Jose Canseco, the flamboyant baseball star who started the season with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League), has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Canseco filed yesterday in Las Vegas. The filing listed $20,850 in assets and $1.686 million in liabilities, including $506,000 owed to the IRS. Canseco, still listed on the Tornadoes roster as an inactive […]
Tag Archives | independent
Tkachuk: I’ll fund American Association team on my own
Keith Tkachuk is so eager to see an independent American Association team in Fort McMurray that he’s willing to spring for it, with or without local investors. The former GM of the Edmonton Capitals (independent; North American League) was in WInnipeg to pitch league officials on the Fort McMurray market and why it would be perfect […]
No beer here: the sad history of the London Rippers
The demise of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) has some fairly basic lessons for potential baseball entrepreneurs: know your market and read your contracts carefully. The London Rippers withdrew from the Frontier League Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m., days after being locked out of its team office/gift shop for nonpayment of rent. It was […]
Fort McMurray: We’re open to American Association team
A rep from Fort McMurray (AB) is in Winnipeg to see how the independent American Association does business, but the odds of indy ball reaching northern Alberta are slim at the very, very best. Tim Reid, chief operating officer of the corporation that runs MacDonald Island Park, where a new ballpark could potentially be housed, […]
Rippers pull out of Frontier League; to be replaced by road team
Facing financial problems, the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) ownership is withdrawing its membership in the circuit as of midnight tonight, replaced by the Road Warriors, with any home games moving to the opponent’s ballpark. The word comes from league officials, who have been presented with a steady deterioration in the team’s finances, a deterioration […]
Phoenixville committee to study ballpark feasibility
A study to determine the feasibility of an affiliated short-season or independent team in Phoenixville (Pa.) as part of a larger development of the former Phoenix Steel Co. site will begin shortly. The review, which will be conducted by the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), will be used by the Phoenixville Baseball Committee to help determine the […]
St. Paul approves Saints funding deal; next up, state funds
As expected, the St. Paul City Council today approved a $27-million funding package for a new Lowertown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark, as both sides await word on a matching state grant. The package calls for the city to pay $17 million toward the new ballpark project ($8.5 million in bonds, repaid over […]
Saints “Aints” promotion draws wrath of Fox News
The St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) are holding a promotion sponsored by Minnesota Atheists and American Atheists, and the morning hosts at Fox News are none too pleased. On the Night of Unbelievable Fun, set for Aug. 10, the Saints will wear special “Mr. Paul Aints” jerseys during the game against the Amarillo Sox with the […]
Phoenixville: We have team interested in new ballpark
Officials in Phoenixville (Pa.) say they’ve had discussions with a professional baseball team about placing a team at a new ballpark in the Chester County community if funds for a new ballpark can be raised. It’s not a new idea: we covered it a year ago when a steering committee of 20 Phoenixville and Chester County […]
Bringing the wild back to Wild Things
The Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League) was once a flagship franchise, but new owner Stuart Williams is spending his time trying to bring the team back from a slump at the box office. Washington used to lead the Frontier League in attendance, but these days the team is next-to-last at 1,595 fans a game, behind […]
Freedom Baseball League shackled by economic realities
The independent Freedom Baseball League was locked out of Phoenix Municipal Stadium today because of missed rent payments — something that reportedly has also taken place in three other Arizona communities. According to this report, the league — four teams playing out of the greater Phoenix area — missed rent payments recently in Prescott, Peoria, […]
Future of North American League in…Japan?
With a two-game series against Ishikawa Million Stars drawing well at Iron Maehara Stadium, Na Koa Ikaika Maui (independent; North American League) owner Bob Young is looking at another indy setup that calls for less travel and more Japanese competition. Na Koa Ikaika draw more than 2,500 fans for the two-game series against the Million […]
St. Paul expected to approve Saints ballpark plan Wednesday
The St. Paul City Council is expected to approve a funding plan for a new Lowertown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark despite half of the money for the facility still up in the air. The cost of the project is $54 million. The financing plan calls for St. Paul to issue $8.5 million […]