Archives: August 20-27, 2005
Sides close on Sounds ballpark plan
Posted August 26, 2005
Nashville city officials and the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are close to finalizing a deal for a multiuse development and new ballpark. The deal, which calls for no direct taxpayer subsidy, The $43-million ballpark would be accompanied by a $180 million mix of residential, retail and office, and possibly a hotel on the former site of the Nashville Thermal Transfer Plant; the project is being headed by Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse. One interesting twist: there’s a huge limestone rock where the outfield fence of the ballpark is projected. One possibility mentioned by Alex Washburn of W Architecture would be to somehow use the rock, depending on the design of the field, into the outfield wall.
Red Sox replacing 40,000 square feet of Fenway turf after Stones concerts
Posted August 26, 2005
Here is why many groundskeepers are wary about concerts and other large group events held at ballparks during the season. The Rolling Stones played two concerts at Fenway Park to kick off their latest tour. After the last of the stage equipment was taken away, the groundskeepers assessed the damage. The turf was hurt so badly 40,000 square feet of outfield sod is being replaced. The Red Sox are also delaying the start of tonight’s game by an hour to give the crew enough time to lay down the sod.
City, counties have to play ball in Amarillo
Posted August 26, 2005
The Amarillo Globe says the city should bring back a plan to spend $100,000 on a ballpark feasibility study, but with one difference: cooperate with Potter County on the issue. Amarillo City Commission members say there’s little point to studying the future of pro baseball now that a new independent league wants to set up shop at Potter County Memorial Stadium, but the new team will have the same issues with the old, rundown ballpark encountered by the Amarillo Dillas (independent; Central League).
Upon review, baseball may not be so keen on replay
Posted August 26, 2005
There’s only been one time in major-league baseball when a call was reversed by an ump using instant replay: Frank Pulli’s viewed a replay on a monitor during a May 1999 game between the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals to rule Cliff Floyd had doubled and not homered. Technically, there’s nothing in MLB rules to prohibit the use of instant replay, but umpires and MLB officials — and most players and managers, judging by this article — just don’t want to see the human element removed from baseball. It’s the right call.
Fort Myers team milks suspension
Posted August 26, 2005
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brad Penny challenged a Florida Marlins batboy to drink a gallon on milk in less than an hour without throwing up, with $500 changing hands if he did. Well, the batboy did indeed throw up and was suspended by the Marlins, pissing off Penny (who plans on paying up on the bet anyway) and causing the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A; Florida State League) to invite the batboy to Monday’s game. They’re even creating a promotion around the incident: all children 14 and under will receive a pint of milk when entering the stadium, a cow will be stationed at the front gates, and empty milk cartons will be placed throughout the stadium so fans can make monetary donations to the batboy.
Pitcher Lasorda reflects on career
Posted August 26, 2005
One of the highlights of our spring training was dining at Tommy Lasorda’s table in Dodgertown before an evening game; he was in fine form, telling stories and entertaining the small gathering. Here’s an expanded look at Lasorda, one of the good guys of baseball: he’s a guy who paid his dues in the minors both as a player and a manager and deserved his 20-year stint as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Nats sale could come quickly now that lease is done
Posted August 25, 2005
The sale of the Washington Nationals to one of eight groups bidding for the team could happen by Labor Day now that MLB is close to finalizing a lease for a new ballpark with the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission. Both sides expect the lease to be finalized by the end of next week. Meanwhile, MLB management has been reviewing the eight bids for the team, which should go for upwards of $450 million. The final terms of the lease probably won’t affect any of the bids; MLB has been pretty upfront with the eight groups about what they can expect to see in a lease, and there don’t seem to be any last-minute snags to the deal. Meanwhile, the cost of the new Washington Nationals ballpark may be a little less than expected after engineers determined a major sewer line would not need to be rerouted.
Lehigh County raises hotel tax to build ballpark
Posted August 25, 2005
A new ballpark for an International League team in Allentown, Pa., came closer to reality when the Lehigh County board agreed to boost the levy on hotel bills from 3.5 percent to 4 percent, raising $210,000 in new annual revenue. Craig Stein and Joe Finley, owners of several Class AA and Class A teams, want to move the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) to a new 7,000-seat Allentown ballpark; they have an option to buy a 40-acre parcel from Agere and would pay the county $700,000 per year to lease the ballpark, helping repay the bonds. State and federal grants would cover $19 million in development costs, and the county would sell bonds to raise most of the rest of the money for the nearly $35 million project. More from the Express-Times.
NY-Penn League proposes early June start
Posted August 25, 2005
The short-season NY-Penn League is proposing an early June start to its season, with the season ending in late August. The proposal is before MiLB and MLB, who must both approve. No word on whether the change could be implemented in time for 2006 or would be implemented in 2007, or whether the Northwest League wants to follow suit. If the short seasons were to start early and the draft moved back in recognition of the NCAA season lasting to the end of June, player development would need to reevaluated — which is an argument for the Appy League to remain the way it is.
Logan, Uecker synonymous with Milwaukee baseball
Posted August 25, 2005
The Milwaukee Brewers are honoring Johnny Logan and Bob Uecker this weekend as the Brew Crew host the Atlanta Braves (the former Milwaukee Braves, of course). Logan played shortstop for the Braves and stayed in Milwaukee, spending time as a broadcaster, running for sheriff and scouting for the Brewers. Uecker, of course, really is Mr. Baseball is Milwaukee; we know him from his Miller Beer commercials and appearances in the Major League movies, but he’s a top-notch broadcaster.
Lake Elsinore ballpark bidders pitch their plans
Posted August 25, 2005
Two firms pitched their plans to privatize The Diamond, the home of the Lake Elsinore Storm (Class A; California League). One group was led by Storm owner Gary Jacobs, who wants to see the ballpark used more in the offseason with concerts, swap meets, festivals and other events. Both groups mentioned development of the area around the ballpark as a way for the city to cut down its annual $600,000 deficit.
Amarillo nixes ballpark feasibility study
Posted August 25, 2005
Saying the money could be better spent on police officers, the Amarillo City Commission decided to scrap plans to spend $100,000 on a feasibility study concerning a new ballpark in the city. With a new independent league ready to set up shop at Potter County Memorial Stadium, there’s little impetus to spend city money on a study, much less build a new ballpark to lure a team. Besides, some commission members figured out exactly what would happen: such feasibility studies always recommend the building of a new ballpark.
Sox eye stopping epithet: Yankees T-shirt nixed
Posted August 25, 2005
How much free speech is too much? The management of the Boston Red Sox is struggling with the issue as the team considers asking fans not to wear "Yankees Suck" T-shirts inside Fenway Park. You see Red Sox fans wearing these T-shirts even when the Kansas City Royals are in town, so it’s not really clear fans are trying to provoke fights in the stands. Still, with some saying unruly behavior is rampant at the old ballpark, the Red Sox are having ushers request fans turn the "Yankees Suck" T-shirts inside out.
A community institution in Myrtle Beach
Posted August 25, 2005
Coastal Federal Field, the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A; Carolina League), is an institution among Myrtle Beach residents. The Pelicans break the old adage that baseball teams won’t be successful in towns that rely heavily on the tourist economy, but the Pelicans are successful because they eschew the tourists and appeal directly to locals.
Freedom sees success, growth this year
Posted August 25, 2005
With the end of the season looming — how time flies! — the Florence Freedom (independent; Frontier League) are close to reaching their goal of 1,900 fans a game, averaging 1,850. The team will lose $300,000 this season, mostly because expected corporate support did not materialize. Owner Clint Brown is looking at tinkering with Champion Window Field in the offseason, moving a bar closer to the stands and adding four air-conditioned suites that can be used year-round.
Maine baseball worth a kid’s-eye view
Posted August 25, 2005
A writer from Boston.com visits Hadlock Field, the home of the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League), and pronounces it a family-friendly environment. The Sea Dogs emphasize the working agreement with the Boston Red Sox; the BoSox were smart to shift affiliation there, creating a new generation of Red Sox fans to the north. Most of the account of this game is pretty boring if you’ve ever been to a baseball game, however. (Thanks to John Cerone.)