Archives: July 2-July 8, 2005
D.C. Council members push bid of Nats suitor Ledecky
Posted July 8, 2005
This could make for a fascinating political showdown. Four D.C. Council members, including Marion Barry (who had earlier vowed to derail plans for a new ballpark), announced yesterday that they are supporting local entrepreneur Jonathan Ledecky’s bid to buy the Washington Nationals, saying he would provide new resources for the city. The reason for the support: the four feel Ledecky can bridge a sharp divide on the council over the public financing of a new ballpark. Major League Baseball officials have privately expressed concern that the project could be delayed by some council members — including some supporting Ledecky — opposing public funding of a ballpark, even though a financing package was approved late last year. If Ledecky’s group is selected, the opposition could back off. But that award could come at a different price: Ledecky’s group is associated with Democratic political figures and includes financier George Soros, funding of various left-wing political groups (including the controversial MoveOn.org). Several members of Congress have hinted at some sort of political retribution against MLB and its antitrust exemption should any group that includes Soros be sold the Nationals. In addition, Mayor Anthony Williams supports a bid from a group of well-connected Republicans that includes former Nixon aide Fred Malek and former secretary of state Colin Powell. More from the Washington Times.
Olympics to drop baseball and softball in 2012
Posted July 8, 2005
Well, it’s probably better New York City didn’t land the 2012 Summer Olympics anyway, as the International Olympic Committee voted yesterday to drop baseball from the 2012 lineup, as the lack of professional players limited the sport’s popularity. Baseball and softball, which will remain on the program for the 2008 Beijing Games, are the first sports eliminated from the Games since polo in 1936.
Spelius: Simmons has no deal for Midwest League team
Posted July 8, 2005
Class A Midwest League President George Spelius says Marion (Ill.) attorney John Simmons has submitted no paperwork about a possible purchase and move of an existing Midwest League, despite Simmons’ comments a few weeks ago about a deal being in place. Speluis sent a letter to Simmons a week ago asking for more information about his purchase plans and requesting that "he take the proper steps" if he’s actually buying a team. Simmons also owns the Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A; Sally League).
Yonkers Council designates developer for ballpark, riverfront
Posted July 8, 2005
The Yonkers City Council last night designated Baltimore-based Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse the city’s preferred master developer for an expansion of downtown and the city’s Hudson riverfront, including the city’s long-held vision for a downtown minor-league ballpark. The council voted in favor of the designation, which gives Struever Bros. exclusive rights to put together a master plan for the area. The move again puts the ball in play for the long-delayed ballpark project proposed for the city-owned parking lot known as Chicken Island. The $1.2 billion plan includes opening up stretches of the Saw Mill River that currently run underneath parts of downtown, and building housing on the waterfront. The ballpark is slated to house an independent Atlantic League team.
Firm buys more land by D.C. ballpark site
Posted July 8, 2005
Developer Monument Realty LLC said yesterday that it now controls nearly half of an eight-acre parcel that it needs to build a major office, residential and retail complex near the site of the proposed Washington Nationals ballpark in Southeast D.C., after acquiring a small lot near South Capitol and N streets SE. The bigger story, however, is how the ballpark is already attracting an infusion of capital to a rundown area: "It’s the new sandbox where everybody wants to play," says "Chip" Akridge III, chair of the John Akridge Cos., who built Gallery Place downtown and is also seeking development opportunities near the ballpark. "It’s where the next big wave of development is going to happen. The stadium is a blight buster." More on the phenomenal success of the Washington Nationals from the Denver Post.
Security level for All-Stars won’t change
Posted July 8, 2005
An terrorist attack on the All-Star Game — a celebration of America’s National Pastime — can never be ruled out, but even before yesterday’s London train and bus bombings MLB officials were planning some pretty tight security measures in Detroit’s Comerica Park. Among other things, state, federal and local law enforcement agencies will be patrolling Detroit’s air, waterways and land for the next five days, city officials said. A no-fly zone will be established over the ballpark and a no-boating zone along the Detroit River near Comerica. Meanwhile, security was tightened at RFK Stadium last night as well.
Thunder play hard, amuse fans
Posted July 8, 2005
Here’s a look at Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) games at Waterfront Park. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the New York Yankees and has been one of the top attractions in minor-league baseball for several years now. Best of all, the ballpark acts as an unofficial city center when the Thunder plays; there are quotes from residents who love the community atmosphere.
RedWolves set Coastal Plain League attendance record
Posted July 8, 2005
The Florence RedWolves set a Coastal Plain League record with attendance of over 4,984 for Monday night’s game against the Wilson Tobs. It was due to many conditions: the team offered $2 admission, a Green Beret parachute team from Fort Bragg, N.C., dropped in with a ceremonial game ball, and a fireworks show started shortly after the RedWolves defeated the Tobs 5-4 in 10 innings. However, attendance in the Coastal Plain League is clearly up this season, and through 12 home dates, Florence has drawn 20,335, or 1,694 per game.
No runs, no hits, no Arrows
Posted July 8, 2005
Here’s a look back on the bid from Indianapolis to acquire a MLB team 20 years ago. Indianapolis talked with several owners about a move — including those from Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Oakland — but in the end two things killed the bid for the Indianapolis Arrows: the lack of a ballpark (the Hoosier Dome could not be converted to baseball) and opposition from teams within a short drive of Indy. In the end, the city got a great ballpark — Victory Field — and lots of support for the Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League).
HWS Group buys Modesto Nuts
Posted July 7, 2005
The HWS Group, led by managing partner Michael Savit, has purchased the majority interest in the Modesto Nuts (Class A; California League). Pending California League approval and Minor League Baseball approval, the HWS Group will assume control of the franchise on October 1, 2005. The HWS Group will be led by managing partner Michael Savit. The HWS Group has owned several minor-league baseball teams, including the Augusta Greenjackets (Class A; Sally League), Michigan Battle Cats (Class A; Midwest League); the firm currently owns and operates the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League). More from the Modesto Bee, including a pledge by Savit not to move the team from John Thurman Field.
Yonkers ballpark developer under review
Posted July 7, 2005
The Yonkers (N.Y.) City Council will vote tonight whether to select Struever Fidelco Yonkers LLC as the approved sponsor for an independent Atlantic League ballpark project in Getty Square and for a greater redevelopment project along the city’s west side. The designation would give the developer exclusive rights to submit detailed plans on a vast $1.2 billion project that was proposed in March and includes housing, stores and parkland. The developer, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse of Baltimore, envisions not only a 6,461-seat stadium, but some 3,200 residential units, 200,000 square feet of retail space, 310,000 square feet of parkland and 2,200 parking spaces throughout the area from Getty Square to as far south as the Ludlow Metro-North Railroad Station. This isn’t the only big ballpark-related project for Struever Bros. in the works: the firm is also working on a waterfront development in Nashville that will include a new ballpark for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League).
Moves made to improve RFK Stadium
Posted July 7, 2005
The D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission approved plans to upgrade RFK Stadium, the home of the Washington Nationals, for both players and fans. For starters, the commission will implement 24-hour security at RFK Stadium over the next 45 days to cut down on vandalism on cars left behind by players during road trips; in addition, electronic security gates and additional video surveillance will be installed. Also, the infield turf will be replaced; the Bermuda grasses originally laid never took hold, so a new blend will be used. On the fan front, the commission’s two-season food service contract with Aramark Corp. was extended by two years after the firm changed its onsite management at RFK and added new food items like ice cream and burritos. And the ballpark will generally be spiffed up: some concourses will be repainted and the lower seating bowl will be waterproofed.
Phils need to deal with park’s bandbox issue
Posted July 7, 2005
Bill Conlin looks at the dimensions at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, and declares them a joke. As you’ll recall, former Phillies manager Larry Bowa took a golf laser to the fences and found discrepancies between the posted measurements and the actual footage (though, to be honest, you shouldn’t assume the perfect accuracy of a golf laser, and some of the posted measurements were off only by a couple of feet). Still, a rethinking of the outfield fences are in order.
Pacific Coast League on pace for 7 million fans
Posted July 7, 2005
The Class AAA Pacific Coast League had over 1.5 million fans in attendance during the month of June raising its yearly total to nearly 4 million. The League average per game is up over 10 percent from 2004. With over 206,000 fans celebrating America’s Independence Day at PCL ballparks on July 3rd and 4th with fireworks displays following the games, teams averaged 12,875 fans. If the season per game average remains constant, the PCL will reach the historical milestone of seven million fans in late August.
This year’s All-Star game host city, Sacramento, leads the league in average number of fans per game at 10,178 with Memphis following closely, averaging nearly 10,000 a game. Oklahoma posts the largest per game increase from 2004, up 21.25 percent to 7,287. The newest star in the League, Round Rock, ranks second in total attendance with 434,203 and third in average at 9,649 fans per game in its inaugural Triple-A season.
The Omaha Royals tallied over 22,000 fans attending the Sunday night game and nearly 17,000 fans went out to AutoZone Park in Memphis on Monday.
The Pacific Coast League, established in 1903, has officially begun its quest for the seven-million fan milestone, which would be a first for any single circuit in a season in Minor League Baseball history.
Vandalism, neglect plague Capital City Stadium
Posted July 7, 2005
Capital City Stadium has become a haven for vandals and the homeless since the Greenville Bombers (Class A; Sally League) packed up and left for Greenville this spring. Locker rooms are wrecked by water damage and vandalism. Two-foot-high weeds have sprouted in cracks in the concrete concourse under the bleachers. And vagrants have been using a spigot just outside the right-field fence as a shower. No general maintenance has been done to the stadium since Benedict College last played there April 10, and if the condition continues to deteriorate, there’s little chance a pro or college wood-bat team could ever be lured to play there, as former Bombers GM Bill Shanahan is proposing to bring a college wood-bat Coastal Plain League team to the neglected ballpark.
‘Scout seats’ 1st class all ways
Posted July 7, 2005
The Chicago White Sox have a hit with their scout seats, a new premium-seating area that includes a pregame buffet, postgame dessert, valet parking and all the ballpark food you could want delivered quickly right to a spacious seat .The 324-seat area behind home plate already has generated more revenue than the area did to this point last year, even though only 108 season tickets were sold. Pricing ranges from $170 to $190 per seat depending on the plan.