough for Joliet
Though the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) have worked hard on a quality product, some locals say baseball won’t be successful until affiliated ball arrives — which will probably be never. The Slammers were a smash in the first season, then saw things level off in 2012. That’s led to some talk about affiliated ball […]
Slammers hit bumps in second season
A sophomore slump can hit franchises, too, as the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are seeing some setbacks at the gate and on the field. The team had a pretty good debut in 2011, drawing 2,311 fans a game and generating some genuine enthusiasm for the franchise after the old Joliet Jackhammers (independent; Northern League) […]