Archives: Sept. 3-9, 2006
Orioles make pitch for $37 million renovation of Fort Lauderdale Stadium
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
The Baltimore Orioles unveiled a proposal for a vastly renovated Fort Lauderdale Stadium surrounded by additional baseball diamonds and room for soccer fields. The proposed $37-million Community Sports Park and Recreational Complex, presented to city commissioners, would transform the 45-year-old stadium and level neighboring Lockhart Stadium. In addition to the Orioles and their minor leaguers holding spring training at one location, there would also be room for high schools to continue to play football, community events, Little League contests and other recreational activities. The Orioles are hoping the city will apply for $15 million in state money that the Legislature set aside this spring for communities with aging spring training venues and short-term leases with their Major League teams.
D.C. ballpark project progressing well
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Officials from the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission say they are pleased how quickly construction of the Washington Nationals’ ballpark along South Capitol Street is progressing. With about 19 months left to complete the $611-ballpark in time for its official unveiling in April 2008, the ballpark construction team is nearly done placing several thousand pilings that will provide support for the stadium. In addition, much of the main concourse at the southeast section of the ballpark is near completion.
Orlando group buys West Tenn Diamond Jaxx
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
More on the group buying the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League), ostensibly for the purpose of moving the team to Orlando. Orlando Sports Investment, a 29-investor group led by local politician George Stuart, has made it known in minor-league circles about their intent to bring minor-league baseball back to Orlando, and there’s no reason to pay millions for the Class AA team if you’re going to keep it in Jackson, Tenn. (Despite earlier reports, Overtime Sports’ Timothy Bennett is not part of the ownership group.) The issue is a ballpark in Orlando: the two former homes of the Orlando Rays (Class AA; Southern League), are not suitable for baseball these days, Tinker Field because it’s a wreck and the Ballpark at Wide World of Sports because of the union scale paid to game-day employees. The more likely outcome is a new ballpark; we know Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has talked about a new downtown facility, and some suburbs have talked about a new ballpark as well. The issue with the market: it is spread out. Most locals rightfully assume the Diamond Jaxx will be out of Pringles Park once their lease expires in 2008.
Knights, White Sox sign up for four more in affiliate deal
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) and the Chicago White Sox announced that the two clubs have agreed on a Player Development Contract that extends through the end of the 2010 season. "We have enjoyed a very positive relationship with the Chicago White Sox over the last several years," said Don Beaver, president and owner of the Charlotte Knights. "The White Sox are a very professional organization from top to bottom and we look forward to four more years of a partnership. As we build towards the future and a potential new uptown ballpark we are pleased to have the support of our partners." The Charlotte Knights have been the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox for eight seasons and won the Governor’s Cup Championship in 1999. As the Triple-A affiliate of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox the Knights have had a regular season record of 560-585 (.489).
Warthogs, White Sox extend PDC
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
The Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) and the Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement to extend their player development contract through the 2008 season. The extension will continue a partnership between the Warthogs and the White Sox that began prior to the 1997 season. "We are very excited to extend our relationship with the World Champion Chicago White Sox through the 2008 season," said Guy Schuman, Warthogs president. "We have just concluded our 10th season as an affiliate of the White Sox and appreciate that we have had teams in the league playoffs three of the last four seasons. We hope to continue that tradition while providing fun and affordable family entertainment for our fans."
Bears, D-Backs extend PDC
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
The Yakima Bears (short season; Northwest League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development deal for two more seasons. Bears management had hinted at the possibility of looking for a new affiliate given the lack of success on the field in recent years, but changes in the D-Backs front office led the Bears to extend the deal.
Minor-league hopeful may be facing major-league headache
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Alexander Bok wants to bring minor-league baseball in the form of an independent Can-Am Association team to Boston proper, but he’s facing an abundance of hurdles, including some potential opposition from the Boston Red Sox. He’s also facing an unexpected problem: Boston is technically part of the territory of the North Short Spirit, and Bok hasn’t taken the time to touch base with owner Nick Lopardo. It’s really just a short-term oversight: the Boston market is big enough for teams in Boston and Lynn, and we’re guessing Lopardo would rather have a Can-Am Association team in town rather than an independent Atlantic League team.
Almost field of dreams: A’s, AL like Coliseum
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
You’d think this would be a bad time of year for the Oakland A’s at McAfee Coliseum, with the Oakland Raiders season starting and both teams trying to get the most from the same turf. As it turns out, the A’s infielders say the field is in great shape — the second-best in the majors, in their eyes — and the poundings from the football players really don’t harm things.
Will new Midland ballpark be solar powered?
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Dow Corning and Hemlock Semiconductor are working on a joint effort to make the new ballpark in Midland, Mich., for the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League) a solar-powered facility to some degree. It wouldn’t be the first: the San Francisco Giants rely on a Sharp-installed bank of solar collectors to help generate electricity for team offices at AT&T Park. But it will be the first in the minor leagues to rely on solar energy to this extent.
At this ballpark, calamari trumps the hot dog
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Speaking of AT&T Park: here’s a look at the food choices there from the Christian Science Monitor. The food at the ballpark is quite good, especially when Giants officials work to appeal to so many demographics: the San Francisco foodies love the gourmet selections, the politically aware love the vegetarian selections (PETA says it’s the most vegetarian-friendly ballpark in the majors) and Joe Six-Pack loves the wide assortment of meat-in-a-bun delicacies. And everyone loves the Gordon Biersch garlic fries.
Smith steps down as Fisher Cats GM; Brenner promoted
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) president and GM Shawn Smith has resigned his positions effective immediately, and former Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) GM Rick Brenner was tabbed as his replacement. We spoke to Smith this morning, and he says (quite convincingly, for the conspiracy-minded among you) he made the change for lifestyle reasons: in fact, he was home playing with his daughter while we talked. Smith has been involved with five new ballpark openings during his time in baseball — Falcon Park in Auburn, Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, LeLacheur Park in Lowell, the Gill Stadium renovation in Manchester and Merchantsauto.com Stadium in Manchester — so he obviously knows how to get facilities up and running. The Fisher Cats had a successful 2006 season, and Smith is leaving the organization on very good teams. The native of Charlotte, N.C., doesn’t know what his next move is, but he told is he’d relocate for the right opportunity. We’ve known Shawn since this website launched and we covered the (sometimes excruciating) development of the new Fisher Cats ballpark in much detail; he’d be an asset to any organization, and we’re happy to pass along any messages from potential employers.
Details announced for Bricktown Showdown
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Triple-A Baseball (International and Pacific Coast Leagues) announced the inaugural Bricktown Showdown — pitting the champions of both leagues in a single-game showdown — will be televised live by ESPN2 on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Eastern. The teams will meet in Oklahoma City’s AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, home of the PCL’s Oklahoma RedHawks, in a winner-take-all championship game. The IL club will be considered the home team for this year’s game, thanks to the International’s 6-0 win over the PCL All-Stars in July. This will be the first time an overall champion has been determined since the Las Vegas Triple-A World Series was held from 1998-2000. The announcers bringing the Bricktown Showdown to fans will be led by 31-year Triple-A veteran Howard Kellman, who will serve as the play-by-play voice of the broadcast. Howard will be joined by baseball legend Tommy John, serving as the analyst, and Oklahoma RedHawks broadcaster Jim Byers, serving as the field reporter.
Wrigley Field among Chicago landmarks honored with preservation awards
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
More than 20 landmark buildings, homeowners and businesses were honored Thursday for preserving historic Chicago — and among the projects recognized was an expansion of Wrigley Field’s bleachers. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks presented the Chicago Landmark Awards for Preservation Excellence during a ceremony at the LaSalle Bank Theater. Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, was built in 1914 and is the second-oldest major league ballpark. The boomerang-shaped bleachers were added in 1937. The Wrigley Field alterations were completed by opening day this spring and increased bleacher capacity by almost 1,800 seats. The Commission on Chicago Landmarks praised the expansion for improving circulation in the bleacher sections, increasing the number of bathrooms and greatly improving access for people with disabilities.
League approval slow but expected for move of Wranglers
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
Springdale’s application to join the Texas League will be approved. It just might take a while. Officials with the Texas League and Rich Baseball Inc. said the process of approving the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) relocation to Northwest Arkansas in 2008 could take several months. Any delay isn’t to be considered a lack of support; it’s just a necessary byproduct of red tape that accompanies such a move. After the Texas League gives its blessing, both MiLB and MLB must sign off on the deal. It’s a very deliberate process, mostly to ensure the transaction is financially sound and be within the best interests of baseball.
Not much movement on landing a PCL team in Reno
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
A long, hot summer has almost ended and northern Nevada hasn’t moved appreciably closer to getting a new ballpark and a Pacific Coast League franchise. No surprise: there really isn’t a PCL franchise on the market and available to move. Now, we have heard from several sources that potential owners have been steered to contact the ownership of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, but that team can’t easily be moved. And if Tacoma does indeed come through with enhancements to Cheney Stadium, the Tacoma Rainiers will be there for a long time. The future of pro baseball in Reno might be with a new ballpark for the Reno Silver Sox (independent; Golden League) or for a Class A California League team.
Wanted: True baseball fans
Posted Sept. 8, 2006
The fact that only a couple thousand fans were actually on hand at Dolphin Stadium to see rookie right-hander Anibel Sanchez’s no-hitter for the Florida Marlins — a rather remarkable feat — is sad enough, but what’s sadder is half of those fans bailed before the end of the game. We continue to hold that Miami is a good market for professional baseball, but the low attendance at Marlins games — in a season where a young and exciting team is making an unexpected run toward the playoffs — shows that owner Jeffrey Loria must go. Taxpayers will never support public funding for a new ballpark while he’s the public face of the team, and if MLB is really serious about making Miami a showcase for baseball to Latin America, it needs to deal with the Fish situation.