Archives: Jan. 8-14, 2006
It’s official: Midland group buying SW Michigan D-Rays
Posted January 13, 2006
Bill Stavropoulos, chairman of the board of The Dow Chemical Co., said that the newly formed non-profit Michigan Baseball Foundation is close to buying the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Class A; Midwest League), and will begin building a HOK-designed ballpark this April that will be finished in time for the team to play in Midland in 2007. The ballpark is projected to cost between $18 million and $25 million, and will be partially funded by several local foundations. Site plans will be submitted Jan. 16, 2006, to the City of Midland for construction of the stadium on a 20-acre parcel of land immediately adjacent to Business US-10, east of State Street and south of Buttles Street. The Dow Chemical Company owns the land and recently submitted a request to the city to rezone the parcel. Dow has agreed to lease it to the foundation for a nominal annual fee. The Midwest League, MiLB and MLB all must sign off on the deal. More from the Battle Creek Enquirer, which reports local fans don’t seem too upset about losing pro baseball. More from the Kalamazoo Gazette, which speculates on how this affects the Kalamazoo Kings (independent; Frontier League) after the 2006 season. Folks in nearby Bay City, who had sought a Midwest League team in the past, were disappointed.
Jaxx, city settle lease deal
Posted January 13, 2006
After attempting several contractual squeeze plays against the owners of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League), Jackson’s City Council members relented Thursday, voting unanimously to accept the latest Pringles Park lease agreement, submitted on Dec. 30 by Lozinak Baseball Properties. The three-year lease (with no extension) includes early termination penalties of $500,000 and $250,000 should the Jaxx leave after the 2006 and 2007 season, respectively and ends the city’s $1.6 million lawsuit against the team for the early termination of its previous ballpark lease. More importantly, it clears the way for Overtime Sports to buy the team. Council members had attempted earlier to force Jaxx owners into a long-term lease that would have included more severe early termination penalties. This gives Jackson three years to prove it can support minor-league baseball.
Residents share ideas on proposed Nashville ballpark
Posted January 13, 2006
Nashville residents got another chance to discuss the proposed new downtown ballpark for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), and their responses were fairly predictable: they were worried about parking and the appropriateness of using a prime downtown waterfront site for the ballpark. There were also concerns about the financing; the ballpark is partially financed using tax-increment financing and a sales-tax rebate. And, of course, there were the usual complaints about rich and greedy baseball owners not deserving a ballpark.
Replace the Dome or lose Twins
Posted January 13, 2006
Here are the standard but sound arguments for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in downtown Minneapolis, financed via a 0.15 percent sales tax in Hennepin County (excluding food and clothing purchases). The interesting thing is that they’re being made by a fiscally conservative aide to Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. The ballpark issue represents a conundrum these days to Minnesota politicians: there are the usually lefty factions and rock-ribbed conservatives decrying corporate welfare. In the middle is a group of fairly moderate lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who see polls saying the public opposes public financing of ballparks — and then see election results where strongly pro-ballpark candidates were elected in special elections. It would be interesting to see a poll on the subject that went into the specifics of the financing and past just a general sentiment about ballpark financing.
Council considers consultant on new Nats ballpark
Posted January 13, 2006
The D.C. Council met for more than four hours yesterday to discuss several proposals designed to improve the conditions of a lease agreement for the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark in Southeast, including hiring an outside consultant and possibly allowing Major League Baseball to build the stadium itself. All 13 members met with lawyers from the Chicago firm of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, which has been involved in the construction of several stadiums including FedEx Field in Prince George’s County. Some members advocate hiring the firm to help renegotiate the deal with MLB that brought the Nationals to the District, but nothing was decided. Council members said they are exploring the idea of providing a set amount of money directly to MLB and allowing the league to build the ballpark. Under such an arrangement, the city likely would still pay for the land and provide money for all other construction costs, but MLB would be responsible for any cost overruns. More from NBC4.
New Rays executive focuses on the Trop
Posted January 13, 2006
Darcy Raymond is the new vice president of branding and "fan experience" for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His goal: improve the fan experience at Tropicana Field from top to bottom with the addition of more between-innings entertainment, pregame activities, and a greater emphasis on fan services. The team also named Tom Hoof, previously brand manager for Disney’s Wide World of Sports, as director of marketing.
Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?
Posted January 13, 2006
One issue as Charlotte officials work a complicated land-swap deal to bring a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) to the city’s Third Ward: whether or not the facility will be a magnet for future growth. In this case, it may not: the ballpark is being shoehorned into a small space surrounded by immovable buildings (power plants, parking ramps), and there may not be enough available land to make an impact with new development. One firm is in the process of adding housing to the area; the developer says the ballpark gives his project a nice boost.
Bears hope for piece of surplus
Posted January 13, 2006
The Yakima Bears (short season; Northwest League) are one of the five Washington state teams seeking state aid for ballpark improvements. State budgeters are forecasting a surplus, and the fact that the budget requests are fairly modest — team officials are seeking $2 million for renovations to the 2,654-seat, county-owned ballpark the Bears have called home since it opened in 1993 — would seem to provide a decent chance at passage. In Yakima, the ballpark improvements would include metal light poles to replace the existing wooden ones, replacing the playing surface and outfield wall while upgrading sun protection for fans, electrical systems, seating, concession stands, dugouts and clubhouses.
Panel moves forward on Cobb Field renovation
Posted January 13, 2006
A ballot issue to fund rebuilding Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League), could be on the ballot this fall, but city leaders vow there will be at least a dozen opportunities for public comment before then. The committee is also considering conducting a random telephone survey to determine how much money residents are willing to spend on revamping Cobb Field, one of the most popular venues in the Pioneer League. A study conducted by Gateway Consultants Group, HNTB Architecture and CTA Architects Engineers estimated that the aging Cobb Field could be replaced for between $10 million and $12 million. Options in the report include rebuilding the field at its current location or moving it closer to North 27th Street. The study recommended not trying to repair the existing ballpark.
With Red Barons, this time there’s no blame
Posted January 13, 2006
A local columnist examines why the Philadelphia Phillies are probably severing ties with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League) at the end of the 2006 season. The biggest reason may be the simplest: that the opportunity to be part of a new team in Allentown was simply too good to pass up, particularly with the construction of a state-of-the-art ballpark and close proximity to Philadelphia. (We suspect you’ll see another big reason for the shift later.) And, let’s fact it: the Red Barons ballpark, with its artificial turf and cramped clubhouses, isn’t the most inviting of venues, although the county has taken some steps to address that this offseason.
For Brewers, it’s game reset
Posted January 13, 2006
Mark Attanasio enters his second season as owner of the Milwaukee Brewers with something not seen in Miller Park for a while: high expectations. The team finished 81-81 last season and added some new talent in Corey Koskie and Dan Kolb while retaining almost all of their young talent. Also, Attanasio made some changes in the way Miller Park is run, putting an emphasis on the fan experience (we didn’t visit last season, but we had many reports of a more pleasant experience at the park).
Minor attractions in Richmond
Posted January 13, 2006
Here’s an excellent overview of the ballpark situation in Richmond, where a proposal new ballpark for the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) in the city’s Shockoe Bottom has apparently died, with the city and the team now looking at city-owned Fulton Gas Works. Don’t wait for a new ballpark in the next few years: the site is a former coal gasification site, and you can bet there will be some environmental issues associated with the site, which will require EPA and state participation in cleanup efforts. Then again, with the Atlanta Braves and the entire Braves organization being evaluated for potential sale by Time Warner, it may take a while for anyone on the baseball side to make a huge commitment.
Pelicans sale good news for city, fans
Posted January 13, 2006
The sale of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A; Carolina League) to a group already owning the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) and the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) is being hailed as a good thing for Pelicans fans. Don’t expect much to change in 2006: Chuck Greenberg’s group plans on watching things and learning more about the market before doing anything for the 2007 season.
New D.C. ballpark: DOA?
Posted January 11, 2006
The Washington Times says efforts to persuade D.C. councilmembers to approve a lease for a new Washington Nationals ballpark have completely ended, with proponents realizing they can’t pick up votes from the eight councilmembers opposing the current lease deal. That doesn’t necessarily mean the deal is dead: indeed, Mayor Anthony Williams continues to express optimism about the chances of final passage with a new deal and says he should have something by the end of the week. The Times may be a little alarmist: MLB has filed for arbitration to settle the issue, but that could take months and end up only with a financial penalty assessed against the District (although MLB officials have stated they believe an arbitrator could force construction of a new ballpark). Both sides are in a difficult situation. MLB really can’t threaten to move the Nationals: the team was financially successful in RFK Stadium, generating a healthy profit for the other MLB owners. D.C. city government surely will lose a little of its new reputation for being easier to work with, and city residents might not be thrilled about paying a multimillion-penalty to get out of what is arguably a very bad lease. This all could have been avoided if MLB had not been greedy and sold the Nationals before now; a real owner could have better handled the politics of the situation.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans sold: Group had long coveted team
Posted January 11, 2006
Capitol Broadcasting, which has owned the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A; Carolina League) since its inception in 1998, is selling the club to the owners of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) and the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League). The team will remain in Myrtle Beach and stay affiliated with the Atlanta Braves, according to Chuck Greenberg, the president and managing partner of the new ownership group, Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP. Neither party in the transaction would divulge the sale price. Single-A franchises generally sell for $4 million to $6 million, and it appears his group is paying at or above the upper end of that range.
Developer to seek bids for Xanadu ballpark
Posted January 11, 2006
After failing to reach a financial agreement with Steve Kalafer on a new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, developers Mills Corp. and Mack-Cali Realty now say they’ll open the ballpark up to all bidders. It sounds like the financial terms will be simple: the developers will contribute $5 million to the ballpark, but the winning bidder will build the ballpark — which should cost a minimum of $20 million — and keep all revenues, including naming rights. Kalafer, who owns several Atlantic League franchises (including the Bergen Cliff Hawks), says he has an agreement for a ballpark as part of the Xanadu project and may go to court over the issue. Not sure whether there will be a lot of other bidders: anyone seeking to put an affiliated team there will need to clear things with both the Mets and the Yankees (which will take time, but a decision will be made by April 1, although the ballpark wouldn’t open until 2008 at the earliest), and with Kalafer such an important figure in the Atlantic League, it’s doubtful anyone else will seek to build a ballpark for an Atlantic League team. More from the Newark Star-Ledger.
Springdale ballpark site under contract
Posted January 11, 2006
The Northwest Arkansas Sports Authority has secured a contract to purchase 40 acres near Interstate 540 in Springdale, Ark. and plans to build a $10 million to $15 million ballpark on the site. The ballpark will not be part of a two-facility sports complex, as planning has also been done for a new arena as well. The land could be purchased in the next few weeks and an announcement concerning a Class AA minor-league baseball team, expected to be the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) is expected in three to four months.
Bennett: Jaxx bid not ploy to move
Posted January 11, 2006
Timothy Bennett, in negotiations to buy the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA: Southern League), says he’s buying the team with the intention of keeping the team in Jackson. The team’s current owners, Lozinak Baseball Properties, has put forward a new lease for Pringles Park, which will be discussed by the Jackson city council tonight. The team will pay $500,000 if Diamond Jaxx leaves the city after the 2006 season or $250,000 if it leaves after the 2007 season. There is no penalty if the team stays all three years. UPDATE: The city made a counterproposal this afternoon, and it’s a doozy: we’ll have full details tomorrow.
Pickens gift will fund new Oklahoma State ballpark
Posted January 11, 2006
Billionaire Boone Pickens is donating $165 million to Oklahoma State University to help create an athletic village north of the football stadium that already bears the name of the 77-year-old Texas oil tycoon. The money will go toward completing the upgrade of Boone Pickens Stadium and fund changes in a 20-year master plan yet to be approved by university regents. Among those changes: $30 million for a new ballpark, scheduled to open for the 2011 season.
Two boos from legislators for stadium tax help
Posted January 11, 2006
Two Missouri legislators want to bar the state from giving tax relief to the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs as part of the larger financial plan to renovate the facilities at the Truman Sports Complex, but other legislators say their proposal isn’t likely to be passed. The Missouri Department of Economic Development last month announced it had agreed to a proposal to allow up to $50 million in tax credits to the Chiefs and Royals as part of a deal that would require the teams and Jackson County to kick in funding for the renovations.