Archives: April 16-22, 2005
Selig doesn’t rule out Marlins move if new ballpark isn’t built
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig doesn’t rule out a move of the Florida Marlins should the state not provide a yearly sales-tax rebate toward a new ballpark, saying there’s nothing to keep the team in Miami. The statement isn’t surprising in and of itself, as Selig stressed the preference would be to keep the team in Florida, but the timing certainly can’t be an accident, given that funding prospects at the Florida Legislature recently stalled. Many in baseball were impressed by Las Vegas’s attempts to lure the Montreal Expos, and there would probably be little opposition in baseball should owner Jeffrey Loria pull the trigger on a westward move.
Sounds deal stalls, but still in play
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A $90-million plan to bring a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark and other development to downtown Nashville is still on, despite the passing of a city deadline to close the deal. As it stands now, a consortium of banks and other lenders would assume all the risk associated with the ballpark and development, leaving city taxpayers free and clear — the main goal of the Bill Purcell administration. Metro will provide 16 acres of riverfront property and own the ballpark. The city will also offer standard development incentives like tax increment financing (TIF), which uses increase in property taxes to help pay off the financing. Once satisfied, Mayor Purcell will recommend the mixed-use development to Metro Council. Metro Finance Director David Manning said he hopes that can occur before summer.
Bronx Beep goes to bat for new Yankee Stadium
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion says he supports a new ballpark for the New York Yankees (not a surprising stand, as he’s consistently supported a new ballpark), but of course there are a few strings attached: he wants to make sure the deal gives a little back to the surrounding neighborhood. Carrion’s involvement in the ballpark will be mostly symbolic — the deal is being negotiated by the city, the state and the team — but he certainly can sway public opinion for or against the project.
Santa Fe Community College passes on hosting FSL team
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gainesville’s Santa Fe Community College has informed Main Street Baseball that it will not be part of a plan to bring a county-owned ballpark to Gainesville to house a Class A Florida State League team, Ballpark funding will primarily come from a one-cent increase in the hotel-motel tax by the Alachua County Commission, based on the recommendation of the Alachua Tourist Development Council. This means Main Street Baseball, which also owns the Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally League), will need to find another site in the Gainesville area for the ballpark.
Comcast sues Orioles over television rights
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Nationals suffered some collateral damage when cable giant Comcast sued the Baltimore Orioles over the founding of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Comcast claims he Orioles be prevented from moving their games from Comcast SportsNet to MASN at the end of the club’s current television contract in 2006 without giving the network a chance to match the deal, a right Comcast says is included in the contract. In the meantime, Comcast says it will not carry MASN at all — which means local cable fans won’t have a chance to see Nationals games. Meanwhile, it looks like the Baltimore Orioles are surviving in the face of new competition: attendance was up significantly at the team’s first homestand.
Governor vetoes visit to Ports’ home opener
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will not throw out the first pitch when the Stockton Ports (Class A; California League) opens its new ballpark on April 28. Ports owner Tom Volpe had invited Schwarzenegger to be part of the opening festivities, but the governor’s office cited other responsibilities in declining the invite. Sounds like the Ports were expecting the snub and have made alternate plans for opening festivities.
Lake Elsinore hawks The Diamond
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After one attempt to privatize The Diamond, the home of the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class A; California League), fell through, city officials decided they will more aggressively market the ballpark to investors who could take over or operate the minor-league facility. To reach a wider market place, the agency recently approved requesting proposals from qualified investors and letting them know about the opportunity by publishing full-color advertisements or multipage inserts in three nationwide industry publications catering to the sports business community.
Diamond status: a little soft
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After rainy weather and poor drainage led the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) to cancel several games last fall, Richmond spent $418,000 to get the field redone during the winter. A grade difference of almost two feet in the outfield was corrected, more than 100 loads of dirt were trucked in, sand and a drying agent were blended with the existing soil, more than a mile of drainage pipe was installed and 2.3 acres of new sod was put down. The work paid off: after a day of steady rain yesterday, team officials said the new draining system worked as it should, for the most part.
Saying ‘no way’ to the Say Hey Kid
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A move to honor Willie Mays in Hagerstown, Md., where he made his minor-league debut catcalls and racial jeers, has been dropped after local veterans’ groups objected to the renaming of Memorial Boulevard. Apparently Memorial is the only tribute to veterans in the city, and they did not want to see the street renamed Willie Mays Way. The street is a natural for renaming: it starts at Municipal Stadium, the ballpark where Mays made his pro debut and the current home of the Hagerstown Suns (Class A; Sally League).
Where are the fans in Kinston?
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Attendance is down at Kinston Indians (Class A; Carolina League) games: the team drew 2,720 on opening night and only 686 fans in the next five games. Chilly and rainy weather was a large factor in the attendance drop (last year the Indians drew 4.000-plus on opening night), but the fact remains Kinston is one of the smaller markets in long-season ball.
A major success: All East Carolina’s gorgeous baseball field needs is better team
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Clark-LeClair Stadium, the new home of the East Carolina State Pirates, opened this season to wide acclaim: the $10-million ballpark features booths for TV and radio broadcasts, an expanded press box complete with wireless access and high-speed Internet and offices for the coaching staff. The stands have seating for about 3,000 people, nearly double what the old one held, with chair backs for a large portion of those. An elevated hill beyond the outfield fence allows hundreds more to enjoy the action from what has been dubbed the "Jungle."
Players like light at U-M’s stadium
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ray Fisher Stadium, the home of the University of Michigan Wolverines (who trail the Minnesota Golden Gophers by three games in the Big Ten standings), will host its first game under the lights tonight. A former Wolverine wrote a check for $375,000 for the lights – the only condition being that he remain anonymous. Half of the Big Ten’s 10 baseball programs now have lights.
Baseball Notes
Posted April 22, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) and WLPA Radio have reached an agreement to have 50 inaugural season Barnstormers games broadcast on 1490 WLPA-AM, Sporting News Radio. All 140 games will be webcast through the Barnstormers website and SportsJuice.com. The 50-game WLPA schedule includes the Barnstormers first-ever game against the Somerset Patriots on April 28 and the inaugural game at Clipper Magazine Stadium on May 11. There will be a 15-minute pre-game show for all over-the-air games and a five-minute opener for web-only broadcasts. Coverage on WLPA will begin at 6:30 for the May 11 home opener. Calling the games will be Dave Collins, who has been broadcasting minor league baseball games since 1982. Most recently, Collins was the Voice of the Bowie Baysox (Class AA; Eastern League), serving as broadcaster from 1993-2001….Brian Irizarry has been named broadcaster for the New Haven County Cutters (independent; Can-Am League). Irizarry started working behind the microphone during his college days when he provided the play-by-play for the Herkimer County (N.Y.) Community College soccer and lacrosse teams in addition to doing a weekly "Sports Update" show. The Hopewell Junction, NY native moved on to the State University of New York at Oswego and was active on the school’s radio and television channels, covering men and women’s basketball, hockey and baseball. Irizarry will be broadcasting every Cutters game over the Internet. Listeners can go to www.CuttersBaseball.com starting May 26 at 7 p.m. to catch all the action
The Marlins’ toughest foe: Tallahassee
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Most associated with the Florida Marlins’ bid for state financing of a new ballpark assumed passage this session, but now the proposal to issue $2 million yearly in sales-tax rebates is in serious jeopardy after Florida state Senate president Tom Lee said the plan was on life support. An influential House committee chair refuses to hear the measure, and no one — including Gov. Jeb Bush — seems inclined to fight for the measure. The Marlins are seeking the state aid to fill in the final piece of ballpark financing, with the team and the city putting up the vast majority of funding. The issue was complicated when H. Wayne Huizenga said he would not kick the Marlins out of Dolphins Stadium in 2011 (despite earlier statements to the contrary), although he’s not made that same offer directly to the team. Will the Marlins stay in Miami should state funding not be forthcoming? That’s the multimillion-dollar question — and before all is said and done you can bet Las Vegas Oscar Goodman will weigh in on the issue.
Roadrunners pay rent; city still says no
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Despite coming up with a $36,200 payment to clear up back rent and unpaid fees for the use of Edinburg Baseball Stadium, the Edinburg Roadrunners (independent; Central Baseball League) are still without a home after another city agency stepped up and said the team had additional unpaid bills. The Edinburg Economic Development Corp. claims the team owes more than $16,000 on a loan to pay for the outfield scoreboard at the stadium. The team should pay $21,400 each year for seven years, but has not made a payment since October 2004. In addition, the corporation claims the team owes 10 percent of revenues from advertising the team runs on the video scoreboard. As a result, city officials say the lease for the ballpark is still revoked, leaving the league in an awkward position as it begins the season shortly, although it looks like some sort of agreement can be reached — the team’s front office is still working at the ballpark.
New Rockford ballpark opening delayed
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The opening of the new Rockford Riverhawks (independent; Frontier League) will be delayed until July by a month as the team prepares to open the season at Marinelli Park. The RiverHawks now anticipate a July opening no later than immediately following the all-star break, which begins July 12. Team officials say reasons for the delay include overruns in cost estimates, reengineering needs and a harsh and wet winter. Excavation and the installation of the sewage system are complete, but soil issues delayed some of the early stages of work. Because the water-table density on the third-base side of the stadium was substantially heavier, 50,000 additional cubic yards of additional fill had to be hauled. Other design changes include the addition of outfield seats and the elimination of berm seating.
MLB clears Sheffield for scuffling with fan
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield won’t be punished for his role in a scuffle with fans at Fenway Park last week. Bob Watson, baseball’s vice president in charge of discipline, made the decision yesterday, a day after meeting with Sheffield and the rightfielder’s agent at Yankee Stadium. The reasoning was simple: the fan reached into the field of play and initiated contact with Sheffield. Meanwhile, Boston police yesterday filed applications for misdemeanor criminal charges against two fans — one who allegedly made contact with Sheffield and another who allegedly tossed a beer at him.
Man critically injured in RFK Stadium fall
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A fan was critically injured after falling from the top level of RFK Stadium during Wednesday night’s Nationals-Braves game. He fell from a ramp on the 500 level of the ballpark, hitting several ramps and railings during his fall before landing on the 100 level. The fan was leaning over a railing and looking at the ballpark before apparently losing his balance. Officials are investigating whether the fan was intoxicated.
Trolley bus service planned for ballpark
Posted April 21, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Fans attending Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) games this season should have an easier time going to and from the ballpark as two Red Rose Transit Authority trolley buses could be available to shuttle fans from the ballpark to downtown parking garages and RRTA’s Manheim Avenue park-and-ride lot. The RRTA board of directors will take up the trolley-bus proposal tonight to establish a ballpark stop. Meanwhile, the team unveiled its concession menu, which has a huge emphasis on locally produced products, like Stoudt’s beer and Kunzler and Co. franks. And, of course, whoopie pie is on the menu.
Las Vegas tattooed ladies, Elvis avoid G-word, entice pro team
Posted April 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There is no doubt Las Vegas will land a major-league sports team in the next five years: the only issue is whether it’s an NBA team or a MLB team. We all remember Las Vegas Oscar Goodman crashing the baseball winter meetings — flanked with showgirls and Elvis impersonators — in his attempt to persuade MLB’s powers-that-be about the desirability of Vegas as a home for the Montreal Expos. He failed, but we hear he did make quite an impression on many within baseball about Vegas’ ability to support a team. It’s pretty clear that two teams — the Florida Marlins and the Oakland Athletics — may be looking for new homes within the next year should new ballparks not be forthcoming, and Marlins officials have already met with Goodman. Whether Goodman can actually deliver a new ballpark is another issue: as mayor of Las Vegas, he actually has little sway outside of the city proper (remember, Las Vegas city limits end at Sahara Avenue and the more desirable part of Las Vegas — the area surrounding the Strip — comes under the jurisdiction of Clark County), and surely any team looking to move to Vegas would not want a ballpark to be located downtown. (Some major casino owners, including Steve Wynn, oppose bringing a MLB team to the Strip.) Major-league sports have looked down on Vegas because of the gambling issue, but with the expansion of Indian gaming across the nation and the relative lack of sports-book business on both baseball and basketball (football and horse-racing wagers account for more than half of sports-book business), some feel it’s become less of an issue. Many are predicting the NBA will beat MLB to putting a team in Vegas — with the Sacramento Kings frequently rumored as the team most likely to move — but MLB would be the sport with the most to gain from a Vegas team: Vegas is hot and trendy right now, and MLB could always use some of that glitz to position the sport with the younger demographics.
Group keeps dream of luring pro baseball to Reno area alive
Posted April 20, 2005 (feedback) (submit story) (<