Archives: Feb. 19-25, 2007
Forsyth County commits to new Warthogs ballpark
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Forsyth County officials announced that the county would be willing to give as much as $12.5 million in tax incentives over 25 years to support the commercial part of a new city development, which will include a new home for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League). The county’s economic-incentive offer would not give any public money to the ballpark itself. In addition, the county would not take over ownership of the ballpark after 25 years, leaving the city of Winston-Salem as the eventual owner. Warthogs owner and project developer Billy Prim says he’ll accept the county’s offer, even though it’s a little less than the $14 million he was seeking. There are still a lot of steps to be taken before the project is a reality, including the sale of Ernie Shore Field to Wake Forest.
Fair officials respond with new spring-training plan
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A consultant’s plan quietly being shopped around by Sarasota Agricultural Fair Association leaders shows a new spring training ballpark, clubhouse, offices and practice facilities for the Cincinnati Reds at the fairgrounds on Fruitville Road — along with a hotel, modern arena and conference center. There are some major problems with the plan: the Reds would need to keep the current training complex as the home for their minor leaguers, since there are only two practice fields envisioned at the fairgrounds. Still, the plan has some potential, especially since the current plan is in doubt because it relies on $10 million coming from a developer — and none have stepped forward.
Matthews wins Ford C. Frick Award
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Kansas City Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews is this year’s winner of the Ford C. Frick Award, given annually to a broadcaster in recognition of a long and distinguished career. Matthews will join fellow Kansas Citians George Brett and Joe McGuff in the hall. Brett was inducted in 1999, and McGuff, former editor and sports editor of The Kansas City Star, was inducted into the writers’ wing as the recipient of the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. Matthews joined the Royals in 1969. The award itself dates back to 1978 when Mel Allen and Red Barber were the first recipients. More from Matthews from Joe Posnanski.
Pirates to install new scoreboards at PNC Park
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the ballclub will install a larger video display for its main scoreboard and add a new light emitting diode (LED) fascia display that will span PNC Park’s upper deck. The new main scoreboard display will have the capability of more than doubling the size of the current video display, as well as splitting into multiple windows to show lineups, statistics, out-of-town game information, animation, video clips and much more. The LED display will provide fans with the latest in-game information, up-to-the-minute player and team statistics and pitch counts, which has been a desired feature for many Pirates fans. Both systems are from Daktronics. The existing video display on the main scoreboard will be disassembled and reconfigured, with additional new display modules, to form a "ribbon" LED video display across PNC Park’s upper deck. The new ProAd fascia display will span 960 feet from foul pole to foul pole and measure approximately 3 feet in height.
Dodgertown to ghost town
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Next spring will be the last time the Los Angeles Dodgers train in Vero Beach’s Dodgertown, the definite end of an era. The Dodgers were the first team to approach spring training on a logical basis, taking over a former military base in the small Florida city and building dorms and training facilities. The move isn’t final yet — despite what others have reported, Vero Beach officials aren’t totally committed to letting the Dodgers walk away with $15 million of debt remaining on the Dodgertown books after renovations — and there’s the chance the Dodgers could be the only inhabitants of a Glendale spring-training facility, at least for the first few years. Vero Beach officials say they’ll seek another team for spring training, but he most likely outcome is the redevelopment of the complex. More from SI.com.
Play ball in Leominster
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The local newspaper comes out in support of the plan for a new minor-league ballpark in Leominster, a city in the greater Boston area. Some city officials believe the details of the project — which could include two restaurants, a hotel and convention space, and perhaps interactive sports activities such as batting cages — could be ironed out this year. Construction would begin next year, with baseball being played in 2009. No word yet on the league setting its sights on the city, although there were previously discussions between city officials and the independent Atlantic League.
Safeco Field offers a semi-suite alternative
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Seattle Mariners are doing what many teams are doing: converting luxury boxes into party areas. They are destroying eight of Safeco Field’s luxury suites, which were constructed less than eight years ago at great expense, and opening up the space as a mega-suite, giving Mariners fans an additional option. The All-Star Club, located just beyond first base, opens as the team joins the ranks of teams de-emphasizing the traditional luxury boxes in favor of new alternatives. The All-Star Club is sold on a season-ticket basis only, though fans can buy partial-season tickets for as few as 10 games. Tickets work out to between $100 and $125 per person per game, depending on seat location and number of games purchased. That gets you parking, a reserved seat in front of the suite, and access to a gourmet food spread similar to what is served in the Diamond Club. The only thing that costs extra is alcoholic beverages, available at a cash bar.
Goldeyes to honor Terry Hind with commemorative jersey patch
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Terry Hind, the GM of the original Winnipeg Goldeyes of the original Northern League, who passed away last month at age 86, will be honored by the current Goldeyes (independent; Northern League) this summer with a shoulder patch on Winnipeg’s home white and Sunday red jerseys. It is the first such distinction since the Goldeyes returned to action in 1994. Hind was general manager of the Goldeyes from 1954-1964 when they were an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, overseeing three championship teams during that time. He took his talents to the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers for five years when the Goldeyes left but returned to baseball as the general manager of the Winnipeg Whips (Class AAA; International League) in 1970 and 1971. The patch, which is baseball-shaped, features the letters TH and the years 1920-2007. It will be worn on the right sleeve of both jerseys above an existing Canadian flag patch.
Time to honor teams, players and ‘The Sarge’
Posted Feb. 23, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Today is the home opener for the University of South Carolina at Sarge Frye Field, and more than likely it’s the last season opened for the Gamecocks in their longtime home, as a new ballpark is in the works. Sarge Frye was a longtime groundskeeper at USC, and he’ll be honored this season with a large photo and banner, as well as a series of events.
County looking at two new sites for Twins ballpark
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In another sign the deal for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark is falling apart, county officials have quietly begun evaluating two alternative sites for the facility: Star Tribune-owned land west of the Metrodome and the current site of the Minneapolis Farmers Market, on the west side of downtown Minneapolis not far from the current new-ballpark site. Whether or not these early explorations will yield anything certainly remains to be seen, but they do indicate Hennepin County officials think there’s the strong chance the current deal could collapse. Another sign things are to hell in a handbasket: owners of land needed for the facility blamed Hennepin County on Wednesday for stalling the project. "The ballpark project can begin right now if Hennepin County simply does what it said it would do," said a press statement from landowners’ representatives Rich Pogin and Bruce Lambrecht. We’re not quite sure we agree with this assessment, as the county has from the beginning used a figure of $13 million or so for this particular lot when budgeting land-acquisition costs, with the most recent offers exceeding that. And the pugnacious attitude exhibited by Pogin and Lambrecht recently hasn’t won them many friends in Hennepin County or in the public eye, with many wondering whether the partners and attorney Dan Rosen really are capable of negotiating a deal fair to all. (There are some deep, deep divisions here, much deeper than anyone in the press is saying; some are political, some are personal.)
New Hampshire awarded 2008 EL All-Star Game
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn and the member clubs of the Eastern League announced that the New Hampshire Fisher Cats will play host to the 2008 All-Star Game. The game is scheduled to be played at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008, pending Eastern League schedule approval.
The 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game will feature a collection of the top talent from the Northern Division taking on a roster of Southern Division All-Stars. Each of the All-Star rosters will consist of 24 players, with each Eastern League franchise being represented by at least one pitcher and one position player.
"The 2008 Eastern League All-Star Game provides the League and its member clubs the opportunity to bring something special to a city that shows tremendous support to their hometown team," McEacharn said. "We are looking forward to showcasing the Major League stars of tomorrow to the outstanding fans."
A scolding for Oriole Park officials
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In a scathing report released yesterday, state auditors scolded the Maryland Stadium Authority for a variety of management moves, including the payment of $42,000 for less than an hour of consulting services to a former executive director who left under an ethical cloud. The authority oversees Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. In other conclusions, the auditors said the state agency did not adequately pursue $1.7 million in rent the state believes is owed by the Orioles but disputed by the team. The Orioles say they have paid all rent due for 2002-2003 and that they are negotiating with the stadium authority for rent owed for 2004-2005. The sides disagree on how much money the club owes for advertising signs in the ballpark. The team pays rent based on a percentage of various revenues, including ballpark ads.
Sounds must make decisions regarding downtown ballpark
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With a new-ballpark deal in Nashville becoming increasingly tenuous, the argument here is that the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) must decide how much they need a new $48-million facility and whether they can come up with the money to cover any overruns. Sounds management has suggested either Metro or developer Struever Bros., Eccles & Rouse come up with the additional funds, but that may be a stretch: Metro leaders are firm in keeping the Sounds true to the original deal, and we’re guessing Struever’s lack of movement on the project means they’re running into financial problems as well.
The new Yankee Stadium — boon and dust
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Construction in the city is at a peak with a huge number of developments around town. Whether you like it or not, if you live near one of the big projects dust, noise and traffic are more part of your life than ever. WNYC’s Elaine Rivera takes a look at the cost of the new Yankee Stadium for Bronx residents living nearby — for some there’s the inconvenience of noise, while others must deal with the dust generated from any large-scale development.
Rowan to pursue ownership agreement with Kannapolis
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Amazingly, there’s never been a formal documenting who actually owns Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, the home of the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League). Now that there’s talk of developing a baseball academy on the site or even selling the ballpark, Rowan County commissioners think it’s about time to put pen to paper. The commissioners voted unanimously to enter into an ownership agreement with Kannapolis. The city and county have agreed in principle to share ownership of the stadium property — with Rowan County owning 75 percent and Kannapolis owning 25 percent, but no official agreement to that effect has been signed. More from the Salisbury Post.
Wolff busy moving ahead with ballpark plans for A’s
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More on Oakland A’s managing owner Lew Wolff and his work on a new Fremont ballpark. In November, the A’s unveiled plans to move south and build a long-awaited ballpark they hope will soon transform the small-market club into a big spender and a more popular choice for fans in the Bay Area while remaining affordable. The A’s, in partnership with Cisco Systems, Inc., agreed to purchase 143 acres of land from Cisco in suburban Fremont, about 20 miles south of their current home at the Coliseum. The team intends to break ground in the coming years on a new ballpark to be called Cisco Field, with a goal of opening in time for the 2011 season.
The Japanese gyroball mystery
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Daisuke Matsuzaka says he doesn’t throw one in games, but that doesn’t stop some entrepreneurial baseball folks from Japan to come to spring training and sell the locals on the notion of the gyroball, which is basically a slider that doesn’t break. It’s actually not all that unique — it’s used extensively in cricket, according to Robert Adair — and the man who claims to have invented the pitch was in Phoenix to drum up interest in the pitch. (A telling detail: he tried to copyright the pitch.) It seems to work best as a change-of-pace pitch; it also seems to work more as a threat than a reality.
Arizona Winter League ends on high note, will return in 2008
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Golden Baseball League (GBL) announced that the Arizona Winter League ended in fine style as a record crowd of 3,231 fans watched the Yuma Scorpions comeback and win the inaugural Arizona Winter League championship over the Canada Miners in the bottom of the ninth by a score of 7-6 on Friday night. Following the game and throughout the weekend, 35 Arizona Winter League players signed contracts for the upcoming season to play in the Golden Baseball League, the New York State League, and even one with the Baltimore Orioles. Including the 13 that arrived with contracts in place for 2007, this brings to 48 the number of AWL players that will report to professional spring training camps under contract this year. League officials also announced the four-team winter league based at Yuma’s Desert Sun Stadium will return next year.
Wolff buys NYCBL franchise
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Miles Wolff, a leader in independent baseball and the owner of the Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League) and the Quebec Capitales (independent; Can-Am Association), has purchased the Little Falls franchise in the summer-collegiate New York Collegiate Baseball League. The team is being renamed the Little Falls Miners. There are some familiar faces in the mix: Dan Moushon will be the team’s vice president, while GM is Hoffman Wolff. Besides his ownership duties, Wolff is commissioner of the independent Can-Am and American associations.
For Stockings, retirement becomes a day at the park
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Longtime Vacaville residents Beverly and Joe Stocking emerged from retirement over the winter to take control of business operations of the Solano Thunderbirds (summer collegiate; California Collegiate League). It represents a switch within the family that has owned the team, which features top college baseball prospects from across the nation and plays a summer schedule in Travis Credit Union Park. The Stockings, who created the fuel-distributing company BC Stocking, and the baseball squad’s manager, Phil Swimley, now comprise the entire team ownership.
Ballpark Notes
Posted Feb. 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) announced they have hired <