Archives: Aug. 5-11, 2007
Durham Athletic Park upgrade may cost more
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The price of becoming the center of the Minor League Baseball universe appears to be going up by $1 million. And initial indications Thursday were that the city might be willing to pay it. City Council members got their first look at the latest plan to renovate Durham Athletic Park, former home of the Durham Bulls and site of the film Bull Durham. Minor League Baseball would operate the old park after the city ponies up $5 million for renovations, including a state-of-the-art field, new clubhouses and dugouts and lots more bathrooms. City officials hope that would lead to a Minor League Baseball museum nearby. The proposed project is $1 million more than the $4 million earmarked for it in a 2005 voter-approved bond issue. The $1 million would come from the city’s general fund and be spent on a picnic area, broadcast booth, umpires’ clubhouse and other amenities. North Carolina Central has already committed to playing there.
Bank pulls money from Sounds’ account to pay legal, other fees
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Bankers for the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) yanked $202,000 out of the baseball team’s account last month to pay fees related to the failed effort to develop a new downtown ballpark, a team official confirmed Thursday. First Tennessee Bank, one of 12 banking partners in the failed ballpark venture, took the money out of a team operating account July 5, claiming the money was owed for legal and other fees, according to GM Glenn Yaeger. He said about $400,000 was in the account at the time. The Triple-A minor league Sounds are trying to recover money, and the loss won’t affect team operations, he said. The Sounds and the city of Nashville are still at loggerheads over the status of a $250,000 payment owed to the Sounds for maintenance at Greer Stadium as well.
The Yankees’ ballpark windfall
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Fortune magazine takes a look at the economics surround the new Yankee Stadium, slated to open in 2009. Yes, the Yankees are paying $800 million to build the $1.2 billion facility (local governments are picking up the rest in the form of infrastructure improvements and tax breaks), but they stand to basically own a money-printing machine. If the Yankees do decided to take concessions inhouse (as is rumored) and maximize the sale of luxury boxes and naming rights to specific parts of the ballpark, the team could yield an extra $150 million a year — and it will also give the Yankees some relief from MLB revenue-sharing provisions as well.
Nationals balk after funding pitch
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The Washington Nationals have contributed less than $8 million toward the construction of their new ballpark in the District, according to a report in the Washington Times, though club officials publicly said the team would spend as much as $50 million on ballpark improvements. The team’s contributions include between $2.5 million and $3 million for an expansion of the ballpark’s center-field restaurant, about $2 million to improve the ballpark suites and about $3 million to upgrade the scoreboard and video display. The article relies on unnamed sources; the officials sources say they’ve not tallied up what the Nats have spent.
‘Steal’ remark ruled exaggeration in mayor’s defamation suit
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
When former West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) president David Hersh said former Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer was trying to "steal" his baseball team, it was exaggeration and not defamation, the Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday. Farmer sued Hersh for defamation on Dec. 9, 2004. He claimed in part that "Hersh knowingly and repeatedly made false representations about Farmer’s intentions with respect to the Jaxx. Specifically, Hersh represented to the media and others that Farmer attempted to ‘steal’ the team from Hersh." Hersh had testified that Farmer and some local businessmen offered him about $4 million, below market value, for the Jaxx in 2000. Farmer denied it. More from WBIR.
SI Miners employees to meet with union reps
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Efforts to organize employees of the Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League) are under way — and somewhat surprisingly, a union official said, management is not crying foul. In fact, management is actually working with employees and the Laborers’ union to offer union representation to about 80 Miners employees. Miners Vice President Erik Haag said the good relations between the union and Miners organization "start with our ownership. They recognize the union and the value it brings. Union labor is what got this ballpark done on time and looking like it does. We have a good relationship so far and I don’t expect that to change." The union is also working with Aramark, which provides custodial and concession services at the ballpark, to organize their 100 to 150 employees at the ballpark.
MTSU reaches ballpark deal
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Middle Tennessee State has reached an agreement in principle for the construction of a $6.6 million ballpark. Work will begin "within a month," according to MTSU Athletic Director Chris Massaro. The $6.6 million cost is more than most of the base bids received by MTSU in late June. The lowest of those original base bids was $5.4 million by Olympian Construction Co. in Nashville, the same company that has agreed to this final plan. Massaro said the increased cost comes from modifications to the original base bid, so as to maintain the look of the original plan.
Road only gets tougher for SCL’s homeless Juice
Posted Aug. 10, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The implication here is that the Bradenton Juice (independent; South Coast League), made into a road team at the end of this season, could end up a road team next season as well. It’s probably a little too early to come to that conclusion, but you never know what’s going to happen next season anyway.
University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by ’08
Posted Aug. 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Miami city manager Pete Hernandez said Wednesday his "gut feeling" is that the University of Miami is inclined to move to Dolphin Stadium, and he told UM this week that it very likely would be permitted to escape its Orange Bowl lease and move there as early as next season if the school wishes. Several UM officials said they expect the matter will be resolved during an Aug. 21 meeting of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees. UM officials have been negotiating exclusively with Dolphin Stadium since early June and have resolved nearly all of their differences. Without the Hurricanes as a core tenant, more than likely the Orange Bowl will be torn down; the city of Miami wants to see it used for a Florida Marlins ballpark, though it’s not clear whether the Marlins or MLB wants to see a ballpark at that location. Still, it appears that any hope of civic funding of the ballpark will depend on the use of that site, and we’re guessing MLB will first stomp its feet and demand a downtown location before succumbing to the inevitable.
Triple-A Baseball, Marvel team up on promotion
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Triple-A Baseball and Marvel Entertainment have teamed up for an exclusive partnership that brings together two true forms of Americana — baseball and comic books. The first wave of the partnership hits throughout August where on select dates all 30 Triple-A teams will be handing out an exclusive baseball-themed comic book featuring Marvel characters Spider-Man, Iron-Man, the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk.
The book, entitled Triple-A Baseball Heroes, puts the Marvel Super Heroes in the middle of the Triple-A all-star event alongside the League’s ever-popular mascots. The book is penciled by Marvel artist Robert Adkins, inked by Rick Ketchum and Drew Geraci, and written by Chris Eliopoulos. The books will be available only at ballparks and will have the teams logo embossed on their particular cover. In addition, one of the top up and coming artists, British painter John Watson (Uncanny X-Men, Civil War: Frontline, Incredible Hulk) has created three variant covers for the events in Buffalo, Durham and Memphis. In each of those cities the cover of their book will be completely unique and exclusive to their cities.
The Triple-A Baseball Heroes comic book sees Marvel’s legendary Fantastic Four and their children, Franklin and Valeria, enjoy a day off at the ballpark for a game between the International and Pacific Coast leagues. Peter Parker (Spider-Man) is also making a day of it with Aunt May and hoping to get in a few photos for the Daily Bugle as well. Additionally, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, is on hand to throw out the first pitch. Seeing the excitement of the fans and the potential financial windfall, Stark also considers making an investment in the League; however, fans, players and heroes all get more excitement than they bargained for when the villainous Sandman appears and the Incredible Hulk is there to tag him out.
Rays roll out unique, in-ballpark animated series
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The very existence of baseball is being threatened by the Evil Umperor, a fallen umpire from the beginnings of baseball whose sole mission is to corrupt and destroy the game. Bent on promoting the virtues of winning at all costs even if it means cheating, the Umperor must be stopped… but who will rise to the challenge. It all comes to life on "Defenders of the Game," an animated series featured on Tropicana Field‘s video scoreboard at every Sunday home game of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In conjunction with One Sum Communications, the Rays have developed this unique feature targeted for youngsters in attendance at Tropicana Field. Animated likenesses of Rays players Scott Kazmir, Rocco Baldelli and Carl Crawford, Manager Joe Maddon and Senior Advisor Don Zimmer make up the cast of animated heroes. All provided voice-overs for their characters.
In the upper deck at Shea, passing time with America’s pastime
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The story here, really, is how baseball is better marketing itself to women. The New York Mets and local needle arts stores sold more than 800 discounted tickets for last night’s game at Shea Stadium against the Atlanta Braves, when people from all over the metropolitan area gathered to knit, crochet and embroider in the stands. Several teams have run this promotion (locally, it’s been a hoot watching Ron Gardenhire make a pitch to embroiderers). The bigger issue is that the promotion has been very successful in bringing women to the ballpark. It’s probably something the minor leagues should be looking at as well; this year we saw several teams record some solid box-office successes with promotions centered on raising funds for breast cancer (with pink unis and all), promotions geared mainly toward women.
Naturals hope to build fans in backyard of major-league affiliate
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We’re not quite sure Springdale, Ark., is in the backyard of Springfield, Mo., but that’s the premise here, as the local newspaper looks at the success of the Springfield Cardinals (Class AA; Texas League). The St. Louis Cardinals are extremely popular in the Springdale area, so you can expect some good crowds when the S-Cards visit the Northwest Arkansas Naturals next season.
IronPigs announce radio network
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The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) announced that all 144 games during their inaugural 2008 season will be broadcast live on the IronPigs Radio Network. WXLV 90.3 FM, located on the campus of Lehigh Carbon Community College (Schnecksville, Pa.) will serve as the flagship station. All broadcasts will also air on HD Radio on ClearChannel Broadcasting’s WZZO 95.1 HD-2, which will serve as the "Digital Home of the IronPigs."
The live broadcasts, which will include extensive pre-game and post-game shows, can also be accessed online at wxlv.org, wzzo.com and ironpigsbaseball.com. Terms of either deal were not disclosed.
Flagship station WXLV features a signal that reaches an estimated 295,000 households in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The station is regenerating itself as "A Broadcast Service of Lehigh Carbon Community College" and with a new format of locally produced music and community affairs. LCCC signed a management agreement under the rules of the FCC in March 2006 with WDIY-FM and its licensee Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association.
PETA announces top minor-league ballpark for veggie fare
Posted Aug. 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced its first-ever ranking of the top 10 vegetarian-friendly minor-league ballparks. The top spot went to Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where fans can bet that there’s no "bull" — or cholesterol — in that delicious veggie dog, veggie burger, or meatless burrito. Rounding out the vegetarian-friendly lineup are PGE Park (Portland Beavers), Harbor Park (Norfolk Tides), McCoy Stadium (Pawtucket Red Sox), AutoZone Park (Memphis Redbirds), Harry Grove Stadium (Frederick Keys), MerchantsAuto.com Stadium (New Hampshire Fisher Cats), Fifth Third Ballpark (West Michigan Whitecaps), Cheney Stadium (Tacoma Rainiers) and Frawley Stadium (Wilmington Blue Rocks). Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, grabbed first place in the major league ratings by offering an extensive vegetarian menu, including the new Philly mock-steak sandwich.
Twins announce new date for groundbreaking
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The Minnesota Twins have announced a new date for the second groundbreaking on a new downtown ballpark: Thursday, Aug. 30. Ceremonies are slated to start at 5 p.m. CT and go until 7 p.m. Fans attending the ceremony will have the opportunity to meet current Twins players and alumni. Commissioner Bud Selig and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty are also expected to attend. The original groundbreaking was cancelled after a bridge carrying I-35W across the Mississippi River collapsed during rush hour.
Revolution finish skyboxes, party suites
Posted Aug. 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The wait is finally over: all of the skyboxes and party suites will now be officially open at Sovereign Bank Stadium, the home of the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League). Some of the skyboxes opened on July 22, but the rest awaited completion. Sovereign Bank Stadium also features five Party Suites that consist of different room sizes, all of which are available for rental even on non-game days. There are four smaller rooms, one main room and the ability to make one giant room. The Suites are able to hold groups from 15-250.
The names of the rooms — Keystone Room, Pennsylvania State Room, Tri-State Room, Piedmont Room and White Rose Hall — were chosen to reflect the rich history of baseball in York from the 1880s through the 1960s. Each room will have a description explaining the meaning behind its name, which will carry through in its design and decoration.
Clermont to get FCSL team
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Following the Leesburg Lightning’s victory in the Florida Collegiate Summer League championship game Sunday night in St. Petersburg, the league has announced it is expanding for the 2008 season. One of the new teams will be in Clermont. The Clermont team, which is co-owned by businessmen Tim Dye and Dan Decker, also will be joined in what will be the Central Florida division by an expansion team in Belleview and by the Orlando Hammers — a team that was in the league before going on hiatus this season.
Baseball turf project hasn’t started yet
Posted Aug. 9, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Completion of installation of a new playing surface at Les Murakami Stadium is now scheduled for Nov. 15. But the contract for the work has yet to be awarded, so the project hasn’t started yet despite release of $2 million in state funds in May. The delays have resulted in Hawaii Winter Baseball not being able to play games at Murakami Stadium this season. It’s not yet determined what the replacement for the 14-year-old AstroTurf will be; University of Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso has requested FieldTurf.
Wichita buys NBC, begins negotiations for American Association team
Posted Aug. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Wichita could be the newest member of the independent American Association after the Wichita City Council unanimously agreed to begin negotiations with an ownership group led by Wichita Thunder (CHL) owner Horn Chen. (The American Association issued a press release saying the deal was done; it is not, and the league should have been a little more accurate in its public announcements.) At the same time the council agreed to buy the National Baseball Congress tournament from Rich Baseball for $1 million, while at the same time releasing the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) from their lease at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Given Chen’s issues with Nueces County over his agreement for a new Coastal Bend Aviators ballpark, the city may want to make sure the terms of the deal are very specifically stated. More from the Wichita Eagle and the Wichita Business Journal.
Protectors of Al Lang Field cry foul over new land use rules
Posted Aug. 8, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)