Archives: Dec. 2-8, 2007
Mecklenburg County approves land swap for new Knights ballpark
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Another important milestone happened in the development of a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League): The Mecklenburg County Commission voted Tuesday night to buy the land for the new ballpark. Reports indicate the site of the new ballpark is already being prepared for prep work: crews were out at the site late Wednesday afternoon, putting a fence up around the entire site and moving in construction trailers. The Knights are working on a privately financed ballpark in downtown Charlotte, with Mecklenburg County providing the land and some prep work after a complicated land swap. Two lawsuits threatened to delay the development further; the Knights and the county won both, but they are under appeal. The big issue now is getting the ballpark ready for the team’s goal of 2009; it might be too tight a schedule, and it wouldn’t surprise many observers if the ballpark didn’t open until 2010.
Nats’ name game endures
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
What will the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark be called on Opening Day next season? Nationals Park. A corporate naming rights deal for the $611 million stadium will not be in place for the 2008 season as the team is running out of time to complete an agreement for this spring, principal owner Mark Lerner said. "I think it’s more of an ’09 thing," Lerner said in an interview during a holiday celebration overlooking the snow-covered ballpark yesterday. "It’s something you really have to be patient on. We just have to find the right partner, and when the time is right, it will happen."
Time running out for Muckdogs
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The short-season New York-Penn League is willing to work with the Genesee County Baseball Club in helping keep the Batavia Muckdogs franchise, club President Brian Paris said Wednesday. However, he cautioned that there is "considerable restraint" on the part of league officials in view of the Muckdogs’ financial problems. Paris, who has headed the Genesee County Baseball Club for only three weeks, said, "We need someone to step forward and help us pay our bills." The team’s obstacles are $100,000 in debts to local vendors and a $20,000 league franchise fee. The baseball club says it has an anonymous donor who will settle the debts with an interest-free, open-ended loan. That’s the first step; the longer-term issue is whether professional baseball can last at Batavia’s Dwyer Field. The NY-Penn League is considered to be a fairly hot league in the eyes of many baseball investors (we know of two groups eagerly seeking a NY-Penn League team), and the club may have no choice but to sell if a good offer comes its way.
Space Coast Stadium goes back to fundamentals
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It’s been years since Space Coast Stadium’s hand-operated scoreboard celebrated home runs by launching a blinking baseball satellite and plumes of smoke. It looks like it never will again, as Brevard County last week pitched in another $1 million to make ballpark improvements requested by the Washington Nationals before spring training begins in February. The new money comes on top of $2.8 million spent last year. Most noticeable to fans could be the installation of a $109,000 electronic scoreboard with a video monitor to replace the retro display, which for years hasn’t performed its jazzier functions, such as the billowing smoke. The ballpark is also home to the Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League).
Sounds say Greer upgrades show commitment
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Still smarting after the failure of a plan to build a stadium on the banks of the Cumberland River, Sounds officials are pouring more than $1 million into aging Greer Stadium in a move they say proves their desire to keep baseball in Music City. The renovations, scheduled to be completed by the time the team opens the 2008 season, are intended to bring the 31-year-old ballpark closer to the standards established by minor league baseball for Class AAA facilities. Among the work that has been done or will be done prior to the start of the ’08 season — at the behest of parent-team Milwaukee and minor-league baseball — is the construction of new clubhouses beyond the center-field wall, a new outfield wall and upgrades to field lighting. The team also is spending more than $100,000 to improve spectator restrooms and concession areas.
Pirates to install new restaurant at PNC Park
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The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the ballclub will partner with Aramark to transform the space formerly occupied by Outback Steakhouse above PNC Park’s left-field bleachers into a new restaurant and entertainment space in time for the 2008 season. Design plans for the new space will be unveiled in the coming months. Similar to the Chop House in Atlanta’s Turner Field, the new concept will offer a casual dining and bar atmosphere with wait staff service for all fans.
Agreement close for Columbia ballpark
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If members of American Legion Post 202 approve an agreement with owners of the Mid-Missouri Mavericks (independent; United League Baseball), a $5 million multiuse ballpark could be a few pitches away. Legion members will vote Dec. 11 on an agreement with the Mavericks’ owner, Columbia Professional Baseball, that sets forth terms of use for the facility. The negotiations began a year ago after the city requested the two organizations come to an agreement before the city considers the ballpark at the city-owned American Legion Park, which is currently home to youth baseball fields. The ballpark will be owned and operated by United League Baseball, parent of Columbia Professional Baseball. United CEO Brad Wendt said it will be a multiuse facility with artificial turf that can be converted from a baseball field to accommodate softball, soccer, Little League baseball and Pop Warner football year-round.
Choice Turner Field seats to carry SunTrust name
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Atlanta-based SunTrust Bank has reached a deal to put its name on a new Turner Field seating section designed to appeal to the Braves’ more affluent fans. The multi-year deal, confirmed by SunTrust and the Braves, gives the team a naming-rights partner for the swanky club-type area currently under construction in the arc behind home plate. The new section, scheduled to be completed by the start of next season, will include 158 seats closer to the action than any others at Turner Field. The seats will come with such amenities as unlimited food and beverage, valet parking, a private entrance and access to a 5,000-square-foot lounge being built adjacent to the Braves’ clubhouse. The seats also will come with a steep price tag: as much as $300 per game or $24,900 per season.
New Augusta commissions talk downtown ballpark
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The issue of a new downtown ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Class A; Sally League) was put before newly elected members of the Augusta city commission, and the three had a split opinion of the project. Really, they were asked only to respond to the concept, as there’s no concrete proposal for a new ballpark yet. Augusta won’t be the only new ballpark targeted by Ripken Baseball; we hear the organization is on the verge of entering the High Class A Florida State League in a new facility.
Key player in Rays ballpark proposal won’t show his hand
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
At last week’s unveiling of a proposed waterfront ballpark, Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg sat between the two men who single-handedly could doom his $450-million dream. One, Gov. Charlie Crist, told the more than 100 people at Al Lang Field that Sternberg’s vision is "one of the most exciting things I think I’ve ever seen." The other, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, remained conspicuously quiet. The Rays asked Baker to address the crowd. He said no, and he’s maintained a noncommittal stance about the proposed new ballpark. Probably a shrewd political move: A lot of details need to be released about the proposal, and Baker doesn’t lose anything by saying he wants all the information at hand before making a decision.
O’Conner formally named head of MiLB
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This was such a foregone conclusion we didn’t hear it mentioned once this week at the Winter Meetings. Pat O’Conner was elected as the 11th president of Minor League Baseball, replacing Mike Moore upon his retirement on Dec. 31. The election was unanimous. O’Conner has been a big part of MiLB’s success in recent years, so we don’t expect to see much change in how the industry does business. One issue he will need to address in coming months: the establishment of a minor-league museum in Durham. We had a long chat with Durham officials at the show about what’s happening with that proposal: this spring will be key to acquiring state funds for the renovation of Durham Athletic Park.
Marlins: Ballpark woes led to trade
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Florida Marlins President Larry Beinfest was pretty clear that the trade of Miguel Cabrera and Donteelle Willis — easily the two most popular members of the team — to the Detroit Tigers for low-paid prospects was a financial decision having to do with the team’s need for a new home (and a new host of revenue streams): "We need a venue and a different revenue stream. That’s what this is about,” he said. While it’s not a pure fire sale — Andrew Miller, one of the six players coming over from the Tigers is a legitimate prospect who has shown potential during his big-league stints — the trade shows how tone-deaf the Marlins front office is in trying to convince the public about the need for a new ballpark. Compare what the Marlins are doing to what the Tampa Bay Rays have done this offseason. The Rays came through with a ballpark plan with readily identifiable revenue streams and a significant rent contribution; they also seem to be working to improve the team via trades and free-agent signings. The Marlins, on the other hand, are vague about what they’ll contribute to a new ballpark (as little as possible, apparently) and are sending their most popular players out of town. More from the Miami Herald.
Texas League establishes Coolbaugh award
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Texas League announced that the league had established a new award named after Mike Coolbaugh, the Tulsa Drillers coach who was killed this past season when struck by a line drive while coaching first base. The league’s board of directors voted unanimously to begin the Mike Coolbaugh Coach of the Year Award and to present it annually to the Texas League’s top coach. The award’s first recipient will be Frisco’s Scott Coolbaugh, Mike’s brother. Scott served as the RoughRiders’ first base and hitting coach during the 2007 season. "The Texas League wanted to do something to help continue the legacy of Mike Coolbaugh," said League President Tom Kayser. "He was the consummate professional and touched so many people during his playing days and in his brief coaching career." Mike Coolbaugh played parts of 17 seasons in the minor leagues from 1990 through 2006. He reached the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2000 season and also played briefly with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001. Coolbaugh began his coaching career when he joined the Drillers on July 3 of this past season. Scott Coolbaugh played 12 seasons of professional baseball before joining the coaching ranks in 1999. His career includes four seasons as a minor league manager. He has spent the past two years with the RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
Angels, Kernels extend PDC through 2010
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim certainly like to extend those player-development contracts as far as they can. The latest long-term deal to be announced: the team announced an extension with the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) to remain the club’s affiliate through the 2010 campaign. The announcement was made jointly by Angels’ Director of Player Development Abe Flores and Tom Barbee, President of the Cedar Rapids Ball Club. "The Angels are pleased to extend our agreement with the Cedar Rapids Kernels through the 2010 season," said Flores. "We value our relationship with the Kernels’ ownership and front office, and we appreciate that our players are playing in a first-class facility where they receive tremendous fan support." Cedar Rapids has served as the Angels’ Midwest League affiliate since 1993, which is currently the longest affiliation in the Midwest League. The Kernels, who will be led by manager Keith Johnson in 2008, won the MWL championship in 1994 and qualified for the MWL playoffs in 2007.
Job of building Can-Am team begins
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Now that the independent Can-Am Association has procured a lease for Ottawa’s Lynx Stadium, the next challenge for commissioner Miles Wolff is to actually launch the franchise. The league will own the team this season, and the plan is to put together a management group of 10 business people who would have first option to buy the team after it operates its first two seasons under the former rent agreement of the Ottawa Lynx (Class AAA; International League), who are moving to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Ottawa resident Tim Leiper is the leading contender to manage the team, while Wolff expect between eight and 10 Canadians to be on the roster.
In D.C., there’s no place to play
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Washington Nationals are in talks with the federal government about setting aside land for a youth baseball academy at Fort DuPont Park in Southeast, a key step in satisfying a major provision of the lease for the team’s new ballpark. But people involved in youth baseball in the city said the team’s focus on the academy is coming at the expense of another pressing requirement: the renovation of the city’s deteriorating baseball and softball fields. Under the conditions of the lease tied to the Nationals’ new ballpark, the team is required to help youth baseball programs in the District by operating a new baseball academy, holding clinics and providing free equipment to groups in need. By most accounts, the team has done well in meeting those requirements, but a provision of the lease calling for the team to renovate fields in the city has gotten less attention.
Appeal aims to recover more taxes from PSU
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
One month after Penn State officials declared victory in a yearlong tax payment dispute with Centre County over the ballpark, three local governmental entities are taking the university to county court on appeal. Centre County commissioners, the State College Area School District and College Township filed an appeal Thursday that challenges the Centre County Assessment Appeal Board’s Nov. 2 decision that Penn State must pay $47,000 as part of a in-lieu-of-tax agreement for Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, which also serves as the home of the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League).
Peter O’Malley isn’t sure about NFL at Dodger Stadium site
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Peter O’Malley, the former Dodgers owner who tried to lure the NFL to Dodger Stadium a decade ago, says he is no longer sure that site is the best one for a football stadium in Los Angeles. A decade ago he pursued an NFL franchise and was looking at building a football stadium at Chavez Ravine, but dropped it at the request of city officials. The word is that current Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is looking at the same sort of development that calls for the further renovation of Dodger Stadium and the addition of a mixed-use development in the area. In theory, that development could hold a new NFL stadium. Given that there’s little public appetite for public funding of a new stadium, it’s hard to say whether McCourt’s plan will ever gain traction.
T-Bones to play on all-sod field in 2008
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The dirt infield at CommunityAmerica Ballpark is undergoing radical change for 2008, as the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; Northern League) will play on an all-sod infield for the 2008 season to help accommodate the Kansas City Wizards (MLS), who will be playing their home games at the ballpark for the next two seasons. Current plans call for an all-sod infield, except for the areas around the bases and home plate, which will remain dirt. "From a logistical standpoint, moving to all-sod just makes more sense. Adding and removing dirt and sod between soccer matches and baseball games makes it difficult to keep a consistently level playing surface," Head Groundskeeper Don Frantz said. "The goal is to keep a safe, pristine surface for the players and moving to an all-sod infield accomplishes that. From a fan’s perspective, I can understand how it might be a bit of a visual shock, but this is a decision that benefits athletes from both sports."
Signals mixed for city baseball deal
Posted Dec. 6, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Johnstown’s prospects for a new minor-league baseball team at Point Stadium appear to be dwindling, with mixed signals coming from an independent start-up league that inquired about a franchise last month. Just a few days ago, Atlantic Coast League Administrator Michael Harden declared on the league’s Web site that he "will no longer pursue" Johnstown as a site for a team. However, after an inquiry Monday from The Tribune-Democrat, Harden said “nothing is completely set in stone." Harden has made his pronouncements without traveling to Johnstown or meeting with city officials, as he canceled a Nov. 19.
Ballpark Notes