Archives: Oct. 8-14, 2007
Vipers, Cracker-Cats officially leave Northern League
Posted Oct. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Calgary Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats are not part of the independent Northern League as of yesterday, but the issue is whether they jumped or whether they were pushed. A press release from the two Alberta teams says they pushed out by the league after refusing to each put up $500,000 letters of credit. Northern League Commission Clark Griffith told the Fargo Forum they were not pushed and insinuated they left of their own accord: "We were not pushing them out of the league. We very much wanted them back." (He said the same thing to the Edmonton Sun.) That distinction may become important should any legal battles arise. Here’s the deal: we’re guessing the Northern League constitution says every team must put up letters of credit, with the commissioner having the discretion to return them after a certain amount of time (say, three years). When the two Alberta teams were asked to put up the letters of credit, we’re guessing they demanded that every other team do so as well per the league bylaws, but not every team has done so (and, indeed, at least one of the other teams is in no financial position to do so). We’re be very surprised if Calgary and Edmonton owners weren’t looking at their legal options — which is why they were saying they were forced out and the league says they left of their own accord.
One thing the Alberta teams are looking at: joining the independent Golden Baseball League, which currently has eight teams in California, Nevada and Arizona. The theory is that the league can expand to Washington State and Canada to create a "prairie" division that includes the two Alberta teams. Indeed, there are some decent open venues across the area — Victoria, Regina and Saskatoon — but it’s not clear whether this is prime baseball territory, as the independent Canadian Baseball League failed to make it through a single season with teams in these cities. Two reasons the GBL might succeed: its payroll requirements are more modest than those of the Northern League, and its season doesn’t start until after the college baseball season ends, opening the possibility of playing in college ballparks and concentrating its season when the weather is most amenable. Still, moving north of California has been a challenge for the GBL: between the Pacific Coast League, the Northwest League and the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League most of the best venues are already occupied. (This was also a challenge for the Northern League a few years ago when Calgary and Edmonton joined the league; the original plan was for additional teams in the west.) And given the league’s track record, we can’t count out the distinct possibility that the northward expansion will work — though attempting to launch by June 2008 will be a huge challenge.
And where does this leave the Northern League? With six teams for 2008. Team owners admit there’s virtually no chance for expansion this coming season, and we don’t see many prospects (or open venues) for 2009, either. Between the Midwest League, the American Association, the Frontier League and the Northwoods League most of the attractive markets in the Northern League footprint are taken. Also, the league is a victim of its own success to a certain extent. Owners like Winnipeg’s Sam Katz insist on a high salary cap in an effort to push "name" players, and it takes a larger facility and bigger crowds to support that salary requirement. In contrast, the Frontier League boasts a considerably more modest salary cap, which means those leagues can succeed in cities like Evansville. We fully expect Northern League officials to directly approach both those leagues about interleague play or the future placement of teams (indeed, some backdoor discussions have already taken place), but the salary cap is going to be a huge issue. Personality issues will also be at play, but that problem can be finessed. More from the Winnipeg Sun, the Calgary Sun, and the Edmonton Sun.
Hennepin County, landowners reach agreement on settlement for Twins ballpark land
Posted Oct. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We received word last night that Hennepin County and the owners of a key parcel of land for the new Minnesota Twins ballpark reached an agreement on a valuation, a disagreement that saw the two sides go through arbitration, mediation and the cusp of a court battle. The gap between the two sides was pretty side: the landowners wanted more than $65 million (a highly unrealistic number) and initially Hennepin County offered around $13 million (another highly unrealistic number). A three-member panel of mediators came to the conclusion that the land was worth $23.8 million, but a dissident member of the panel said the land’s value was closer to $33 million. We’ve been told the final value agreed to is closer to the $33 million proffered by the dissident arbitrator. A press conference will be held Monday to announce the specifics of the deal.
Waterford ballpark is a go
Posted Oct. 13, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A group of Waterford (Mich.) business owners has struck a deal to build a 3,900-seat ballpark behind the long-struggling Summit Place Mall and plans to install an independent Frontier League team. The group, known as Baseball Heroes of Oakland County, paid $1.7 million for 10 acres of property from Timana LLC, a Los Angeles-based company that owns the mall at Telegraph and Elizabeth Lake roads. Timana also will have a minority stake in the team. The group plans to build a $9-million ballpark park with artificial grass to host the new team in the Frontier League. Rob Hilliard, managing member of Baseball Heroes, said the group will reveal the team’s name once a trademark is issued.
Tiger Stadium battles ongoing
Posted Oct. 12, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The city of Detroit is moving ahead with plans to tear down historic Tiger Stadium, but a group arguing to save part of it has until Monday to turn in a conservancy plan. The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy and Hall of Fame broadcaster and Detroit icon Ernie Harwell are proposing to scale the ballpark down to 3,000 or so seats and retain the playing field, dugouts and locker rooms while adding a sports museum. The rest of the site would presumably go for retail, commercial space and housing, but it’s not clear whether this is wishful thinking from economic-development types (remember, for years the city was pushing for big-box retailing on the site — a passion not shared by big-box retailers). A contract to demolish the ballpark could be awarded this month.
Fenway Park top Boston attraction: tourism group
Posted Oct. 12, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The top attraction for folks cruising the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Web site? Fenway Park. Now, it’s a little sad that the city with arguably the greatest concentration of historic sites — Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, any number of stops on the Freedom Trail — has as it’s biggest draw a ballpark. But there’s a lot of history in Fenway Park (fitting within the general Boston vibe), but what’s really interesting is how that interest translates to year-round visits. More on what’s going on around Fenway Park in terms of development.
Charlotte ballpark lawsuit tossed
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A lawsuit challenging land swaps that will lead to an Uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) have been dismissed by a Mecklenburg County judge. Local developer Jerry Reese, who wants to bring Major League Baseball to Charlotte, challenged the land swaps, arguing that local taxpayers were shortchanged because the land swaps occurred between city, county, and school entities, cutting developers out of the action. Judge Lindsay Davis rejected that logic after city, county and school officials argued they were entitled to make private land deals without offering parcels to the public. There’s still the threat of an appeal and a separate lawsuit, but this ruling paves the way for final design on the project to be completed. The Knights are paying for the new $35-million ballpark, which could open as soon as 2009.
Sources: Schuerholz to resign
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
AP is reporting that Atlanta Braves Executive VP/GM John Schuerholz will be stepping down from the position at the end of the baseball season but could remain with the organization as a senior advisor. The 67-year-old Schuerholz has been with the team since 1991 and oversaw an amazing run where the Braves won 14 straight divisional championships. His emphasis was on the farm system: Chipper Jones, Brian McCann, Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur and Javy Lopez were all products of Braves farm teams. Schuerholz managed to cut payroll under Time Warner, and we’d be surprised to see new owner Liberty Media expand payrolls any time soon.
Nevada high court mulls ‘baseball rule’
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
You see these lawsuits pop up occasionally, and this time it’s the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) involved. Kathleen Turner, a bookkeeper at a Las Vegas auto shop, was struck by a foul ball as she sat at a table in a mezzanine beer garden above the third-base line, and her resulting injuries required reconstructive surgery. Lawyers for the 51s say there were plenty of warnings at Cashman Field: signs at the turnstiles, a screen to protect fans behind home plate, plexiglass in front of club boxes, a liability notice on ticket stubs, and aired public address warnings to watch for batted balls. One Clark County District Court judge has already thrown out the lawsuit; this is the appeal to the state Supreme Court. This has popped up as an issue in other states, most notably New Jersey. It seems the best way to address this isn’t through the courts (which can get expensive, although we’re guessing insurance carriers are picking up a good chunk of the costs), but legislatures.
Texas Collegiate League reorganizes with four teams
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The ownership of the Texas Collegiate League is passing from the Haddock Foundation to four teams — Brazos Valley Bombers, Coppell Copperheads, McKinney Marshals and Wichita Falls Wranglers — that will will operate the TCL cooperatively, together establishing rules and plotting for the league’s growth. As you’ll recall several teams left the TCL after the 2007 season, saying they didn’t agree with the league’s business model; league owner Gerald Haddock then filed suit against the defectors to prevent them from launching a competing league.
Public to have say on Omaha ballpark proposal
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The controversial plan to build a new downtown ballpark for the NCAA College World Series and possibly the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will have its first public hearing this morning as the MECA board meets. MECA is the organization that runs Qwest Center, the arena that potentially be located next to the proposed ballpark. Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Fahey named a seven-member committee to analyze and react to all the ballpark options, including building a downtown stadium and rebuilding Rosenblatt Stadium. It doesn’t sound like there’s much public support for levying a 2 percent entertainment tax to build a $117-million ballpark; a better (and much cheaper) idea would be to renovate Rosenblatt Stadium purely for use by the NCAA and move ahead with a new ballpark for the O-Royals.
Harrisburg out of baseball business today
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It took a little longer than everyone expected — leading to some buzz in minor-league circles — but today the agreement by Michael Reinsdorf to buy the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) is expected to be announced as final after MiLB and MLB officially enter their approvals. In May Reinsdorf agreed to buy the H-Sens for a league-record $13.25 million and signed a lease that should been the Senators in Harrisburg for the next 29 years.
Twins land battle back in court today
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The legal dispute over the value of a parcel of land where the new Minnesota Twins ballpark is being built is back in court today after the two sides failed to reach an agreement in recent mediation. Not a surprise. What is a surprise is that the landowners argue in their court papers the land is worth at least $65 million. A three-member panel of mediators came to the conclusion that the land was worth $23.8 million, but a dissident member of the panel said the land’s value was closer to $33 million. Basically, the landowners are seeking to start the whole process over, this time in a court setting. It seems highly unlikely that the landowners will actually receive $65 million for the land — according to several real-estate experts we talked with, the consensus value was $25 million or so — but we can expect a lengthy court battle unless current talks yield a tangible result.
Diamondback fans are still waiting to catch the fever
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We’re more than a little astounded to see the first National League Championship Series game at Chase Field featuring the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies didn’t immediately sell out. It’s not as though there’s a bigger sports story in Phoenix, and the rise of the Diamondbacks is a great story. In fact, both teams in the series make for great stories: the teams certainly know one another (they both train in Tucson), and they both overcame some lean years and built with youth.
Coors Field view debate put on hold
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A Denver City Council planning committee granted a request Wednesday from Coors Field and the Colorado Rockies to delay until Nov. 14. a scheduled hearing of a proposal to limit the height of buildings around the ballpark. "We just want to focus on baseball," said Gina London, the spokewoman for Denver Metropolitan Major League Baseball Stadium District — Coors Field’s owner. Bill and Paula Leake want to rezone their land north of the Coors Field to allow a building of up to 14 stories. Opponents of the rezoning, including the district, say it would block mountain views from the Coors Field. They want an ordinance to limit building height around Coors Field.
Cracker-Cats daily management turned over to Capacity Group
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Daily management of the Edmonton Cracker-Cats (independent; Northern League) is being turned over to Capacity Group, a Calgary consulting firm led by Darren Parker, Travis Tinning and Craig Burak. Parker will be the new COO of the franchise, assuming control of daily operations. The Capacity Group was also involved with the Calgary Vipers (independent; Northern League) in 2007 on a marketing relationship. (Darren Parker is the son of Russ Parker, the former owner of the Calgary Cannons of the Pacific Coast League and a veteran sports operator.) Not quite sure what this means in terms of the team’s future in the Northern League; tomorrow a conference call may determine if the Alberta teams leave the league.
Ballpark opposition organizes in Crystal Lake
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A group of citizens have formed to oppose a proposed expansion of McHenry Community College that would feature a new ballpark for an independent Frontier League team. Their concerns: traffic (of course) and increased pollution in Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake City Council will consider a zoning variance for MCC’s expansion proposal at a 5:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission previously voted, 8-0, not to recommend the project, and in order to be approved, five out of seven City Council members will need to vote yes.
As he heals, Sky Sox official looks to his ‘family’ to succeed
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Rai Henniger is still on the mend after suffering an fireworks accident in May where he lost his left eye and part of his face. He was preparing fireworks for a show at Security Service Field on May 12 when a still-unexplained explosion left him seriously injured. As you might expect, he’s following the playoffs closely — he knew many of the Colorado Rockies when they spent time with his team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) — and he’s spending a lot of time with family.
Futile on field, Cubs still worth $660 million
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The value of the Chicago Cubs could have risen by 10 percent — from $600 million to $660 million — after the team made the playoffs, according to some sports economics experts. Numbers like these are fairly worthless, though; the value of the team will be determined by the marketplace anyway, and we’re expecting that the price of the Cubs, Wrigley Field and a cable stake will end up being around a billion dollars by the time any transaction is culminated next year, based on some discussions we’ve had with financial folks.
Arizona Winter League expands with Palm Springs franchise
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The independent Arizona Winter League (run by the independent Golden Baseball League) is adding a Palm Springs franchise to the mix, with Andrew Starke, owner of the summer-collegiate Palm Springs Power, owning the expansion team. It will begin play in January 2008; the coach is Gary Templeton. The rest of the 2008 lineup will be announced later. Last winter the AWL played with four teams at the Ray Kroc complex and Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma.
U.S. Treasury opposes tax-exempt bond financing for sports facilities
Posted Oct. 11, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss