Archives: June 25-July 1, 2006
Kauffman Stadium tax credits get OK
Posted June 30, 2006
State officials on Thursday approved $50 million in tax credits for the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) to help fund renovations at Kauffman Stadium and Arrowhead Stadium. The unanimous vote by the Missouri Development Finance Board represents the state’s part of the plan to renovate the stadiums and allows the $575 million project to move forward. Nonetheless, a state lawmaker and an economist spoke against giving the tax credits to the teams, while board members leaned on the Royals to give out more free tickets.
Dylan to play minor-league ballparks again
Posted June 30, 2006
The Bob Dylan Show has just announced the third annual tour of America’s minor-league ballparks. In the past two years, nearly a half-million fans have enjoyed a night under the stars with The Bob Dylan Show. Joining The Bob Dylan Show this summer will be two modern legends of the electric guitar-Texas-style. Guitar Player Magazine calls Jimmie Vaughan "a virtual deity … a living legend." His younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan cited Jimmie as the biggest inspiration in his own career. As a founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie sparked a rhythm-and-blues revival that continues unabated today. Veteran roadhouse singer Lou Ann Barton will be joining his band for this summer’s trek. Rounding out the bill: Austin-based Junior Brown.
2008 All-Star Game would be fitting send-off for historic Yankee Stadium
Posted June 30, 2006
USA Today argues for the 2008 All-Star Game to be played at Yankee Stadium, in that ballpark’s final season. You could say USA Today is overstating the historical important of the current Yankee Stadium: most date the ballpark back only to the mid-1970s, when it was totally rebuilt over the span of two years. Yes, the site is historic, but whether the current facility rises to the level of requiring an All-Star Game remains to be seen. We’re guessing MLB will pass on this pitch and award a future game to the new Yankee Stadium instead; there are some deserving ballparks (like Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the new Busch Stadium) in line already.
Young confirms interest in buying three teams from Comcast
Posted June 30, 2006
Ken Young has confirmed he’s interested in buying the Bowie BaySox (Class AA; Eastern League), Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) and Delmarva Shorebirds (Low Class A; Sally League) from Comcast-Spectator, which has had the teams on the market for three years. Young heads the Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League) and the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and is president of Ovations Food Service, which runs the food service at the ballparks in Frederick, Bowie and Delmarva.
Blue Jays, Syracuse sign PDC extension
Posted June 30, 2006
The Syracuse SkyChiefs (Class AAA; International League) signed a two-year extension to the Player Development Contract with the Toronto Blue Jays during a press conference on June 29 at Alliance Bank Stadium. The two-year agreement will keep Syracuse and Toronto united through the 2008 season. Syracuse has been the Triple-A affiliate of Toronto since the Blue Jays’ inception in 1978. The 29-year relationship between the two teams is currently the eleventh longest in Minor League Baseball and the fifth longest in Triple-A.
Deal for Nassau County ballpark moves forward
Posted June 30, 2006
An ambitious plan to redevelop Nassau Coliseum that includes a new minor-league ballpark took a step forward yesterday with the signing of a memorandum of understanding by developers and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. The memo paves the way for a lease with the Lighthouse Development Group, a partnership of New York Islanders (NHL) owner Charles Wang and Reckson Associates Realty Corp., which plans to build housing, office space, restaurants, shops and a ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team on the 77-acre site. The $1.6-billion project includes a $320-million overhaul of the Coliseum, the home of the Islanders and the New York Dragons (AFL).
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial Stadium
Posted June 30, 2006
A $5-million plan to update Memorial Stadium, the home of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League), is on hold while city officials continue to discuss a new downtown ballpark. Changes would include installation of a roof over the grandstand, a new video scoreboard, improvements to seating and the picnic area, and a new playing field. The current field doesn’t drain as quickly as it once did, Wizards General Manager Mike Nutter said, causing some games to be rained out that might have been completed in previous years. Even though a study on the feasibility of building a downtown stadium isn’t expected to be released for several weeks, Brown said improvements to the existing stadium need to be considered now because the Wizards’ 10-year lease with Memorial Stadium expires at the end of next year. Work on the stadium — and how it would be funded — would have to be addressed in negotiations.
Adding a baseball stadium tax? Thanks for asking, but no
Posted June 30, 2006
The Allentown Morning Call comes out against Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s proposal to add an amusement tax to game tickets sold at a new Lehigh Valley ballpark for a new International League team. The issue: Allentown was never a player in the project, and team owners are coming up with 85 percent of the costs of the ballpark, with local government coming up with the remaining 15 percent. It’s really an issue of fairness: the city is contributing nothing to the ballpark, and the proposal to bar the city from collecting the amusement tax should pass.
Owensboro chamber backs minor-league baseball project
Posted June 30, 2006
The Greater Owensboro Area Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously Thursday to support the Bring Back Baseball project, including its request for a land lease for a ballpark/concert pavilion to be privately funded and built in English Park. The City Commission rejected Bring Back Baseball’s request for a lease on the park earlier this year in a 3-2 vote. There’s currently a summer collegiate KIT League team in Owensboro, but supporters are targeting the independent Frontier League with their efforts.
Lansing Stadium District gets boost from tax break
Posted June 30, 2006
Around a vacant lot that once was part of Lansing’s "Sin Strip," city officials and a local developer plan to create a new destination complete with housing, bars and restaurants. The catalyst: The Stadium District project, a $12.3 million proposal by local developer Pat Gillespie that includes 54 condominiums and apartments as well as retail and office space across from Oldsmobile Park, the home of the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League). The envisioned result: a newly created district surrounding the project that would provide a much-needed boost to Lansing’s downtown, which often resembles a ghost town come evening.
Heart of city beats at Surprise Center
Posted June 30, 2006
The first time we visited Surprise Stadium, the spring home of the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals, we were struck by the relative desolation of the site: yeah, there was a housing development across the way and a retail development up the way, but little else surrounding the ballpark. Today the ballpark anchors Surprise Center, where amenities like a library, a water park and of course the ballpark are attracting residents to the Phoenix suburb.
Disotell to build arena in Pearl; Smith-Wills spared for now
Posted June 30, 2006
Jackson, Miss., has lost one proposed sports arena but now has another one in the planning stages. Developer Greg Disotell on Thursday said he will build a sports arena — originally planned for the Lakeland Drive site where Smith-Wills Stadium stands — in nearby Pearl. Meanwhile, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said later the city has another party interested in building an arena downtown. The arena in Pearl will have seating for up to 12,000 and be home to the Mississippi Headhunters (AF2), a team Disotell owns and will relocate from Biloxi. Disotell says a national chain has committed to building a 150-room hotel adjacent to the arena. The maneuvering would seem to spare Smith-Wills Stadium, the former home of independent and affiliated baseball in Jackson.
Niagara Falls not quite ready for pro baseball
Posted June 30, 2006
A look at the numbers shows Niagara Falls is a long-shot — at best — to host affiliated baseball again. Niagara Falls had a community-owned franchise in the short-season NY-Penn League (1971-1979) and then lost a second NY-Penn League team when the Professional Baseball Agreement took shape in 1990, mandating a criteria that ballparks needed to remain viable, Niagara Falls needed to pony up cash to bring Sal Maglie Stadium to specs. Many cities, like Batavia, begged for state funding and got some. Niagara Falls, which needed about $2 million to bring the dilapidated Maglie to code, couldn’t match grants it might have been eligible for.
Retract those plans for a roof — Twins don’t need it
Posted June 29, 2006
AP’s Dave Campbell argues against a roof over a new Minnesota Twins ballpark, saying it’s not needed in the cold climes of Minnesota. One of things you must remember when you read an article like this: it’s written by someone who watches most baseball games from a climate-controlled press box and spends very little, if any, time in the stands among the common folk. His argument: because the roof at Miller Park doesn’t allow views of the local surroundings, there shouldn’t be a roof on a new Minnesota Twins ballpark. Now, we agree the setup at Miller Park isn’t the best: even when the roof is open, you know you’re in an indoor ballpark. But that doesn’t invalidate the idea of the roof: we’d prefer to use the example of Safeco Field, where you feel like you’re outdoors even when the umbrella-like roof is closed. You can have exposure to the outdoors and a great view of the downtown skyline even if a roof is installed, as the ballpark experience in Seattle clearly shows.
Barons have options, but why change Sox?
Posted June 29, 2006
The news that the San Diego Padres and the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) has sent some shock waves through the Southern League, and you can bet there will be a few more reevaluations of affiliates. It would be a shock, however, for the Chicago White Sox and the Birmingham Barons not to continue their two-decade-old relationship: the White Sox continually send winning teams to Birmingham, and local fan support is great. The only issue raised by owner Don Logan is whether he will pursue a Class AAA Pacific Coast League franchise, something he hints at here. Perhaps he can look at buying the Colorado Spring Sky Sox; we’ve heard potential buyers of PCL franchises are being told to contact the Sky Sox ownership.
Yankee Stadium hockey derailed
Posted June 29, 2006
It’s the battle of unnamed sources in New York City: yesterday unnamed sources said the NHL, the New York Yankees, the city of New York and NBC were looking at holding a New Year’s Day outdoor game at Yankee Stadium — a move confirmed by Yankees officials. Today an unnamed NHL official says those discussions have been dead for a long time and there’s little chance of a game happening. The issue, however, remains the same: whether Yankee Stadium is capable of hosting a winter event when it comes to practicalities like water, concessions and restrooms. More from Newsday.
Retired city official working to keep Wranglers
Posted June 29, 2006
The city of Wichita has asked a retired public works director to re-establish a relationship with Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) ownership in an attempt to keep the minor-league baseball team at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Steve Lackey, who retired in January 2004, worked closely with owners Bob and Mindy Rich during the $5.1 million renovations to the ballpark from 1989 to 1991. It will be interesting to see how the Riches respond: they’ve not set foot in Wichita for at least two years, providing the ultimate in hands-off ownership.
All-Star Game security to cover all the bases
Posted June 29, 2006
Unless you have a ticket to the All-Star Game, you won’t be welcome in the PNC Park vicinity, according to Pittsburgh officials, who announced street and bridge closings surrounding PNC Park and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, as well as restrictions on travel on the Allegheny River, all tied to All-Star Game events that kick off July 7. Street closures will actually begin on July 5, and in the days before and after the July 11 All-Star Game, closings will stretch from Art Rooney Avenue in front of Heinz Field to 11th Street next to the convention center. Certain roads will be open only to pedestrians, and motorists entering temporary safety zones around both venues will be subject to searches. Only certain vessels will be allowed on the river, and boaters won’t be allowed to anchor or moor.
Mad about anger management
Posted June 29, 2006
It didn’t take long for another team to take promotional advantage of the monumental tantrum thrown by Asheville Tourists (Low Class A; Sally League) manager Jim Mikulik, The Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) announced that their Sept. 3 game against the Tourists will be "Anger Management Night." Fans will compete in a base-throwing contest and receive free "stress balls" — they are squeezed to relieve frustration — as well as books and DVDs on anger management.
Reds swing and miss
Posted June 29, 2006
The Sarasota newspaper comes out against a plan for a new spring-training development for the Cincinnati Reds, saying the team’s contribution of $6 million toward the $54 million project isn’t adequate. As it stands now, the Reds are getting a deal — the Phillies are paying $10 million over the course of their lease at Bright House Networks Field — and it looks more than likely the Reds will need to come up with more money to close a funding gap if the project is to become a reality.
Saints set attendance record
Posted June 29, 2006
The St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) know how to reward a crowd. Pat Scalabrini homered twice and drove in a career single-game-high five runs and Jeremy Frost added a solo shot in an 8-3 victory before a single-game-record crowd of 8,592 at Midway Stadium Wednesday afternoon. The standing-room-only throng, which included fans who sat on the warning track in left and right field, beat the old figure of 8,514 set in 2004.
Woman charged with stalking Uecker ordered to have no contact
Posted June 29, 2006
A woman charged with stalking Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker has been ordered to have no contact with him and avoid any ballpark where the Milwaukee Brewers play. Ann E. Ladd was released on a signature bond Wednesday in Milwaukee County District Court. She was ordered to stay away from Uecker’s home and workplace, including Miller Park in Milwaukee and any major league ballpark, and stay at least 1,000 feet from him at all times. The court denied a motion by the defense to dismiss all charges, with the judge finding probable cause for a trial.
Hawaii Winter Baseball makes return to Oahu
Posted June 29, 2006
On hiatus since 1997, Hawaii Winter Baseball officially heralded its return at a press conference yesterday, with the season’s first pitch scheduled for Oct. 1 at Hans L’Orange Field. The league’s sixth season will feature four teams — all based on Oahu — with U.S. minor-league prospects mixed with pros from Japan and Korea. The four teams — the Honolulu Sharks, West Oahu CaneFires, Waikiki Beach Boys and North Shore Honu — will each play 40 games during the regular season, with the top two meeting for the championship on Nov. 22. The Sharks and Beach Boys (which make up the HWB East division) will be based at Les Murakami Stadium. The CaneFires and Honu (HWB West) will play their home games at Hans L’Orange in Waipahu. Several business factors made resurrecting the league possible: Major League Baseball has agreed to pay 100 percent of the salaries for coaches and players, local and Japanese sponsors stepped up, and a broadcaster will televise games live to Japan.
Rangers vs. Isles at Yankee Stadium?
Posted June 28, 2006
Groundwork is being laid for a January 1, 2007 game between the NHL’s New York Rangers and New York Islanders at Yankee Stadium. Preliminary discussions between New York City officials. the NHL, the Yankees, the two teams and NBC — which would televise the proposed Jan. 1 regular-season contest between the arch rivals — began last week, according to numerous people with knowledge of the talks. The NHL staged the only outdoor game in its history on Nov. 22, 2003, at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, home of the Edmonton Eskimos football team, and wants to recapture that buzz with an outdoor game in the United States between U.S.-based teams. More than 56,000 fans bundled up in near-zero-degree weather — doubling the record for the largest crowd to even watch an NHL game — and saw the Montreal Canadiens edge the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. The biggest issue, apparently, is whether the ballpark is actually usable in terms of water and concessions that time of year.
DuPuy, local officials discuss new Marlins ballpark again
Posted June 28, 2006
MLB COO Robert DuPuy was in Miami again to talk new Marlins ballpark with team ownership and local officials. Among issues discussed were assembling land in western Hialeah; obtaining permits to build on the property after the state recently raised issues of water availability; and filling a gap in a proposed $430 million ballpark plan. The Florida Department of Community Affairs is opposing a plan to build a new Florida Marlins ballpark on a 1,000-acre Hialeah site, saying a lack of potable water in the area and the negative impact of increased traffic on Florida’s Turnpike were reasons to delay the proposal from Miami-Dade County. However, DuPuy says local officials are optimistic they can address these concerns; the bigger concern, probably, is the funding gap; though team officials say they can build a new retractable-roof ballpark for $430 million, the actual number given the recent hikes in steel and concrete prices is probably closer to $500 million. More from the Miami Herald.