The Champaign City Council will hear a report on the potential of professional baseball in that Illinois community, with both affiliated and independent ball on the agenda. The county will hear a presentation from the Illinois Business Consulting group, a student-run organization operating under the University of Illinois College of Business, regarding a feasibility study […]
Tag Archives | independent
Breighner: Tornadoes are in good financial shape
Saying there’s no chance he’ll explore bankruptcy, Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) owner Todd Breighner says the team’s balance sheet is in good shape and he will rebound from financial setbacks. The team was locked out of offices earlier this week after the local Hilton Garden Inn went to court to satisfy a $32,562 bill. This follows […]
League may take over Tornadoes
The independent Can-Am League may take over the Worcester Tornadoes a day after employees were locked out of offices and the team shop to satisfy a lien. Usually it’s the last gasp of a team when personnel are locked out of the office, so it’s no surprise Miles Wolff and crew are mapping their next […]
Tornadoes locked out of offices, team shop
After losing team uniforms to satisfy a lien, Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) offices and team store were seized by a creditor, with the team locked out. The seizing came this afternoon after papers were served against the team and owner Todd Breighner over nonpayment of a $32,562 debt against the Hilton Garden Inn. The Inn won a judgement […]
Freedom Baseball League scraps playoffs, lays off staff
The independent Freedom Baseball League has scrapped the four-team postseason playoffs and has reportedly laid off staff in anticipation of the end of the regular season. The four-team league, which plays at various ballparks in the Phoenix area (including Scottsdale Stadium and Peoria Stadium), has had a rocky first year; seems Arizona baseball fans may […]
Why Clemens signing will boost Atlantic League
The real value to Roger Clemens signing a contract with the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League): it makes the circuit a more attractive business proposition. It was a good weekend for the league: the appearance with the Skeeters was nationally televised by ESPN Classic, and Tal Smith got in some good interview time during […]
Indy ball apparently not good enough for Joliet
Though the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) have worked hard on a quality product, some locals say baseball won’t be successful until affiliated ball arrives — which will probably be never. The Slammers were a smash in the first season, then saw things level off in 2012. That’s led to some talk about affiliated ball […]
More financial woes for W-Tornadoes; team uniforms seized
Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) uniforms were seized and replaced by league-supplied Grays traveling unis, as a local vendor attempts to collect on a $32,562 debt. The local Hilton Garden Inn filed suit against the team and owner Todd Breighner over nonpayment, saying that attempts to settle the debt ended with bounced checks and broken promises. A […]
65-year-old Lee throws complete game in NAL
We’re not sure what this says about the level of play, but 65-year-old Bill “Spaceman” Lee threw a complete-game victory and went 1-for-3 in his debut with the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League). Lee took the mound in front of 1,265 fans at Albert Park and pitched a complete game in a 9-4 […]
Canseco suing Worcester Tornadoes over unpaid salary
Jose Canseco’s return to indy ball may be more profitable than anticipated if he prevails in a lawsuit against the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) over an unpaid salary, which is causing him severe emotional distress. Canseco filed the suit today against the Tornadoes and team owner Todd Breighner for “breach of contract, defamation, unjust enrichment, failure […]
Clemens signs deal with Sugar Land Skeeters
Roger Clemens, fresh off a legal win on charges of perjury, has signed a contract to pitch for the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) and is expected to start Saturday night’s game. Clemens last pitched in 2007 for the New York Yankees. According to AP, Clemens has been working out and pitched in a […]
Lake Charles eying pro ball
Lake Charles officials have begun preliminary discussions of independent North American League baseball in that Louisiana city, an effort that would include a new ballpark. The last pro team in Lake Charles was the Lake Charles Giants, who played in 1957 at Legion Field. That ballpark still exists, but it’s not suitable for the pro […]
Slammers hit bumps in second season
A sophomore slump can hit franchises, too, as the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are seeing some setbacks at the gate and on the field. The team had a pretty good debut in 2011, drawing 2,311 fans a game and generating some genuine enthusiasm for the franchise after the old Joliet Jackhammers (independent; Northern League) […]