Archives: Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2006
Giants to adopt AT&T Park name for ballpark
Posted February 4, 2006
In a move that surprises no one, SBC Park will be renamed AT&T Park as of March 1, with all signage slated to be changed over by midseason. The move was expected, with the Giants announcing the potential of a name change last fall when SBC Communications purchased AT&T, creating the world’s largest telecommunications company, and announced the new corporation would go by the name of AT&T. The terms of the naming-rights deal gives the company now known as AT&T power over the facility’s name through the 2019 season. This is the second name change for the ballpark, which opened in 2000 as Pacific Bell Park. Interestingly, the Giants will keep the same look to the ballpark’s logo, selecting Debra Nichols Design to come up for the third time with signage and logos that look the same as those used for the previous two ballpark monikers. More from the San Francisco Chronicle. Another ballpark that should be affected by the corporate merger: SBC Bricktown Ballpark, the home of the Oklahoma Redhawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League).
Braves to stay in Richmond, Wilder says
Posted February 3, 2006
The Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) have ruled out leaving the city, Mayor L. Douglas Wilder said yesterday. Wilder said the Atlanta Braves made that promise for their Class AAA franchise in Richmond as they and the city continue discussing his proposal to build a new $35 million to $40 million ballpark at the site of the old Fulton Gas Works, at the bottom of Church Hill. Wilder said he hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Braves about the Fulton Gas Works site shortly. That document would outline specific issues the city and the Braves want to resolve before proceeding with a new ballpark.
Swinging for next-to-the-park homer
Posted February 3, 2006
More on redevelopment efforts next to Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox. The Sage family, owners of a 1950s Howard Johnson hotel next door to Fenway Park, are putting the finishing touches on a deal to redevelop their key property with an unusual partner — John Henry and his Red Sox ownership group. That partnership agreement, which gives the Sox a roughly equal share in the development, is expected shortly. Current plans call for a mix of 275 hotel rooms — a combination of a traditional mid-market and an extended-stay hotel — and 170 condos. There will be stores and restaurants as well.
Jaxx lease signed; sale talk heats up
Posted February 3, 2006
A lease between the city of Jackson and the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) has been signed by both sides, allowing the Jaxx to prepare for the 2006 and perhaps finalize a sale of the team to Tim Bennett and Overtime Sports. The three-year lease, with no options for extensions, penalizes Jaxx owners $500,000 if they vacate the stadium after the 2006 season and $250,000 for leaving after the 2007 season. Bennett says an offer for the team could come as early as next week.
Cardinals president defends insurance claim
Posted February 3, 2006
St. Louis Cardinals President Mark Lamping said Thursday that the team has a valid insurance claim for cleaning up petroleum and other contaminants at the new Busch Stadium site and didn’t conceal information from its insurer. XL Capital Ltd.’s Greenwich Insurance Co. has denied the team’s claim seeking partial reimbursement for the $14 million cleanup cost and has gone to federal court to void an insurance policy covering the team for environmental cleanup costs, claiming the team and its owner, SLC Holdings, failed to disclose the findings of two environmental studies prepared in connection with the team’s sale in 1996.
Sounds send commitment letter to Council
Posted February 3, 2006
The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse have drafted a letter to Metro Council addressing several concerns that council members have raised regarding the proposed ballpark and retail-residential development the two desire to build downtown. Among the most important: a commitment to earmark 20 percent of project dollars to women- and minority-owned firms, an issue for members of the Black Caucus on the Metro Council. A final vote on the project is scheduled for Tuesday.
Brewers plan picnic in park
Posted February 3, 2006
Nearly five years after Miller Park opened for baseball, construction workers are busy transforming the right-field corner into a new fan-friendly picnic area. The ground-level area, which can accommodate as many as 75 fans, is located between the right-field foul pole and the power alley. The picnic area will include bar stools and tables behind the wall. A thin, chain-link 8-foot-high fence will separate fans from the rightfielder.
Cappelli, partners unveil $3.1 billion plan for downtown Yonkers
Posted February 3, 2006
A new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team is the centerpiece of a sweeping $3.1 billion redevelopment plan for downtown Yonkers. The ambitious plan would transform Yonkers’ downtown, waterfront and other long-neglected industrial areas into a network of new homes, stores and offices. The ballpark has been pitched by three developers; the difference here is the involvement of Louis Cappelli, a Yonkers native who has gained acclaim for remaking downtown White Plains and New Rochelle. The development is scheduled to be implemented in three stages, with the ballpark coming in the first stage. More from WCBS.
Play ball! Giants’ facilities on schedule
Posted February 3, 2006
The remodeling of Scottsdale Stadium, the spring home of the San Francisco Giants, is almost complete and should be ready for pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 15. The city’s target date for completion was Wednesday, and the contractor received temporary certificates of occupancy for all the new building spaces and renovations. New: a practice field and bullpen, expanded training room and locker rooms, a center-field entrance, more restrooms, a new concession stand and team store, and better seating in the outfield stands.
Boro gets first look at NL Industries plans
Posted February 3, 2006
Four builders made their cases to win the redevelopment of Sayreville’s former National Lead site last week in front of an estimated 300 residents and borough officials. The Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency (SERA) held the meeting at the Senior Center in order to accommodate the crowd, which was so large that many stood for the presentations, each of which took a half-hour and was followed by a question-and-answer session. Three of the four proposals included a new minor-league ballpark in the mix.
Tiger Stadium rises from the ashes
Posted February 3, 2006
Tiger Stadium is finally being used for something, as Anheuser-Busch is throwing a Bud Bowl party there through the weekend. Despite the rust peeking out from under peeling blue paint and the thick layer of dust on the benches in the dugout, it wasn’t hard to imagine the stadium alive with the sights and sounds of baseball. The pitcher’s mound and base lines were still there; billboards still touted Budweiser, the Chevrolet Impala and Yard-Man lawn mowers. The Tigers haven’t been smart with their attitude to the venerable old ballpark: a smart and potentially profitable move would be to renovate the facility into a minor-league ballpark and shrine to former Tigers starts like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.
Brazelton donates $250K for MTSU ballpark
Posted February 3, 2006
Former Middle Tennessee State baseball star Dewon Brazelton, now a pitcher with the San Diego Padres, today donated $250,000 to the Blue Raiders athletic department. Brazelton’s gift will go toward the second phase of the building of a new stadium at Reese Smith Field. The total cost of the project will be $5 million, with completion set for the start of the 2008 season. The first phase, completed last month, included installation of lights, scoreboard and an outfield wall. The second phase will include construction of a 3,000-seat stadium, along with luxury suites and a press box. More from the Daily News Journal.
Can ‘turnaround guy’ help Surf?
Posted February 3, 2006
Mark Schuster is the latest in the line of folks attempting to make a go of it with the Atlantic City Surf (independent; Atlantic League). After success last season with the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association), Schuster has expanded his efforts this season with an investment in the new St. Joseph team in the American Association and the leasing of the Surf from Frank Boulton. His goal: expand the non-game-day events at the Sandcastle. Schuster hasn’t changed any personnel but plans on hiring more sales and promotion staff. Mario Perrucci still will run the baseball side of the operation along with Jeff Ball as manager.
Green Diamond-like financing a no-no for baseball park
Posted February 3, 2006
Yet another opinion piece from The State coming out against a new ballpark in Richland County for the Columbus Catfish (Class A; Sally League). At least the editors are honest enough to call this an opinion (past screeds were posted as news articles), but it’s pretty clear the writer isn’t going to let any facts get in the way of his opposition to the project. In a nutshell: an established and respected local developer wants to use tax-increment financing to pay for a ballpark; increased property taxes generated by the development and rent paid by the Catfish would pay for the ballpark. (The $500,000 in yearly rent always gets forgotten in these rants.) The developer would also place $1.2 million in an escrow account to ensure the county would not dip into its general funds to pay for the ballpark. If there’s no ballpark, the developer isn’t going to develop the land at this time, so the project wouldn’t entail any diversion of existing property taxes, only increased ones. Now, there are some principled reasons for opposing tax-increment financing (which has been abused by some municipalities in the past), but this sort of article is dishonest in how its arguments are presented.
Melendez named GM of United League’s Laredo team
Posted February 3, 2006
Laredo-native Jose Melendez is the new general manager of the Laredo team in the independent United League. Melendez is the former marketing director of the San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League). The team is still working on a nickname and design; early contenders include HotSox, Wranglers and Vaqueros. Next week should see the official announcement of Mike Smith as the manager.
Minor attractions: Akron went the Double-A route to find surprising success
Posted February 3, 2006
More on the future of baseball in Richmond, this time looking at what could happen if the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) follow through on their threat to leave should a new ballpark not be built It’s safe to assume the city would have another baseball team immediately, with Class AA baseball the likely suitor (though we’re guessing there’s a team or two in the Sally League who would make a move quickly), In that context, here’s a look at the Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League), one of the more successful Class AA franchises.
Baseball Notes
Posted February 3, 2006
The Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) announced the hirings of LauraLee Bartley as customer-service manager, John Schmeltzer as group sales and marketing manager, and Nick Staehler as group sales as operations manager….Bernie Carbo has resigned as manager of the Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association), in order spend more time with his Diamond Club Ministry. He led the team to a 150-103 record over three seasons….Bobby Bell is the new hitting coach for the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League)….The coaching staff of the Lakeland Tigers (Class A; Florida State League) returns for 2006: manager Mike Rojas will be joined by pitching coach Britt Burns and hitting coach Larry Herndon. Dustin Campbell is the new trainer.
Nationals ballpark pact to be revised for financing
Posted February 1, 2006
D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi said yesterday that Mayor Anthony A. Williams has agreed to alter a new baseball stadium lease agreement to make it acceptable to Wall Street bond raters. After seeing an amended lease agreement between the District and Major League Baseball, Gandhi said Friday that he would not issue stadium construction bonds because a reserve fund had been omitted, along with two other fiscal provisions that he considered critical. Gandhi said the provisions are necessary to secure an investment-grade rating on the bonds and obtain a lower interest rate for the city. The D.C. Council is expected to see a complete package of construction contracts — known as the construction administration agreement — by Friday. City officials said the package is expected to include a "guaranteed maximum price" contract with construction companies to cap the cost of the ballpark structure at $320 million, which would include $20 million that Major League Baseball promised in December. More from the Washington Times.
The fate of the Silver Hawks still undecided
Posted February 1, 2006
Now that the Midwest League agreed to a purchase of the South Bend Silver Hawks by attorney John Simmons, the issue is whether he moves the team to a new ballpark in Marion, Ill. On the one hand, the Silver Hawks have a lease at Covaleski Stadium through the 2008 season, but leases can be bought out. And Simmons has personally invested in the new ballpark in his hometown of Marion. The Midwest League does have a vested interest in keeping South Bend in the league, mainly for travel and scheduling purposes. So there would be appear to be several courses of action: allow a move of the team to Marion after a buyout of the contract, refuse permission for a move, or look to some other Midwest League team to move to South Bend. It would be interesting to see how Beloit’s new-ballpark project is coming along — or isn’t. More from the Marion Daily Republican.
Bulls, Rays extend PDA through 2008
Posted February 1, 2006
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) extended their player-development deal through the 2008 season. Though the Rays have not dazzled on the field, they have sent some decent players to Durham over the years, and the team annually contends in the IL.
Bulls PA announcer to retire
Posted February 1, 2006
Speaking of the Bulls: Veteran Durham Bulls public address announcer Bill Law has announced that he will retire, effective at the end of the 2006 season. Law, 77, is a former Raleigh city councilman and was the public address announcer for the Raleigh Pirates (Class A; Carolina League) in the mid-1960s. Law, who has been with the team since the gates opened at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in 1995, will be involved with club officials in the process of selecting a new PA announcer.
Phils organist strikes his last chord
Posted February 1, 2006
Speaking of retirements: Philadelphia Phillies organist Paul Richardson is retiring after 35 years entertaining fans at Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park. He’s had some health issues in recent years, and for some inexplicable reason the Phillies never designed an organist booth in Citizens Bank Park, relegating Richardson to a portable organ set up on a concourse.
Will smaller mean better for the A’s?
Posted February 1, 2006
The Oakland Athletics decided to close the upper deck of McAfee Coliseum for one simple reason; by eliminating supply, they home to up the demand. Oakland relies heavily on walk-up sales — the most in the majors, according to the team — and the move is designed to spur more presales. It’s really not that big a transition, as the A’s sold tickets to the upper deck (apart from season-ticket sales) for only 19 games last season. While fans claim the A’s are closing the third deck to eliminate cheaper seats, officials have lowered some ticket prices in the second deck. About 3,000 plaza level bleachers will be available for $10 — the same price as most third deck tickets last year – while roughly 2,000 plaza level outfield seats will cost $14, down $4 from last season.
Cappelli expected to team with Struever on Yonkers ballpark
Posted February 1, 2006
Yonkers native Louis Cappelli, perhaps the highest profile developer in Westchester, is expected to join a partnership that’s planning a massive downtown redevelopment initiative that includes the proposed minor-league ballpark. Sources in city government and close to the developers said Mayor Phil Amicone would sign a downtown development agreement tomorrow that joins Cappelli and Struever Fidelco Yonkers LLC, the joint venture between Baltimore developer Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse and the New Jersey-based Fidelco Group. Cappelli has gained acclaim for transforming downtown White Plains and New Rochelle and had previously expressed interest in building a downtown Yonkers ballpark, combining baseball with a retail complex.
Deadline set for Play Ball Park
Posted February 1, 2006
The Arizona Diamondbacks and MLB have informed the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) that a permanent clubhouse is needed at Play Ball Park. It doesn’t appear to be a huge issue: Officials from Play Ball Missoula say they’ll install permanent concession stands, a press box, clubhouses and restrooms before the coming season, which starts in June Osprey players and opposing teams have dressed in cramped trailer houses in the two Pioneer League seasons since the stadium opened. The facilities don’t meet standards set forth by Major League Baseball, which has been waiving such requirements on a yearly basis since the Osprey arrived in town in 1999.
Changes shine up Sancet
Posted February 1, 2006
Remember, the college baseball season started last weekend, so there are lots of ballparks in southern and western climes to explore. Frank Sancet Stadium, the home of University of Arizona Wildcats, is in the midst of renovations. The bleachers down each line have been replaced by berms, a new video scoreboard has been installed, and plans call for covered seating and a new press box. The changes reduce the physical number of seats to 3,000 while keeping capacity at 6,500.
Baseball Notes
Posted February 1, 2006
Dave Lezotte is the new director of media relations for the Clinton LumberKings (Class A; Midwest League). Lezotte will handle all of the on-field promotions, player appearances and media aspects for the LumberKings. He will also serve as the LumberKings’ radio broadcaster for all road games. He replaces Cary Dohman, who accepted a job in the public-relations department of the Chicago White Sox….For the first team in the franchise’s 13-year history, all 76 Vermont Lake Monsters (short season; NY-Penn League( regular-season games will be broadcast live on radio as both the team and Clear Channel Radio/Burlington announced that the ZONE at WXZO 96.7 FM and WEAV 960 AM will continue as the home of the "Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball Radio Network" for the 2006 season….Manager Roberto Kelly and pitching coach Ross Grimsley return to the Augusta GreenJackets (Class A; Sally League), while Andy Skeels is named the team’s new hitting coach….The 2005 staff of the Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League) is returning: Manager Ken Oberkfell, hitting coach Howard Johnson, pitching coach Randy Niemann, trainer Brian Chicklo and strength and conditioning coach Kenny Coward. Have a personnel move or team news you want to share with the baseball community? Send it to editors@augustpublications.com.
Marlins, Hialeah discuss ballpark
Posted January 31, 2006
Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina showed Florida Marlins officials two potential locations for a new ballpark — on the grounds of the Hialeah Park racetrack and on the site of the former Peerless Dade Landfill — and declared the meeting a good beginning. Whether Hialeah can work is another issue: Robiana also said he’s not willing to entertain any city financing of a ballpark, so the issues facing the Marlins’ proposal for a new ballpark next to