Archives: May 13-19, 2007
Faithful say Reds spring-training deal still alive
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
While a whole lot of top city officials, elected and appointed, were declaring the Cincinnati Reds’ $54-million spring-training-facility project "on life support," if not DOA two weeks ago, the man heading up the effort is still swinging for the fences. City Sports Facilities Director Pat Calhoon was as confident as ever this week "We’re going to get this thing done," he said without hesitation. "We’ve been up and down, but we’re still keeping our eye on the prize." All of the breathless deadlines have passed or soon will, but Calhoon said there’s room for delay while city officials wait to see what kind of raid on local treasuries the state Legislature will make in its June special session.
This summer’s ballpark music tour: Counting Crows
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Every summer a big-name artist arranges a tour centering on minor-league venues, and this summer Counting Crows is hitting the road in July, with LIVE and Collective Soul opening. Here’s the tour: July 22, Frawley Stadium, home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks (High Class A; Carolina League); July 24, Classic Park, Eastlake, home of the Lake County Captains (Low Class A; Sally League); July 25, CONSOL Energy Park, home of the Washington Wild Things (independent; Frontier League); July 27, Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League); July 28, Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League); July 31, Jerry Uht Park, home of the Erie Seawolves (Class AA; Eastern League); August 1, Dunn Tire Park, home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League); August 3, Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats (Class AAA; International League); August 4, Victory Field, home of the Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League); August 7, GCS Ballpark, home of the Gateway Grizzlies (independent; Frontier League); August 8, Drillers Stadium, home of the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League); August 11, Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League); August 14, Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen Ironbirds (short season; NY-Penn League); August 15, Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League); August 17, Merchantsauto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League); August 18, New Britain Stadium, home of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League); August 21, Blair County Ballpark, home of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League); First Energy Park, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League); August 24, McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League); August 25, Dutchess Stadium, home of the Hudson Valley Renegades (short season; NY-Penn League); August 30, Memorial Stadium, home of the Ft. Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League); September 1, Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association); September 2, Newman Outdoor Field, home of the Fargo Redhawks (independent; Northern League). Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster; you can read more, including ticket availability, at the Counting Crows website.
Fans pack Central City Park for baseball’s return to Macon
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Macon Music (independent; South Coast League) may only be one game old, but the team may have achieved something no other pro sports team in the city has ever done — turn people away from the gate. Traffic was backed up in Central City Park and some people didn’t get a ticket until the second inning. And by then, the crowd was standing room only. Luther Williams Field holds about 3,500, but there were 5,033 people at the game. The remaining teams in the new independent circuit open their seasons tonight; here’s a preview of the Anderson Joes.
Selig: No change in playoffs
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Commissioner Bud Selig yesterday said baseball was not considering an expansion of the first round from best-of-five to best-of-seven. At times, Selig has said baseball would consider changing the first-round schedule to make it more difficult for wild-card teams, who currently are home for Games 3 and 4. "We continue to talk about that," he said. Also, owners approved baseball’s new seven-year "Extra Innings" out-of-market television contracts with DirecTV and In Demand, deals that guarantee the clubs an average of $80 million annually. Owners also approved the launch of the MLB Network, which Selig said will be available to at least 47 million homes when it starts broadcasting on Jan. 1, 2009. More on the MLB Network here.
Fund set up for Henniger family
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Here’s the latest on Rai Henniger, the senior vice president of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), who was seriously injured in a pyrotechnic accident while setting up for a recent Sky Sox baseball game: "His condition is serious. He sustained major facial and head injuries that will require many months of medical care, restorative surgeries and therapy. He is aware of his surroundings and able to communicate by squeezing the hand of his family and caretakers." His wife, Heather (Mooney), is now living in a Denver hotel while her parents are caring for their children. The Henniger children, Grace, 10; Emma, 7; and Benjamin, 5, are shuttling back and forth between Denver and Colorado Springs to see their mother. Mom and children plan to relocate to a small apartment in Denver for the duration of his treatments, which could be up to several months. The "Rai Henniger Family Fund" has been established at Security Service Federal Credit Union. Donations can be dropped off at any Security Service location in Colorado Springs, Pueblo or Denver or mailed to: The Rai Henniger Family Fund, 1485 Kelly Johnson Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
CBC to air limited number of Blue Jays games
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The CBC is expected to announce today that it is back in the baseball business after a five-year absence. This isn’t headline news since the network will have a huge hole in its schedule next season after the CFL moves to TSN. A small package of games this year — presumably called by former Jays voice Jim Hughson — will get the CBC’s publicly funded foot in the door for a bigger deal next year.
Sale of Harrisburg franchise raises questions about Yanks
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Harrisburg’s ability to sell a Double-A baseball franchise for $13.25 million has some observers asking why Lackawanna County isn’t seeking more for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). "We can’t move our franchise, which reduced the value," Lackawanna County Commissioner Chairman Robert C. Cordaro said Thursday. "That’s the difference." That, of course, is wrong; the Sens signed a 29-year lease to stay in Harrisburg. Under a purchase option approved last month by the majority commissioners and the Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority, SWB Yankees LLC — a partnership between Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees — would have the right to buy the local franchise for between $13 million and $16.4 million, depending on how soon it looks to buy. If it decides to buy, SWB Yankees would have to sign a 20-year lease, hence Cordaro’s reference to the franchise not being movable.
D-Rays finish Disney series strong
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In the end, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays didn’t draw any more fans to The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports for a midweek series than they normally do at Tropicana Field. The final game of the three-game series drew 9,635 for a total of 26,917, a number that attendees say wasn’t inflated by freebies. Tampa Bay management wasn’t saying whether the team would return to the land of the mouse for a series next year.
New turf, seats for Murakami Stadium
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The University of Hawai’i announced yesterday that the $2 million released by Gov. Linda Lingle will be used to replace the 13-year-old artificial turf with a surface to be determined. The remaining money will be used to refurbish as many seats possible. Seams in the ballpark’s turf are visible from the upper level and a number seats from the 23-year-old ballpark are discolored and some are loose. Hawai’i athletics director Herman Frazier said ballpark improvements will be done in phases, with the turf being first and the seats later. Frazier said UH is awaiting bids from prospective vendors. He said the preference is for FieldTurf. The ballpark also hosts games in the Hawaii winter league.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 18, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League), along with NEWSRADIO 910 WSBA, has announced that long-time WSBA radio personality Gary Sutton will join "Voice of the Revolution" Darrell Henry for all Revolution game broadcasts in York, as well as selected games in Lancaster this season, beginning with the first-ever "War of the Roses" series in Lancaster this Friday-Sunday. In addition to hosting his “Main Street of America” talk show every weekday morning on WSBA, Sutton is an award-winning color analyst for state high school athletics on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. He has over 16 years of experience as a radio talk-show host, all at WSBA. Sutton has been part of the York community for over 40 years….The Toronto Blue Jays have reached three-year contract extensions for the 2008, 2009 & 2010 seasons with Head Trainer George Poulis, Assistant Trainer Dave Abraham and Strength & Conditioning Coach Donovan Santas….
Dodd Stadium repairs on hold as team’s bills left unpaid
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
More than $400,000 in improvements at Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium are on hold while Norwich officials push the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) to pay more than $200,000 in overdue rent, utilities and other costs. The lease requires the Defendersto pay $150,000 in rent last year and $200,000 this year. The team paid $20,000 on overdue rent and remained current for a while on 2007 payments, but installments have stopped coming in, city financial officials said. Team attorney Glenn Carberry said the issues are more complex, and that the amount owed is lower than $200,000 because the Defenders are paying for some upgrades in lieu of rent. The team isn’t drawing very well, averaging 1,868 fans per game, though April and early May are always slow months in Norwich.
Braves sale approved by owners
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
No surprise: the sale of the Atlanta Braves and other properties by Time Warner to Liberty Media was unanimously approved by owners at meetings yesterday afternoon, allowing the two sides to culminate a purchase agreement before tax laws changed at midnight. Liberty exchanged 68.5 million shares of Time Warner stock for the Braves, the Leisure Arts Inc. group of craft publications and $960 million of cash. As part of the deal, Liberty Media agreed to keep payroll at a $90-million level, leave in place the current Braves management team, led by Terry McGuirk, keep the Turner Field name, and divest itself of a gambling Web site. In an official statement, Commissioner Bud Selig welcomed the deal: "I am pleased to welcome Liberty Media as the owner of the Atlanta Braves," Selig said. "I am also excited that Terry McGuirk will remain in his role with the club, along with John Schuerholz, Mike Plant, Derek Schiller, Bobby Cox and others. They have made the Braves a model of consistency. I also want to thank Turner Broadcasting and Time Warner for their years of successfully owning the club." Selig also says Henry Aaron will play an expanded role with the franchise. One issue will be the future of the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League), the Mississippi Braves (Class AA; Southern League) and the Rome Braves (Low Class A; Sally League). Many in baseball expect Liberty Media to at least explore a sale of the three teams once the purchase is completed — at least that’s what many potential buyers have been told — but the word for now is that nothing will change.
Major League Baseball to send delegation to China
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Major League Baseball will send a high-level delegation to China this month to inspect stadiums ahead of a possible trip there for exhibition games next year. Bob DuPuy, MLB’s chief operating officer, will head the group, which also will include San Diego Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson, Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino and Pittsburgh Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy. MLB has discussed the possibility of playing exhibition games in China next March. DuPuy said it also was possible those games could be tied to opening the regular season in Tokyo.
T-Bones ballpark owners make payment on taxes
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Their tax case is winding through the appeals process, but the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; Northern League) ballpark owners have paid $170,900 in property taxes to state tax officials. The T-Bones and ballpark owner Ehlert Development Corp. have protested the $1.5-million tax amount that Wyandotte County’s Unified Government says is owed on the CommunityAmerica Ballpark, located in the Village West shopping and entertainment district in Kansas City, Kan. The owners are not required to pay the tax bill until the valuation appeals process is finished, but the case has taken longer than usual to settle because of the case’s complexity.
Devil Rays fail to steal home base at Disney
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Another crowd under 9,000 — announced as 8,839 — was on hand to see the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take on the Texas Rangers at The Ballpark at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. The goal of the series was to market the young, up-and-coming Devil Rays to the good folks in Orlando, and while game broadcasts of D-Rays games in Orlando have increased and drawn more viewers, it’s hard to say whether the series was a success or not. More from the New York Times.
RELATED STORIES: D-Rays draw 8,443 to Disney World game; Teams will have to wait and see on the Ballpark’s impact; This time, Disney games will count
Brisk ticket sales trumpet excitement about Macon Music opener
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Middle Georgians will have the chance to hear something tonight that they haven’t heard in four years at Luther Williams Field — the sound of a baseball smacking leather and the crack of a bat. But unlike when the Macon Peaches fizzled after one season in 2003, there seems to be a strong sense of anticipation for the brand-new Macon Music (independent; South Coast League). GM Ric Sisler anticipates a sellout for tonight’s opener against the Bradenton Juice. He said all of the box seats have been sold, and the general admission tickets were selling fast.
Milwaukee Brewers’ record start stokes sales at bars
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Milwaukee’s patience is paying off. After 15 years of dwindling population, iconic brewery closings and losing baseball seasons, Milwaukee Brewers fans finally have reason to cheer: The team leads the National League’s Central Division. Ticket sales for the Brewers games at Miller Park are 25 percent ahead of last year at the box office and the team already has five sellouts, compared with nine for last year’s entire season. Attendance is averaging 29,369, a six-year high. Fans are overflowing sports bars, and state officials say the team is even drawing tourists from nearby states. Its 25-15 record is second only to the New York Mets in Major League Baseball’s National League after last night’s games.
Everything (almost) for sale in minor leagues
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gordie Jones decries some of the marketing deals in place in the minor leagues, particularly criticizing the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) for selling a sponsorship of a rehab assignment. Jones is right that it seems like everything in the minors comes attached with a sponsor, but he’s a little unfair: everything has a sponsor these days. Listen to a radio broadcast: in addition to the advertising, you’ll hear product placement from the companies buying naming rights to the studios. Marketing is a pervasive force in our economy. This story was submitted by a reader. To share a story or ballpark news, drop us a line at editors@augustpublications.com.
Questions abound off field
Posted May 17, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Northern League is entering a season filled with intrigue, as the future of the circuit will probably depend on how well commissioner Clark Griffith is at moving into new markets. Saskatoon has been floated as a possibility, but that raises a whole set of issues in terms of travel and dealing with Canada: the Canadian swing for a U.S. team could end up taking two weeks with trips to Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton with some reasonable travel time. Making a bid for Wichita, too, will be important. More on Edmonton’s opener he