Archives: July 23-29, 2006
7 million sold sets Yankee, Mets record
Posted July 28, 2006
This season, the Yankees and Mets already have combined to sell the most tickets in New York baseball history — more than 1955’s "Next Year," more than the 1969 Miracle and more than any of the Yanks’ glory years of the late 1990s. The second-place Yankees have sold four million tickets to Yankee Stadium and top the majors in average attendance (51,568). The first-place Mets have sold 3.1 million tickets to Shea Stadium and are fourth in average at 42,620. The two teams played each other in the most highly attended game in the majors this season — May 19 at Shea Stadium, when 56,289 were on hand to see the Mets edge the Yanks, 7-6.
Ruffin’s name comes up as buyer for Wranglers
Posted July 28, 2006
Billionaire businessman Phil Ruffin has emerged as a possible owner of the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League), but it’s not quite as simple as Ruffin handing $10 million to the Rich family to keep the team in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wichita Eagle is incorrect on some points here, and it’s considerably more complicated than the good folks of Wichita seem to believe, according to some high-ranking baseball officials we’ve consulted. For starters, the city of Wichita — not Ruffin or another third party — has the first option to buy the Wranglers should ownership break the team’s lease for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and the purchase must occur within 30 days of the Wranglers informing the city of the lease termination. Then, the Texas League, MiLB and MLB must approve that sale. The city can then flip the team to Ruffin or another third part, but the Texas League, MiLB and MLB must approve that sale as well. However — and this is important — from what we gather the Wranglers’ lease doesn’t have a performance clause, which means the Wranglers could keep the lease (the city is paid only if there are actual sales of suites and tickets) to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium for the 2009 season, run the National Baseball Congress — which, by the way, opens tonight — for a couple weeks, and then be able to walk away. (Specifically, the lease provides the city half of skybox-rental revenue; half of the parking revenue; 15 percent of all gross revenue from sales of food, soft drinks and alcohol; 10 percent of ad sales revenue; and 8 percent of ticket revenue. Wichita also receives 25 percent of revenue from special events the team hosts. The Wranglers are responsible for daily maintenance and are allowed to subtract utility and daily maintenance expenses from rent payments.) Ruffin actually doesn’t sound too enthusiastic about buying the team (his nose must tell him it’s not doing well), so it’s probably a long shot at best. More on the NBC here.
Chamber, firm hiding the ball on Springdale team talks
Posted July 28, 2006
Springdale’s Chamber of Commerce and its Minnesota baseball consulting firm refused Thursday to release documents generated during negotiations with a minor league team for the use of a proposed city-owned ballpark. Perry Webb, president and CEO of the chamber, said Wednesday that he would follow the advice of Springdale City Attorney Jeff Harper and release the data. But he changed his mind Thursday, saying he’d rather face a lawsuit than provide the documents. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette had requested the documents under the state Freedom of Information Act. What we’re guessing we’ll find: that talks between the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) and Springdale have gone far beyond just the casual contact both sides have hinted at during the past two months. Springdale plans to build a $50-million ballpark in the city’s southwest area and lease it to a Class AA Texas League.
Rumors confirmed: Brewers adding chorizo to sausage race
Posted July 28, 2006
You could feel the tension build all the way here in Minnesota as the Milwaukee Brewers kept fans in suspense over the identity of the fifth sausage added to the popular Sausage Race at Miller Park. Wearing an oversized brown sombrero and a bright yellow shirt emblazoned with the number five, chorizo became the fifth pork product to run the famed sausage race at the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. He signed a contract with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin at a news conference at the ballpark and then went for a run with the other sausages: Italian, bratwurst, Polish and hot dog. More from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark
Posted July 28, 2006
Not really a surprise: the BaseballPLUS group, composed of 21 city, county, business and community leaders, supports a new downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). The report stated that the committee could find no reason to suggest the success of other communities, such as Dayton and Lansing, can’t be achieved in Fort Wayne. The committee asked the city to "promptly" define the scope of a mixed-use development downtown that features a new ballpark, housing and retail. The committee also recommended for the city to develop a funding plan to attract a "significant" amount of private capital and take advantage of public financing options available downtown. It recommended building the ballpark to Class AA standards. Reggie Hayes wants a new ballpark, but he doesn’t want to pay for it.
Canam Group wins C$70 million contract to build new Mets ballpark
Posted July 28, 2006
Canam Group Inc., a Canadian maker of steel beams, won a C$70 million (US$61.8 million) contract to help build the New York Mets’ new ballpark in Queens. The company’s Structal subsidiary will erect the steel structure of the 45,000-seat ballpark, to be located next to the current Shea Stadium, during 2007, Ville Saint-Georges, Quebec- based Canam said in a statement today. The ballpark will be completed in time for the April start of the 2009 Major League Baseball season at a cost of $600 million, the statement said.
Radatz says Northwoods League TV deal is complete
Posted July 28, 2006
The summer collegiate Northwoods League’s cable television deal is complete — and as many as 16 teams could be vying for airtime by the contract’s second year. The league has preliminary approval to place a team in Green Bay’s Joannes Field, and Battle Creek, Mich., is still on the team’s radar for 2007; beyond that there are groups interested in bringing teams to Bismarck, N.D., Prior Lake, Minn., and Chaska, Minn. (Here’s another place the NWL should look: a new $3.4-million ballpark is under construction in Minnetonka, Minn., already slated to have seating for 600, FieldTurf and plenty of parking.) (Disclaimer: we sit on the NWL’s Board of Advisors.)
Sens, Nats, it’s still the same ol’ ballpark
Posted July 28, 2006
More on the efforts of the new owners of the Washington Nationals to bring some new life to the franchise and RFK Stadium. This article is right that it feels like a time warp at RFK Stadium, and while there are many things wrong with the old ballpark, it’s perfectly fine as a temporary facility while a new ballpark is built. Besides, with the power cleaning and new concessions, there are some noteworthy aspects to RFK Stadium that should bring fans back to the ballpark.
Kane, Cougars close to new deal
Posted July 28, 2006
A long-term renegotiated contract between the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the Kane County Forest Preserve District probably will be presented to district officials next Friday. The deal would keep the minor-league team at Phillip Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva beyond 2010, when its contract expires. The Cougars are looking to install an upper deck with skybox-type suites at the ballpark, in addition to improving and expanding its kitchen, offices and other areas.
Aloha Stadium losing baseball configuration
Posted July 28, 2006
Aloha Stadium — once hailed as a state-of-the-art multipurpose sports facility — will no longer host baseball under a rule change that will lock the stadium’s movable grandstands in a football configuration. The authority’s decision to lock the grandstands came in a unanimous vote to delete a rule requiring the grandstands be moved into baseball configuration once a year. Baseball advocate Al Kam, in a public hearing that drew little testimony at the stadium yesterday, opposed locking the grandstands. He said the change would limit baseball opportunities for the state and would prevent his summer collegiate league, the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League, from using the stadium. Kam said Ala Wai Field does not have adequate lighting for night games, Central O’ahu Regional Park has problems with harsh sun, Waipahu’s Hans L’Orange Park is not centrally located and Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawai’i needs to be refurbished. The move also prevents promoters from bidding on World Baseball Classic or spring-training games.
Dylan adds dates to ballpark tour
Posted July 28, 2006
Bob Dylan has added some dates to his 2006 ballpark concert tour. The three new dates: A Sept. 7 date at Rochester’s Mayo Field, the home of the Rochester Honkers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League); a Sept. 8 date at Sioux Falls Stadium, the home of the Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association); and a Sept. 9 date at Fargo’s Newman Outdoor Field, the home of the NDSU baseball team. Tickets for all three dates go on sale Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.
City gives Silver Hawks reduced rent to help them stay in town
Posted July 28, 2006
The city of South Bend has reduced the rent paid by the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League) to make sure the Hawks don’t fly the coop. This year, the lease payments for Coveleski Stadium have been reduced by 50 percent. This year, the Silver Hawks will pay a total of $75,000 in rent to call the Cove their home; that’s half price. City officials say the reduced rent for 2006 is likely to be a one-shot deal, that the rent will likely rise again in 2007 and 2008.
Podesto calls for probe of jury
Posted July 28, 2006
A civil grand jury’s blistering report on the financing and construction of Stockton Arena and Banner Island Ballpark is so biased and untrue that the current jury should investigate the previous panel, former Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto wrote in a letter to the San Joaquin County civil grand jury. The grand jury’s report was published last month and scolded the City Council for giving then-City Manager Mark Lewis almost total control over the Stockton Events Center project, the cost of which increased from $115.4 million to about $131 million. The waterfront ballpark and arena opened in 2005. The chance anything will actually happen because of Podesto’s letter: slim and none.
A game — and team — for the fans
Posted July 28, 2006
The Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association) are a community team in the truest sense: owner Quint Studer has put a lot of work into establishing the team and renovating a college ballpark, but he wants more. Studer, a health-care consultant, is pushing voters to approve the $70 million Community Maritime Park project, which is planned for nearly 30 acres south of Main Street and across from City Hall. Park features would include a multiuse ballpark that would be the new home to the Pelicans if voters approve the project on Sept. 5. A maritime museum, educational center, conference center, offices, stores and open space also would be part of the complex.
Bid deadline extended for new York ballpark
Posted July 28, 2006
Construction companies will have nearly two extra weeks to place bids on York’s proposed ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team, according to a news release from the York County Industrial Development Authority issued Thursday. The deadline for bids for the York Outdoor Recreation Complex has been extended from Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. to Aug. 15 at 2 p.m., the release stated. The authority is to award the construction contracts during its Sept. 5 meeting.
Tointon Stadium FieldTurf update
Posted July 28, 2006
Work continues at Tointon Stadium, the home of Kansas State baseball, as new FieldTurf is being installed on the entire infield and on the warning track in preparation for the 2007 season. The new surface consists of green turf on the infield area and foul ground territory with a deep red turf taking up the baselines and normal infield dirt area along with the warning track around the entire field. The only dirt surface on the field will be on the pitcher’s mound and around home plate, while the outfield will still be a natural grass surface.
Williams seeks meeting to heal rift with Lerners
Posted July 27, 2006
We’re guessing there barely will be room for all the egos when this meeting happens: D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams is seeking a meeting with the Lerner family, saying they have been "condescending" in dealings with the city. Relations between the owners and the city have deteriorated in recent weeks over parking facilities at the new Washington Nationals ballpark planned along the Anacostia River. Williams said in his weekly news conference that although he respects the Lerners "enormously," the owners had tried to minimize the city’s role in building the ballpark near South Capitol Street and the Navy Yard in Southeast Washington. Given other actions by the Lerners and MLB officials, it’s clear both are nervous about the opening of the new ballpark on time — and well they should be. More from the Washington Times and AP.
Consultant leads Springdale ball team negotiations
Posted July 27, 2006
The consulting firm that proclaimed Springdale, Ark., ready for professional sports is leading the negotiations with the baseball team the city hopes to land in its newly approved ballpark. Springdale voters approved a sales tax extension July 11 to fund a $50 million ballpark project. Conventions, Sports & Leisure International of Wayzata, Minn., now is negotiating on behalf of the city with the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League), the team considering a move. Last week, the Wranglers forwarded a memorandum of understanding to the firm, said Brian Parker, a manager in the firm. The memorandum included specific dollar amounts for a lease agreement and other figures.
A new attitude at the Trop
Posted July 27, 2006
Though the young Tampa Bay Devil Rays are still struggling on the field, more fans are paying attention to the likes of Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford. Attendance at Tropicana Field for the Rays is up 30 percent over last year, when the Rays drew fewer fans than any Major League Baseball team. The ballpark’s gotten a $10-million facelift that includes a New York-themed batting cage, game booths and a tank stocked with cownose rays. Concession stands have dropped prices, and people can bring in food. Parking in team-managed lots is free. And, for the first time, fans can tailgate.
Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field
Posted July 27, 2006
The Billings Gazette comes out in favor of a replacement for Cobb Field, the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League), a ballpark that opened in 1948 but is unfortunately showing its age. The trouble — and a trouble that could come back to haunt ballpark proponents when the vote arrives this fall — is that they’re not working with specifics. The City County authorized a bond vote for $12.5 million, the cost of a new ballpark. But exactly what the $12.5 million buys is not outlined anywhere: there’s no budget, no renderings, nothing firm, If Billings officials want the plan approved, they had better come up with details before the November vote — voters almost always show an aversion to approving spending without specifics.
A’s plight draws little reaction from their fans
Posted July 27, 2006
Talk of moving always dampens attendance, so there’s little surprise the Oakland A’s at struggling at the McAfee Coliseum box office this season after an offseason filled with discussions of a move to Fremont. The A’s and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority are working on a three-year extension to the team’s McAfee Coliseum lease (which isn’t as serious as it sounds — they’re adding three one-year extensions) — but in general folks seem to be tuning out the A’s, who entered the All-Star break with a total attendance figure of 1,036,258 fans through 46 home dates at McAfee Coliseum. That put the team 27th in the major leagues in attendance, ahead of only Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Florida. The team was averaging only 22,527 people per game, compared with 26,038 per game last season.
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?
Posted July 27, 2006
The BaseballPLUS group, composed of 21 city, county, business and community leaders, will release its report Friday on whether to build a new downtown ballpark for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League). If the Wizards’ new home is built, Dan Carmody, president of the Downtown Improvement District and a downtown-ballpark advocate, said success will be judged, more than anything, by its ability to spark life downtown.