Always worth a visit to Wuerfel Park, and this year that’s more true, as the team adds new food offerings and a Microbrew Pub to the home of the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League). The Beach Bums do a nice job with the food at Wuerfel Park, and the additions raise the ante […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Frontier League returning to Parkersburg?
Parkersburg, W.V., once the home to the Ohio Valley Redcoats, may see a return of independent Frontier League baseball if city officials move ahead with a new-ballpark plan. City officials met with Commissioner Bill Lee, Washington Wild Things managing partner Stu Williams and Tom Rooney, president of the Rooney Sports and Entertainment Group, at the […]
Fielders launch shocker: no 2012 season on tap
With no ballpark, no league, no front office and no sales force, the Lake County Fielders made it official: no 2012 season for the team. It’s not exactly a shocker, but the Fielders decided to go ahead and issue a press statement today confirming the team is on hiatus for the coming season: “With no […]
Atlantic League returning to Atlantic City?
Atlantic City is looking at a new name for the old Sandcastle — Surf Stadium — in anticipation of youth tournaments, exhibition games and a return of independent Atlantic League baseball. It’s not a coincidence that the new name of the ballpark is the same as the former Atlantic League team in town, the Atlantic […]
Pacifics ballpark back in court
A neighborhood group is appealing a court decision allowing the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) to play in Albert Park, arguing it violates grant-deed restrictions. The Pacifics earlier won a court case allowing Centerfield Partners to sign a one-year deal to play at the city-owned park. A neighborhood group, Albert Park Neighborhood Alliance, […]
Zion files suit against Fielders for $500K in back rent, more
The Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) and Zion (Ill.) legal battle stepped up a notch after the city filed a suit seeking back rent and more for the team’s short tenure at Fielders Stadium. It’s the latest salvo in a legal battle that’s already seen the Fielders’ parent company, Grand Slam Sports and […]
New Montgomery County ballpark fate tied to theme-park development
A much-anticipated new ballpark in suburban Houston is on hold while local officials wait to see whether a $500-million theme park will be built. Ventura Sports Group and the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in March 2010 for a new independent-league ballpark in the Houston suburb, to be […]
Wild Things to bring new team to Bridgeport, WV
The Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League) have entered an exclusive deal to bring pro baseball to the Charles Pointe Master Planned Community in Bridgeport, West Virginia in 2014. Charles Pointe is a $1.4-billion mixed-use community spanning over 1,700 acres in Bridgeport along the I-79 high tech corridor, combining commercial, residential and recreational opportunities, including […]
Saints ballpark bill suffers setback in Senate
Proposed state funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark suffered a setback in a Minnesota Senate bonding proposal, where the project was totally zeroed out. The Senate Republicans unveiled a $496-million bonding bill today, and the proposal was pretty naked in its politics: the mostly rural caucus failed to include funding […]
Diamond Sports walks away from North American League management
Diamond Sports and Entertainment, which founded the independent Golden Baseball League and formed the North American League via merger, has walked away from the circuit as league management. Kevin Outcalt, the league commissioner who was part of the original Golden Baseball League, left the organization on March 7, according to a press release issued by […]
St. Paul close to acquiring land for new Saints ballpark
The city of St. Paul is on the verge of buying the land for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark in Lowertown, removing one big roadblock to obtaining state funding. The Saints and the city have proposed a $54-million, 7,000-seat ballpark in downtown St. Paul at the Diamond Products site, off Broadway […]
Kobayashi to make appearances in Schaumburg, Gary
Competitive-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi will once again take on the locals at ballparks this season, appearing at Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) and Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) games. Kobayashi is a legend in the competitive-eating world, winning six straight Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest titles and holding the unofficial world record for […]
Freedom Baseball League names GM
Kirk Jewell, formerly with Phoenix International Raceway and the Arizona Diamondbacks, is the new GM of the independent Freedom Baseball League, which also announced additional venues for its inaugural season. Jewell will be GM of all four teams in the start-up circuit, which is centered in the Phoenix area. The league will consist of four […]