The independent Pacific Association is moving to a new phase, with the East Bay Lumberjacks joining the circuit and the Vallejo Missions scaling back, bypassing a scheduled trip to Hawaii. The semi-pro Lumberjacks have been a fill-in opponent for the two Northern California teams in the four-team circuit. Technically, the San Rafael Pacfics, Maui Na […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Wolff: We’re not ceding northeast to Diamond League
Can-Am League Commissioner Miles Wolff says his circuit will pursue some of the same markets currently eyed by the startup independent Diamond League, including four former Can-Am markets. Specifically listed by Wolff as being potential 2014 expansion markets for the independent Can-Am League: Atlantic City, N.J.; Worcester, Mass.; Sussex County, N.J.; Montreal and Ottawa. “We […]
Boomers set franchise attendance record with sellout today
Big day for the Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League): the team notched the first sellout in franchise history, drawing 7,578 to Boomers Stadium for the largest crowd in the ballpark’s history. It’s the second year for the Boomers, who set up shop in Schaumburg after the less-than-graceful exit of the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League). […]
New for 2014: Diamond League
The long-awaited new independent-baseball league from Frank Boulton and crew, the Diamond League, was announced today, with a game plan focused on developing younger undrafted players. According to league founders Boulton and Michael Pfaff, the Diamond League is being formed to create a platform for the developing professional baseball player. In the past, there were […]
Proposed Santa Maria pro team raises hackles of youth-baseball advocates
A proposed upgrade of Santa Maria’s Elks Field for an independent Pacific Association team has raised opposition from youth-baseball organizers, who don’t want to lose any spots in an already crowded schedule. Baseball fields are at a premium in Santa Maria, both for its own residents and those of neighboring Santa Barbara, which contracts with […]
Testing at new Saints ballpark site yields unexpected contamination
City officials knew that the site of a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark was polluted, but further testing indicates far more contamination on the site than originally anticipated. Before it hosted a manufacturing plant, the Lowertown site hosted a coal gasification plant, where coal was converted to coal gas, which could then […]
Parkersburg businesses polled on ballpark viability
Proponents of a new Parkersburg (W. Va.) ballpark are polling local businesses to determine their potential financial support for a pro team and a pro venue. Several business groups, including the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Marietta Chamber of Commerce, Belpre Chamber of Commerce and the […]
New for 2014: Edelman Financial Field
The new home of the Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) will be known as Edelman Financial Field upon its opening for the 2014 season. Construction of the new ballpark began today after the official groundbreaking. Terms of the naming-rights deal struck between the firm and the Hounds ownership were not disclosed. “With the commencement of […]
Pacific Association pitches team for Santa Maria’s Elks Field
The independent Pacific Association is proposing a lease for Elks Field in Santa Maria (Cal.), with the local parks and rec commission expected to hear more about the proposal next week. From the Santa Barbara Noozhawk: The proposal is to bring a minor league professional team to Santa Maria, and not a collegiate team. It […]
Boulton: Look for announcement of new indy league this month
Frank Boulton’s new independent-baseball project will be announced this month, with cities like Worcester on tap to host teams in the development-oriented circuit. It’s no secret Boulton, founder of the Atlantic League and the Long Island Ducks, has been working on putting together a league that would potentially play in former pro venues in Worcester, […]
Goldeyes welcome 5-millionth fan
What a great journey: the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) welcomed the 5-millionth fan in team history during today’s matinee. The Goldeyes were not an original member of the revamped independent Northern League, but entered the league in the second season after beginning life as the Rochester Aces, featuring a much younger Doug Simunic as […]
AWBL goes dark for 2013
The independent American West Baseball League will go dark in 2013, with CEO Michael Cummings resigning and Sean Smock assigned to pick up the pieces for 2014. Of course, once a league goes dark it rarely comes back. And in the case of the American West Baseball League, we’re talking about an outfit that would […]
Parkersburg to study ballpark feasibility
Economic-development officials in Parkersburg (W. Va.) have commissioned AECOM to study the financial feasibility of a new ballpark. It’s no secret Parkersburg officials have sought a return of independent Frontier League baseball. So have officials from nearby Bridgeport. And while the approval of funding will certainly impact any chances of pro baseball for Morgantown (Bridgeport […]