Former major leaguer and Arizona Diamondback Albie Lopez is a part-owner of a new Mesa team to be playing under the independent American West Baseball League banner next season. His partner: local businessman and sports agent Eddie Marin. Albert Anthony “Albie” Lopez was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round of the 1991 […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
No beer for Rippers fans; owner seeks unique solution
Lacking approval to sell beer at Labatt Park, the owner of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) has an unusual solution: he challenged the license owner to a winner-take-all playoff. The London Majors, a semi-pro team in the Intercounty Baseball League, hold the liquor license for the ballpark. Since law dictates that only one liquor license […]
The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford
This, to the best of our knowledge, is a first: the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are wearing uniform sponsor logos for every game, in a straight sale of sponsorship rights. We’re not counting auto racing, golf or MLS soccer and don’t want to embark on a discussion of whether these are major sports; for the […]
Bridgeport Bluefish approaching franchise milestone: 1,000 wins
Nice milestone coming up for the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League): the team is approaching its 1,000th win in franchise history. Bridgeport is a charter member of the Atlantic League, now in its 15th season. During that time the Bluefish have compiled a 999-857 record under several owners. There was a time or two when the team’s […]
El Paso Diablos to Socorro?
If the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are booted from their Cohen Stadium lease, there’s the possibility ownership will build a new ballpark in nearby Socorro. The Diablos are owned by the Tigua tribe, who are seeking to preserve ther million-dollar-plus investment in the franchise and Cohen Stadium upgrades. The team’s future is threatened by […]
New for 2012: Bergen Boulders
Nice promo: the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) will be changing their team name to the Bergen Boulders — but just for a day. With Bergen County residents accounting for a good chunk of the team’s fan base — some 9 percent — and a ready sponsor in a local car dealership, the Boulders will […]
Slow start at the gate for Sioux City Explorers
It’s been a slow start to the season for the Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association), as only 1,177 fans are showing up nightly at Lewis and Clark Park. That number ranks last in the American Association; it’s also about half of what the second-to-last team, the Sioux Falls Pheasants, are drawing per game (2,200) and […]
No beer, no ball: Pecos League and Carlsbad part ways
The inability to sell beer has prompted the independent Pecos League and the city of Carlsbad to part ways in a discussion of a future franchise. The Pecos League’s Andrew Dunn has worked for several years on a Carlsbad franchise, going to the point of naming the league’s 2011 traveling team the Carlsbad Bats and […]
Boulders, we hardly knew ye; name change on tap
Well, this is quick: the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) have scheduled a press conference Saturday to announce the team’s new name. The team had its inaugural season in 2011. The announcement, set for Ramsey Nissan in Upper Saddle River, N.J., will involve some ticket giveaways and more. — Share your news with the baseball community. […]
Life on the bottom indy league: $50 a week
You must really love baseball to play in the independent Pecos League, where players receive $50 a week and some teams draw as little as 150 fans a game. Now, most of us in the baseball world remember a time when we were doing it for the love of the game, whether it was as […]
St. Paul council to vote on state ballpark-funding request
The St. Paul City Council is expected to unanimously approve a request of state funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark today. The city will put together a funding request for $27 million from a $47.5 million economic-development fund overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This would cover half […]
Pheasants attendance up dramatically this season
Apparently new ownership and management caught the attention of Sioux Falls Pheasants (independent; American Association) fans: attendance is up some 46 percent this season over last. “We want to thank our fans for their outstanding support so far this season,” said Pheasants President and CEO Tom Garrity. “We are working hard to create new ways […]
Atlantic City exhibition games scrapped; still in running for 2013 pro ball
A plan for independent Atlantic League exhibition games at Surf Stadium has been scrapped due to ballpark issues, but Atlantic City remains in the running to land a 2013 team. Former Surf manager Mario Perrucci pulled the plug on the Labor Day exhibition games, saying he wasn’t confident ballpark improvements would be completed in time to see a […]