Despite the use of temporary facilities, it cost local taxpayers almost $8 million to build Fielders Stadium for the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League). NBC Chicago examined all the costs related to the ballpark, which served as the home to the Fielders for two seasons until the team went under. Currently team owner […]
Tag Archives | lake county fielders
The Week That Was: April 15
Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium anniversaries, naming rights and indy-league comings and goings made news this week in the baseball world. Here are the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured in page views. Red Sox mark Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary with ballpark events Fielders launch shocker: no 2012 season […]
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 […]
PA announcer prevails in Fielders lawsuit
P.A. announcer Gregory Koeppen won his lawsuit against the Lake County Fielders (independent, North American League) over unpaid payments for game-day work after team officials failed to attend Lake County Circuit Court hearings. In December, Koeppen filed suit against the Lake County Fielders and ownership Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment. “This court victory wasn’t so […]
Fielders expand lawsuit, allege conspiracy
A lawsuit over a failed Zion (Ill.) ballpark from the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) has been expanded to allege a conspiracy involving a developer and the decision to move the facility site. The original lawsuit alleges that Zion officials failed to live up to the terms of an agreement to build a […]
Illinois to Zion: Exactly where did the ballpark money go?
The State of Illinois is seeking information from Zion about whether money earmarked toward a new Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) ballpark was properly spent. It’s yet another turn in the odd ballpark odyssey that saw the Fielders and Zion scrap through most of 2011 over whether a temporary ballpark met the terms […]
Fielders: We have new plan for Zion ballpark
The Lake County Fielders ownership is pitching a new ballpark as part of a $70-million sports complex and apparently is working with a developer — but it doesn’t sound like Zion officials are listening. Elizabeth Ochoa of Ochoa Enterprises, a Chicago-area developer, showed up at last night’s Zion City Council meeting, supposedly to present a […]
The Year That Was: 2011
It was a quirky year in baseball: a season that saw limited franchise activity, reflecting the general economic malaise in the United States. Looking back, here are the most popular stories posted on Ballpark Digest in the past year, as measured by page views. 20: It’s Truck Day!The traditional beginning to the reason happens when […]
Public-address announcer files suit against Fielders
We’re not sure this will have a huge impact on the financial future of the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League), but former PA announcer Gregory Koeppen has filed suit in Lake County Circuit Court against ownership for nonpayment. “It is unfortunate I have to file a lawsuit against Rich [Ehrenreich] and the Fielders, […]
Zion official: Bottom line, Fielders didn’t pay bills
In response to a lawsuit filed by the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League), a Zion official says it’s simple why the team didn’t get a new ballpark: bills went unpaid. J. Delaine Rogers, the former economic-development director for the Illinois city, was sued by Grand Slam Sports (parent of the Fielders) along with […]
Ehrenreich suing Zion, potential Schaumburg buyers
The threatened lawsuits have been filed, as Rich Ehrenreich has filed two actions: one against the city of Zion for not building a new ballpark and one against investors who failed to consummate a purchase of the now-defunct Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League). Though the two lawsuits are filed by separate corporate entities, the commonality […]
Zion, Fielders headed for court?
After a horrific 2011 season, it doesn’t look like the city of Zion (Ill.) and the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) owners have settled their differences — and their paths may cross next in court. You know what a nightmarish season the Fielders had. Opening the 201 North American League season with a […]
Nine players, 125 fans in Zion
Last night’s Lake County Fielders-Kenosha County Fielders game in Zion was a matchup of minimums, with 125 fans on hand to cheer on nine players in home uniforms. The game was billed as a replacement for the regularly scheduled Lake County-Maui North American League matchup, scrapped after Na Koa Ikaika Maui shut down for the […]