Archives: July 16-22, 2006
Twins to switch broadcast partner after 46 seasons
Posted July 21, 2006
It’s increasingly looking like the Minnesota Twins will sign a broadcast deal with KSTP-AM beginning with the 2007 season, terminating the team’s 46-season association with CBS-owned WCCO-AM. The deal with KSTP reportedly calls for the locally owned station to pay the team $1 million annually in rights and almost all the proceeds from game-day advertising. Yes, it will be a loss leader for KSTP, but look for the station to boost its sports broadcasting (it recently dumped Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity in an attempt to move past a right-wing-talk identity). The Twins signed with WCCO-AM when Calvin Griffith moved the team from Washington, D.C.; at the time the clear-channel station was a broadcasting giant, and generations of Minnesotans grew up tuned to Boone and Erickson in the morning, Steve Cannon in the afternoon, Herb Carneal and Halsey Hall calling the Twins game action, and Franklin Hobbs lulling you to sleep after the final out. Even as WCCO’s ratings diminished over the years, its emphasis on Twins broadcasts was a promotional plus for the team. But we’re in a new era, one where the suits in New York City allow a broadcast giant to wither on the vine with bad (and cheap) programming decisions, and one where revenue from game broadcasts trumps the promotional value of being on the likes of a WCCO or a KMOX. On the plus side, KSTP-AM is still a locally owned station (Hubbard Broadcasting), which counts for something, and its signal can be heard throughout the entire metro region (letting the Twins avoid a St. Louis-like fiasco, where the team was forced to provide XM Radio units to fans after they discovered the new broadcast partner’s signal extended a whopping 15 miles away from the new Busch Stadium) and as far west as Montana (we’ve tuned it in at Yellowstone Park). And, truth be known, Twins broadcasts and post-game discussions could use a little kick in the pants. The official announcement is expected Aug. 1.
Rainiers to be sold, but they’ll stay in Tacoma
Posted July 21, 2006
The Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) today announced that George and Sue Foster, the current owners of the franchise, have reached an agreement to sell the Rainiers to a group led by Kirby Schlegel, the current owner of two minor-league sports franchises. The sale is pending review of the transaction by the Pacific Coast League, Minor League Baseball and the Office of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Terms of the deal were not released. Schlegel owns the Texas Tornado (NAHL) and is vice chairman of the ownership group of the Iowa Stars (AHL). Schlegel is apparently promising to keep the Rainiers in Tacoma; the city is making some improvements to Cheney Stadium this coming offseason, but there are no plans for either a new ballpark or significant enhancements (i.e., suites) past that. Still, one issue for the team will be improving attendance: The team ranks 13th in the 16-team PCL with an average attendance of 4,488 per game. The league-wide average is 6,490. More from the Tacoma News Tribune.
Several key issues for spring training in Bonita Springs
Posted July 21, 2006
There’s a lot of work to be done before Bonita Springs can begin to work on a concrete plan to build a new 80-acre, $50-million spring-training complex. First, the city would need to determine how it would be used the rest of the year: if a Cleveland or a Baltimore wished to bring in a High Class A Florida State League team, they’d need to negotiate with the Fort Myers Miracle ownership, who control the territory. (Though they don’t have a veto, the other teams training in the Fort Myers area — Boston and Minnesota — will probably weigh in on the proposal, and the Twins front office sounds a little ambiguous about sharing the territory.) Even without a minor-league team, however, there probably would be enough events (youth and AAU baseball) to keep the complex busy. And then there’s the timing: a plan and a lease with a team must be completed by Oct. 1 in order to apply for $15 million in state sales-tax rebates. All in all, it is a daunting task, but not undoable. More from the Charlotte Sun-Herald.
Twins, Sox may get more seating for spring training
Posted July 21, 2006
Speaking of Boston and Minnesota: Lee County officials are looking at adding more seating to the teams’ spring-training homes. At Hammond Stadium, the spring home of the Twins, the county is looking to add a berm down the right-field line for open seating, with a platform for standing-room-only patrons. At City of Palms Park, the spring home of the Red Sox, the county is looking at adding more seating in right field. The Red Sox hope to add perhaps as many as 500 seats to the 7,431-seat ballpark. The new seats would be built around the existing berm, and the berm may be extended around the right-field foul pole and beyond the fence, replacing the current visiting team bullpen.
Charlotte ballpark land swap seen as feasible
Posted July 21, 2006
A complicated land swap that could yield a privately financed new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) is seen as doable by land appraisers working on the deal. Basically, the city and Meckenburg County would swap parcels of land in the city’s Third Ward and downtown Charlotte worth $28 million, with the Third Ward land being given to the Knights, who would then build a $34 million ballpark on their own. The city would also pay for $7.5 million in improvements to the ballpark area. Also coming out of the deal: two new city parks, a new headquarters for the city’s school system, and new land for housing in the Second Ward. The Charlotte City Council is scheduled to discuss the plan Monday night. The Knights are seeking a new home to replace Knights Stadium.
Fly balls, not flying cows, at scary Busch Stadium
Posted July 21, 2006
More on the storm that injured 30 at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night. Though it never came close to reaching tornado proportions, the storm featured some heavy winds that basically lifted and moved anything not bolted to the floor, as well as depositing a lot of sand and dirt from the site of the old Busch Stadium next door. Even a desk used on the Fox Sports pre- and post-game shows went airborne. The rain came down so fast the clubhouses were temporarily flooded a foot or so. Amazingly, more than 30,000 fans stayed in the ballpark to see a game that finally started 2 hours, 12 minutes late.
Sportsplex could help solidify future of Diamond Jaxx
Posted July 21, 2006
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) are hoping the addition of a youth-baseball sportsplex next to Pringles Park will help raise attendance. The West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex is nearing completion, and with it comes a unique opportunity. The $13-million youth baseball and softball facility is expected to host local Dixie Youth games during the week and regional tournaments — which supporters have said will draw 3,000 to 5,000 players and family members — to weekend events. Possibilities include cross-promotion of and ticket sales to Jaxx games at Sportsplex events. The team is currently averaging a Southern League-worst 1,536 fans per game, and with the Pringles Park lease expiring after the 2008 season and the team applying to look at another market, traffic from the Sportsplex may determine if the Diamond Jaxx are playing in Jackson in 2009.
Host of problems at new-look RFK
Posted July 21, 2006
Tonight is the first of three games marking the grand re-opening of RFK Stadium, where the Washington Nationals are giving away some serious goodies and unveiling upgrades to the ballpark, including the addition of new food items (crab cakes, riblets, chili, kosher knishes, burritos, stuffed potatoes, beef brisket and microbrews). In-game promotions are added, and the team hopes a "racing presidents" segment can become as popular as the sausage race in Miller Park. Plus, the grimy old ballpark was given a good power wash. These are all great things, but the timing is lousy after MLB filed suit over the new ballpark, alleging DC officials are already violating the agreement. The announcement reflects the deteriorating relationship between the incoming owners of the Nationals and the city and could threaten the long-term health of the franchise. City officials scrambled yesterday to respond to the MLB complaint, but the impasse already has held up the sale of the Nationals to Bethesda developer Theodore N. Lerner, which was supposed to have occurred before today. The point to this column by Thomas Boswell is that the Nationals may be improving the ballpark, but the product on the field needs much improvement. More from the Washington Times. Steven Pearlstein says the Lerner family needs to call off the lawyers and attempt to work with the city on an amicable solution.
Official: Don’t expect Springdale team name soon
Posted July 21, 2006
The leader of an effort to build a $50-million ballpark in Springdale, Ark., said Thursday he doesn’t expect a team to announce plans to move to Springdale anytime soon. Springdale voters approved the extension of a 1 percent sales tax last week to pay for a $50 million ballpark. Mayor Jerre Van Hoose and other leaders said then they expected to announce the team that would move there — widely believed to be the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) — by last Monday. Instead, information about the team and details on a lease agreement likely will trickle out until the Springdale City Council can review contract terms, said Perry Webb, president and chief executive officer of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce. Also, Wichita city officials and business leaders are working on plans to keep the Wranglers in Wichita; though Lawrence-Dumont Stadium needs some TLC, the bottom line is attendance must increase: the Wranglers are dead-last in the Texas League in attendance.
Damon’s agent angry with baby bibs
Posted July 21, 2006
A Red Sox fan angry that Johnny Damon defected to the New York Yankees has fought off an attempt by his high-powered agent to stop her from selling baby bibs with a very grown-up insult. Tucked among the "I Love My Mommy" bibs and "Pregnant Princess" maternity clothes, Ann Sylvia also offers bibs and onesies adorned with the ballpark epithet "Damon Sucks." Last month, eBay pulled the listings after the Scott Boras Corp. complained that they violated Damon’s right of publicity, a legal claim that allows celebrities to control the products they endorse. However, after a phone conference with a Boras attorney where Sylvia pointed out there are more Damons in baseball than just Johnny, the Boras team backed off and set some conditions for the bib sales, all of which Sylvia was already meeting.
Defenders attract a few more fans
Posted July 21, 2006
Just past the halfway mark of the season in which the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) began a concentrated effort to get more fans to Dodd Stadium, the team has hit some roadblocks. The team has made substantial strides in marketing its new name and logo. Corporate marketing partners are happy with the progress made in the first few months as a new entity after years as the Norwich Navigators. The ballpark has had some refurbishments, including a new video scoreboard and an updated store and concession facilities. Still, the team has had only a minor bump in attendance from last year. It is still last in the Eastern League in attendance and its 2,573 average is 29th out of 30 Class AA teams in the country. Only the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (1,536) of the Southern League average fewer fans. By the way, it’s official: the Defenders and the San Francisco Giants agreed to an extension of their player-development deal through the 2008 season.
A new grand jury impaneled for Bonds
Posted July 21, 2006
While yesterday brought the possibility of some measure of resolution to the Barry Bonds steroids saga, either an indictment by a federal grand jury on charges of perjury and/or tax evasion, or absolution. Instead, it brought neither, and the likelihood is the saga will go on for many more months. The grand jury dissolved with no indictment, but a new one was impaneled. A key witness was released from the prison where he had been serving for refusing to testify, but was immediately served with a new subpoena.
Lugnuts stress entertainment
Posted July 21, 2006
The 10-year anniversary is usually a key business landmark for a minor-league franchise: many say a team must go to extra measures to bring fans to the ballpark. For the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League), 10 years at Oldsmobile Park doesn’t seem to be posing much of a problem. In fact, Oldsmobile Park and the Lugnuts should be an even bigger draw over the next 10 years. Restaurants and bars are being built down the road. Across the street, signs for the Stadium District stand in an eyesore of a parking lot that doesn’t get much business. A four-story mixed use project is planned that will include apartments, condominiums, office space, a drive-through coffee shop and an Irish pub.
Foul ball victim sues Scrappers for $75K
Posted July 21, 2006
A woman who said she was seriously hurt when she was hit on the head by a foul ball at Eastwood Field in Niles two years ago is suing the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (short season; NY-Penn League) and unidentified Scrappers players, saying the team was negligent. Jane Warga of South Meridian Road said the ball hit her during a game as she was turned away from the field en route to a concession stand July 20, 2004. The suit, filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, seeks more than $75,000 for pain, suffering, lost wages and compensatory damages.
Oneonta, Brooklyn set record for longest NY-Penn game
Posted July 21, 2006
It took 26 innings, but the Oneonta Tigers defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones, 6-1, at KeySpan Park. Deik Scram’s one-out run-scoring single in the 26th put the Tigers in front and Randor Bierd pitched two scoreless innings to get the win in one of the longest games in the history of professional baseball. Mark Wright gave up all five runs in the 26th innings and was tagged with the loss; he’s normally an outfielder pressed into duty as a pitcher when the Cyclones ran out of arms.
A front-row seat to history in the making
Posted July 21, 2006
The Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League) are honoring Jackie Robinson and his shattering of the color line in baseball, and on hand will be Jean-Pierre Roy, who played ball with Robinson when both were with the Montreal Royals of the International League. Roy, who also worked in the Montreal Expos front office, will have a homecoming of sorts: he played three seasons for the Ottawa Athletics when that team played at Landsdowne Park. The Lynx will roll back the clock and wear replica jerseys and caps from the 1946 Royals, and the jerseys will be auctioned off in a silent auction before Sunday’s game.
Lacrosse at PGE Park?
Posted July 21, 2006
PGE Park, the home of the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), already hosts professional soccer as well, so it makes sense it could also host another professional sport: outdoor lacrosse. The Portland LumberJax are one of the most successful teams in the indoor National Lacrosse League, and they are looking at adding an outdoor teams as well (which would not be affiliated with Major League Lacrosse). If several teams in the 13-team NLL add outdoor lacrosse, look for PGE Park to host games.
Ballpark Notes
Posted July 21, 2006
For the fourth straight year, Isotopes Park, the home of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be the host for the Native American All-Star Baseball Game. This year’s game, to be played July 22 at 7:00 p.m., pits a team from the combined Northern and Southern Pueblos against the Navajo All-Stars. The game, which has become an anticipated annual Albuquerque tradition, is to benefit the New Mexico Highlands University Native American Scholar Athlete Program, which provides support and educational opportunities to Native American college athletes. As usual, the contest will feature some of the finest Native American baseball players from New Mexico and Arizona.
MLB: D.C. government in default of lease agreement
Posted July 20, 2006
Major League Baseball has declared the District of Columbia government in default of the lease agreement for the new Washington Nationals ballpark, charging that the city has failed to meet several deadlines for turning over critical documents. In a letter to city officials Tuesday, Tom Ostertag, a lawyer for MLB, said the city had failed to meet 11 provisions called for in the construction administration agreement between the District and MLB. To say this is a bombshell is an understatement: the incoming ownership group has worked to repair relations with city leaders and was using this weekend’s homestand to promote the grand re-opening of RFK Stadium as the team’s home. The threatened legal action could delay the closing on Ted Lerner’s purchase of the team; it could also push back the opening of the new ballpark to the 2009 season. In more than one letter to the city, MLB’s lawyers have charged that the city has been delinquent in turning over documents, including the lease of the grounds on which the ballpark will be built, proof that the city has title of the land, soil boring reports, fund balance reports for the project and monthly project schedules.
High winds damage new Busch Stadium, injure 30
Posted July 20, 2006
Thirty people were injured as high wind blew out press box windows, overturned portable concession stands and ripped the tarp at new Busch Stadium on Wednesday night before the Cardinals’ game against the Atlanta Braves was scheduled to start. Five fans were taken to hospitals, according to Norm Corley, a supervisor with Accu-Care, which handles medical issues at the ballpark. One of them had a dislocated hip, another a dislocated shoulder, two had back injuries and a fifth had a seizure apparently unrelated to the storm, Corley said. The start of the game was delayed 2 hours, 12 minutes as crews righted the concession stands, cleaned up debris and mopped flooded areas. More from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Two groups pitch minor-league ballpark near Boston’s BC High
Posted July 20, 2006
Two groups seeking to bring a minor-league baseball team to Boston are holding talks with Boston College High School in Dorchester about building a ballpark on or near its campus. The first group, which calls itself Boston Baseball Field of Dreams, wants to open a park in 2008, modeled after Hammons Field, the home of the Springfield Cardinals (Class AA; Texas League). The second group wants to build a stadium it can share with BC High and the University of Massachusetts at Boston, either on land from the high school or the adjacent university on Morrissey Boulevard. Some really big Boston names are involved here, so this isn’t just a pie-in-the-sky proposal. Either way, a new ballpark would house independent baseball: the Can-Am Association and the Atlantic League are both involved with bids.
Bonita a ‘perfect fit’ for spring training
Posted July 20, 2006
The Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles are possible matches with Bonita Springs for spring training, according to David Cardwell, the Grapefruit League Association’s executive director. The Indians have an agreement with Winter Haven to walk away from their contract at any time, and the Orioles are currently in stalled negotiations with Fort Lauderdale, he told city officials, while there’s a long shot the Tampa Bay Devil Rays would be looking to leave Fort Lauderdale. The Indians have most often been discussed in a potential move: their lease at Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes Park can be broken at any time, and Winter Haven officials have been open about wanting to see the team lead. It’s interesting about the Orioles being mentioned: team officials there were hot to renovate Fort Lauderdale Stadium, but that talk totally ended, and even with $15 million in state aid available for a spring-training facility, things are fairly dead there. The Bonita Springs City Council voted 6-1 to explore the possibility of moving forward with construction of a $50-million spring-training facility, but the vote is strictly preliminary: no money is yet being spent, and the vote merely authorizes city employees to begin research.
Sarasota finds help for spring-training funding
Posted July 20, 2006
As city commissioners struggled with the idea of raising taxes to pay for a new spring-training complex for the Cincinnati Reds to replace Ed Smith Stadium, two local business groups offered to help raise private money to make the project work. Since they found out that the new complex could cost as much as $54 million, commissioners have said they are unwilling to ask city taxpayers to come up with more than $20 million of those costs. Help will come from The Argus Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce; county officials will also be asked to contribute to the project as well.
City may get a chance to counter Wrangler offer
Posted July 20, 2006
Wichita could have a chance to keep the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) team in town by matching or beating an expected contract offer from Springdale, Ark. Wranglers president Jonathan Dandes told Wichita officials that if Springdale, Ark., officials offer owner Bob Rich Jr. a contract to move the team to its city to play in a new $33 million ballpark, the Riches will give Wichita a chance to respond, perhaps with a plan to upgrade Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Dandes also said Wichita could keep from losing the team if there’s an increase in attendance, so the city has enlisted the sports commission and the Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau for help with that. Bob Lutz says i