The unsinkable Jose Canseco is back in baseball for 2012, signing a contract with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) to play as a first baseman/designated hitter. Canseco, who spent last season with the independent Yuma Scorpions (independent; North American League) as a player/coach/pitcher, spent the past offseason lobbying various MLB teams via Twitter for […]
Tag Archives | independent
Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012
After a few years of turmoil and legal proceedings, things are settling down for three Illinois Frontier League and summer-collegiate teams: Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers and Springfield Sliders. Last year the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) put together a pretty debut despite not having much time to prepare: there may have been a few rough […]
Yuma owner acquires NAL Fullerton franchise
We have a final lineup for the 2012 independent North American League season, as the owner of the circuit’s Yuma franchise is taking over the Orange County Flyers. The team, which was dormant last season, has played most of its history at Goodwin Stadium at the Cal State-Fullerton campus. An attempt to build a new ballpark […]
Saints add 0K race to annual Running of the Pigs
Exercise we can embrace: the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) will hold a 0K race as part of the team’s Ninth Annual Running of the Pigs on April 21. Billed as a race perfect for an ultra marathon runner or couch potato, the 0-K race is the only competition in the world where everyone […]
Beach Bums bring better beer, BBQ to ballpark in 2012
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 […]
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 […]
Nitz returns as Voice of the Explorers
One of our favorite broadcasters returns: Dave Nitz is back as the voice of the Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association) for the 2012 season. The 2012 season will mark Nitz’s 31st year in baseball broadcasting, his fourth as the Voice of the X’s. A radio broadcast veteran, Nitz has been calling collegiate and professional […]
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, […]
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 […]