Archives: Feb. 19-25, 2006
Supporters say Twins ballpark bill has enough votes to pass
Posted February 24, 2006
With the Minnesota Legislature less than a week away from its 2006 session, there appear to be enough votes to pass a Minnesota Twins ballpark bill, if the team can tiptoe through a potential political mine field. Republican and DFL leaders in the Senate say a majority of their members support the ballpark measure, with most House Republicans also favoring it. House DFLers haven’t reported a count, as requested two weeks ago by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, but ballpark supporters believe there are enough votes in that group to pass the measure after 10 years of disappointment. The proposal, which calls for a 0.15 percent Hennepin County sales tax (excluding food, medicines and clothing) to partially fund a downtown Minneapolis ballpark, also has wide support in the DFL caucuses as well, but legislative leaders are noncommittal: the biggest roadblock would appear now to be Minneapolis liberals who want to see a referendum, which Hennepin County and the Twins oppose.
Court rejects D.C. bid for private land
Posted February 24, 2006
A D.C. Superior Court judge said today she will not grant the District government possession of about 12 acres of privately held land needed for a new ballpark for the Washington Nationals until the city and Major League Baseball come to terms on a ballpark lease agreement. Judge Joan Zeldon said she was ready to give the city the land but wanted to be sure the ballpark will be built before signing the order.
Sports agency sees no risk in Xanadu builder’s woes
Posted February 24, 2006
The financial difficulties of Xanadu developer Mills Corp. do not put the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority at financial risk, two agency officials told their board at its monthly meeting Wednesday. And while sports authority President George Zoffinger and Chairman Carl Goldberg tried to soothe their colleagues’ fears, Mills officials were equally busy, trying to address another Xanadu-related concern — an apparent lack of entertainment offerings that could ultimately leave the 2.2 million-square-foot facility looking like just another mega-mall. Bergen Cliff Hawks (independent; Atlantic League) owner Steve Kalafer met with Mills representatives Wednesday to try to nail down an elusive deal for a minor league ballpark at the site. The 6,500-seat facility has bipartisan support among North Jersey’s elected officials.
Advocates kick off effort for Kansas City ballpark taxes
Posted February 24, 2006
Politicians, civic boosters and professional sports executives on Thursday kicked off a campaign to persuade Jackson County voters to approve $1 billion in tax increases to finance a roof over Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums, extensive renovations and 25 years’ worth of future upgrades. Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes highlighted the potential of hosting Super Bowl games, All-Star baseball games, college championship tournaments and extreme sport competitions at a roofed and renovated Truman Sports Complex.
County prepares to close on ballpark land
Posted February 24, 2006
Franklin County commissioners are ready to sign a contract for property they plan to develop into a new ballpark for the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League) in the Arena District. The commissioners expect to close on purchases of five of six parcels at the 7.99-acre site by early next week. A closing on the final parcel is expected by mid-March. The county will pay $15.4 million for the property.
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities
Posted February 24, 2006
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds are joining forces to help one another win state financing to renovate their spring training homes in Manatee and Sarasota counties. For the last three years, the Reds have been pushing the state Legislature for financing to help upgrade the Ed Smith Sports Complex in Sarasota. But now, Pirate officials are joining the fight, hoping to win financing to rebuild Pirate City in east Bradenton, where the team has held spring training since 1969. While the Pirates are content with nearby McKechnie Field, where the team plays its spring training games, the buildings at Pirate City need to be replaced because of mold problems. The Reds have talked with the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Indians about the possibility of a jointly run facility.
Lamar ballpark up, running, ready for action
Posted February 24, 2006
Five months after Hurricane Rita blew threw Vincent-Beck Stadium, home of the Lamar Cardinals — and two months after Beaumont attorney Walter Umphrey bailed out the baseball program with a massive donation — a rebuilding project is all but finished, with the first game in the renovated ballpark tonight. The renovations, which totaled $1 million, included new lights, outfield wall and press box.
Dodgers to return names to uniforms in 2007
Posted February 24, 2006
After an offhand comment by broadcaster Vin Scully, the management of the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to bring names back to uniforms for the 2007 season. (They can’t do it this season because the deadline for uniform designs, which much be submitted to MLB, has passed.) The Dodgers removed uniform names before the 2005 season, but that move backfired; fans complained they didn’t know who was playing, and the team was forced to passed out mini-rosters with names and numbers by hand before the start of every game.
Grizzlies owners buying minor-league hockey team
Posted February 24, 2006
The owners of the Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) baseball team are buying the Fresno Falcons ECHL hockey franchise from San Diego businessman Charles Davenport. The ownership change will be announced at a news conference at 3 p.m. today at Save Mart Center — just a few hours before the Falcons play the Bakersfield Condors. The sale is expected to be approved today by the ECHL’s Board of Governors. Financial terms were not divulged, but the price was believed to be in the low seven figures.
Japanese All-Stars to take on ChiSox minor leaguers in March
Posted February 24, 2006
Caliendo Sports International announced that a Japanese Baseball All-Star Team selected from around 20 club teams in Japan, one being the Kyoto Firebirds, will be playing exhibition games against Chicago White Sox minor league teams in spring training. Takenori Emoto, a former pitcher with the Hanshin Tigers will be the manager of the Japanese All Star Team. The team will consist of 24 players and will train in Tucson from March 13-19 and will compete against the Chicago White Sox minor league teams from March 20-27, 2006. Director of the Japanese All Star team will be Kensaku Morita, owner of the club team in Chiba Japan and Japanese actor.