Archives: April 23-29, 2005
Lee: Florida Senate unlikely to take up Marlins, spring-training proposals
Posted April 29, 2005
Florida Senate President Tom Lee today said there’s virtually no chance his body will take up consideration of a bill funding a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins as well as four spring-training facilities. According to Lee, about 30 of the 40 senators are dead-set against the $2 million yearly sales-tax rebate for the Marlins, with the additional spending for spring-training facilities and a NASCAR hall of fame in Daytona making things worse. The House passed the measure overwhelmingly and Gov. Jeb Bush says the measure deserves a hearing in the full Senate — two events that probably more firmly entrenched the recalcitrant Lee’s opposition to it.
Ports unveil new ballpark
Posted April 29, 2005
The newest addition to the baseball world: Banner Island Ballpark, the home of the Stockton Ports (Class A; California League). A sellout crowd of 5,278 was on hand to see the Ports hold on for a 7-4 win over the San Jose Giants. The crowd was impressive considering the weather: it rained up through Thursday afternoon before letting up in time for the game. Crews were working up to the last minute before the gates opened, but that’s pretty normal for a new-park opening. Tom Volpe, the owner of the Ports, was pretty pleased by opening night, as were the fans.
Rybak withholds endorsement of ballpark plan
Posted April 29, 2005
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak declined Thursday to endorse the Hennepin County-Minnesota Twins plan for a ballpark in the Warehouse District — no surprise, as his involvement in the planning has been zero because there’s simply no role for the mayor in a weak-mayor governmental entity to be negotiating on a county-funded project. We’re also guessing R.T.’s nose is out of joint because he wasn’t asked to be part of the photo op when the Twins and Hennepin County Commissioners announced the ballpark-funding plan. He’s probably also upset that his absence was noted by no one.
Richmond putting a squeeze play on Braves?
Posted April 29, 2005
After the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) announced its intention to work with a developer on a large project that includes a new ballpark, the rest of the development world put the desired parcel of land in play and submitted competing proposals to the city. Like the Braves, they see big potential demand for new housing and retail space in the Bottom. Unlike the Braves, most don’t see a ballpark as helping to spur development. The city is happy because the development offers come with concrete funding proposals — something the city is still anticipating from the Braves.
Missouri athlete tax bill in trouble
Posted April 29, 2005
In Missouri, a bill to tax out-of-state athletes and entertainers and then distribute part of the proceeds to sports facilities, including Kauffman Stadium, is in trouble after 84 House members says the money would be better spent on other more pressing needs, such as health care for the poor. Of course, should Missouri lose a professional sports team or two — like the Kansas City Royals — there will be no out-of-town athletes to tax.
Springdale Chamber announces plans for sports park
Posted April 29, 2005
More on the plan to bring an independent Northern League franchise to Springdale (Ark.), a metro area that also draws on the populations of Fayetteville and Bentonville. As it ends up, the press release we received yesterday on the issue made something sound more eminent that it really is: the Springdale Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a year-long study before any commitment is made to a $10 million ballpark and an adjoining hockey arena. A year to study, a year to construct…that actually sounds a little tight.
An idea pops up, a rally begins, baseball returns
Posted April 29, 2005
Last night the Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) made their debut in Bridgewater, where the expansion team won 6-2 over the Somerset Patriots. Many in Lancaster trace the origins of Clipper Magazine Stadium to a 2002 public meeting where Ed Drogaris, a developer who specializes in finding uses for old buildings, suggested building a ballpark on an old Norfolk Southern location. No one thought it was a good idea, but Grogaris kept at it until there was consensus regarding a new ballpark.
Washington Nationals try to reach out to black community
Posted April 29, 2005
One sore issue among the black community in Washington, D.C. was their treatment by the old Washington Senators: the team was one of the last to racially integrate and the Griffith family never made an effort to market to blacks, preferring instead to receive rent from Negro League teams like the Homestead Grays. The Washington Nationals are attempting to counter this history with a marketing campaign designed to reach out to D.C.’s black community, including a fund-raiser to commemorate the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers and working with various sponsors to refurbish baseball and softball fields at three inner-city parks. Frank Robinson, baseball’s first black manager, has also been promoting the team via visits to schools and YMCAs in the area.
Pitchers in charge at RFK — for now
Posted April 29, 2005
So far RFK Stadium, the home of the Washington Nationals, has been a pitchers’ park: no surprise, as the dimensions are rather spacious and the park played that way when the Washington Senators were a tenant. The issue is whether the park will change once the temperatures start to rise; historically, the humid nights in D.C. were attributed to the ballpark continuing to be a pitchers’ park during Augusts and Septembers as well. Perhaps the players expecting things to change this summer shouldn’t be anticipating too much change.
Cell tickets moving at faster clip
Posted April 29, 2005
Here’s what a fast start can do for a major-league team: the Chicago White Sox are seeing a surge in ticket sales at US Cellular Field after the team jumped out to an early lead in the American League Central. The team is expecting some big crowds for a weekend series against the Tigers, while advance sales for Sammy Sosa’s return to Chicago as a member of the Baltimore Orioles are strong as well.
Plan B, Threshers unveil TV ad campaign for 2005
Posted April 29, 2005
With Phillies Hall-of-famer Mike Schmidt not returning as manager of the Clearwater Threshers (Class A; Florida State League), the team needed a new subject for their 2005 TV Ads. So the Threshers turned to Plan B Branding to produce humorous commercials focusing on their "overly dedicated" staff. One ad features "Cliff the Clubhouse Manager" meticulously scrubbing team jerseys with a toothbrush, before he thoughtlessly places the soapy brush in his mouth to show off his spotless work. Another ad stars "Opie the Goundskeeper" who jumps off his ride-a-long mover to clip a single blade of grass the mower missed. (You can view a third spot here as well.)
NESN broadens its broadcasts
Posted April 29, 2005
NESN is making some changes to its pregame Red Sox broadcasts in order to broaden its appear past Red Sox fans. For starters, the team brought in celebrity chef Todd English to do a cooking segment featuring the preparation of flat bread chili dogs and jalapeno popcorn. English says he’ll make a combination of live and taped appearances, and might even do some traveling with the team to check out restaurant scene in cities such as Washington.
Baseball in Bangor gets the ax
Posted April 29, 2005
More on the decision by the Bangor Lumberjacks (independent; Can-Am League) to fold up shop after efforts to procure a buyer fell through. It sounds like the league stepped in to protect the fiscal integrity of the league: by rescinding the franchise, they could then control who could buy a team in the future, rather than leaving it up to a disinterested seller. The plan is to field a road team for the season and work on an eighth team for 2006. Officials in Bangor, which put public funds into a remodeling of the ballpark at Winkin Complex, are disappointed at the loss of a tenant.
Woman injured during A’s game files lawsuit
Posted April 29, 2005
It’s funny this lawsuit wasn’t filed sooner. Attorneys for the California woman hit by a chair during last September’s fracas between Rangers pitchers and Oakland fans filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking undisclosed actual and punitive damages against the club, three pitchers and the company that provided security at McAfee Stadium in Oakland. The suit may be overreaching, however: it names the Rangers specifically for negligence and for assault for failing to properly discipline the pitchers.
Broncos christen new stadium today
Posted April 29, 2005
Time for another new ballpark opening: the Santa Clara Broncos host Gonzaga tonight in the last game at multipurpose Buck Shaw Stadium, and Saturday the two teams will play the first game in Stephen Schott Stadium. The $8.6 million ballpark, made possible through a $4 million gift from former Oakland A’s owner Stephen Schott, seats 1,500 and includes training, practice and equipment facilities.
Baseball Notes
Posted April 29, 2005
The St. Paul Saints (independent; Northern League) announced the formation of a first-ever radio network that air Saints’ games. Twin Cities-based WLKX-FM (95.9) will team with WQPM-AM (1300) out of nearby Princeton to broadcast 96 games as well as any post-season contests. In addition, KDDG-FM (105.5), based in St. Cloud, will air a selected schedule of games. Kris Atteberry returns for his fourth season as the team’s lead play-by-play man. In addition to the games on the network, all games can be heard on the team’s website at www.saintsbaseball.com. In addition, all 48 home games at Midway Stadium will be televised. Anthony LaPanta returns for his 12th year as the lead play-by-play man. Dana Kiecker, the ex-Boston Red Sox pitcher, will again join LaPanta in the booth and provide color analysis as will Barry Wohler, the former University of Minnesota pitcher who spent five years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, advancing as far as AAA ball. This will be Wohler’s first summer with the Saints. Comcast Cable and KSTC-TV (Channel 45) will share the TV load again this summer. Comcast will air the 40 Monday-Saturday games and KSTC will handle the eight Sunday telecasts.
Site of Twins’ future ballpark doesn’t smell like garbage
Posted April 28, 2005
One of the biggest issues concerning a potential new Minnesota Twins ballpark is its proximity to a large garbage burner. At one point proponents were talking about moving it elsewhere in Hennepin County, but now the plan is to incorporate it in the ballpark design: electricity generated by the plant could be used to power the ballpark, while water heated by the burners could be piped to warm the grandstand and the field. (Despite what you would assume, the area around the garbage burner doesn’t smell like garbage — the August Publications office is only a few blocks from the facility, and we’ve never noticed anything out of the ordinary — while air quality is unaffected by the burning garbage, which scrubs the output air clean.) Also proposed: showcasing renewable energy with wind vanes (the ballpark location is in a pretty active wind tunnel) and using recyclable containers for concessions. More from AP.
Springdale announces ballpark for Northern League franchise
Posted April 28, 2005
National Sports Services announced its intention to build a 6,000-seat ballpark in Springdale, Ark., for an independent Northern League franchise, with an opening slated for 2007. Participating in the project: HOK Sports + Venue + Entertainment (S+V+E), International Facilities Group, Convention, Sports & Leisure, and Anderson Economic Group. Springdale may not be a larger city, but it’s close to Bentonville, home of Wal-Mart and several other corporate offices.
Marlins ballpark funding gets to first base
Posted April 28, 2005
More on the vote by the Florida House to authorize a $2 million yearly sales-tax rebate to the Florida Marlins as part of new-ballpark funding. The House passed the measure in a pretty convincing manner — 90-28 — but Senate President Tom Lee later dubbed the measure a ”long shot” in his chamber, tossing the team’s bid for a Miami ballpark into turmoil with little more than a week left in the legislative session. Procedurally, the Senate would need to waive its rules to hear the House measure, and there may not even be enough support to do that, even though Gov. Jeb Bush says the bill deserves a fair hearing.
Can-Am League terminates Bangor franchise
Posted April 28, 2005
The Can-Am League Board of Directors voted to terminate the membership of the Bangor Lumberjacks. Bangor club ownership had announced that they would not be able to operate for the 2005 season. The league will operate an eighth team as a road team for the 2005 season. The team will be known as the Grays, a name taken from one of the inaugural Can-Am League teams of 1936. The schedule as already released will remain intact. However, those games originally scheduled for Bangor will be played at the home of the team scheduled to be the visiting team; the Grays will be the home team for those games.