Archives: May 14-20, 2006
Lerner group plans RFK ‘grand reopening’
Posted May 19, 2006
After receiving unanimous approval from MLB owners to purchase the Washington Nationals for $450 million, the Lerner/Kasten ownership moved quickly to establish good relations with fans by announcing a grand reopening of RFK Stadium. From the time the Nationals began playing at RFK Stadium in April 2005, fans have complained about long lines, poor service, limited food choices, dusty hallways and a garbled sound system. Stan Kasten, who will take over as team president once the sale is finalized in late June or early July, said the new ownership group will seek to make modest improvements (i.e., spend the money MLB refused to spend) and unveil them when the Chicago Cubs come to Washington for a three-game series after the all-star break.
Committee approves Twins ballpark; final approval expected this weekend
Posted May 19, 2006
A legislative conference committee today approved a proposal for a new 42,000-seat Minnesota Twins ballpark to be financed by a 0.15 percent sales tax (excluding food, medicine and clothing purchases) in Hennepin County. After a month of proposals that included a metrowide sales tax, funding for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium and financing for transit projects in the Twin Cities metro area, the conference committee passed pretty much the same thing the House approved last month: financing of the ballpark via the sales tax, and a waiver of the requirement Hennepin County ask voters to approve the tax via referendum. Approval from the full Legislature expected before the end of session on Sunday. More from the Pioneer Press.
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for Sarasota bed tax revenue
Posted May 19, 2006
Officials in Sarasota continue to debate the future of the Cincinnati Reds’ training facilities, with the current plan calling for half of the projected $2.3 million that would be raised with a 1 percent increase in the tax charged on hotels and vacation rentals. A half penny is the linchpin of a grand plan to build a new ballpark, clubhouse and training fields for the Cincinnati Reds, replacing the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The local funds would match state funds approved by the Florida Legislature this spring. The financial plan also calls for the Reds to contribute funds, but city and county officials have not yet approached the team.
Lackawanna County Stadium’s new deck cashes in
Posted May 19, 2006
Construction of a new left-field deck at Lackawanna County Stadium, the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (Class AAA; International League), has been delayed, but the project is already generating revenue for the county. Beverage distributor L.T. Verrastro Inc. has agreed to a three-year, $100,000 naming rights deal for the deck, which is slated to open by early June. The company gets to advertise on a massive, 20-foot by 40-foot billboard atop the deck, as well as other smaller signs throughout the ballpark. The contract runs through the 2008 season. The deck was scheduled to open May 3, but delays in obtaining steel railings has delayed the opening.
Fans finding hope in Devil Rays
Posted May 19, 2006
If you caught last night’s White Sox-Devil Rays broadcast on ESPN2, you saw a crowd of over 22,000 fans at Tropicana Field — a tribute to the new D-Rays ownership, which appears to have infused life into the franchise. They’ve already spent $10 million on improvements to the Trop, but the more important investment may have been sending ushers, ticket takers, vendors and other customer-service workers were sent to R.A.Y.S. University (Ready At Your Service), where they learned new priorities based on being friendly and helpful while wearing new blue baseball jerseys with FAN HOST across the chest.
River Cats draw five millionth fan
Posted May 19, 2006
The Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) drew the 5,000,000th fan in their history to Raley Field on Thursday night, becoming what is believed to be the fastest team in the history of Minor League Baseball to do so.
Natomas resident Nina Muma was the lucky fan and received the royal treatment, riding around the warning track in a convertible corvette, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to first River Cats fan Dave Kelley and, along with her friends and family, enjoying field-level seats and free food all night long. Nina also won a free trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, and free River Cats tickets for a year.
New wall is far out, man
Posted May 19, 2006
If the Philadelphia Phillies had not moved out the fences at Citizens Bank Park this offseason, Chase Utley would have three additional home runs. Overall, it looks like the fence move has kept 11 balls in the park that would have been homers last season, with Utley losing the most. Entering yesterday’s games, Citizens Bank Park ranked 12th in the majors in homers hit per home, at 2.3. Add those 11 that would have been homers last season and the average rises to 2.78, fourth in the majors.
Chamber wants July 11 election on Springdale ballpark tax
Posted May 19, 2006
Springdale (Ark.) aldermen will decide Tuesday whether to ask city voters for an extension of a 1 percent sales tax to pay up to $ 46 million for a minor-league ballpark. Perry Webb, president and chief executive officer of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, contacted aldermen this week to ask whether they supported putting a 1 percent sales tax before voters July 11. Though the tenant of the new ballpark has not been announced, the buzz is that the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) are looking at a move.
Dodgers, Universal Studios expand partnership
Posted May 19, 2006
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Universal Studios Hollywood are expanded their relationship with tickets and attractions. Beginning June 15, kids 15-and-under will be admitted free to Universal Studios Hollywood when accompanied by a paying adult. Also, each child will receive a voucher redeemable at Dodger Stadium for a free kid’s admission. And free kids’ tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood will be distributed at six Dodgers home games beginning with the May 20 match-up with crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Other games included in the "Universal Studios Hollywood Days" promotion are June 20, July 8 and 22 and August 7 and 12. Tickets quantities are limited and restrictions apply; see
http://www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/Dodgers for details.
Dodger fans visiting Universal Studios Hollywood will see other evidence of the Universal-Dodgers partnership. The Dodger Dogs restaurant, also located on CityWalk, serves Southern California’s famous stadium hot dog at the first and only Dodgers-dedicated eatery outside Dodger Stadium, where the tasty ballpark treats can be enjoyed with live game broadcasts.
Universal CityWalk is also home to the popular Dodgers Clubhouse and Memorabilia Shop, the only location outside of Dodger Stadium to offer guests an opportunity to buy authentic Dodgers apparel, gifts and souvenirs. A unique "Dodgers Blueprint" hand-of-fame sidewalk gallery greets guests at the store’s entrance and features hand prints from such Dodgers’ greats as Ron Cey, Tommy Lasorda and Eric Gagne.
RiverHawks players housed in old Lambeau clubhouse
Posted May 19, 2006
The Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) players and coaches will spend the 2006 season in a clubhouse once used by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. The clubhouse is actually a five-piece modular unit the National Football League team used to house visiting teams during the 2002 season, while Lambeau was undergoing renovations. The RiverHawks will have a permanent clubhouse built in time for the 2007 season, their second at the ballpark. Bill Linden of Skandia Construction, who is the superintendent of the RiverHawks Stadium project, said bringing in a temporary locker room had advantages while other elements of the ballpark are completed. The clubhouse, leased from GE Modular for one year, was delivered in April on five trailers. It measures 4,416 square feet and will be used for both home and visiting locker rooms, as well as a dressing room for the umpires.
WU baseball field, CBL team are great fit
Posted May 19, 2006
Of the 42 cities named by the startup Continental Baseball League, league officials say 14 are strong contenders to land a team, with singer Tony Orlando interested in placing a team in Branson, Mo., and a group of New York City lawyers looking at buying up to four franchises at $100,000 a pop. (Also, out of the 42, three have been eliminated from consideration.) In Topeka, a newspaper columnist is calling for a team to play at Washburn University’s Falley Field. It may be fanciful thinking: the Washburn college coach admits he doesn’t even show recruits the ballpark because it’s in such bad shape, and school officials are putting $100,000 into the facility just to meet the minimal MIAA standards. You’d been looking at a minimum of $3 million to make it presentable — at best. We remain skeptical: cities like Pueblo and Fort Collins lack suitable facilities, and it seems fancy to think Aspen (permanent population: 5,717) would work.
Greenville Drive is drawing fans
Posted May 19, 2006
Another laudatory article about West End Field, the home of the Greenville Drive (Class A; Sally League). We’ve already expressed our great admiration for the ballpark and the team, and the Charlotte Observer follows up by pointing out the Drive is now selling out weekend games. Not much here you can’t find in our write-up — but it’s good to see the Drive garner some more attention.
Empty seats spoil opener for Vipers
Posted May 19, 2006
Fewer than 1,000 fans showed up for the Calgary Vipers (independent; Northern League) season opener at Foothills Stadium. The game should have drawn better: there was live music before the game, and the temperature was a balmy 24C (that’s 75 degrees for those of us south of the border). Great weather, great music, and the defending Northern League champions in town…a small crowd doesn’t bode well for the team, which we’ve heard could be up for sale. Moving into western Canada was always a risky move for the Northern League, and it’s about time to debate whether it’s a failure: with neither team drawing well and seemingly little hope for an all-Canada northern division, it may be time to pull the plug on the failed experiment.
Hope still alive for Marshall on-campus ballpark
Posted May 19, 2006
Marshall University lacks an on-campus ballpark that meets Conference USA standards, so the team plays its "home" games in places like Appalachian Power Park, the home of the West Virginia Power (Class A; Sally League). University Heights, located five miles from campus, has served as the Thundering Herd’s home since 1999. It’s the program’s 13th home ballpark (including high school fields when flooding made St. Cloud Commons unplayable), but an elusive on-campus park remains in planning stages. An announcement appeared imminent last year when a ballpark was expected to be included in a $70 million facilities plan funded by a private developer. The deal was never finalized, however, leaving coaches, players and fans continuing the call for a permanent, on-campus home.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 19, 2006
The Nashua Pride (independent; Can-Am Association) announced that Robin Wallace has been named the team’s permanent general manager. Wallace will run the day-to-day business dealings for the Pride while Chris Hall will assume the role of vice president of baseball operations with the club for the upcoming season. Both Wallace and Hall will report to Jim Stabile, who has held the position of interim GM for the last few weeks, and will stay on with the club as the chief operating officer. Stabile will move back into his full-time management position with the Stabile Companies in the coming weeks.
Legislature moves toward original Twins ballpark plan
Posted May 18, 2006
Burning the midnight oil, a Minnesota Legislature conference committee moved toward approving a plan for Hennepin County to fund a new Minnesota Twins ballpark with a 0.15 percent sales tax (not including food, clothing and medicine) — a plan already approved by the Minnesota House and one with plenty of support in the Minnesota Senate. The plan would waive the legal requirement for a referendum, allowing the Twins and Hennepin County to move quickly toward construction of a $522 million ballpark in Minneapolis’s Warehouse District. Plans for a new Twins ballpark had been muddied by the Senate, which was pushing for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium and hundreds of millions in transit projects funded by a metrowide sales tax. The conference committee is expected to approve the Twins ballpark bill today. More from the Pioneer Press.
Lerner receives initial approval to buy Nats; full approval expected today
Posted May 18, 2006
The sale of the Washington Nationals to Ted Lerner and Stan Kasten won unanimous endorsements Wednesday from the sport’s ownership committee and executive council, and all owners are to vote on it Thursday. With final approval a foregone conclusion, MLB President/COO Bob DuPuy expects the ownership of the Nationals will be transferred between June 15 and the All-Star game on July 11.
CRDA says OK to Bernie Robbins name on Sandcastle
Posted May 18, 2006
The Atlantic City Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) gave approval for Atlantic City Professional Baseball Club, the group that owns the Atlantic City Surf (independent; Atlantic League), to negotiate and execute an agreement for the naming rights of the Sandcastle. According to a member of the CRDA, Bernie Robbins Jewelers will purchase the naming rights of the Sandcastle for one year for $100,000. An official announcement is expected next week. Of the $100,000, $25,000 will go into a fund reservation that will be used for ballpark improvements. The other $75,000 will go into marketing, signage and other costs involving the transfer of the name.
Ballpark cost surges with PG&E estimate
Posted May 18, 2006
San Jose would have to pay $30.8 million to move a Pacific Gas & Electric substation to accommodate a proposed downtown San Jose ballpark, according to an estimate released Wednesday. The city began buying property just south of the Diridon train station last November in hopes of creating a ballpark site to attract the Oakland A’s. One of the major unknowns in the venture was how much it would cost to relocate downtown’s major power supply away from the property being eyed for the ballpark. The $30.8 million is a lot more than city officials anticipated; given that most San Jose voters oppose a taxpayer spending on a new ballpark and the San Francisco Giants control the San Jose territory, the final piece of data may have sealed the fate of a new ballpark.
Nashville ballpark master plan in batter’s box
Posted May 18, 2006
At a public forum Friday, developers of the new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark and retail-residential development downtown will propose extending Demonbreun Street through First Avenue to a new public plaza overlooking the Cumberland River. Also at the meeting, officials with the Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse will present a proposed master plan for the ballpark site, which sits between the Shelby Street and Gateway bridges, and solicit public input. Several Metro agencies will then have to give final approval to the layout, which will indicate, among other aspects of the development, the orientation of home plate.
Thousands want a Stadium Lofts unit
Posted May 18, 2006
Mixed-use developments featuring a ballpark, housing and office/retail seems to be the nirvana for every new ballpark project out there, but they take a long time to develop. Here’s a look at a one finally underway: the Stadium Lofts next to Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The city has been pursuing a larger development next to the ballpark for years, and the Stadium Lofts project has already garnered a long list of folks interested in buying a condo near the ballpark — 4,000 are on the interest list for 390 units.
Swing poised to break three-game attendance record
Posted May 18, 2006
John O’Donnell Stadium is expected to break a new attendance record this weekend, the Swing of the Quad Cities (Class A; Midwest League) announced Wednesday. Saturday’s homestand opener against Clinton will mark the final game of a three-game home stretch in which the Swing will see more fans pass through the gates than in any such stretch before. After finishing out the previous homestand with a total of 9,652 fans in the final two games of the series against South Bend, the Swing are set to break the previous mark with John Deere Employees Night looming on Saturday, May 20. Over the past five years, the annual night has averaged 4,197 fans.
MLB’S image a marketing nightmare
Posted May 18, 2006
There are some great stories in Major League Baseball this season: the rise of the Detroit Tigers, an original American League franchise, is a great one, as is the new life shown by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays front office at Tropicana Field, the competitiveness of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Cincinnati Reds and the Amazin’ Mets…we could go on and on. But the headlines this season have been dominated by Barry Bonds, and he’s turning into a sad caricature of his former self. It’s always sad to see a formerly great player struggle in the twilight of his career: it was sad to see Willie Mays in his final days with the Mets and Michael Jordan in his final days with the Washington Wizards as well. Baseball is a game of stories, but the stories have been bad this season.
HARB OKs razing for York ballpark
Posted May 18, 2006
York’s Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) voted on Wednesday to support razing an eight-unit row home on North Court Street, an old bus station at 315-317 N. George St. and three homes at 10, 12 and 14 Washington Ave. The buildings are in the city’s historic district and will be replaced with the gateway entrance and brick façade leading into a new $29.5-million ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team. The vote, recommending the city council approve demolition, had several conditions. HARB wants to review final design plans and have input in such issues as landscaping, signs, lighting, fencing and buffers, a historical tribute to the neighborhood and the color of the brick.
Is it the humidor in Denver? Or not the humidor?
Posted May 18, 2006
The Colorado Rockies has been using a humidor since 2002 to add moisture to game balls in an attempt to keep them in Coors Field. But lately, the pitching-solid Rockies are the early surprise of the National League, and some are calling on the Rockies to drop the humidor, saying it gives the Rox an unfair advantage. The Rockies are above .500 on the road as well, so a little more than just home cooking is involved here.
(Don’t) take them out at the ball game
Posted May 18, 2006
The Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ran into legal issues when they asked a breast-feeding mother to quit feeding her infant after receiving complaints from other fans; the team first offered the mother a private area for breast feeding and, when things escalated, threatened to throw her out of the ballpark. Trouble is, under Texas law women can breast-feed in public spaces, and the Dell Diamond (because it was financed by taxpayers) could be designated as a public space. Local mothers’ groups raised a fuss and threatened to boycott Express games. The Express then amended their ballpark policies to explicitly support the practice of breast-feeding and announced fans upset with the practice are welcome to leave the ballpark.
The good, the bad and the ugly of the Wings’ debut
Posted May 18, 2006
The independent United League Baseball began play on Tuesday and Wednesday, and so far so good. The Rio Grande WhiteWings drew 3,534 at Harlingen Field for their 2006 opener, while the Alexandria Aces drew 3,014 fans at Bringhurst Field and the San Angelo Colts drew 1,386 for their opener at Foster Field. The key, of course, is keeping those fans coming out, but the early numbers are encouraging.
Honey, I shrunk the Northern League
Posted May 18, 2006
With four charter members leaving to be part of the start-up American Association, the Northern League will have a different look this season. It was a challenge for the league to come up with a workable schedule, as the four defectors were in the heart of the league’s geographic footprint; the result was a schedule with a lot of afternoon games to facilitate travel. In this article, new commissioner Jim Weigel takes a shot at the defectors, saying the loss of Sioux City and Sioux Falls should make the league stronger. We’ve heard expansion is still high on the list of priorities for Northern League owners; look for them to make some overtures to John Simmons, who unsuccessfully sought to move the South Bend Silver Hawks (Class A; Midwest League) to Marion, Ill., though it doesn’t see