Archives: Feb. 18-24, 2008
Saints ballpark deal dead this session?
Posted Feb. 22, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We caught up with Julian Empson Loscalzo, one of the two lobbyists working for the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association), last night at Williams Arena. He’s been lobbying state legislators (along with Cynthia Jepsen) for state funding of either a renovated Midway Stadium or a new facility, and he sounded pretty pessimistic about how things were going. First off: instead of asking for $25 million in bonding for the project (which was originally requested by the city in their bonding request to the Minnesota Legislature), the current plan is to ask the state for $250,000 in planning money for a new facility. This means the Saints will need to wait two years before they can ask for bonding money for a new ballpark, as the Minnesota Legislature (with rare exceptions) bonds only in even-numbered years. Plus, something that may be more ominous for the Saints: the team and the city aren’t close to an agreement on what exactly should happen at a new Midway Stadium. The city would like to see soccer and the Minnesota Thunder (USL) as part of the equation, but understandably the Saints are fighting that notion. In addition, there’s never been a clear understanding of who would pay what: the Saints say they’d pay fair market rent for a new ballpark, but contrary to other erroneous media reports there’s never been talk of the Saints paying $10 million toward a $25 million ballpark — as you can see, the city’s bonding request to the Minnesota Legislature was quite explicit about the state picking up the entire tab. Unless something changes — and if you’ve ever met Julian, you know he’s a passionate baseball guy and certainly an optimist — it’s unlikely we could see a Midway Stadium replacement in this decade.
City, county approves Marlins ballpark deal
Posted Feb. 22, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Yesterday was a good day for the Florida Marlins. In the morning, on a 4-1 vote Miami city commissioners approved the proposal for a new Florida Marlins ballpark, slated to open in 2011. In the afternoon the Miami-Dade County Commission approved the new-ballpark plan by a 9-3 margin. The afternoon vote wasn’t quite as clean as the margin would indicate; there are still some unresolved issues involving side issues like what police force will suck up overtime to work Marlins games (the issue was left open), and we can expect at least one legal challenge to the plan, as local car dealer and former NFL team owner Norm Braman promised to oppose the measure in court. The plan as it passed was the same as all sides agreed to several weeks ago. Miami-Dade County will contribute $347 million (mostly from tourist tax dollars) toward a new ballpark on the Orange Bowl site, while the city of Miami will pay $23 million, including $10 million toward the demolition of the historic football facility. (Lest you think the city got off easy, it will pick up the costs of a $94 million parking ramp.) The Marlins have stuck with their commitment of $155 million, with $120 million at the beginning of the process and the rest due in $2.3 million in annual rent payments and contributions toward capital improvements; the team will also cover any (in all likelihood inevitable) cost overruns. Next up: negotiations with the Fish over the specifics of the deal, including management of construction and any environmental issues surrounding the Orange Bowl site.
Bettis, George join Pelicans ownership group
Posted Feb. 21, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League) announced that former National Football League greats Jerome Bettis and Eddie George have joined the Pelicans ownership group, Myrtle Beach Pelicans LP. Aside from being fellow All-Pro running backs and long-time friends, Bettis and George are both represented by Marketing Agent/Business Manager Jahmal Dokes of Pro Life Management and Entertainment, Inc., based in West Bloomfield, Michigan, who also joins the Pelicans ownership group.
Bettis is also an investor in Curve Baseball LP, the ownership group of the Pelicans’ two Pennsylvania-based sister-franchises, the Altoona Curve (AA-Eastern) and the State College Spikes (Short-Season A-New York-Penn). All three franchises are operated by Greensons Baseball.
"I can’t think of anything that stands as a firmer statement of the strides taken by the Pelicans organization than partnering with two men who have known nothing but unabashed success throughout their professional life," said Pelicans’ President and Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg. "We have had an outstanding relationship with Jerome, and it gives us great pride that he shares our excitement about Pelicans baseball to the level of not only getting involved, but to also bringing in trusted friends and colleagues like Eddie and Jahmal."
Angels to update iconic Big A
Posted Feb. 21, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
If you grew up as a kid watching home California Angels games, you remember the 230-foot-tall Big A in center field. That Big A is now positioned outside Angel Stadium next to the freeway, within easy view of the fans inside the ballpark, and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim say they’ll be doing some work on the structure. It will be repainted and the lights will be replaced, and additional lighting will be installed in the halo. Also, the electronic display board will be replaced by a smaller color videoboard, which should decrease energy consumption by up to two thirds.
City to award bid for Recreation Park work
Posted Feb. 21, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The city of Visalia is awarding a construction project to the firm that bid slightly higher on the base work but slightly less when all the city-specified options are included. Seals-Biehle General Contractors of Visalia bid $8.681 million for improvements to the right-field area of the home of the Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League). The bigger issue is whether there will be enough money to perform all the needed improvements to the ballpark: the city has allocated only $11.6 million to the entire renovation project, and still to come is a rebuilding of the entire grandstand. More from the Visalia Times-Delta.
Sanctions sought against Twins ballpark appraiser
Posted Feb. 21, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This is a little insidery, so we’re not going to spend a lot of time on it. Hennepin County is asking a judge to sanction of the land appraisers involved in the legal dispute between the county and a group of landowners over the price of land needed for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark. The county says appraiser Larry Tucker didn’t reveal his work with the law firm representing the landowners; perhaps not so coincidentally Tucker’s appraisal came almost $10 million more than the appraisals from the other appraisers. In the end, the two sides agreed on a price of $29 million. The county wants to see Tucker receive the $16,000 he received for the appraisal and the law firm in question, Faegre & Benson, pay $37,000 in lost fees. Now, it’s a little unclear by neither Tucker or the Faegre & Benson didn’t disclose their ties, although at one point Tucker claimed they had. And it’s a little suspicious that Tucker’s appraisal was 80 percent or so higher than the price his compatriots (and many real-estate officials in the area) thought was fair.
Wizards unveil new ballpark plans
Posted Feb. 21, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) unveiled new ballpark renderings and asked for public feedback on some of the proposed amenities. At a meeting tonight team officials will be asking fans about their preferences on things like seat seat and brick styles. The team also announced some small changes to the ballpark design, including the addition of a small amphitheater beyond the center-field fence that could be used for events on non-game days. We’re working on getting the renderings and possibly a video for posting here. More from the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette.
Rays sweeten pot for new ballpark with additional upfront money
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tampa Bay Rays are sweetening the pot in their bid for a new $450-million waterfront ballpark on the Al Lang Field site by offering to pay $150 million up front instead of $10 million annually. The Rays would privately finance their contribution themselves, which would decrease the amount of money local governmental bodies would need to finance and also ties the team even more closely to the new ballpark. The Rays and the city are hoping a redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site will yield the other $300 million needed for the new ballpark. That doesn’t necessarily ensure a new facility: there’s still outstanding debt on Tropicana Field and voters must approve the use of the Al Lang Field site. More from the St. Pete Times.
Rickwood Classic scheduled for May 28
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) and Friends of Rickwood announced the details of the 13th Annual Rickwood Classic, which will be played on Wednesday, May 28, at 12:35 p.m. Former Baron Jimmy Piersall, an outfielder on the 1951-52 teams and 17-year Major Leaguer, will be in attendance at the game. The first 1,500 fans through the gate will receive a vintage portrait of Piersall from the 1952 season.
The team has traveled back to Rickwood Field annually since 1996, and as in past years, they will pay tribute to a team in Barons history. This season, the squad will honor the 1951-52 teams affiliated with the Boston Red Sox. The uniforms will be gray with "Birmingham" written across the chest in blue script, and the hats will feature the red and black Boston Red Sox "B." The Jacksonville Suns will wear their uniforms from the 1967 team that featured Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.
Public reaction to new Fish ballpark plan: mixed, muted
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It’s safe to say the new-ballpark funding plan in Miami for the Florida Marlins isn’t inciting too much passion among the public. Sure, the folks who are against any public funding of sports facilities have trotted out the usual arguments (Greg Cote of the Miami Herald addresses them here), and some readers have taken us to task for not being positive enough about the ballpark (!), but in general there’s not been much opposition that we can see. (Talk radio doesn’t seem to be a haven for folks with strong feelings either way, based on our monitoring of some popular local shows.) We’re guessing Miami citizens and Fish fans are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the new facility. Miami Today has some more information on the deal; apparently there are some small details that haven’t been fully explained. There’s one more provision in the deal that’s gotten little attention: the Marlins are agreeing to look at renovating a ballpark complex in Homestead for use for spring training or a minor-league franchise. As you’ll recall, the city of Homestead built a spring-training complex for the Cleveland Indians that was damaged by hurricanes, forcing the team to move spring operations to Winter Haven. We’re not sure whether this clause will actually do anything, though we’re not quite sure the Marlins are that comfortable sharing a spring complex and a regular-season ballpark with the St. Louis Cardinals and its High Class A Florida State League team.
Griffith: Normal could be ready by 2009 for baseball
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Independent Northern League commissioner Clark Griffith says the Normal, Ill. market could be ready for professional baseball by 2009. That’s quite an aggressive schedule, considering there’s no funding plan yet for a proposed ballpark at Heartland Community College and no investors lined up. (Alan Sender, who has been working on the team and the ballpark, has no investors lined up.) Can a new ballpark be completed in a year? It depends on the ballpark; Northern League facilities tend to be larger and more expensive than those in the Frontier League; the new Marion ballpark cost only $18 million, but it is a signature Frontier League facility. We suspect the talk of 2009 may be more suited to the Northern League’s need to expand from six teams than to the needs and capabilities of the Normal market. Also, don’t assume the Northern League has a lock on the market; city and business leaders have also been talking with the independent Frontier League (which would seem to be a better geographic fit), but from what we’ve been told the American Association is out of the picture.
In memoriam: Bob Howsam
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Bob Howsam, whose participation in minor-league and major-league baseball as well as professional football was groundbreaking on many levels, passed away yesterday in Sun City, Az. He was 89. Howsam began his pro sports career in the minors with the Denver Bears when that team was a Class A Western League franchise; while he was there he was instrumental in the construction of Bears Stadium, which was later expanded for use by the Denver Broncos and renamed Mile High Stadium. He helped form the Broncos and the American Football League, and after selling the Broncos he moved into professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds, forming the Big Red Machine roster and overseeing the team’s move into Riverfront Stadium.
WBC field set
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The teams in the 2009 World Baseball Classic will be familiar to anyone paying attention to the 2006 event, as invitations went out to Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Italy, Netherlands, Panama and South Africa, rounding out the field of 16. Last year the teams making the second round of the tourney — Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela — were issued automatic invites. To be honest, we can’t get too excited about the playing field now. What we will follow more closely is the announcement of the venues. We continue to hear Petco Park is the leading candidate to land the final rounds and that the Asian venues should be the same. What may change is some of the first-round locations: Rogers Centre apparently has a shot at landing some games.
Huskies sign extension at Wade Stadium
Posted Feb. 20, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Duluth Huskies (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and the City of Duluth announced a five-year extension of the team’s lease for Wade Stadium has been officially agreed upon and signed. The current agreement extends through the 2012 Northwoods League season. "It’s extremely exciting to have the privilege of our players playing at ‘The Wade’ for five more years," said Northwoods League President, Dick Radatz, Jr. "It’s one of the most celebrated stadiums at any level of baseball."
Committee recommends new downtown Omaha ballpark
Posted Feb. 18, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A committee charged by Mayor Mike Fahey to chart out the future of ballparks in Omaha is recommending construction a new downtown ballpark under the management of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) on parking lots adjacent to the Qwest Center, as an often-tenuous deal came together at the last moment when David Sokol, MECA chair, embraced the proposal after being told his firm would oversee the new facility. The selection — and the subsequent agreement with MECA — will make it easier for the mayor to proceed with a funding plan, as well as making a final decision as to the future of Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, the current home of the NCAA College World Series and the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). We reported earlier today on the possibility of a breakthrough — "But we also know the MECA is now open to a new ballpark on its land if it retains management of the new ballpark" — and it appears the O-Royals have decided to throw in their lot with a new downtown ballpark as well. Next up: a proposal for a new ballpark must be presented to the NCAA, a $140-million funding plan must be worked out, the City Council must sign off on all aspects of the plan, a specific lease and management deal must be worked out with MECA, and the O-Royals and Creighton Blue Jays must agree to leases. In other words, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
New Marlins ballpark fate to be decided Thursday — maybe
Posted Feb. 18, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After years of false starts, bad plans and setbacks on the state level, it appears the Florida Marlins — or, rather, the future Miami Marlins — are on the verge of a new ballpark if Miami-Dade County and city of Miami officials agree on the latest funding plan for a new 41,000-seat ballpark. The city council is scheduled to debate the issue at 9 a.m., while county commissioners are scheduled that same day at 1 p.m. Miami-Dade will contribute $347 million (mostly from tourist tax dollars) toward a new ballpark on the Orange Bowl site, while the city of Miami will pay $23 million, including $10 million toward the demolition of the historic football facility. (Lest you think the city got off easy, it will pick up the costs of a $94 million parking ramp.) The Marlins have stuck with their commitment of $155 million, with $120 million at the beginning of the process and the rest due in $2.3 million in annual rent payments and contributions toward capital improvements; the team will also cover any (in all likelihood inevitable) cost overruns. The team will sign a 35-year lease and promise to give between 5 and 10 percent of any profits back to the city and county if the team is sold within five years. Interestingly, the Marlins are asking the county to waive its rules regarding "green" construction: Miami-Dade mandates developers incorporate environmentally friendly building practices or pay extra fees, and the Fish want the measure waived. Given that the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins have gotten a lot of mileage out of green construction in their new ballparks, we’re a little surprised to see the Marlins try to wiggle out of the requirements. The use of Community Redevelopment Agencies funds for the new ballpark is causing some citizens to call for a halt to the proceedings (and will probably cause some commissioners to vote against the measure); local car dealer and former NFL team owner Norman Braman has already threatened a lawsuit. While none of these things is individually a dealbreaker, cumulatively they could force things beyond the Thursday meetings. More from South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald.
Reese still believes in big-league ballpark for Charlotte
Posted Feb. 18, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The biggest opponent of a new Uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), who has file three lawsuits seeking to block the project. Two of the lawsuits have been dismissed, but his lack of success hasn’t stopped Reese from arguing against the new Knights ballpark, arguing the city and Mecklenburg County should go for a $4 billion redevelopment he would spearhead. That, of course, is a pretty big project for a city of Charlotte’s size, and so far it’s not apparent that Reese has the wherewithal to finance something that major, let along procure a MLB team to play there. (Indeed, now that the Fish are landing a ballpark and the Rays on the verge of landing one, we think it’s highly unlikely an existing team would move or that MLB would expand.) More from the Charlotte Observer.
Red Sox looking at putting team in Waynesboro?
Posted Feb. 18, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
A local businessman wants to see a $20-million, 4,000-seat ballpark in downtown Waynesboro, Va., and says he’s received positive feedback from Boston Red Sox officials about the possibility of the team plac