Archives: July 16-July 22, 2005
Judge dismisses suit against D.C. ballpark
Posted July 22, 2005
In a little-noted decision, a D.C. Superior Judge threw out a lawsuit from a bar owner in Southwest Washington who sought to derail the eminent-domain process used to acquire land for a new Washington Nationals ballpark. The bar owner, Robert Siegel, had sought to stop development by challenging the ballpark-financing process used by the D.C. Council. Judge Geoffrey Alprin ruled Siegel had no standing to challenge the process because eminent-domain proceedings had not yet begun, and when they do, his only legal recourse is to challenge the valuation of his property. Siegel says he’ll file another lawsuit once eminent-domain proceedings begin, but given the Supreme Court’s affirmation of eminent domain this year, it’s hard to see such a lawsuit gaining traction. Speaking of the Nationals: the team found out the distance markers on the field at RFK Stadium were wrong: the power alleys (marked as 380 feet) were actually 394 feet. Apparently the fence padding was hung in the wrong spots.
Sparks still in hunt for Triple-A team
Posted July 22, 2005
After doing much of the hard work — arranging partial financing for a new ballpark — a group from Reno is still searching for a local investor to buy and move a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team there in 2007. The Tacoma Rainiers have been on the block for (seemingly) years and would be the most likely target.
City Hall’s costly loss at SBC Park
Posted July 22, 2005
San Francisco’s Assessment Appeals Board ruled Wednesday that the San Francisco Giants were entitled to a lower assessed value of SBC Park for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003, forcing the city to refund the baseball team about $3.6 million, when interest is factored in. The Giants had argued SBC Park was worth between $162 million and $170 million, while The city maintained it was worth between $321 million and $325 million. The Assessment Appeals Board, which is charged with settling such conflicts, set the value at between $230 million and $236 million, depending on the year.
Cobb proposals narrowed to 2
Posted July 22, 2005
A Billings city committee settled on two finalists to oversee redevelopment of Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League). HNTB Architects (CTA Architects Engineers of Billings) and VCBO Architects of Salt Lake City (working with Bauer Group Architects of Billings). A finalist will be chosen next Tuesday. The winning firm will need to map out a strategy for paying for a replacement ballpark as well as designing it.
Baseball owns Nationals, but Bygone Sports claims the name
Posted July 22, 2005
Bygone Sports LLC has filed suit against Major League Baseball and Baseball Montreal, LLC, alleging they control the name "Washington Nationals" through a 2002 trademark filing. Both sides are suing one another. Considering the logo to the right dates back to 1930 (remember, the Senators were originally incorporated as the Washington Nationals and didn’t legally change the team name until the 1950s), it’s hard to see Bygone Sports having a hell’s chance of winning the suit. MLB says Bygone Sports is trying to "turn a quick, undeserved profit" by seeking trademark registration rights to the club’s name.
Northern League feels growing pains
Posted July 22, 2005
More on the problems experienced by the expansion Edmonton and Calgary teams in the independent Northern League. In Edmonton, GM Mel Kowalchuk and his assistant, Fraser Murray, are both leaving the team at the end of the month, as both apparently wearied of constant battles with owner Dan Orlich. In Calgary, the team barely draws 1,000 fans a game. The Northern League says they’re committed to the two markets for now.
If you bill it around faith, they will certainly come
Posted July 22, 2005
Here’s a story on one of the hottest trends in the minors: faith nights, where teams market games to church groups by offering Christian rock concerts or Biblical bobbleheads. The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) certainly pioneered the practice last season, and it’s been picked up by several teams this season.
York hires ballpark consultant
Posted July 22, 2005
An expert consultant, hired to facilitate building a $28-million ballpark in York, Pa., will cost $18,750 more than the lowest offer after the city’s redevelopment authority decided to spend more money to go with experience. In a 3-0 decision Thursday, the authority hired Murphy & Dittenhafer of York for $43,750 to complete a physical environment vision study for the Arch Street neighborhood, the location of a proposed 6,000-seat ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team. While having the third-highest offer out of five proposals, Murphy & Dittenhafer was considered the most qualified engineering and consulting firm based on a rating scale established by city planning and redevelopment staff.
Moving rumors reopen in Columbia
Posted July 22, 2005
More on rumors concerning a franchise shift involving the Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally League) and the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League). Ownership of the Diamond Jaxx have expressed interest in the Columbia, S.C., market (as well as Orlando and Louisiana markets), but were told by a developer he was working exclusively with another team. Catfish owner David Heller denies the rumors he’s moving the Catfish to Jackson, Tenn. and then buying and moving the Diamond Jaxx to Columbia: "I have zero interest in moving [the Catfish] to Jackson or anywhere else in Tennessee," Heller said. "The chances of the team moving to Jackson or anywhere else in Tennessee is the day after never. The South Atlantic League wouldn’t allow it, and it would be way out of the league’s geography."
River Bats unveil ballpark plans
Posted July 22, 2005
St. Cloud River Bats (college wood bat; Northwoods League) owner Joel Sutherland last night unveiled plans for a new 3,700-seat ballpark in St. Joseph, Minn., on the western edge of the St. Cloud area. The presentation, under review by the city, marks the first of a series of meetings and hearings to be conducted before the development is approved. The River Bats currently play at Dick Putz Field, but differences with city management led Sutherland to seek a new home.
Construction begins on Riverfront Stadium addition
Posted July 22, 2005
Demolition crews arrived on Wednesday morning at Riverfront Stadium, the home of the Waterloo Bucks (college wood bat; Northwoods League), to begin digging for the new addition on the third-base side. Fans will be asked to enter on the first-base side of the stadium for Bucks games. The project will not close down any of the Bucks’ existing concession stands.
The work is part of a two-phase renovation of the ballpark. Over a million dollars is being included in the City’s Five Year Capital Improvement Program for stadium renovations to be used along with grants, donations and in-house labor to complete the makeover of Riverfront Stadium.
The first phase of construction will consist of a new entrance and restroom building for the 59-year-old venue. Four new ticket windows will greet patrons as they enter the stadium. A new structure on the third base side of the stadium will house a concessions stand along with new restrooms. The current plans call for additional restrooms that will add nearly 40 women’s fixtures and 20 men’s fixtures.
Expos’ name game attracts thousands of ideas
Posted July 22, 2005
A contest to rename the Vermont Expos (short season; NY-Penn League) has already been a success, with fans submitting thousands of names to team management: there have been over 15,000 e-mail submissions, with another 15,000 or so paper submissions still needing to be read. Fans have until Sunday to chime in, either by using the ballots at the ballpark or on the Internet at www.nameyourteam.com.
Development proposal home run for Holyoke
Posted July 22, 2005
For an area that’s fought the idea of affiliated baseball for years now, folks in the greater Springfield/Holyoke area are sure taking to the idea of a larger development anchored by a new ballpark for the Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League). The proposed development from Mandalay Sports calls for a 6,500-seat ballpark, 73 high-density homes, 255 apartments, a hotel and 75,000 square feet of office and retail space.
Fans get more than a game at scenic Camden field
Posted July 22, 2005
Here’s a look at Campbell’s Field, the home of the Camden Riversharks (independent; Atlantic League). With a view of the Philadelphia skyline from across the Delaware River, it’s certainly one of the better-situated ballparks in the minors. And, given the shaky finances of the team in recent years, it’s good to see things on financially solid ground.
They’re safe without peanuts and Cracker Jack
Posted July 22, 2005
Every minor-league team should do this once a year. On Monday night the St. Paul Saints (independent; Northern League) are setting up a special no-food zone to allow people with food allergies (such as allergies to peanuts and other nuts) to attend the game; if it goes well the team may do it more often. Despite what the ill-informed reporter from the Pioneer Press says, the Saints aren’t the first team to do this.
Fenway facelift to hit $100M
Posted July 21, 2005
The Boston Red Sox are on course to pump nearly $100 million into new seats, concessions and concourses at Fenway Park as the team’s owners dramatically upgrade the antique ballpark. This spring, the Sox owners announced a long-term commitment to baseball’s oldest and smallest ballpark that includes adding thousands of high-priced seats over the next few years. The news here is the total cost of the renovations to Fenway Park. There are some financial reasons for the investment: the Red Sox can charge more for the same number of seats; it’s a lot cheaper than building a new ballpark; and money spent on the ballpark can be deducted from the revenue-sharing the Red Sox are forced to pay other MLB teams.
Businessman working to bring Northern League team to Holland
Posted July 21, 2005
SunCoast Sports co-founder and Holland (Mich.) resident Ed Mayo Jr. announced that the company is bidding to bring an expansion Northern League franchise to Holland for the 2007 season. If Holland receives a franchise, SunCoast and the owner of Holland Town Center — Horizon Group — plan to build a 4,200-seat ballpark near the Holland Township shopping center, Mayo said. The complex would be built with $10 million to $12 million in private funds, he said. Holland is located near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the western part of Michigan. We would suggest a team name of the Dutchmen if the town does land a franchise. On a serious side, the city’s proximity to South Bend would make operational sense for the league if it does indeed land a lease for Covaleski Stadium. The ownership of the West Michigan Whitecaps isn’t too worried about the Northern League moving into his turf.
A rush act for NLR ballpark
Posted July 21, 2005
More on the voting for a sales-tax hike in North Little Rock to pay for a new ballpark for the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League), with some reservations about the timing of the vote. Only in America do some think issues require months and months of debate: our presidential elections are drawn out to the point where people get turned off the process (look at how Canada and Great Britain elect leaders for a more workable model), and given the rather straightforward nature of this vote, it’s hard to argue it should be delayed for further discussion. However, there is another valid argument here: the August timing will keep turnout down because it’s not a normal time for an election.
Ambience a hit, food enjoyable at ballpark
Posted July 21, 2005
A restaurant reviewer checks out the food offerings at First Horizon Field, the home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Class A; Sally League) and proclaims them tasty. Worth mention: the grilled bratwurst and and the chicken burrito. Even better than the food, however, was the ambiance. Yeah, yeah, I know we’ve got to get down there for a game this season.