Archives: March 12-18, 2006
D.C. ballpark to debut without retail
Posted March 17, 2006
If a new D.C. ballpark is completed as scheduled in March 2008, fans attending games during the opening season should not expect to stop at a restaurant outside the ballpark, shop at a boutique or walk along a pier on the Anacostia River a block away. Although Mayor Anthony Williams has promised a ballpark entertainment district that will include luxury condos and office buildings and create millions of dollars in annual tax revenue, developers said they will need more than two years to complete just the initial building plans. There’s more than just a new ballpark in that part of Washington: major transportation improvements are forthcoming, including a $20-million renovation of the Navy Yard Metro station, and the D.C. Department of Transportation is about to spend $625 million to expand South Capitol Street and rebuild the Frederick Douglass Bridge.
Renovations underway at Phil Welch Stadium
Posted March 17, 2006
Improvements to Phil Welch Stadium are underway as opening night for the St. Joe Blacksnakes (independent; American Association) creeps closer. The ‘Snakes home opener on May 19, 2006 is only nine weeks away and already the home to the new team is bustling with activity. Jack hammers and power tools will soon be replaced with cheers and the crack of the bat. "We’re very excited about the transformations happening at Phil Welch Stadium," said Duane Miller, general manager of the Blacksnakes. "The new dugouts are now up to professional baseball standards, which is a great improvement." The new dugouts are each being expanded to hold a 22-man roster and coaching staff. By moving the existing entrance gate out farther to the parking lot, the concourse area will be able to accommodate more fans.
County misses deadline for stadium agreements
Posted March 17, 2006
Jackson County missed a deadline Wednesday for signing development agreements for Truman Sports Complex with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, although officials expect to have them signed today. The agreements are expected to specify the stadium improvements the teams will make with $425 million in tax money if Jackson County voters approve an estimated $850 million sales tax increase on April 4. The proposed leases signed Jan. 24 stipulate that the county was required to reach agreement with the teams by Wednesday on specific renovations to Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums.
Greenville Drive unveils new mascot
Posted March 17, 2006
The Greenville Drive (Class A; Sally League) unveiled their new mascot: Reedy. According to Reedy’s bio, he was born and makes his home in the Reedy River Falls. During the spring and summer months, Reedy makes his way to the new West End Field in downtown Greenville to enjoy the baseball season with family and friends. He likes to camouflage his body on the mini "Green Monster" in left field, and will jump out unexpectedly to instill fear in the team’s opponents. Reedy’s hobbies include chasing long flies, making leaping catches, swimming in the Reedy River, playing leapfrog and attending sock hops. The idea for Reedy came from Angela Hembree, a fifth grader at Wren Elementary School in Piedmont.
Season preview: Greenville Drive
Posted March 17, 2006
Speaking of the Greenville Drive: here a look at how the team is preparing for the upcoming season at West End Field in downtown Greenville. It sounds like the team is taking a slightly different approach to operations, preferring to focus on pleasing season-ticket holders and stressing a ballpark experience, rather than the baseball experience. Bonus: lots of ballpark photos. To all the folks writing in the last few days: yes, we do plan on heading down there early in the season.
South Coast League fails to reach agreement in Sanford
Posted March 17, 2006
Despite information provided to us earlier in the week, there’s no agreement for the independent South Coast League to place a team at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium in Sanford, Florida. (Sanford is located just outside Orlando). As a matter of fact, while Sanford city commissioners did not reject the request from executives with the South Coast League, they remained skeptical that potential scheduling conflicts between the new league and the Florida Collegiate Summer League can be worked out. The collegiate league’s Sanford River Rats have played their home games at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium since 2004. The South Coast League would require the stadium for at least 50 home games. The issue for the Florida Collegiate Summer League: sharing the ballpark would mean a cut in revenues and disagreements over dates.
City and county forming teams to lure Marlins
Posted March 17, 2006
Anticipating that Major League Baseball will deem San Antonio a viable market, Bexar County commissioners directed county staffers Thursday to assemble a negotiating team for relocation talks with the Florida Marlins. Also Thursday, County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Phil Hardberger set a meeting for March 31 with the San Antonio Sports Foundation, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other business groups to discuss plans to attract the Marlins. So far almost all of the action has been on San Antonio’s side: the Marlins have been quiet about the possibility of moving to Texas and put any plans on indefinite hold.
Communications breakdown in Richmond
Posted March 17, 2006
More on the gap between Richmond Mayor Douglas Wilder and officials from the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) over a new ballpark on the city’s former Fulton Gas Works site. Wilder is clearly trying to pressure the Braves into rushing into a commitment on a new ballpark despite not providing information like how the ballpark will be financed and how environmental concerns (watershed, toxins) will be addressed. In a weird twist, city officials say those details will be worked out after a memorandum of understanding is signed. We’re not current with Virginia environmental laws, but we’re guessing Wilder’s plan to pave over contaminated areas won’t pass muster with state authorities.
The future is fading
Posted March 17, 2006
When Stetson University played Bethune-Cookman College on the very field where Robinson integrated modern baseball 60 years ago — Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach — one distressing fact was in evidence: Bethune-Cookman, a historically black college, has five black players on its team, while Stetson has none. The level of African-Americans playing baseball at every level is down; there are fewer programs for kids to participate, and despite more opportunities to play — college, summer collegiate, minor league — African-American children don’t see baseball as being a hot sport.
SNY makes error-filled debut
Posted March 17, 2006
Sportsnet New York made its debut yesterday to less-than-enthusiastic reviews, but that’s OK: the first day for any cable network featuring live programming is usually the worst. The network, which will broadcast New York Mets games, SNY had numerous technical problems on a Time Warner cable feed viewed in midtown Manhattan. It lost sound and/or picture during chunks of its first show, a writers’ roundtable, as well as the news show and pre-game show that followed.
Bears extend ballpark lease through 2015
Posted March 17, 2006
Having reveled in their biggest attendance increase in 12 years, the Yakima Bears (short season; Northwest League) announced plans for the next 10. General manager Ken Wombacher, speaking at a news conference in the SunDome, said the Northwest League club has extended its lease with Yakima County Stadium through the 2015 season. He added that while the Bears await state funds to renovate the ballpark, they will finance a video board which will be ready for use next season.
Losses on field reflected at M’s box office
Posted March 17, 2006
The Seattle Mariners have fallen on tough times on the field with back-to-back 90-loss seasons, and that lack of success is being reflected at the box office. According to figures compiled by the club, halfway through spring training there is a decline of about 2,000 season tickets from 2005. After coming in at just more than 17,000 season tickets sold a year ago, with just less than three weeks before Opening Day season ticket sales are sitting at just over 15,000. The good news for Mariners organization is that individual game sales and group ticket sales are either holding steady or are down only marginally from a year ago.
Sharing the history behind York’s ballpark site
Posted March 17, 2006
Rows of historic buildings stand in the way of a planned independent-league ballpark in York’s Arch Street neighborhood, including 19th-century homes once rented by railroad workers and a former church that’s 135 years old. Yet most people in the city are oblivious to the history, said Blanda Nace. As manager of the ballpark project, he has not been charged with preserving structures; plans call for demolishing numerous historic properties. But with the help of preservation experts, Nace has submitted a plan to record and celebrate the area’s heritage.
Selig: No decision on Bonds investigation
Posted March 17, 2006
Commissioner Bud Selig is proceeding cautiously before deciding whether baseball should launch an investigation into allegations that Barry Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs for at least five seasons. Selig dismissed a report Thursday in the New York Daily News, citing an unidentified baseball official, that the commissioner had already decided to investigate Bonds. There are some fairly serious procedural issues involved: Bonds has never flunked a drug test, and the commissioner is hamstrung by the collective bargaining agreement. But then again, Selig has wide latitude to do anything in the best interests of the game, and either clearing Bonds’ name or closing the debate with some sort of action would definitely be in the best interests of the game.
Oakland among teams banking on smaller ballpark for bigger sales
Posted March 17, 2006
AP apparently has never heard of the law of supply and demand, because they term a plan by the Oakland Athletics to close off parts of McAfee Coliseum "counterintuitive" in the team’s attempt to raise attendance. Really, the move makes sense: by decreasing supply, the team is trying to stimulate demand and smooth out game planning: the A’s led the majors in walkup sales last year, and the fluctuations in attendance makes staffing issues difficult.
Name for ULB’s Laredo team to be announced next week
Posted March 17, 2006
The name for the new Laredo team in the independent United League Baseball will be announced next week, though a decision has been made. The finalists: Drillers, Broncos, HotSox and Twin Cities. The team has found an unforeseen marketing tool: Mexican League Tecolotes fans wanting the same seats they had at Veterans Field when the Tecos played there up until three years ago. The club plans to build a 4,000-seat, $10-million ballpark by next year, if negotiations with the city come through.
Fresno’s Wild Thing weighs future
Posted March 17, 2006
After entertaining more than 3.3 million fans in eight seasons, Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) mascot Wild Thing released a statement Thursday giving the front office a three-day window for him to make a decision regarding his future with the team. Wild Thing plans to announce his decision during a press conference at Grizzlies Stadium scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at 11:40 a.m.
"In having one of the best jobs in baseball and great respect for the team, I have provided the Grizzlies staff a three-day window in which to make my decision," Wild Thing said in his official statement. “The opportunity to move on is something I must consider at this time."
Wild Thing would not get into specifics about why he would possibly retire, but did mention an old flame from his past.
"During this past off-season, I have had several things happen in my personal life that have led me to think about stepping down," Wild Thing said. "I have recently been reconnected with my old girlfriend Wilda and have discussed the opportunity to move back to Yosemite. I am hopeful that the fans (both young and old) will completely support my decision to stay or move on."
Grizzlies CEO Pat Filippone will direct the press conference Saturday and will be Wild Thing’s spokesperson in regards to his decision.
Baseball Notes
Posted March 17, 2006
Jack Wilson and Larry Lake will become the 16th and 17th members inducted into the Lancaster Baseball Hall of Fame when they are enshrined in a special pre-game ceremony that will take place before the August 12 game at Clear Channel Stadium against Inland Empire. Wilson, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates, played infield for the 1999 Lancaster Stealth of the California Fall League. Lake, who passed away in 1997, was a pillar of the Antelope Valley community and worked tirelessly to increase the popularity of baseball. He spent seven years as the director of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and was active in several local organizations, such as the Lancaster West Rotary Club, with whom he founded the annual Lancaster West Rotary All Star Game….Cassie Cullins, who worked with the Charleston RiverDogs (Class A; Sally League) in 2005 in their promotions department, has been hired by the club as the director of community relations. She replaces Danielle Swigart, who accepted a position with the City of Charleston Parks & Recreation Department. Swigart had been with the RiverDogs since the spring of 2002. In her new position, Cullins will work directly with community leaders to spread the "Fun Is Good" philosophy for which the RiverDogs are famous. Cullins will graduate from the College of Charleston in May, earning her degree in corporate communication. Originally from Clements, MD, Cullins also spent time working for Veeck Advertising Professionals and interned with the Charleston Battery in 2004-05, spending time in the areas of media and public relations….Matt Krantz was named general manager of the new Macon team in the independent South Coast League, which opens play in 2007. Krantz, 25, comes to Macon after spending the previous three seasons with the Bowie Baysox (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Salem Avalanche (Class A; Carolina League)….The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) have unveiled their television broadcast schedule for the 2006 season. The Thunder will return to CN8 for four broadcasts during the 2006 season, three of which will originate from Waterfront Park. The CN8 broadcast schedule will start on April 29 as the Thunder host the New Britain Rock Cats,. The second game will be on May 13 as the Thunder take on the Bowie Baysox. The final game from Trenton will be on July 8 against the Binghamton Mets. The Thunder’s only road game to be televised this season will be August 12 at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats….Bob Kurtz is the new radio voice of the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) for home games. That’s a great move for the team: Kurtz is a well-known voice in the Twin Cities, serving as the voice of the Minnesota Wild of the NHL and the P.A. announcer at Twins games last season. No, Kris Atteberry isn’t going anywhere: his new role is lead announcer for the home games televised by KSTC-TV and Comcast Cable as well as radio broadcaster for road games. Local lads Dana Kiecker and Barry Wohler return as well.
New suitor for Atlanta Braves: developer Ron Terwilliger
Posted March 16, 2006
After negotiations between Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Time Warner broke down, there’s a new suitor for the Atlanta Braves: an investment group led by Ron Terwilliger, president and CEO of Trammell Crow Residential. Terwilliger has been approved by Major League Baseball to enter into negotiations that could lead to the purchase of the NL East club. That means he has been given clearance to go through the team’s books and conduct due diligence on the franchise’s operation. Terwilliger met Tuesday in Atlanta with other potential investors, and the investment group has retained New York-based Galatioto Sports Partners to represent it in negotiations.
Reckson-Wang group lands development rights to Nassau Coliseum
Posted March 16, 2006
Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi has named the team of billionaire businessman Charles Wang and Reckson Associates to renovate the aging Nassau Coliseum and develop the surrounding 77 acres of prime county land. Suozzi will formally announce the $1.6-billion deal with Wang, owner of the NHL’s New York Islanders, at a news conference today in Mineola, according to sources close to Suozzi.
That’s not to say there won’t be some issues with their plan. When the Reckson-Wang group added a new ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team to their proposal to renovate Nassau Coliseum and develop the surrounding area, they may have stretched the rules a bit: they want to place the ballpark on city parkland, Mitchel Park, not included by city officials as land being available for development. (On the flip side, the New York Mets were proposing a Class AA ballpark on the land specified by city officials for development.) Mitchel Park was a gift from the federal government to the county, and some officials say leasing the land to a private owner, even a ballpark operator, could legally be considered alienation of the park property and require state approval. The city also wants to see whether another baseball team would offer more in rent than the Atlantic League.
Countdown to Busch Stadium opening
Posted March 16, 2006
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is eagerly counting down the days until the opening of the new Busch Stadium. Yesterday thick Kentucky bluegrass was unrolled across the field, as team management and the grass crew say that the new ballpark will be much easier on grass than old Busch Stadium, where keeping the field green was a constant challenge. We’ll be at the April 4 Springfield Cardinals/Memphis Redbirds matchup; thanks to Dave Chase for making the arrangements.