Groups opposing a no-bid design/build contract have now filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO), asking that all work be stopped on a new downtown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Last week the Taxpayers League and a local conservative activist announced plans to challenge the decision by St. Paul officials to award a […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Joliet approves Slammers lease
A new lease with lowered rent has been approved by the city for the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League), clearing the way for a new ownership group to buy the team from businessman Alan Oremus. The deal, approved last night by the City Council, is along the lines set down earlier: it lowers the base […]
Frontier League at 13 teams for 2013
The independent Frontier League will be at 13 teams, plus a travel squad, for 2013, as the circuit releases a schedule for next season. The Frontier League will again consist of 14 total teams with two, seven-team divisions. The East Division consists of the Evansville Otters, Florence Freedom, Frontier Greys (travel team), Lake Erie Crushers, […]
New for 2013: North County Cannons
Jim Hoynes has paid the expansion fee to add the North County Cannons to the independent American West Baseball League for the 2013 season, playing out of Cal State San Marcos. North County, of course, is the suburban area north of San Diego once envisioned as home to Triple-A baseball, when Jeff Moorad was seeking […]
Atlantic League: big plans for 2014 and beyond
We’ve mentioned the possibility of an independent Atlantic League feeder circuit before, but bigger plans are in the works, including a possible expansion to Puerto Rico and Cuba. The feeder circuit now has a name — ALPB2 — and a target date for launch: 2014, according to Atlantic League founder/CEO Frank Boulton. We’ve reported in […]
Lawsuit: Saints ballpark contract should be open for bidding
A lawsuit has been filed to force the city of St. Paul to open a bidding process for the design/build portion of a new downtown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. The issue: the city did not open a traditional bidding process before awarded a design/build contract to Ryan Companies, AECOM and Julie Snow […]
Joliet offers lowered ballpark lease to new Slammers owners
It’s a deal that makes baseball more viable in Joliet while rewarding the city if the new owners of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are successful, as the City Council will discuss a proposed Silver Cross Field lease on Monday. The broad terms of the proposed lease, as negotiated by city manager Tom Thanas, […]
Saints ballpark design/construction reward under review
Though St. Paul officials say nothing is amiss, Minnesota officials are viewing whether the decision to award the design/construction contracts for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark with no competitive bidding violates state guidelines. The issue: usually government contracts are awarded after some kind of competitive bidding, but after the Minnesota Department […]
Lease issues delay Malden ballpark planning
The earliest we could see a new $50-million ballpark in downtown Malden for an independent Atlantic League team is 2015, as the project is bogged down in lease negotiations. Alexander Bok, the attoney putting together the deal, says it’s been more complicated to put together a lease than anticipated for the 6.4-acre National Grid site. […]
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 […]
Owners to rebrand rebranded Panthers
The new owner of the Yuma Panthers (independent; American West Baseball League) is already dropping his rebranding of the team and is seeking public input on a new name. The Panthers have technically never played a game: the former Yuma Scorpions (independent; North American League) were pulled out of the NAL for the 2012 season […]
New for 2013: Taos Blizzard, Pecos Bills
The independent Pecos League is working on a two-expansion for 2013 with the Taos Blizzard and Pecos Bills, but lease deals and other issues need to be worked out before either team takes the field. In Taos, the issue is the ballpark at Taos High School, where the team would play: interestingly, the high-school ballpark […]
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 […]