Archives: May 7-13, 2006
Baseball card industry begins remarketing to lost generation
Posted May 12, 2006
It’s no secret the baseball-card industry is in the doldrums, now a tenth of what it was in 1992 in terms of revenues. In theory, it should be the opposite: the presence of online services like eBay should be fueling trading and sales. But many observers say the industry saturated fans with product over the last decade, and classic supply/demand came into play. To counter this 30-second TV spots sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association are appearing on Nickelodeon and the Cartoon Network.
Fans not packing "The Box"
Posted May 12, 2006
Perhaps they’re all waiting for the replacement. For the second consecutive season, attendance at LSU home baseball games is in sharp decline. Through 34 games, ticket scanners recorded 43 percent fewer fans entering Alex Box Stadium than for the same number of games in 2004, the last year the Tigers reached the College World Series. Despite selling nine more season-tickets this season than in 2001, LSU’s last season coached by Skip Bertman, and despite leading the nation in ticket sales for the last 10 seasons, the Tigers are playing in front of dramatically smaller crowds. In 2004, LSU drew 155,059 fans to its first 34 home games, including three regional games. This year’s 34-game total is 88,301.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 12, 2006
The St. Joe Blacksnakes (independent; American Association) announced Heartland Health as their presenting sponsor for the upcoming 2006 baseball season. Heartland Health is an integrated health delivery system, including a medical center, physician practices, foundation and a health plan. At the team’s media day, General Manager Duane Miller provided an update on the renovation of Phil Welch Stadium. The team has already expanded and improved the dugouts, re-painted the ballpark and re worked the bathrooms and concessions area. To enhance the fans experience, the team recently installed a new sound system and is in the process of creating graveled picnic areas down both the right-field and left-field lines by moving the bullpens onto the field….The New Haven County Cutters (independent; Can-Am Association) announced that David L. Boyle will now serve as president of the team, replacing current president Rick Handelman, who will move to vice chairman and chief financial officer for the Cutters. Boyle served as vice chairman of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. until his retirement in June 2005. Ambac is a AAA-rated financial guarantor that provides financial guaranty insurance for municipalities and structured finance transactions around the world. Prior to joining Ambac in 1997 Boyle was a managing director at Citibank where he held a number of senior management positions in corporate lending, cash management, electronic banking, and global securities over a 22-year career….The name for this year’s pig mascot for the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association): Bud Squealig….The River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) are moving to St. Louis’ Sports Leader 100.7 FM KFNS for the 2006 season. KFNS will broadcast all 96 regular season games, both home and road, as well as the Rascals May 20th exhibition game against their cross-town rival, the Gateway Grizzlies. In addition, 100.7 FM KFNS will be the only place fans can hear any and all of the Rascals postseason action during the 2006 season….Tim Ireland, who had served seven games of a 10-games suspension for arguing with umpires May 3, was dismissed by the Texas Rangers as manager of the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; International League) over what the team called philosophical differences. He was replaced by hitting coach Mike Boulanger….
Braves’ sale could bring Turner back into mix
Posted May 10, 2006
If Liberty Media does indeed land the Atlanta Braves, management there says they’d love to bring back Ted Turner to the team he put on the map. A Liberty Media spokesman said last month that, if the company bought an asset such as the Braves, it would be hoping to acquire a strong management that could continue to run the business. That position has led to much speculation around the Braves that Liberty would attempt to keep team president and former Turner Broadcasting CEO Terry McGuirk in place to run the team. Turner, as you’ll recall, continually butted heads with MLB in his early days as owner of the team, once incurring the wrath of baseball officials when he donned a uniform and managed the team. But he’s a shrewd businessman, and during his time as owner of the Braves they became American’s Team — a designation they’ve lacked for several years. Liberty Media owns about 4 percent of Time Warner stock and would trade that stock for the Braves and cash; the deal is attractive to both sides because it minimizes tax implications and allows them to monetize current assets. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is also said to be pursuing a purchase of the Braves.
Ports sue city
Posted May 10, 2006
The Stockton Ports (Class A; California League) filed a lawsuit late Tuesday against the city of Stockton, City Manager Gordon Palmer said. The lawsuit follows a November claim in which club owner Tom Volpe said the city’s redesign of Banner Island Ballpark and its failure to build it on time cost the team at least $2.7 million. The original design called for an upper deck and less ground-level seating, resulting in a ballpark with more capacity — resulting in the perception that the crowds are smaller than they are. (City officials went back and forth over the intention of the ballpark: at one point plans were changed to attract a Class AAA Pacific Coast League year, a move that ultimately was unsuccessful.) The city and the Ports have clashed on other ballpark-related matters; the city insists it be called Stockton Ballpark, but the team says they prefer the name Banner Island Ballpark.
Three stadiums, many questions
Posted May 10, 2006
With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, tempers are getting short — and will probably be shorter in a conference committee to be appointed to decide the fate of three sports facilities in the Twin Cities, including a new Minnesota Twins ballpark. There are two sides here: the Minnesota House (controlled by Republicans) and Gov. Tim Pawlenty (a Republican) agreed on a 0.15 percent sales tax (sans food, clothing and medicine) in Hennepin County to partially pay for a new Twins ballpark, while the Minnesota Senate (controlled by DFLers) passed a plan calling for a 0.5 percent sales tax (sans food, clothing and medicine) in the entire seven-county metro area to pay for retractable-roof stadiums for the Twins and the Minnesota Vikings, as well as a host of road projects. Pawlenty attempting to bring the two sides together yesterday, but Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson skipped out on the meeting, saying he was too busy. Both sides are playing politics, though the Senate DFLers seem bent on pushing the metrowide tax in an effort to either get Pawlenty to support a new road tax or scrap the idea of a Vikings stadium. It’s election-year politics, friends, with some personality clashes as well.
Attorney delivers outdated Sounds plans to Sports Authority
Posted May 10, 2006
An attorney for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) presented to a committee of the Nashville Sports Authority what he said was a draft master plan for the site of the new Sounds ballpark and an accompanying residential development — an eagerly awaited plan in the Music City. But then confusion arose later in the day when Sounds General Manager Glenn Yaeger said that the attorney, John Lewis, had presented incorrect information. In addition, Michael Hayes — the Nashville development director for Struever Brothers, Eccles & Rouse, the Baltimore firm that will build condominiums, shops and possibly a hotel around the stadium — said that the plans were three months old.
Charlotte County approves South Coast League lease
Posted May 10, 2006
Charlotte County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a lease with the independent South Coast League for Charlotte Sports Stadium, the former spring home of the Texas Rangers. It’s considering a decent facility; historically it’s had one of the best playing surfaces in the region. In signing the lease, commissioners may have also given up on their quest to bring spring training back to the area. Probably wise: any MLB team comes into negotiations with a big checklist of items, and Charlotte County commissioners blanched at building a $3 million office building for the Cleveland Indians when those two sides were talking. The agreement guarantees SCL will pay the county $65,000 over three years to lease the stadium for 50 home games each season. The contract also allots the county 3 percent of the team’s gross revenues in 2008 and 5 percent of 2009’s gross revenues. SCL officials say they will work toward drawing 2,000 fans a game by 2009, which would be quite the accomplishment — no Class A Florida State League draws at that level. More from NBC-2.
Wolff wants to keep A’s in Bay Area
Posted May 10, 2006
It’s no secret that Oakland A’s managing partner Lew Wolff wants to keep his team in the Bay Area: he’s worked on an Oakland ballpark, and only when that option dissipated did he turn his sights to nearby Fremont, where the team is close to a deal for land for a mixed-use development that will include housing, office space and a new ballpark. The argument here is that Oakland should take the threat of Fremont seriously and go after the A’s with another proposal for an Oakland ballpark.
Giants will fall off map without Bonds
Posted May 10, 2006
The argument from Ken Rosenthal is that the San Francisco Giants will face huge problems when Barry Bonds finally hangs up his glove. Not so sure that’s true. Yes, Giants fans are supporting Bonds and the team through thick and thin. But we’ve spent a fair amount of time at AT&T Park over the last four years, and the game experience there is one of the best in baseball — and that experience will carry over without Bonds. This is a case where judging fan experience from a comfy perch in the press box may lead to a misguided opinion. Speaking of Bonds: if you caught last night’s game on WGN-TV, you probably saw how thick McCovey Cove was with kayakers.
Tough times for Marlins and their fans
Posted May 10, 2006
The fans left, anyway. The Fish are averaging less than 13,000 a game at Dolphin Stadium; take away Opening Day and that average goes down significantly. A payroll of $15 million and some pretty atrocious play is keeping fans away in droves. If the Fish were rebuilding, a low payroll would be one thing; but to put it simply the team just doesn’t have much money, and the low attendance isn’t helping things. We keep harping on this, but the best way for the team to succeed is for owner Jeffrey Loria to bring in a high-profile local investor or two (preferably Cuban-American) and go for a downtown Miami ballpark.
Conservation group puts Ray Winder Field on "most endangered" list
Posted May 10, 2006
The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas placed Ray Winder Field, the home of the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) on its list of endangered places in the state. The Travelers are moving to a new ballpark in North Little Rock next summer, and the future of Ray Winder, the home of minor-league baseball in Little Rock since 1932, is in some doubt.
Standards of the day hindered Babe Ruth
Posted May 10, 2006
If Babe Ruth played today, he would have hit 1,150 home runs over the course of his career, according to baseball historian Bill Jenkinson. His arguments come down to the fact that in Ruth’s day homers needed to land fair (many of Ruth’s potential homers were called out because they wrapped around the foul pole) and he played in a season with only 154 games. Plus, ballparks in those days were a lot more spacious, and what would be a home run today was a triple back then (he hit 136 over his career). Not sure we buy all the arguments, though the information about the foul pole is very useful; to give Bonds a little credit, the pitchers of today are a lot better than in Ruth’s day, and the Babe played a lot of games in some very intimate venues for lefties: Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds. As Bonds prepares to reach Ruth’s career mark, we tend to forget the man who hit the most and his tribulations: Henry Aaron.
Midland ballpark should be team’s jewel
Posted May 10, 2006
Construction proceeds apace on a new ballpark in Midland, Mich., for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays (Class A; Midwest League), who will relocate at the end of the season. Concrete has been poured for the foundation; gas and electrical site work will begin next month, and then the outlines of the whole ballpark should be visible. The new ballpark is slated to open in April 2007.
Sports eager for start of the season
Posted May 10, 2006
With a new front office — Terri Sipes replaced Brian Viselli as the team’s general manager — and two new coaches — Eddie Gerald and Angel Aragon — the Shreveport Sports (independent; American Association) are expecting big things this season. Shreveport should be a decent market for baseball, and Fair Grounds Park is a very functional facility.
The top college ballparks
Posted May 10, 2006
Here’s a look at the top college ballparks. Yeah, I know, we don’t spend enough time visiting college ballparks; so many facilities, so little time. The nice thing about this list is the inclusion of ballparks you normally don’t see in best-of lists, like Pepperdine’s Eddy D. Field Stadium and Mississippi State’s Noble Field. The other nice thing: the author admits there are a lot of great ballparks he hasn’t seen.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 10, 2006
Jacobsen, a Textron company, will continue to be the exclusive supplier of turf care equipment to Cal Ripken, Jr. and his Ripken Management and Design clients. A three-year agreement was signed between the company and the future Hall of Fame inductee. Jacobsen products are used exclusively to maintain Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (short season; NY-Penn League), and Lake Olmstead Stadium, the home of the Augusta GreenJackets (Class A; Sally League)….Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) officials announced that home exhibition games on May 19 and May 22 will be free of charge. Spring training will also be open to the public starting on Friday, May 12 and running through Wednesday, May 24, with Historic Holman Stadium open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m….
State Senate passes Twins legislation; conference committee to decide fate of ballpark
Posted May 9, 2006
On a straight party-line vote, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation authorizing new stadiums for the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota football teams using the proceeds of a 0.5 percent sales tax in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The Senate measure would fund a ballpark in downtown Minneapolis’s Warehouse District; the Twins would contribute to the costs of the ballpark and a quarter of the cost of a $125-million retractable roof. The passage of the bill sets up a showdown in conference committee; the House passed legislation authorizing Hennepin County to issue a 0.15 percent sales tax (sans food, clothing and medicine). House leaders and Gov. Tim Pawlenty say the metrowide sales tax is a nonstarter; politically, the Senate DFL — and, more specifically, gubernatorial candidate Sen. Steve Kelley — can say they tried to solve all the problems but the House Republicans scaled back the proposal.
Triple-A leagues sign up first official sponsor
Posted May 9, 2006
Triple-A Baseball today announced a first in its 120-year history by making Hyundai Motor America its official automotive sponsor. The exclusive sponsorship swings into full gear in May. "With an all-time high attendance of 14.1 million fans in 2005, Triple-A Baseball is the fifth most attended professional sport in the United States," said Michelle Cervantez, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America. "Triple-A Baseball fans align perfectly with Hyundai owners — they are fun, family-oriented and appreciate a good value. We are thrilled to position the Hyundai brand with baseball played by tomorrow’s big league stars, today."
City, R-Braves see need for new talks
Posted May 9, 2006
After a chilling-out period, officials from the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) and Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder say they should sit down to discuss ideas to keep the Braves in Richmond. The Braves say they have ideas, while Wilder appears to be dropping his idea to build a new ballpark on the former Fulton Gas Works site and is instead willing to look at a renovation of the team’s current home, The Diamond. Braves officials say little will happen until a sale of the Atlanta Braves by Time Warner happens, but that gives both sides some time to throw around ideas and map strategies. Bob Lipper says the team should stay in a renovated Diamond. More form the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
International League suspends Young for 50 games
Posted May 9, 2006
The Class AAA International League has suspended Delmon Young of the Durham Bulls for 50 games as punishment for throwing his bat at an umpire during an April 26 game. The 50-game suspension without pay is retroactive to April 27, which will allow Young to play again on Monday, June 19. Young has also agreed to perform a minimum of 50 hours of community service while under suspension, which will be divided between the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League and the Miracle League of Gulf Beaches.
"The goal in reviewing this very serious matter was to arrive at a fair and just action against Mr. Young," said International League President Randy Mobley. "With the 50-game suspension, longer than any other uncovered in the League’s 123-year history, and the significant fine as a result of the loss of salary, I believe this has been accomplished."
A’s, Fremont near deal
Posted May 9, 2006
The Oakland Athletics are said to be in the final stages of negotiating to build a new ballpark in Fremont just off Interstate 880. Managing partner Lew Wolff started his search outside Oakland after saying the city likely didn’t have the land available to build a mixed-used development that would include a ballpark, homes and retail, but a parcel of land in Fremont owned by Cisco Systems would do the trick. While there are some negatives for a Fremont location — it would take the team away from its rabid fan base in Oakland — it would also put the team closer to San Jose and its array of baseball fans and potential corporate sponsors without infringing on any territorial rights owned by the San Francisco Giants.
Swing ownership rejects buyout bid
Posted May 9, 2006
Iowa Cubs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) owners Raccoon Baseball Inc. struck out Monday in their attempts to buy the Swing of the Quad Cities (Class A; Midwest League), but don’t expect the issue to go away. Kevin Krause, president of Swing owners Seventh Inning Stretch, said Monday afternoon that Raccoon’s $7 million offer for the team was "not a market offer" and "wasn’t sufficient" enough to pursue. Seventh Inning had until 5 p.m. Monday to accept the Des Moines group’s offer. However, don’t be surprised if other offers come in: Krause says everyone has their price, and RBI’s offer called for the team to receive only $2.5 million of the $7 million.
Malone: Liberty Media is interested on Braves purchase
Posted May 9, 2006
Liberty Media Chairman John Malone confirmed for the first time his firm is interested in purchasing the Atlanta Braves through a stock swap that minimizes the cash needed for the transaction and any resulting tax liabilities. Liberty Media owns about 4 percent of Time Warner; they would use that to acquire the Braves, along with cash. Liberty reported a loss of $26 million for its most recent quarter. Time Warner has narrowed down the list of potential owners of the Braves to Liberty Media and Arthur Blank, the owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Braves.
Fenway part of Monopoly game?
Posted May 9, 2006
The folks who produce the Monopoly board game have been holding a contest for the public to determine what properties are featured in the next generation of the game, and Fenway Park is a strong contender to make the cut. The venerable Boston ballpark might even beat out the White House for a coveted space on the new Monopoly board game that’s being designed. Fenway Park and the White House are neck-and-neck in the voting so far. The two have been going back and forth since voting began last month. You can cast your own vote here.
Fitchburg makes another pitch for pro baseball
Posted May 9, 2006
Fitchburg (Mass.) officials say professional ballpark remains the potential centerpiece f