Another casualty of the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) not paying bills: play-by-play broadcaster Qumar Zaman, who quit because he wasn’t being paid by the team — and took to the air to explain. Audio within. As you’ll recall, the Fielders released 14 players and traded nine others after an open player revolt […]
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Rocky season for the Newark Bears
Legal disputes over ownership, unpaid bills, and plenty of empty seats have characterized the Newark Bears (independent; Can-Am League) this season, as the team struggles to find a following — and the answer may be a reality TV series. The Star-Register has a long chronicle of the many issues faced by the changing Bears ownership […]
Financing elusive for new McHenry County ballpark
After several years of work on financing for a new $18-million McHenry County K-Nines (independent; Frontier League) ballpark, team owners have returned bonding money to the county, as the project has stalled. The plan was to build the new ballpark as part of a development that includes a gravel pit and possibly the new grounds […]
Fielders continue blame game for financial woes, adding league to mix
After losing most of the roster because of nonpayment, the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) is admitting cash-flow issues but doubling down on criticism for how its ballpark issue was handled by Zion and throwing criticism of the league into the mix. Another attack — or positioning for future lawsuits, depending on your […]
Nueces County sues CB Thunder over unpaid rent
After evicting the Coastal Bend Thunder (independent; United League Baseball) for unpaid rent at Fairgrounds Field in December, Texas’s Nueces County is now going after the team’s owners for maintenance, cleanup and attorney bills totaling $142,000. A lawsuit was filed Monday against the now-defunct franchise. The team had been evicted from the Robstown ballpark over […]
Fielders: Don’t blame us, blame Zion
Reps from the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) say payroll issues leading to a player revolt is not their fault — instead, they point the finger at Zion, Ill. for failing to provide an adequate ballpark. As you’ll recall, the Fielders released 14 players and traded nine others after an open player revolt […]
Unpaid players revolt in Lake County: 9 traded, 14 released
It’s chaos with the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League), as the team releases 14 players and trades nine after missing payroll; manager Tim Johnson and interim coach Pete LaCock are gone as well. As it turns out, the decision by LaCock to field a team with pitchers in the field and position players […]
Yuma, Lake County swap pitchers, positional players
Last night’s Yuma Scorpions / Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) game was an odd one: position players were sent to the pitchers mound and pitchers played in the field. Not quite sure how this plays into the integrity of the league, as Yuma won 8-3, with it being apparent NAL pitchers hit better […]
North American League launches TV series
The exploits of players and coaches in the independent North American League will be chronicled in a new television series produced by the TVS Television Network, “For the Love of the Game.” “This is a great opportunity to showcase our league, players, and communities,” said North American Baseball League President Brian MacInnes. “It’s also a […]
New Sox mascot raises hackles in Amarillo
Well, that didn’t last long: the Amarillo Sox (independent; American Association) yanked their new, energetic mascot after complaints from fans regarding his, um, excited nature. The mascot was unveiled during last Friday’s game, but it didn’t end up quite the way GM Mark Lee anticipated. A new mascot is expected to be unveiled this weekend. […]
Crushers announce All-Star plans
The Lake Erie Crushers are hosting the 2011 Frontier League All-Star Game at All Pro Freight Stadium on July 13, but the festivities kick off the night before with the Frontier League Fan Fest and Home Run Derby. The 2011 Frontier League Fan Fest will begin July 12 at 5:30 p.m. with All Star autographs […]
Simmy claims 1,000th indy-ball victory
Doug Simunic, already the all-time winningest coach in independent baseball, notched his thousandth career win today when the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks edged the Sioux City Explorers 4-3 at Newman Outdoor Field. Simunic began his managerial career in 1993 has the skipper of the Rochester (Minn.) Aces of the Northern League and spent his entire career in […]
Player injured running into unpadded outfield concrete wall in York
Kenny Kelly, a former major leaguer, suffered a concussion and a facial fracture after running into an unpadded concrete wall at Sovereign Bank Park, the home of the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League), leaving coaches and players calling for a safer playing facility. Affiliated baseball has minimum standards regarding outfield fence padding; rare is the […]