Archives: Dec. 11-17, 2006
Glendale offers spring-training plan
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Glendale officials made their pitch for spring-training facility funding from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to an ASTA subcommittee, but the plan did little to clear the waters as that city and Glendale and Goodyear compete for state money. Goodyear wants money for a new Cleveland Indians facility, while Glendale is seeking funds for a Los Angeles Dodgers/Chicago White Sox complex. The authority has only enough money to fully fund one facility, but a subcommittee chairman says one possibility is to partially fund both facilities — which may doom them both, as they both rely heavily on state funds. One complicating factor: Goodyear’s deal with the Tribe ends Dec. 31, and in theory the Indians could negotiate with Florida cities to remain in the Grapefruit League. The only way a move for the Dodgers works is if another Grapefruit League team makes the move, as MLB will not allow an odd number of teams in each spring-training state. While authority officials say the potential move of the Chicago White Sox from their lease at Tucson Electric Park is not an issue, we’ve heard otherwise: the White Sox would love to see the Indians move into TEP, but the Indians see a move to Glendale as a backup move and might not seek an Arizona move at all if Tucson was the only option.
Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A’s
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Fremont officials met with A’s owner Lew Wolff and his team Thursday morning in the first kick-off session to determine how to bring a $500-million ballpark and surrounding retail and housing units to the city in about five years. City Manager Fred Diaz said the meeting at City Hall put in place a process for moving forward in negotiations with the unprecedented project, which the A’s have vowed to pay for with private money. The city and A’s plan to meet twice a month for up to six months; the next meeting is Jan. 11. And a public work session with the city council will follow soon after that. Apparently nothing substantive was actually discussed; the event was more of a meet and greet that including talk of some basics of the development.
Could Cal Ripken become Orioles owner?
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Ken Rosenthal is reporting talks between Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos and former O’s great Cal Ripken Jr. include a gradual sale of the team to a group that includes Ripken. Angelos is also talking with other potential buyers, and the sale price could approach $800 million when you include a cable network with the rights to Orioles and Washington Nationals games. Ripken may not know the business of major-league baseball, but certainly knows the business of baseball: Ripken Baseball owns the Aberdeen IronBirds (short season; NY-Penn League) and the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) and is one of the two firms vying to purchase the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League). Angelos denies the story.
County rejects land swap proposal
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Rock County Board voted overwhelmingly to reject a land swap offer from Mulder Dairy Farms on Thursday night, putting an end to a plan for a new Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League). The board voted 27-2 to reject the offer at the end of a three-hour meeting. Mulder Dairy Farms had proposed trading 331 acres in La Prairie Township and $8.3 million for 465 acres of the county farm at highways 14 and 51 in Janesville Township, but the disparity in land values was too much for boardmembers to ignore. This likely will fuel talk about a move of the Snappers, who currently play at Pohlman Field.
Japanese may follow Matsuzaka to Boston
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Let’s face it: offseason player signings are designed as much to sell tickets as help a team win on the field, and on both counts the signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka would appear to be a home run for the Boston Red Sox. Tourism Massachusetts, a nonprofit marketing group, estimates 20,000 Japanese tourists will spend $100 million to see Matsuzaka pitch at Fenway Park. While it’s very true Japanese baseball fans follow players (just ask how the bottom line of the Seattle Mariners was affected by the signing of Ichiro Suzuki), the impact in Boston may be overstated — there’s already a heavy demand for Red Sox tickets, so it’s not like Boston has a huge unsold inventory. The impact may be more pronounced when the Red Sox are on the road and playing on the West Coast. Bill Reynolds is tired of big-buck deals.
Looking for rays of light
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After announcing plans to move a three-game series against the Texas Rangers to The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in suburban Orlando, Tampa Bay Devil Rays officials discussed their plans to appeal to Orlando and central Florida. For starters, an increased number of games will be broadcast in the Orlando market — 67, as opposed to 25 in 2006. And D-Rays ownership says they’ll do some other promotions in the area. Less than 10 percent of fans attending games at Tropicana Field came from central Florida, and obviously the team would like to raise that figure. More from the Bradenton Herald and the St. Petersburg Times.
Nationals obtain financial flexibility
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Nationals are doing something many thought impossible: the current ownership is spending less on payroll than MLB did during its tenure as team owners. Washington has saved money either by trading or not re-signing Alfonso Soriano, Livan Hernandez, Jose Guillen, Brian Lawrence, Ramon Ortiz, Jose Vidro and Tony Armas Jr., and the club’s $63 million payroll from Opening Day 2006 could plummet to as little as $36 million by Opening Day 2007. We’re talking about a last-place team in D.C. next season unless something unlikely happens. More from Thomas Boswell.
Bouton bringing ‘base ball’ to Stamford
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Jim Bouton made his pitch to Stamford’s Parks and Recreation Commission last night to bring vintage "base ball" — as it was originally spelled — to Stamford’s Cubeta Stadium in August. The four-day Vintage Base Ball World Series will bring the game back to its 19th-century roots, complete with baggy uniforms, fat-handle bats and "lemon peel" stitched balls that will be caught with miniature gloves. Bouton previously held a similar event at Pittsfield’s Wahconah Park.
Ballpark Notes
Posted Dec. 15, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Darin Everson is the new manager of the Jamestown Jammers (short season; NY-Penn League). He served as hitting coach of the Jupiter Hammerheads (High Class A; Florida State League) last season; before that he managed the Wisconsin Woodchucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). Charlie Corbell Jr. will serve as pitching coach, while the hitting coach will be Johnny Rodriguez….Gregg Langbehn is the new field manager of the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League) in 2007. Pitching coach Charley Taylor, hitting coach Alex Eckelman and trainer J.D. Shields will join Langbehn in Lexington….Manager Keith Mitchell and pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd will return for their third season with the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League), while Steve Dillard will be back for his second year as hitting coach….Manager Dave Clark, hitting coach John Tamargo Jr. and trainer Jamey Snodgrass will return for the third consecutive season with the Corpus Christi Hooks (Class AA; Texas League). Stan Boroski replaces Joe Slusarski as the Hooks’ pitching coach…Stan Cliburn returns as skipper of the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League). Returning as pitching coach is his twin brother Stan Cliburn and bench coach Rich Miller….Joe Ferguson is the new manager of the Camden RiverSharks (independent; Atlantic League). He was known as a hard-nosed catcher during his days with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was frequently discussed as a possible MLB managerial candidate….Jackie Moore returns as manager of the Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League); he’s the only manager in the history of the team, which formerly played in the Class AA Texas League. Joining him: pitching coach Burt Hooton, hitting coach Ron Jackson and former Memphis Redbirds manager Danny Sheaffer as infield/third-base coach….
Sarasota, county OK Reds ballpark pact
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The city of Sarasota and Sarasota County have less than five months to forge an agreement about how to replace Ed Smith Stadium with a new spring-training facility for the Cincinnati Reds, which would also serve as the home of the Sarasota Reds (High Class A; Florida State League). By signing the agreement, the county agreed to provide $17.6 million in bed tax money for the new spring-training complex. The city agreed to provide $10 million and foster an $8.6-million private sector investment. Most of the rest of the money is expected to come from the state and the Reds. Wednesday’s agreement, which came after months of back-and-forth from the city, the county and the Reds, was met with loud cheers from all sides. Reds officials called the move a step toward keeping the club — which once looked like a prime candidate to move its spring training operations to Arizona — in Florida. The Reds would commit to a 30-year lease as part of the deal. More from the Charlotte Sun-Herald and the Bradenton Herald.
Snappers land deal appears dead
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A complicated land deal that would yield the site of a new ballpark for the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League) is all but dead after appraisals showed a wide gap in values between the parcels. Although the Rock County (Wis.) Board of Supervisors is not scheduled to vote until Thursday on the proposed land swap, pursuers of the deal are expecting a loss. Privately owned parcels were valued at about $3.8 million while the county-owned land — projected as the ballpark site, among other things — was estimated at about $14.4 million. Not surprisingly, the owner of the lesser parcel slammed the appraisers, but no one is calling for a reappraisal. The Snappers play at Pohlman Field, a facility that doesn’t meet baseball standards, and the team’s future in Beloit would seem to be in serious doubt if a new ballpark is not forthcoming. More from the Janesville Gazette.
Stadium authority meets with White Sox, Dodgers
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers had their first formal meeting with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority today in their bid to build a spring-training facility in Glendale, slated to open in spring 2009. The public meeting was the first time the Glendale group — which includes both teams — has met with the authority since submitting its proposal Dec. 1. The White Sox currently train at Tucson Electric Park. To leave before their contract with Pima County expires in 2013, the White Sox would have to find a replacement team. Another complication: the Cleveland Indians have a deal with Goodyear to train there, and both projects are seeking ASTA funding.
Rays make it official: May 15-17 series to be played in Orlando
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays announced this morning a May 15-17 series against the Texas Rangers would be shifted from Tropicana Field to The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in suburban Orlando, the spring home of the Atlanta Braves and the former home of the Orlando Rays (Class AA; Southern League). The move wasn’t made for financial reasons — indeed, the Orlando ballpark holds only 12,000 fans, even when cramming as many as possible onto berms — but for marketing reasons, as D-Rays ownership seeks to expand its fan base into central Florida.
New for 2007: the Battle Creek Bombers
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Northwoods League executives unveiled the name of the summer-collegiate league’s new name: the Battle Creek Bombers. The yet-to-be-completed logo will involve a mosquito, most likely wearing an old bomber hat that pilots wore in World War II. Despite discussions with possible investors, for the first season in Battle Creek, the league office in Rochester, Minn., will run the club. The hope is that the Bombers will be purchased, preferably by someone in the area, in time for Season Two. C.O. Brown Stadium was formerly home to the Southwestern Michigan Devil Rays (Low Class A; Midwest League) franchise. (Disclaimer: Kevin Reichard sits on the Board of Advisors of the Northwoods League.)
City hires consultant to assist on Lawrence-Dumont lease
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The city of Wichita is spending $11,500 for a consultant to help find a replacement for the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League). City officials plan to send out a request for proposals as soon as they finish negotiations to allow Rich Baseball Inc. to break the Wranglers’ lease at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Steve Stern, a Jacksonville, Fla.,-based consultant with HVS International, a hospitality, entertainment and sports consulting firm, is helping the city develop the RFP. We would expect at least two independent leagues to express interest in the process, and potentially two more.
Traffic concerns dominate Winston-Salem ballpark meeting
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Concerns about traffic, crime and displacing residents dominated a meeting last night about the proposed ballpark at the western edge of downtown Winston-Salem for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League). Developer Billy Prim, Mayor Allen Joines, Council Member Molly Leight and other city officials met with about 75 residents from West Salem, and other nearby neighborhoods, at Green Street United Methodist Church. Perhaps the most common concern was traffic as residents wondered whether those headed to the ball game would clog their neighborhoods with cars. If the land is approved for rezoning, construction could start after April 1 and would take at least a year. More from News 14.
IDB approves Sounds ballpark extension
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Metro and the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have taken another step toward extending deadlines that could save a deal for a new ballpark. The Industrial Development Board (IDB) on Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Nashville Sounds and Baltimore developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse to extend the deadline for closing the city-to-Sounds property lease to the team for building a new downtown baseball stadium from Dec. 31 until April 15, 2007. The vote is the second of three the Sounds need to secure the extension.
Lehigh Valley adds three new staffers
Posted Dec. 14, 2006 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) have added three employees to their front office staff. Former Dorney Park Director of Sales & Promotions Howard Scharf joins the team as Assistant General Manager-Ticketing, Danny Tetzlaff is the new Assistant General Manager-Marketing and Matt Provence is the new as Director of Media Relations.
"I’m certainly excited about our latest additions," said Lehigh Valley General Manager Kurt Landes. "The varied backgrounds of these three newcomers will help us make significant strides as we begin to cater the IronPigs experience into our community."
Howard Scharf returns to Allentown where he previously spent nine years working for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom from 1986-94. Although this will be his first experience in professional baseball, the Philadelphia native has 20 years experience working in the amusement/family entertainment business. In addition to his years with Dorney Park, Scharf worked with Six Flags in Gurnee, Ill., Flint, Mich., and Jackson, N.J., where he was Director of Sales & Promotions from 1995-97. Most recently, Scharf was working as a consultant in marketing and product development in Sandy Hook, Conn. The graduate of Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa.) will serve as an Assistant General Manager overseeing the ticket department.
Danny Tetzlaff comes to Allentown after being honored as the 2006 Pioneer League Executive of the Year as President/General Manager of the Casper Rockies (Advanced Rookie). The native of Winston-Salem, N.C., spent five seasons with Casper (2001, 2003-06) along with one season with New Haven Ravens (Eastern, AA) in 2002. During his two-year stint as Rockies General Manager, Casper experienced the nation’s fourth-largest attendance jump (32.8%) of the 150 National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) teams that did not move into a new stadium. A graduate of University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Tetzlaff served five years as a sales manager for Detroit Diesel prior to his time in baseball. He will serve as an Assistant General Manager overseeing the marketing department.
Matt Provence spent the past two seasons as Assistant General Manager for the Daytona Cubs of the Florida State League (Advanced-A). While with Daytona, the New Jersey native was part of a staff that was recognized by Baseball America with the 2006 Bob Freitas Award, which annually honors the most outstanding organization in four different level