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Archives: March 5-11, 2006

Archives: March 5-11, 2006

New Twins ballpark would memorialize Puckett
Posted March 10, 2006
This goes beyond crass. As Minnesotans prepare for a memorial service for the late Kirby Puckett Sunday night at the Metrodome, Twins officials apparently are already tying construction of a new ballpark to Puckett, floating ideas like naming the ballpark after Puckett, creating a gathering place called Puckett Plaza and building a monument to him in center field, where he roamed as one of the best players in the game. Now, we loved Kirby, and we are saddened by his loss. But given the political sensitivity surrounding public funding for a new downtown ballpark, it’s pathetic to see the Twins trying to capitalize on Puckett’s loss before his body is in the ground. This isn’t to say a new ballpark shouldn’t contain tributes to Puckett — we love the idea of a center-field memorial area — but the timing of the announcement stinks. Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, an ordained Lutheran minister and a supporter of the ballpark, should know better.

Simmons backs out of deal to buy Silver Hawks
Posted March 10, 2006
Marion (Ill.) attorney John Simmons has indeed backed out of a deal to buy the South Bend Silver Hawks (Class A; Midwest League), as we predicted earlier this week, clearing the way for a group led by former South Bend Mayor Joe Kernan to buy the team. Simmons says disagreements with the Midwest League led him to scrap the deal; the league had expressed displeasure with his plan to move the Silver Hawks to a new ballpark in Marion. This article says Simmons may buy a team in an independent league, but that would be problematic: MiLB rules prohibit ownership of an independent team by the owner of an affiliated team, and Simmons already owns the Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A; Sally League). One option could be exploring a move of the Sand Gnats to Marion, but that would dramatically increase the Sally League’s footprint. A more likely outcome: Simmons skirts the ownership rules through some sort of management deal. More from the Southern.

Glendale says it will be talking to teams about spring-training site
Posted March 10, 2006
Glendale officials said Thursday that the city has exclusive negotiating rights with an unspecified number of Major League Baseball teams to bring to Arizona its next spring-training facility. That announcement came about a week after state officials said Glendale was one of three Arizona cities leading the pack for a new complex. City officials couldn’t reveal how many or which teams the city will be talking with. Nor would officials discuss possible funding or locations for a spring-training facility. Glendale is a western suburb of Phoenix; the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes play at Glendale Arena, while the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals are building a new football stadium there.

Reckson signs MOU to bring Atlantic League team to Nassau County development
Posted March 10, 2006
Scott Rechler, president and CEO of developer Reckson, announced that the company has executed a memorandum of understanding with the independent Atlantic League to bring a minor-league baseball team to Nassau County inside a new ballpark in Mitchel Athletic Complex, Uniondale, Long Island, adjacent to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the surrounding 77-acre development site. The deal is designed to compete with a plan by the New York Mets to build a new Coliseum and a minor-league ballpark, mostly likely for a Class AA Eastern League team. More from Newsday.

Sayreville picks developer for NL Industries site; ballpark in the mix
Posted March 10, 2006
A developer with a $1.5 billion vision for the 400-plus-acre National Lead site was chosen last night by the Sayreville Economic Redevelopment Agency. Commissioners tapped LNR Northeast Investment, a Quincy, Mass-based company whose plan for the brownfields parcel could generate $25.2 million annually in property taxes and other revenue for the borough. The company’s concept features a 5,500-seat minor league ballpark, 2,000 units of housing, two hotels, two marinas offering a total of 500 slips, a canal and basin, plus a promenade.

Wolff reveals site possibilities for San Antonio ballpark
Posted March 10, 2006
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Thursday that two potential ballpark sites in Northeast Bexar County have been mentioned to the Florida Marlins, and a third in that area will be passed on to the team: land near Retama Park in Selma, the Longhorn Quarry and a Live Oak site near Loop 1604 and Interstate 35. Wolff sent the Marlins a proposal for $200 million in public funding for a new ballpark; as of yesterday the Marlins had sent no response. Wolff said his $300 million estimate to build a 38,000-44,000-seat ballpark in Bexar County is based on construction costs being generally lower in Texas than in other states, but that number is pure fantasy: he now admits it’s a back-of-the-envelope estimate that doesn’t include land-acquisition costs.

A minor field of dreams in Boston
Posted March 10, 2006
The Boston Globe editorial page comes out in favor of a plan by attorney Alexander Bok to bring independent baseball to somewhere in Boston, perhaps at historic Nickerson Field at Boston University. There are many issues to work out, including the normal ones (parking, traffic, etc.). And then there’s the Boston Red Sox, the 800-pound gorilla in the corner. Red Sox opposition would surely kill the project, but the editorial page warns the BoSox not to be too hasty in condemnation: chances are pretty good the Red Sox and an indy team would draw upon two different fan bases.

Does Albany want to pour more money into Eames Park?
Posted March 10, 2006
The independent South Coast League want to put a team into Albany’s Paul Eames Park for the 2007 season, but some are questioning whether it’s worth the cost. Of course, the naysayers are coming out even before anyone’s done a specific estimate of what’s needed. The biggest cost is a revamping of the concession areas, followed by a general cleaning of the ballpark and a new or repaired scoreboard. The original back-of-the-envelope estimate was $200,000, but both city and South Coast officials say that’s too high, especially with the league picking up some of those costs.

Delay on Sounds ballpark disappoints Brewers
Posted March 10, 2006
Recent news that the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) downtown ballpark won’t be ready before the start of the 2008 season was met with disappointment — but not surprise — by officials with their parent club. The Milwaukee Brewers entered a two-year working agreement with the Class AAA Sounds following the 2004 season, with the idea that a new facility would be nearly in place by the end of the pact.

Zephyrs tickets go on sale next Monday
Posted March 10, 2006
The New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced that individual game tickets for the 2006 season will go on sale to the public on Monday, March 13. Normally we don’t cover announcements like this, but this is a special situation: the Zephyrs will be the first professional team to resume normal operations in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the region last year.

Baseball Notes
Posted March 10, 2006
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Class A; Midwest League) announced the addition of Brady Williams to the 2006 coaching staff. Williams takes over as the Rays’ hitting coach, a spot vacated when Skeeter Barnes was promoted to club manager. A Salt Lake City native and Palm Harbor, Florida resident, Williams enters the coaching ranks after an eight-year playing career. Last season, Williams, a corner infielder, batted a career-best .259 with 10 home runs and a career-high 58 runs batted in over 115 games for the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League). In 2004, Williams played for the traveling Pennsylvania Road Warriors (independent; Atlantic League), hitting a career-best 15 home runs….

Plan would provide $200 million toward new Marlins ballpark
Posted March 9, 2006
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff has proposed a plan providing $200 million of tax money for the Florida Marlins to move to San Antonio and play in a new ballpark. The plan would extend hotel and rental-car taxes that built the arena where the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs play. It would raise $200 million for a ballpark, along with $40 million for improvements at the AT&T Center, where the Spurs play. The proposal would have to be approved by voters in November. Wolff thinks a new ballpark can be built for $300 million, which seems to be an outright fantasy: more realistic estimates peg the cost of an MLB ballpark at $400 million, with another $100 million for a roof. No reaction from the Marlins. Jeffry Loria admits it’s time to seek some sort of solution, though his preference is to keep the team in South Florida.

Islanders add new ballpark to Nassau Coliseum plan
Posted March 9, 2006
One of the groups looking to redevelop the area surrounding the Nassau County Coliseum has added a minor-league ballpark to the mix. When Scott Rechler, chief executive of Reckson Associates Realty Corp., unveils the plans at Reckson Plaza Thursday afternoon, he will be joined by Frank Boulton, Atlantic League chief executive and principal owner of the Long Island Ducks and Joe Klein, the Atlantic League’s executive director, to announce the addition of a ballpark for an Atlantic League team. Reckson has teamed up with Charles Wang, the owner of the New York Islanders (NHL) and the New York Dragons (AFL), on a plan to renovate the Coliseum and invest in surrounding development. The New York Mets, now considered the main competitor to Wang/Reckson, have proposed a new Coliseum and a new ballpark, most likely for a Class AA Eastern League team. More from Newsday.

Yankee Stadium hearing postponed amid traffic, parkland concerns
Posted March 9, 2006
A New York City Council hearing on a proposed new Yankee Stadium was delayed after community leaders and Bronx officials asked for more information on traffic, parks and parking associated with the project. The proposed development would be built on 22 acres of Macombs Dam Park and John Mullaly Park in the South Bronx, and the city has said it plans to spend $135 million on 28 acres of parkland and playing fields to replace the lost parks. The new public space would come in sections along the Harlem River and at the site of the existing ballpark. The delay isn’t due totally to Yankee Stadium (despite what this article says); city officials are still coming up with details on a major redevelopment plan near the ballpark, which will require coordination among all the redevelopment projects.

Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for stadium, event center, ballfields
Posted March 9, 2006
More details on a proposal for a new $50 million ballpark and training complex for the Cincinnati Reds during the spring and the Sarasota Reds (Class A; Florida State League) during the regular season. The cost includes six full-sized practice fields, two smaller practice fields, two clubhouses and other amenities for the Reds. If the complex is built, Reds owner Bob Castellini told lawmakers the team would sign a 20-year lease: "We want to be in Sarasota the rest of our lives," he said. "There’s no problem with a long-term commitment on our part." The state plan to provide $500,000 yearly to teams committed to long-term leases in Florida covers the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota, the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in St. Petersburg, the Cleveland Indians in Winter Park and the Baltimore Orioles in Fort Lauderdale.

A roster of key players on the Kansas City stadium election
Posted March 9, 2006
You can’t tell the players without a scorecard, and here’s a scorecard of the players involved in an April Jackson County election to decide on additional funding for renovations to Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals, and Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. There are some strong personalities in play here, and it will probably get nastier before the election.

Nats’ certainty and uncertainty
Posted March 9, 2006
Now that a lease for a new Washington Nationals ballpark is a done deal, the issue is finding a new owner for the team. Given the generally favorable lease, you can expect MLB to rake in some beaucoup bucks from a new owner. You can also expect a lot of politicking as well: some potential owners (like Stan Kasten) have close personal and professional ties to Bud Selig, while others (like those in the Fred Malek/Colin Powell group) are heavy-hitters in the District of Columbia. Much associated with the franchise is still in shambles (the decision to move spring-training management in-house and out of the hands of the Brevard County Manatees was a disaster), so the new owner will be facing plenty of hard work. More from the Washington Times.

Fans pleased by changes at Angels’ revamped ballpark
Posted March 9, 2006
Fans are pleased so far with the changes to Tempe Diablo Stadium, the spring home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The changes are apparent immediately: the new staircase adds a dramatic entrance to the ballpark, and the new seating is much more comfortable than the previous aluminum seating. There aren’t many more changes geared toward fans: the biggest change was the addition of nearby practice fields, eliminating the need for the minor leaguers to train at a separate facility.

Anaheim sees Angels on a different team
Posted March 9, 2006
Although a jury settled the dispute between Anaheim and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim over the team’s name, the legal battle exacerbated disagreements over the club’s community involvement that have simmered since Arte Moreno became owner three years ago. City officials say the Angels’ community relations plan mirrors its business plan, which is to broaden the team’s appeal beyond Orange County. Anaheim Councilman Richard Chavez said that strategy — including changing the team’s name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — had neglected hometown businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations.

Redbirds aim to hit in black
Posted March 9, 2006
The Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have had a rough offseason, struggling to pay some bills and dealing with a lawsuit filed against Dean Jernigan over the management of AutoZone Park. Blues City Baseball, of which Jernigan is the registered agent, manages the Redbirds and AutoZone Park for the non-profit Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation. Sparks, who died Jan. 30, 2005, and his wife, Rita, were partners in Blues City Baseball with Jernigan and his wife, Kristi. This January, the Sparks estate filed suit against Blues City Baseball over a loan the company took from Trust One Bank. The suit said repayment was guaranteed by Willard Sparks and the Jernigans. That month, Trust One had received a court judgment of $1.8 million on the loan against the Sparks estate, leading to the estate’s lawsuit against Blues City.

Connecticut Defenders reaching out
Posted March 9, 2006
The former Norwich Navigators are making plenty of changes this season as the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League), with a new team name, logo, mascot and uniforms. Other changes — such as a new concessions vendor, new video scoreboard and redesigned team store — reflect a new commitment to making sure fans enjoy their time at the ballpark. GM Jim Beaudoin said the team staff is taking a grassroots approach and making personal visits to baseball fans, businesses and advertisers throughout the area.

Farmer to appeal dismissal of lawsuit against Hersh
Posted March 9, 2006
Jackson (Miss.) Mayor Charles Farmer vowed to continue his defamation suit against former West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) owner David Hersh after a judge ruled Farmer, being a public figure, did not meet the burden of proof and provide "clear and convincing evidence" that Hersh defamed him Farmer, who represented himself, said he plans to appeal. He has 30 days to do so. Still pending in Madison County Chancery Court is the city’s suit against Hersh to recover about $175,000 in season-ticket surcharges and interest, and Hersh’s multimillion-dollar countersuit against the city, Farmer and Ron Barry, a city administrator. The trial is set for Sept. 11. In the defamation suit, Farmer was requesting a jury trial and seeking compensatory damages not to exceed $250,000, punitive damages not to exceed $500,000 and "further relief as the court deems just and proper." More on the lawsuit here.

Haverhill seeks minor-league baseball team
Posted March 9, 2006
Officials in Haverhill (Mass.) want to see a minor-league baseball team at historic Haverhill Stadium as part of the city’s downtown redevelopment plans. Most of the suggestions being advanced by Team Haverhill as part of its ”Vision 2020" plan are infrastructure improvements that the group says are needed over the next 20 years to encourage economic investment. Haverhill Stadium was built in 1916 and rebuilt in the mid-1930s. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played there, and the original Boston Patriots scrimmaged there.