Offices of the Chico Outlaws and the Calgary Vipers (independent; North American League) have been shut down and all employees laid off, including Outlaws VP/GM Mike Marshall. Both Marshall and his wife, Mary, worked for the Outlaws. He told the local Chico newspaper he was laid off and the office closed. Meanwhile, the team, which […]
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Pittsfield out of Can-Am League; summer-collegiate ball on tap for Wahconah?
The Pittsfield Colonials were officially asked to leave the independent Can-Am League yesterday, as team management was unable to secure a $200,000 line of credit to guarantee play for the 2012 season. The issue: a past investor in the team did not step up to continue operations, forcing Buddy Lewis to either find new investors […]
Toros suing to get back into Hi Corbett Field
Jay Zucker is suing to get back the Tucson Toros (independent; North American League) lease to Hi Corbett Field after it was terminated by the city last June. The issue: Zucker, the former owner of the Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) held a lease for the Toros, who played the 2009 and 2010 […]
Hounds add Hondo as team ambassador
The Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) added former Washington Senator Frank Howard to the team’s front office as a corporate adviser and ambassador, as the team preps for a 2012 debut — somewhere. Howard’s duties will include public and media appearances on behalf of the Hounds, as well as offering his accumulated wisdom toward bringing […]
San Rafael approves one-year NAL lease for Albert Park
The independent North American League will be playing under some pretty restrictive circumstances at Albert Park in 2012, as the San Rafael (Cal.) City Council approved a one-year lease for the small ballpark. The terms of the lease, which is expected to bring the city $35,000 or so in revenue, calls for no changes to […]
State Comptroller: Ramapo skirted laws in financing new ballpark
Ramapo (N.Y.) misused local development funds in financing Provident Bank Park, home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League), and will have difficulties in covering debt service on the facility, according to a draft audit from the state comptroller’s office. The draft, which will be final after Ramapo officials have a chance to respond. says […]
Sox to auction off notorious mascot for charity
Brilliant! The Amarillo Sox (independent; American Association) are auctioning off their arousing, excited mascot on eBay, raising money for local charities. As you’ll recall, the mascot made an immediate impression on the local fans during his June 24 debut. He didn’t last an entire game before being pulled by GM Mark Lee. The auction can […]
Pro ball unlikely at TD Ameritrade Park next year — and maybe beyond
A lawsuit from a spurned potential tenant and the lack of firm interest from other independent leagues will probably keep professional baseball away from Omaha’s TD Ameritrade Park in 2012 and potentially beyond. The lawsuit, detailed in today’s Omaha World-Herald, has the owners of a potential Northern League franchise, the Omaha Flame, suing the Metropolitan […]
Ducks notch 600th sellout
Nice milestone for the Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League): With a sellout at Bethpage Ballpark Saturday night, the franchise registered its 600th sellout in 12 years. That’s an Atlantic League record, far outpacing the second-place Somerset Patriots, with 222 to date in their 14th year). “It is a wonderful accomplishment to reach this milestone […]
Saltdogs’ Utrup named AA exec of the year
Lincoln Saltdogs Vice President and General Manager Tim Utrup was named American Association Executive of the Year, as voted by league managers and media personnel. This is the second time the American Association has issued the award, and Utrup has won it on both occasions (2006). He has now earned top general manager honors three […]
Adamski new Sioux City Explorers president
The Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association) announced a major upgrade to the team’s front office today with the hiring of Matt Adamski as club president. He joins GM Shane Tritz and Assistant GM Ashley Schoenrock as part of the front-office staff. His focus for the team will be enhancing non-baseball operations revenue and community […]
San Rafael ballpark proposal scaled back to 800-seat facility
We’re totally mystified by this: a proposed lease for San Rafael‘s Albert Field calls for an 800-seat facility with free parking and temporary concessions for a independent North American League team. Where are the profits? The proposal, presented last night to the San Rafael City Council by Centerfield Partners, calls for minimal changes to the […]
Salvi buys Schaumburg lease, will own new team
Pat Salvi, owner of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association), has bought the Alexian FIeld lease from Alan Oremus and has appointed Andy Viano as team president of the as-yet-unnamed Schaumburg team. The future of the Schaumburg team, originally slated to play in the American Association, has been in doubt in several weeks; there […]