Archives: April 9-15, 2006
New Mets ballpark deal is stalled
Posted April 14, 2006
If the New York Mets didn’t anticipate this happening, they haven’t paid attention to the history of New York City politics over the last 200 or so years. The team and local Queens political figures are at loggerheads over how the Mets will give back to the community after gaining approval on a new ballpark to replace Shea Stadium. Never mind the majority of the costs of the new ballpark will be borne by the team: the city will be committing land and infrastructure costs (so there’s a sense of entitlement), and the New York Yankees did set a precedent by promising millions in community spending as a condition of city approval of the new Yankee Stadium. So far, the Mets have rejected a $1 million request for community support, countering with a $200,000 offer. A million is cheap compared to what the Yankees are paying; the two sides are talking, but we’re guessing the Mets will cave fairly quickly.
Environmental measures could increase new Nats ballpark costs
Posted April 14, 2006
The cost of building the new Washington Nationals ballpark could increase by millions of dollars if the project is to be certified as environmentally friendly. In a letter obtained by WTOP Radio, the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission says adding the necessary features could cost as much as $10 million. The city’s goal is to minimize water pollution, reduce waste and save energy. D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission spokesman Tony Robinson tells WTOP the agency is seeking outside grants to offset the costs of meeting those standards.
Robinson tired of RFK Stadium talk
Posted April 14, 2006
Jose Vidro says the Washington Nationals management is ignoring problems with RFK Stadium — namely, that the fences are too far out, calling it an "airplane field." Now, the New York Mets hit four homers there yesterday, which would indicate to many that the ballpark dimensions aren’t really an issue. And Nats manager Frank Robinson, who sounds extremely frustrated with his slow-starting team, says any complaints are unwarranted. Nats President Tony Tavares, who got into a shouting match with Vidro before yesterday’s 13-4 loss, says there’s no way the team can change the fence dimensions in the midst of the season.
Tulsa, Rockies extend affiliation deal
Posted April 14, 2006
The Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) and the Colorado Rockies announced today that they have extended their affiliation agreement for an additional four years. The new agreement between the two organizations means the Drillers will continue to operate as the Double A affiliate of the Rockies until at least through the 2010 baseball season.
"We could not be more pleased with the great working relationship that we have with the Colorado Rockies," said Drillers Executive Vice President Chuck Lamson. "Our first three years with the Rockies have more than met our expectations. From the level of communications we have to the competitive teams, they have been a first-class organization for us to be affiliated with."
The Drillers became the Double A affiliate of the Rockies in September of 2002, following a 26-year partnership with the Texas Rangers. The Drillers have produced winning records in each of their three seasons with the Rockies, and have won first-half championships in each of the last two seasons. As a Rockies affiliate, Tulsa has compiled the best overall record in the Texas League in both the 2003 and 2005 seasons.
Vegas’ big league pitch
Posted April 14, 2006
More on the suitability and unsuitability of Las Vegas as a MLB market. On the plus side: there’s a lot of people and money flowing through Sin City, with 1.8 million residents and 40 million visitors a year. On the minus side: it’s only the #48 media market, well behind San Antonio. We do know Oakland A’s managing partner recently hinted at Las Vegas being a possible destination for his team should an Alameda County ballpark not work out. Don Logan, the GM of the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), doesn’t believe the market is yet ready for big-league baseball.
Bees hope makeover is an instant classic
Posted April 14, 2006
Larry Miller, the owner of the Salt Lake Bees (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), went retro in a big way at Franklin Covey Field: The insides of Franklin Covey can now be called Cooperstown Concourse as 44 portraits — 20 more in suites — of Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax and others will hang from pillars. The Bees, who began their season on the road last week, will present three Hall of Fame moments during the game, including a classic radio call of a historical moment. Salt Lake is even bringing back the knothole club, for kids age 12 and under, that includes T-shirts and game tickets. More from the Deseret News.
PCL announces 2006 Hall of Fame inductees
Posted April 14, 2006
The Triple-A Pacific Coast League of Professional Baseball Clubs officially announces today the newest members of its historic Hall of Fame. This year’s distinguished list of seven PCL greats represent over 100 years of service in the league spanning from 1921 to the present day. The celebrated class is compiled of such prominent individuals as former manager Tommy Lasorda, former players Eddie Basinski, Dominic "Dom" DiMaggio, Bert Ellison, Dario Lodigiani, Bill Schuster, and the current PCL Statistical Historian Bill Weiss.
Plenty of options for Tiger Stadium
Posted April 14, 2006
Despite the statements from city officials about the inevitability of Tiger Stadium being torn down, that future is not assured for a variety of reasons. There have been several proposals to renovate the facility, but city officials (with the backing of the politically powerful Ilitch family) seem hell-bent on tearing down the 1912 ballpark, which opened the same day as Fenway Park. Ironically, many real-estate experts say the Tiger Stadium site is too small for big-box development: usually retailers look for sites of 20 acres or so, and the Tiger Stadium site is only 10 acres. What is needed: a statement from the Tigers that they want to see Tiger Stadium renovated and preserved. A film on attempts to preserve Tiger Stadium premieres April 24.
Hadlock’s new pavilion seating the latest tie to good old Fenway
Posted April 14, 2006
The Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) opened the U.S. Cellular Pavilion at Hadlock Field Thursday before the season opener. The pavilion, which sits beyond the right-field wall, is patterned after the seats on Fenway Park’s Green Monster. The new section adds 10 rows of pub-style seating, with 393 seats. It is the largest expansion at Hadlock since a 500-seat section was added down the left-field line. The addition makes Hadlock the fourth-largest ballpark in the Eastern League, with 7,368 seats.
Grapefruit League sets attendance mark
Posted April 14, 2006
Spring training games in Florida set an attendance record this year, drawing more than 1.6 million fans to 18 parks while the New York Yankees led the way with an average crowd of 10,124. In March, 274 games were played in Florida with crowds averaging 5,855, the Florida Sports Foundation said Thursday. The attendance total of 1,603,393 surpassed the mark from 2005 by nearly 5,000. The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Devil Rays set overall attendance records in 2006. Five teams topped 100,000. This was the eighth consecutive year the Yankees drew more than 10,000 fans a game.
Saints announce 2006 promotional schedule
Posted April 14, 2006
The ever-entertaining St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) announced their 2006 promotional schedule. Many of the promotions are pegged on team co-owner Mike Veeck, including tributes to Eddie Gaedel (the midget made famous by Bill Veeck), a Mary Frances Veeck/White Sox Tributes and VHS Demolition Night, the natural followup to Disco Demolition Night. Also on the agenda: a Bill Murray bobblehead night. The promotion that might raise the most local fuss: the Love Boat Anniversary Party, a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the TV show. The Love Boat here is the Minnetonka Queen, and the unique color scheme of the boat (gold and purple) may remind fans of another well-known Twin Cities area vessel that has been in the news.
Weather doesn’t dampen Clinton’s party
Posted April 14, 2006
In addition to christening a renovated ballpark Thursday night, the Clinton LumberKings (Class A; Modwest League) also broke in the new drainage system at Alliant Energy Field. A crowd of more than 2,500 was on hand to watch the LumberKings’ home opener against Kane County before a thunderstorm suspended play in the middle of the sixth inning with the Cougars leading 8-2. The game was suspended because Kane County scored seven runs in the top half of the inning to rally for a lead before play was halted.
Sox radio pact may top $12m per year
Posted April 14, 2006
The multimillion-dollar bidding war to secure radio rights to Red Sox baseball is virtually certain to pump more money into the team at a time when stations in other cities are refusing to increase payments for play-by-play broadcasts. The battle between Boston’s dominant sports station, WEEI-AM, and the owner of radio station WBOS-FM over which will walk away with the right to air Sox games once again demonstrates the enormous marketing power of the team. WEEI’s contract with the team expires this year, and the Sox have taken bids from radio stations for several months, but they have no deal yet. In their new contract, the terms of which are still being worked out, the Sox are likely to earn at least $12 million a year — nearly as much as the $13 million paid annually to the Atlanta Braves, and more than the New York Yankees’ current $10 million deal, though that is expiring this year. (Thanks to John Cerone.)
Bulls and ballpark ready for season
Posted April 14, 2006
The Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) may have suffered through a losing season last year, but that didn’t stop fans from coming out in droves — a team-record 520,371 packed Durham Bulls Athletic Park. New at the ballpark this season: "Wool E. Bull’s International Café" will increase offerings different from the traditional ballpark hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks. And a "Healthy Hits" stand will offer fruits and vegetables and even a bit of organic fare. Also, the former concourse souvenir stand will be converted into a sports bar-type lounge for season ticket holders.
Anybody out there? Echoes hollow at Dolphin Stadium
Posted April 14, 2006
Some in baseball are comparing this year’s edition of the Florida Marlins to the 2001 Montreal Expos, where a skinflint owner slashed payroll and marketing the team solely to hardcore baseball fans, resulting in record-low attendance figures. The comparisons are apt: Jeffrey Loria has a distinct way of doing business, and that involves punishing a market that doesn’t build him a new ballpark. Yesterday the Marlins sold 8,191 tickets to another matinee, and some think the Fish will end up being close to the Expos’ 7,935 fans a game from 2001.
Blacksnakes report brisk sales for inaugural season
Posted April 14, 2006
The St. Joe Blacksnakes (independent; American Association) announce that they are sold out of outfield wall signs at Phil Welch Stadium for the 2006 season and that other available corporate sponsorships are selling briskly. Season tickets in the chairback seats are selling quickly, too. Out of 504 box seats in the stadium, there are only 64 seats remaining for sale to season ticket holders. "We are extremely pleased with the support the community has shown so far. While we were optimistic in January that the area would be supportive, we have been pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm," said Duane Miller, general manager of the Blacksnakes.
Ballpark Notes
Posted April 14, 2006
An RBI double from Eddy Martinez-Esteve of the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) in the 10th inning powered the Defenders to a 5-4 win over the Trenton Thunder on Thursday night. The paid crowd of 7,069 was the largest for a home opener in the 13-year history of the Thunder franchise. The previous high on a home opener was 6,994 in the 1995 season. The last time Trenton had a sellout for a home opener was 2001. That team was 0-9 heading into that game….Tonight Siena College and Le Moyne College will play the first-ever Division I college baseball game at Joseph Bruno Stadium in Troy, N.Y. Game time is 6:30 p.m. The ballpark is home to the Tri-City Valley Cats (short season; NY-Penn League).
A’s close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials say
Posted April 13, 2006
The Oakland A’s are in the final stages of negotiating to build a new ballpark in Fremont on land leased by Cisco Systems Inc., a city official said. The team’s co-owner Lew Wolff wants to build a ballpark village including thousands of homes and a retail center on a 143-acre parcel of land, Fremont City Manager Fred Diaz said. Diaz, along with Fremont City Council members and Daren Fields, the city’s economic development director, met April 3 with Wolff to discuss the possible deal. The move would allow the A’s to not only tap its East Bay fan base, but also get closer to businesses and fans in Silicon Valley without infringing on the San Francisco Giants’ South Bay territorial rights. However, the move could present its own set of problems — with the main one being transportation. The site for the proposed ballpark is about five miles away from the Fremont BART stop, a direct contrast to the A’s current home, which features nearby BART and Capitol Corridor stops. Whether the A’s actually move ahead immediately with a new ballpark (as opposed to other development) remains to be seen: the A’s and the team’s current landlord, the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority, are in preliminary negotiations for a contract extension at McAfee Coliseum. While the deal would keep the A’s in town until at least 2010 and possibly until 2013, it appears likely that the team will have an option to leave without penalty after that, if it relocated inside Alameda County.
Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick wants Tiger Stadium razed
Posted April 13, 2006
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick said he’ll make a final decision on Tiger Stadium’s fate in May. But he all but confirmed Tuesday that the ballpark will be, in broadcaster Ernie Harwell’s trademark line, long gone. Showing how far along his thinking had progressed on the issue, Kilpatrick said he’s gotten estimates that enough memorabilia could be salvaged from the ballpark and sold to pay for the demolition at no cost to the city. David Malhalab, a retired Detroit police officer who is among those trying to save the stadium, said Kilpatrick has failed to consider legitimate plans to save it.
Squeeze play on the Mets
Posted April 13, 2006
Some City Council members are trying to "extort" community benefits from the Mets before approving tax-exempt bond financing tied to the team’s future ballpark, Mayor Michael Bloomberg charged yesterday. "We can’t just turn every development project into the opportunity for a handful of elected officials to say, ‘I want you to give some things to my friends’ companies,’ " the mayor said. ". . . Every development project . . . cannot be an excuse to extort money from the developers." The Mets plan to replace Shea Stadium with a state-of-the-art facility to open in 2009 on what is now an adjacent parking lot. In return, Queens lawmakers have demanded a community partnership similar to what the Yankees agreed to for their future stadium. Some accuse the Mets of being bad neighbors. More from the Daily News.
Grizzlies unveil changes to Grizzlies Stadium
Posted April 13, 2006
The Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) highlighted the new features to Grizzlies Stadium and showcased their improvements at their first Media Open House. The new features in the ballpark include a completely renovated team store, new items to the Kids’ Fun Zone such as an inflatable slide, 28-foot rock-climbing wall and maze and an overhaul of the owner’s suite. The media also had the opportunity to sample one of the new food items available to fans this season, Peach Melba "Grizzlies Paw." Peach Melba is fresh peach, hand-dipped vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce drizzled on top.
Dodger Stadium as IRL race site?
Posted April 13, 2006
Indy Racing League and Dodger Stadium officials are exploring the possibility of holding a road-course race in the area surrounding the stadium. Dodgers senior vice president of communications Camille Johnston confirmed Monday that IRL officials are proposing a race that would use the parking lot and access roads on the streets in Elysian Park. IRL vice president of public relations John Griffin said the race likely would be held in March, with a 2007 event being a remote possibility.
Sviggum says Twins bill will get fair shake
Posted April 13, 2006
Minnesota Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum tells Sid Hartman the proposal for a new Twins ballpark in downtown Minneapolis will get a fair hearing in the Legislature in coming weeks. There’s no state money involved in the project — it will be mostly financed by a 0.15 percent sales tax (excluding food, clothing and medicine purchases) in Hennepin County — and the real point of contention will be whether the Legislature allows the tax levy without a countywide referendum, which is the current law. So far the issue has not been contentious, though there are some anti-tax conservatives and anti-ballpark liberals who will raise a fuss once the issue comes front and center.
Decision on new Major League affiliation for Red Barons still months away
Posted April 13, 2006
The folks in Lackawanna County apparently were hopeful about luring the Pittsburgh Pirates as a parent team for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League), but the decision by the Pirates to extend their current PDC with the Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League) would preclude that shift. The Phillies have all but announced they’ll be changing affiliations when their current deal with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ends at the end of this season. Team and county officials are pulling together a plan to attract possible suitors, but the courtship process follows a stringent time line that starts with the season’s end. The logical replacement would be the Baltimore Orioles, who are expected to lose their affiliation with the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) should the team be sold and moved.
Stars, fans will mingle during All-Star break
Posted April 13, 2006
Though the plans aren’t final, the Pittsburgh Pirates are hinting at some big things for this summer’s All-Star Game, to be held at PNC Park. Plans for Pittsburgh are still developing but will involve the city’s bridges and perhaps its buildings and rivers. The city’s face lift also could include wrapping abandoned buildings with the All-Star Game logo, Mayor Bob O’Connor said. Communities throughout a 10-county region will be involved in the outreach effort. Before the game, O’Connor said he wants to rid streets of panhandlers, toughen laws on public drunkenness, plant flowers and pave roads.
Fair Grounds Field turns 20
Posted April 13, 2006
Fair Grounds Field, the home of the Shreveport Sports (independent; American Association), is now 20 years old. Once considered a jewel of the minors, Fair Grounds Field was built before Dunn Tire Field and Oriole Park at Camden Yards, two events that radically changed ballpark design. Twenty years after Shreveport had a $3.5 million stadium request on the ballot, the Arkansas Travelers will be moving into a $32.5 million stadium in North Little Rock, Ark., in 2007. While newer stadiums have come with the proverbial bells and whistles, Fair Grounds Field did have a renovation in 1999 with additional sky box room, the press box being moved to the fourth floor and bullpens being moved past the outfield wall. It doesn’t sound like anyone is clamoring to spend tens of millions on a new ballpark to attract an affiliated team — leaving the market to the Sports.
Reggie interested, but Loria is not selling
Posted April 13, 2006
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson said Wednesday he has approached Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria about purchasing a portion of the team, but Loria does not appear interested. Jackson and his three investment partners have failed in several attempts to buy teams, including the Oakland Athletics and the Minnesota Twins last year. Jackson said his group would be interested in owning either minority or majority interest in the Marlins