Archives: Oct. 15-21, 2006
Poll: Baseball’s popularity waning
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Half of baseball fans are rooting against Barry Bonds in his bid to break Hank Aaron’s career home run record. That said, it’s getting tough to find anyone rooting for the sport at all these days. An AP-AOL Sports poll released Thursday shows that only one-third of Americans call themselves fans of professional baseball — about the level of support for the last decade, but lower than 1990. And they see another problem competing with steroids: Stratospheric salaries. According to the poll, more Americans 35 years and older than under 35 considered themselves baseball fans. Whites were more likely than minorities to put themselves in that category. Among all Americans, 28 percent said salaries were the top problem in baseball, 21 percent said it was the high cost of attending games and 19 percent said it was players using steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
Syracuse to keep AstroTurf for another year
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Officials from the Syracuse SkyChiefs (Class AAA; International League) and Onondaga County had considered replacing the Astroturf at county-owned Alliance Bank Stadium with natural grass or FieldTurf this fall. But at Thursday’s meeting of the county Legislature’s Facilities Committee, county Parks Commissioner Bob Geraci said "the odds of doing anything this fall are absolutely nil" because there’s not enough time before the cold weather moves in, with no chance to do any turf installation in the spring. It’s a tricky issue: the SkyChiefs and most fans want grass, but county officials want artificial turf should professional soccer return to the area.
Shea, rattle and roll: aging stadium gets in the act
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Last night the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets to earn a spot in the World Series, but before the Mets went down fans provided a lot of excitement at Shea Stadium. Like any older ballpark — Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field — there’s a certain amount of give built into the engineering specs, and Mets fans did indeed shake the stands during crucial parts of the series. In the loge level, ushers say that the stands can be felt thumping when the Mets score and that the upper deck sways when the ballpark is sold out.
Comerica Park finding its ‘soul’
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Until this year, Comerica Park didn’t have much of a place in Detroit baseball fans’ hearts. It took a winning team to endear the ballpark to a city that bore the imprint of beloved Tiger Stadium in its memory for most of a century. ”I found out that it’s a beautiful park — when it’s full,” owner Mike Ilitch said late last month. ”What a difference.” Before this reversal of fortune, culminating in their first World Series appearance since 1984, the Tigers had generated few meaningful memories at Comerica after making their regular-season debut there on April 11, 2000, with a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners. You’ll see lots of Comerica Park when the World Series begins Saturday night; thanks to Fox, you’ll hear a lot of it as well.
Allentown balks at aid to ballpark project
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Ah, nothing like a little cooperation between governmental units. In a tiff that has exposed strains between Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski and County Executive Don Cunningham, Pawlowski on Tuesday denied a county request to use the city’s storm sewer video survey equipment to prepare for construction of the new ballpark for a relocated Class AAA International League team on the east side. This is more of the same: city officials feel they have been shut out of some planning aspects of the new ballpark; then again, the city of Allentown isn’t contributing a dime to the project, as funding is coming from the county, the state and the team’s owners.
What’s the deal with Magowan?
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
Some in San Jose are upset San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan won’t allow the Oakland A’s to move into San Jose, a territory controlled by the Giants. A’s owner Lew Wolff says he’s not interested in wasting any more time exploring a San Jose move and will instead pursue a new ballpark in nearby Fremont, right on the edge of Giants territory. Now, before you send us nasty email about the issue, let us remind you that we didn’t give San Jose to the Giants; let us also tell you MLB takes territorial rules very seriously, and it would be unlike Bud Selig to change territorial rights that diminishes one owner and benefits another.
It’s construction season for city’s new NWL club
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
It doesn’t have a name, uniforms or manager, but Green Bay’s summer-collegiate Northwoods League baseball team opened for business on Thursday morning. The expansion team, owned by the Ashwaubenon-based Titletown Baseball Group, becomes the 13th team in the college wood-bat summer league. Battle Creek, Mich., will be the 14th. The team is close to naming its manager, having narrowed the field to three candidates. The hire likely won’t make as big a splash as the one made earlier this week by the Wisconsin Woodchucks, who named former Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jim Gantner as their manager.
Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 20, 2006
The Gateway Grizzlies (Frontier League) announced today that Danny Cox has stepped down as manager of the club. Cox has left the Grizzlies to pursue other opportunities. Cox has been with the team since its inaugural season. He was hired as the team’s field manager in February 2003, after spending the 2001 and 2002 seasons as the club’s pitching coach. Cox led the team to a franchise record for wins in each of his first two seasons, including the 2004 season’s 56 regular season wins. He suffered his only losing season at the helm in 2006 when the Grizzlies finished 42-52-1. His 197 wins rank him eighth all-time among Frontier League managers. His 197-175 all-time mark gives him a .530 winning percentage. The Grizzlies have not decided on Cox’s replacement.
Uptown park for Knights makes sense
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
A reporter for the Charlotte Observer attends a pro-ballpark rally and can’t come up with a reason to oppose a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League). Getting it built will be a task: getting the land requires a complicated swap between several governmental and corporate entities, but with Knights ownership offering to pay for the cost of the $34 million ballpark, taxpayers won’t be asked to spring for anything past some infrastructure costs. The issue goes before the county board next month.
Ballpark garages proposal rejected
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
The D.C. Council narrowly rejected a proposal yesterday to build aboveground garages near a new ballpark under construction on the Anacostia waterfront, leaving city officials without a plan to provide parking for the Washington Nationals when the ballpark opens in 2008. The terms of the lease between the District and the Nats calls for the city to provide 1,225 parking spots when the ballpark opens, but so far all attempts to provide that parking have failed for one reason for another. Eight of the council’s 13 members supported the measure, but such emergency legislation requires nine votes for passage. More from the Washington Times.
‘Iron Pigs’ clash with convention, but just might fly
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
More on the process of naming the Class AAA team moving to Allentown, Pa., for the 2008 season. Yesterday we ran a piece on the eight finalists and expressed a preference to Iron Pigs. Turns out we’re not the only ones: an Allentown Morning Call columnist expressed affection for it, and some of the members of the team’s front office think it’s memorable as well.
Sarasota ballpark hopes for home run
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
Planning for a new Cincinnati Reds spring-training facility at the Sarasota Agricultural Fair site is running into a few problems, with the main one being the lack of land. The site is 100 acres, and the fair is scaling back to 40 acres. The Reds say they need 50 acres, and if you assume 30 acres of parking is needed — remember, both the fair and spring training runs concurrently — that means something must give. The Reds say they’ve already scaled back a list of their needs and would rather not split the training sites; next week the fair board will come back with a more specific assessment of their land needs.
Yonkers downtown plans unveiled
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
A redevelopment plan for downtown Yonkers was unveiled this week by Struever Fidelco Cappelli LLC, calling for some 3 million square feet of new retail and housing, including 1,500 new apartments in four new towers that will define the city’s skyline: two 50-story buildings overlooking a planned minor-league ballpark at River Park Center, the new name the developers have given a city-owned parking lot known as Chicken Island, and two, 25-story towers on the river at the end of Prospect Street, which the developers have dubbed Palisades Point. The new ballpark is envisioned as the home of an independent Atlantic League team.
New deal cited for land swap
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
Land swaps are always complicated, as the folks in southern Wisconsin are learning in regards to a land swap involving a parcel of land envisioned as a new home of the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League). Now, we don’t claim to know all the ins and outs of what’s proposed in La Prairie, but it basically involves a nonprofit forming an aggregate mining operation in order to generate funds for the new ballpark. One thing that’s clear: Snappers ownership says this is the last chance the community will have to keep the team in the Beloit area.
York Revolution announces radio partner
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) and Newsradio 910 WSBA in York have reached a three-year partnership to air the complete schedule of York Revolution games, making WSBA the "Official Broadcast Home of York Revolution Baseball." The agreement was announced at a press conference on Wednesday morning by Revolution General Manager Matt O’Brien and Cumulus Media Market Manager Todd Toerper. As part of the agreement, Newsradio 910 WSBA will broadcast all York Revolution home and road games during the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons. With a few possible exceptions, games will be broadcast live and in their entirety. There will also be a 60-minute pre-game show prior to most games, which will include in-depth features, player interviews, a manager’s report and game recaps. Portions of the pre-game show for games at Sovereign Bank Stadium will be held outside of the stadium and include fan participation. A ten-minute post-game show will follow the game and previous game highlights will be broadcast during the WSBA Morning Show. Internet broadcasts, of which details will be announced at a later date, will also be made available for fans worldwide. Interestingly, WSBA is dumping broadcasts of the Baltimore Orioles in favor of the Revolution. More from the York Daily Record.
Once a baseball cathedral, Tiger Stadium now sits in disrepair
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
We continue to be amazed by the callousness shown by local elected officials and the owners of the Detroit Tigers toward Tiger Stadium, the longtime home of the Tigers. Tiger Stadium opened the same day as Fenway Park and was home to many great baseball moments. What is particularly frustrating, however, is the lack of work on making Tiger Stadium workable as a baseball venue: the plan all along was to tear it down, and those approaching the city about converting it to a smaller facility for independent baseball were turned away. The field will remain intact, as will some elements of the entrance area. But it won’t be Tiger Stadium, and it’s hard to see how the shell of a grand old ballpark will fuel tourism.
Sherry named head groundskeeper for Orioles
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League Head Groundskeeper Nicole Sherry is leaving the team to take the same position with the Baltimore Orioles. She becomes just the second woman in Major League Baseball history with the title of Head Groundskeeper. Sherry, a Wilmington, DE native, was the first woman Head Groundskeeper in the Eastern League when she joined the Thunder prior to the 2004 season. Sherry was twice a runner-up for Eastern League Groundskeeper of the Year (2005 & 2006). Her work was so respected that the Thunder featured Sherry on one of their bobble head dolls last season. Prior to her time with the Thunder, Sherry worked three seasons as Assistant Head Groundskeeper for the Orioles. She has also worked for several golf courses in her career.
Ballpark Notes
Posted Oct. 19, 2006
This is a little surprising: Kansas City Royals Senior Vice President-Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore announced that the entire major-league coaching staff will have their contracts renewed for the 2007 season. Manager Buddy Bell, who is under contract through next season, also announced that third-base coach Luis Silverio and first-base coach Brian Poldberg will switch positions next season, allowing Silverio to spend more time with the outfielders. The rest of Bell’s staff includes bench coach Billy Doran, hitting coach Mike Barnett, pitching coach Bob McClure and bullpen coach Fred Kendall….The Sioux Falls Canaries (independent; American Association) have hired Steve Shirley as the team’s new manager. Shirley spent 15 years as a player, including pitching 11 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1982, and has worked as both a pitching coach and manager in independent baseball for three seasons. Shirley managed the Sioux City Explorers to a 33-32 record in 2005 before leaving the club and returning to his New Mexico home to address some personal matters. Shirley spent the 2006 season as the pitching coach for the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; Northern League). His staff was second in the Northern League with a 3.78 earned run average….The Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) announced that they have reached a flagship radio agreement with WRDW-AM 1630 to broadcast a complete 140-game schedule of live play-by-play coverage for both the 2007 & 2008 South Atlantic League seasons. The games will also be streamed live on the club’s website….
Have some news to share with the baseball community? Send it to editors@augustpublications.com.
Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight over new Nats ballpark
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
D.C. Democratic mayoral nominee Adrian M. Fenty is pushing a plan that he said would resolve a long-standing dispute with the Washington Nationals by building two aboveground parking garages near the new ballpark in time for Opening Day 2008. Fenty said his plan would maintain the city’s $611 million cost cap on the project, although it would require tens of millions of dollars in additional ballpark-generated revenue that the city otherwise would be free to spend on other needs. Under the plan, the garages would be completed by April 2008, when the ballpark is scheduled to open under the city’s agreement with the Nationals. It would cost $56 million and could be funded through existing revenue, Fenty aides said. One issue: the District’s ban on standalone parking ramps would need to be waived. More from the Washington Times.
Eight finalists announced for Lehigh Valley Triple-A team name
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
Kurt Landes, general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A Baseball team being brought to Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley in 2008, announced eight finalists in its name-the-team contest sponsored by the Allentown Morning Call. The eight finalists are the Lehigh Valley: Crushers (a reference to the rock solid cement producers), Gobblers (reference to turkeys), Iron Pigs (a reference to a critical material in steel production), Keystones (to honor Pennsylvania, the Keystone State; second base is also known as the keystone sack), Phantastics (an homage to the Philly Phanatic), Phillies (referring to the club’s parent team), Vulcans (the Roman god of fire who forged iron — another reference to the steel industry) and Woodchucks (Feb. 2, etc.). We’re kinda partial to Iron Pigs, through Crushers and Keystones have some appeal as well. Fans may vote for their favorite at mcall.com/nametheteam and lehighvalleyAAAbaseball.com. Voting will conclude around the end of the month with a winner expected to be announced mid-November.
Lehigh Valley ballpark may cost millions more
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
The price of the new Triple-A ballpark in east Allentown is over the estimated $34.3 million price tag, and Lehigh County officials are scrambling to cut costs and secure funds. While county officials say it’s too early to tell how much over budget the new stadium will be, County Executive Don Cunningham said the costs would push the project to more than $40 million. Two sources pegged the overrun at a minimum of $10 million. One option, according to Cunningham: Joseph Finley and Craig Stein, the team owners who would lease the facility, would pay more in annual payments and over a longer period. Currently, their lease calls for $700,000 a year for the first 20 years and $350,000 a year for the next nine years. The design may be scaled back as well.
Baseball negotiations quiet
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
Baseball players and owners appear to be making steady progress toward a new labor agreement in quiet negotiations that have been held with no public discussion. Several player agents have said in recent days that the sides were getting closer to a deal, although lawyers for both management and the players’ association said no agreement has been reached. The current deal expires on Dec. 19. The chief issues in the talks appear to be revenue-sharing, the luxury tax and the union’s concern that teams spend revenue-sharing money to improve themselves.
Turner lands league championship series
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
Turner Broadcasting became a bigger player in baseball’s television lineup Tuesday. Turner and Major League Baseball announced a seven-year deal under which one of the two league championship series will be televised on TBS each year from 2007 through 2013. The deal marks the first time MLB has put an LCS on cable, rather than broadcast, television. TBS will carry the National League Championship Series in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 and the American League Championship Series in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Fox will carry the other LCS each year. Turner, which has not previously televised postseason baseball, struck a separate deal with MLB earlier this year that will put all division series playoff games on TBS starting next season and a package of 26 regular-season, league-wide Sunday afternoon games on TBS starting in 2008.
St. Louis may get 2009 All-Star game
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
The new Busch Stadium is the leading contender to host baseball’s All-Star game in 2009. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, speaking during Game 5 of the NL Championship Series on Tuesday night, was asked about the likelihood of the All-Star game being played in St. Louis in three years. The new Busch Stadium opened in April, across the street from the old Busch, which hosted the All-Star game in 1966. The 2007 All-Star Game will be played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, with the 2008 game assumed to be awarded in the future to Yankee Stadium.
Commissioners begin planning improvements around ballpark site
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
A blank canvas surrounding the future home of the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) in Springdale, Ark., awaits the guiding hands of Springdale Planning Commissioners to add the color. Commissioners reviewed the master plan for developing the area south of U.S. 412 and west of Interstate 540 on Monday evening during a work session. The ballpark building site, at the southwest corner of the intersection of Watkins Avenue and 56th Street, lies in undeveloped agricultural land, with few houses, but plenty of grazing cattle and chicken houses. Locals are worried about the flood of management expected around the ballpark site; what a high-class problem to have.
Lyons stays on air with Dodgers
Posted Oct. 18, 2006
Fired Fox Sports announcer Steve Lyons will keep his gig commenting on road games for the Los Angeles Dodgers after he finishes diversity training and will call 40 games next season under probationary status. Lyons was dumped from the ALCS broadcast booth after making comments some perceived as being racially insensitive; Lou Piniella, who was part of the interchange, says Lyons isn’t racist and doesn’t understand what the fuss is about. Lyons works road games with Charley Steiner when Vin Scully stays in California.