It was a good opener for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League), as the team sold out Albert Park. Of course, it doesn’t take much to sell out a thousand-seat venue, and the team worked awfully hard to pull off the sellout. The real key to success will be how the team draws […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Pacifics launch season tonight
It will either be a unqualified success or an amazing crash, as the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) open team history tonight at Albert Park. We’ll give the Pacifics ownership big props for gutsiness: down to two years, they and Bob Young, owner of Maui Na Koa Ikaika, went out and added two […]
New Loudoun County ballpark delayed
A new ballpark for the Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) is on hold while issues related to access are being resolved, with 2014 now eyed as an opening date. Here’s the statement from the Hounds’ Bob Farren via the team’s Website: With the fact that construction of the road system cannot begin for several more […]
Retro bullpen cart a hit in Sugar Land
It’s proven to be a scene-stealer: the retro bullpen cart employed by the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) has proven to be a big hit with fans. All in all, Constellation Field has been a success this year, as Peter Kirk and crew have brought their fan-friendly operations to Texas. One big piece of […]
Pro baseball returns to Schaumburg
The Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) kicked off their home schedule last night with a 5-2 victory over the Florence Freedom before 6,067 fans. As you’ll recall, there was no pro baseball in Schaumburg last year after the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League) were evicted and folded under a sea of debt. Now, we’re going to […]
AWBL logo unveiled
The startup independent American West Baseball League, launched by Godfather Media, has unveiled its logo in anticipation of a 2013 debut. “I am very pleased with the outcome of the logo it has been done with class, shows professionalism and immediately lets the public know who we are as a league,” said Michael Cummings, Godfather […]
St. Paul: We’ll request economic-development funds for new Saints ballpark
It’s more than a little premature, but St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has informed the state his city will request $27 million for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Why premature? The state hasn’t even put together the criteria for how the money will be allocated. The Minnesota Legislature, in making the […]
AirHogs attract record crowd for home opener
Nice news out of Texas, where the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association) drew a record crowd of 7,101 fans to QuikTrip Park for the 2012 season opener. It was an occasion to celebrate: the crowd watched the 2011 American Association champions receive their championship rings. Former AirHog ace Jason Jennings, who won the decisive Game […]
Freedom Baseball League begins play
Independent baseball is going to be a hard sell in the Arizona desert, and the first game for the Freedom Baseball League drew a small crowd at Scottsdale Stadium. An announced of 637 was on hand at Scottsdale Stadium to see the Copper State Prospectors defeat the Arizona Centennials, 5-3. It’s a little hard to get any […]
RailCats: U.S. Steel Yard needs upgrades
After a decade, U.S. Steel Yard is starting to show its age, and the management of tenant Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) wants to work with the city on improvements. Gary is in the same situation as many other cities: tax revenues are down and city coffers are empty. And while the city has […]
Boomers, Rippers debut in Frontier League
The two newest teams in the independent Frontier League — the Schaumburg Boomers and the London Rippers — made their debuts last night, both on the road. Four Boomers pitchers combined to shut out the Lake Erie Crushers, 4-0, at All Pro Freight Stadium. The Boomers scored in the top of the first and never […]
Lemurs successfully launch new ballpark
A big crowd of almost 6,000 was on hand last night to see the Laredo Lemurs (independent; American Association) open their new ballpark, Uni-Trade Stadium. Laredo baseball fans had to wait a while to see the sport return to the city; the market went without baseball last year while the new ballpark was under construction. […]
New Flyers owner to pay off Fullerton debt?
Cal State-Fullerton officials would welcome the Orange County Flyers back to Goodwin Field — but only if the team’s new owners, Godfather Media, pays off the team’s $75,000 debt. Before the final version of the Flyers folded, the owners owed $75,000 in back rent at Goodwin Field. That debt has remained unpaid, but as Godfather […]