Archives: May 21-27, 2006
Selig rules out contraction
Posted May 26, 2006
Commissioner Bud Selig says there’s no chance baseball will contract two teams and that he never raised the issue in discussions with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty about a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in downtown Minneapolis’s Warehouse District. We believe Selig is being totally honest — technically, anyway — about not discussing contraction with Pawlenty. He didn’t need to bring it up because it was already on the table: when the Twins won a judgment saying they weren’t bound to the Metrodome, everyone knew contraction was a possibility. It’s good to hear Selig now saying it’s not an option for the future, however; fans of the Florida Marlins will be happy to hear the news.
Minor-league umps walking the line
Posted May 26, 2006
Further talks between the minor-league umpires’ association and MiLB overseen by a federal mediator failed to lead to any agreements. In contract talks Wednesday in Cincinnati, the umpires proposed a five-year deal that would have accepted the $100-a-month pay hike and raised the Triple-A per diem to $35 this season, plus a $1 increase each year. MiLB officials rejected the offer, but made a counteroffer of a $3 per-diem raise (to $28 a day) and took an increase in insurance deductibles (from $100 to $500) off the table. Speaking of minor-league umps: Durham Bulls manager John Tamargo was suspended for 10 games and fining him an undisclosed amount for repeatedly bumping an umpire Sunday. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays then informed Tamargo he would not be paid during the suspension. Tamargo has apologized for his actions.
Despite some clamor for change at very top, Glass not selling Royals
Posted May 26, 2006
An appearance of Miles Prentice at Kauffman Stadium fueled rumors that he was looking to buy the Kansas City Royals from David Glass. As you’ll recall, Prentice made a run for the Royals before Glass purchased the team. Despite the team’s poor record, Glass says he’s not selling the team. The Royals have the worst record in the majors this season: 10-35 after blowing an 8-0 lead against the Tigers yesterday, losing 13-8. You could argue Glass has been ineffectual this season: true, he’s not responsible for the on-field record, but he promised changes several weeks ago and has so far failed to make any (although he is reportedly interviewing Atlanta’s Dayton Moore about taking over as GM; he should first dismiss Allard Baird before interviewing replacements).
Major construction of Marion ballpark to begin mid-June
Posted May 26, 2006
Construction of a new minor-league ballpark in Marion, Ill., will begin in mid-June, as the Southern Illinois Baseball Group is moving forward with the $16 million sports complex. The issue right now is a tenant for the 4,000-seat facility: the Midwest League denied permission for John Simmons to move the South Bend Silver Hawks to Marion, and as Simmons owns the Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A; Sally League), he can’t own an independent team per MiLB rules. The logical league to be looking at placing a team in Marion is the independent Northern League; the American Association would seem to be too far afield for Marion unless it added another eastern team.
It may take more than a new field to fill Twins ballpark
Posted May 26, 2006
The folks in Minnesota are being exposed to the lessons you read every day on Ballpark Digest. Today’s lesson: it takes more than just a new ballpark to generate revenue for a MLB team! The bottom line in major-league baseball: teams with or without new ballparks need to show a commitment to winning in order to fill the stands. Yes, the Twins will have a first-year bump in attendance — the Brewers, for instance, attracted 2.8 million fans when Miller Park opened — but to keep them coming to the ballpark the team will eventually need to be the draw — something that didn’t happen in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but something that did happen in Seattle, Texas and Houston. There are also some misconceptions here: food prices at Metrodome are now roughly the same as most other major-league ballparks, so the Twins won’t be able to raise prices on staples like hot dogs and pop too much. Ralph Nader, in a predictable plea for attention, is urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty veto the legislation allowing Hennepin County to issue a 0.15 sales tax to partially pay for the ballpark. As Pawlenty is signing the bill tonight before the Twins game at Metrodome, it’s unlikely Nader’s pleas will be heeded.
Springdale chamber goes online to pitch tax for ballpark
Posted May 26, 2006
The Springdale (Ark.) Chamber of Commerce this week launched an Internet campaign to stump for a proposed minor-league ballpark. The chamber e-mailed members Thursday asking them to visit a Web site, www.Grand-SlamforSpringdale.com, and to mark their calendars for the city’s July 11 election. The Springdale City Council voted Tuesday to let voters decide whether to extend a 1-percent sales tax. The tax would generate about $ 50 million for a 7, 000-seat ballpark, plus water, sewer and street improvements at the southwest corner of 56th Street and Watkins Avenue. No team has announced an intention to move to Springdale, although the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) are widely rumored to be the team interested.
Rumor mongers working overtime in Oakland
Posted May 26, 2006
Oakland Athletics fans shouldn’t be too concerned about rumors of the team moving to a new Fremont ballpark, according to this article: Oakland is such a great market there’s no way the team can move. Not sure that’s true: yes, Oakland tends to be an underrated market, but moving to Fremont allows the team to better tap into the moneyed souls of San Jose, and the people who own MLB teams these days aren’t so dumb to ignore things like that, Plus, it’s not exactly rumor mongering when A’s managing partner Lew Wolff comes right out and says the team is looking at a move to Fremont.e intrigue; BART to the ballpark, what a vision; Another San Jose pitch for baseball; San Jose mayor makes his pitch; Q&A with A’s new owner Lew Wolff
Unsung heroes of Coastal Federal Field
Posted May 26, 2006
Here’s your look at the behind-the-scenes folks who bring you a baseball game: the game-day staff of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A; Carolina League) at Coastal Federal Field. There are some challenges to keep a good field at Coastal Federal Field: the proximity to the ocean tends to dry out the grass, so it needs to be watered more than usual. The grounds crew also plays some games with the grass mix to keep things plush.
Rockies and their ballpark have undergone an extreme makeover
Posted May 26, 2006
Gone are the days of the Blake Street Bombers, when balls flew out of Coors Field with such regularity that no lead was safe, base-stealers never let up and box scores resembled Sunday softball more than major league baseball. The much-publicized humidor seems to have worked: pitchers say they can get a better grip on the ball, and it didn’t hurt that the Rockies loaded up on arms this offseason.
A new start for Pride?
Posted May 26, 2006
The Nashua Pride drew 1,707 fans last night to their season opener at Holman Stadium — not bad, but clearly there’s a lot of work to do. The Pride have new local owners and are playing in the Can-Am Association after competing in the Atlantic League. One thing new owner John Stabile and GM Robin Wallace had added: some flash to the proceedings.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 26, 2006
Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Class A; Carolina League) Vice President and General Manager Matt O’Brien will resign effective June 19th following completion of the team’s sale. The announcement was made today by Capitol Broadcasting Company. Capitol is selling the team to a group led by Chuck Greenberg, managing partner and president of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) and State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League). The transaction, which has been approved by Minor League Baseball and the Carolina League, should close in the next ten days. O’Brien was named VP/GM in 2002 after a successful tenure with the Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League). He was honored by the Carolina League as its executive of the year in 2005. O’Brien’s successor will be Neil Fortier, Pelicans’ director of corporate sales. He will become acting general manager effective June 19th for the remainder of the 2006 season. O’Brien recruited Fortier to the Pelicans staff in 2003 from the Rochester Brigade, an Arena Football League team. Director of Facility and Field Operations Chris Ball will assist Fortier in the transition by assuming primary responsibilities for baseball operations. Ball has been with the Pelicans since 2003.
Hialeah ballpark plan hinges on financial feasibility
Posted May 25, 2006
A plan to build a new Florida Marlins ballpark in Hialeah still faces one huge issue: how to pay for it. The Marlins and the county are about $100 million short of a $430 million retractable-roof stadium. So the $100 million question is: Can property taxes on expected industrial and office development around the proposed stadium in Hialeah raise enough money to finish the job? And can a new retractable-roof ballpark really be built for $430 million, given the rising cost of steel and inflation in construction costs over the last year? The location is also an issue: local residents may not have a problem getting to the ballpark, but the moneyed fans (who ultimately pay for things with expensive seats and luxury boxes) may have a much harder time getting to the ballpark from downtown Miami, which is now a veritable boomtown.
Park petition submitted to Pensacola officials
Posted May 25, 2006
Members of a group opposed to the Community Maritime Park proposal marched to the City of Pensacola clerk’s office Wednesday with what they say are enough signatures to force a referendum on the downtown project. The group is opposed to a a $70 million park and retail project on nearly 30 acres south of Main Street and across from City Hall; it would include a new ballpark for the Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association) — or another team. Talk is that affiliated leagues have taken an interest in the Pensacola market, which has a population of over 400,000 and is growing rapidly. One scenario out there has the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) moving to a new Pensacola ballpark; the other has the Braves moving to Jacksonville’s Baseball Grounds, with the Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League) moving to Pensacola. There are obviously some issues here: Quint Studer, who owns the Pelicans, has been a big mover and shaker behind the development, committing to move his company offices there. But we’re not convinced Studer is totally committed to the American Association; his commitment is to Pensacola, and he may welcome the chance to bring affiliated baseball to the area. And any transaction involving the Suns must involve the Bragan family, who are firmly established in the Jacksonville area. Still, the Braves surprised many by moving the Greenville Braves (Class AA; Southern League) to Mississippi, and if team officials don’t think they have a solid future in Richmond, they probably won’t be shy about pulling the trigger on another move.
Atlanta just might hold all the cards
Posted May 25, 2006
One reason why Richmond officials aren’t all that thrilled about spending tens of millions of dollars on a new ballpark: they don’t want to reward the Atlanta Braves, the owners of the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League), with a new facility. The feeling is that if the R-Braves are moved — say, to Pensacola — another International League team would move into Richmond and work on an affiliation with the nearby Washington Nationals. It’s actually not a bad plan: a Richmond/Nats relationship would be good for both teams. But there’s one big problem: aside from the Ottawa Lynx, which is reportedly moving eventually to Allentown, there doesn’t appear to be an International League team available for a move, unless something happens with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Letting the R-Braves go would be a daring gambit by Richmond officials, and they may end up with a Sally League team or perhaps an Eastern League team for their troubles.
More than a ballpark in Minneapolis
Posted May 25, 2006
When the Minnesota Legislature approved a 0.15 percent in Hennepin County to pay for a new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins in downtown Minneapolis’s Warehouse District, it also basically approved a larger development that includes housing, retail and a transit hub. The Hiawatha light-rail line will be extended to the ballpark — which means you can take the train from the airport, the Mall of America and various south-Minneapolis stops to the ballpark — and a new commuter line extending past the northwestern suburbs will also have a terminus near the ballpark. To add to the urban environment, Bassett Creek (which has been covered for decades) will be uncovered. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign the Twins ballpark bill at the team’s Friday game. Minneapolis planners say they’ll learn the lessons of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and identify why one of the best ballparks in the majors has failed to draw sellout crowds. Joe Soucheray weighs in. The new ballpark is already proving to be financially successful for the Twins: the team has sold over 100 new season tickets even though the new ballpark won’t open until 2010.
Knights meet with potential architects
Posted May 25, 2006
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) met yesterday with potential architects of a new ballpark in the city’s Third Ward. The current plan calls for a $43-million ballpark to be built on county-owned land set aside for the new Third Ward Park; the park would be moved to property a couple blocks away on land owned by Wachovia and Mass Mutual. Those companies would take over city owned Marshall Park and the adjacent Education Center. That site is to be developed into condos and the new headquarters for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The team currently plays at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, S.C.
Nats owners want city to shift gears on parking
Posted May 25, 2006
The Washington Nationals’ ownership group is pushing District officials to build massive parking garages for the new ballpark aboveground, contrary to the wishes of city planners, who say the structures should go underground to make way for a potentially lucrative entertainment district. The outcome of the negotiations, which could be decided in a few weeks, could drastically affect the look of the ballpark area in Southeast Washington and determine whether the city, which has committed $611 million in public money to the stadium, reaps as much tax revenue from related development as promised by Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D).
New Nats owners: it’s postseason or bust
Posted May 25, 2006
Theodore Lerner, members of his family and ownership group, and incoming team president Stan Kasten met with Nationals players and coaches in the team’s RFK Stadium clubhouse for approximately 30 minutes before yesterday’s game, promising to build a successful franchise. Then, they met with members of the Nationals front office, taking another step toward the official transition of the $450 million franchise. Major League Baseball awarded the Nationals to the Lerner group May 3, and Kasten said the group hopes to take over in three or four weeks. More from the Washington Post.
Fans give Traverse City ballpark thumbs up
Posted May 25, 2006
Cars backed up nearly a mile and a half as a stream of baseball fans crept along the right southbound lane of U.S. 31 to turn into the main entrance of Wuerfel Park, the new home of the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League) Wednesday evening. To the south, cars waited in the left turn lane for a quarter-mile. It was a successful debut for the ballpark: the ballpark seats 4,600, and the first game — a loss to the Kalamazoo Kings — was a sellout. More on Chad Cooper, the voice of the Beach Bums, and his broadcast partner Andrew Rudnik, who does color commentary and middle-inning play-by-play.
Baseball in Israel, Part II
Posted May 25, 2006
Larry Baras is in Israel scouting out possible ballpark locations for teams in his startup venture, the Israel Baseball League. Here he shares his experiences in a second report:
My whirlwind tour comes to an end tonight as I leave the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the Green Monster of Boston. Sad to leave, happy to go home. My conclusion? The branding of Israel’s version of professional baseball will be a function of the settings in which it is played as it will be from any other factor, be they pastoral settings, religious enclaves, or hilltops. Picking up from where I left off last time, my visits have included the following sites:
Petach Tikva, a large city in its own right abutting Tel Aviv. I was told that this field, known as the Yarkon Sports Complex, is the best baseball field in Israel in terms of its practicalities, and this turned out to be the case. 330 to left and right, 400 to center. Perfectly manicured infield and outfield, infield clay that is mixed right on the grounds, lighting, PA system, etc. More seating will need to be added, but otherwise, the field is awaiting its first pro game.
Bet Shemesh, a city of some 70,000 people and growing rapidly, of whom 10,000 are former North Americans. Bet Shemesh has an active youth baseball program. Over 200 kids take to the "field" Friday afternoon to play organized games. Unfortunately, the only venue available to them is a sloped amphitheater angled about 30 degrees upward from home plate. But they clearly still enjoy it. The soccer field in Bet Shemesh, once adaptations are made and cosmetics applied, has the potential to be a fabulous baseball setting and we definitely have set our sights on it. When the league is out of season, we would hope that the kids in the youth leagues will enjoy it and see what it is like to run on a level playing field.
Herzliya, a beautiful resort town on the Mediterranean. They recently built a soccer stadium that seats about 5,000. A stadium that is very similar to the recently-built minor league baseball stadiums I have seen. A very fan-friendly environment, but if we play there, right field will only be about 250 feet away. Shades of the Polo Grounds?
I saw five or six other sites, and had to forego seeing many others because of time constraints, but basically I feel my mission was accomplished. The question of where to play baseball in Israel is no longer in the category of being a problem to solve, but rather one of establishing priorities to help determine site selections. So I can strike that off the list and now try to figure out where I can find 120 players who want to play ball in Israel next summer. L’hitraot!
Tribe fielding offers to rename Jacobs Field
Posted May 25, 2006
When Dick Jacobs sold the Indians to Larry Dolan, Jacobs retained naming rights to Jacobs Field through 2006 as part of the deal. With that deal scheduled to expire, the Indians have been negotiating with several Cleveland businesses, including National City Bank, about putting their name on the ballpark at the corner of Ontario and Carnegie. The Jacobs family has been involved in discussions as well, and it sounds like the preferred course would be to keep the Jacobs name.
International League suspends Durham’s Tamargo
Posted May 25, 2006
Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) manager John Tamargo was suspended indefinitely by league president Randy Mobley for bumping a replacement umpire while arguing a foul-ball call in Sunday’s game against Charlotte. Mobley said the length of Tamargo’s suspension will be decided pending a review of the incident. A decision could come as early as today. We’ve not seen the film so we don’t know if this was the case of a replacement umpire mishandling things. Speaking of replacement umps: talks between the minor-league umpires union, MiLB and a federal mediator continue today.
Consultant: Potential Topeka team would want new ballpark
Posted May 25, 2006
An independent or affiliated baseball team could draw as many as 3,000 fans a night in Topeka and spark a rally in business development, a consultant told the Topeka City Council. But to bring a team to Topeka, the consultant said, the city will have to step to the plate with funding for a ballpark — up to 80 percent of the total cost. Playing at an existing facility like Washburn University’s Falley Field, which seats 800, really isn’t an option. The Continental Baseball League is mentioned as a possibility here, but the more realistic option if Topeka wants a team is the American Association.
Oakland A’s ownership commits to MLS soccer
Posted May 25, 2006
MLS