Archives: March 3-9, 2008
Cubs would share the Cell if Wrigley is remodeled
Posted March 8, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago Cubs would share US Cellular Field with the Chicago White Sox while Wrigley Field is being renovated under one scenario being considered by team, according to Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney. This assumes the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which already owns US Cellular Field, will take control of Wrigley Field and oversee up to $400 million in renovations. We’re not sure White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf would be thrilled with this, but then again everyone has a price. Kenney also says the team can change the lettering on the iconic marquee at Clark and Addison, arguing the team will assert First Amendment rights to changing the sign, which is protected via a historic preservation designation. We’re not lawyers, but we’re a little dubious of the First Amendment in this context, particularly since commercial speech — and really, this is what we’re talking about here — enjoys far fewer safeguards than do editorial entities, as the right to assert commercial speech certainly is not absolute. Again, none of this is particularly good news if you’re a ballpark fan. More from the Chicago Tribune.
Dispute over spoils could derail new Fish pond
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We alluded to this yesterday, and now there’s more news about a dispute over what local governmental unit gets to patrol a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins — a dispute that could delay or even derail the project. We’re talking about some serious spoils here, as law-enforcement agencies stand to make millions in overtime pay from the Marlins. The fight is between City of Miami and Miami-Dade County police departments, and so far the two sides are at an impasse. Politically, it makes little sense for either government to back down, especially when the local police unions carry a lot of clout. You’re probably thinking this is a silly issue and one that doesn’t rise to the level of threatening the project. It probably doesn’t, but it certainly has the potential to be a knock-down fight that could delay things. Remember, the agreement between the local governmental units and the Marlins comprises only the broad outlines of a deal: most of the fine details — like this — still need to be negotiated, and there are a few others that could delay the ballpark as well, such as whether the county will relax its environmental rules on new construction. More from the Miami Herald.
Deadline approaching on Goodyear pitch to Reds
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Next Thursday marks the end of an exclusive negotiating period between the Cincinnati Reds and the city of Goodyear over a potential move of the Reds to a new spring-training facility in Arizona. The estimate for enlarging a facility slated to be used by the Cleveland Indians beginning in 2009 is $32 million, and the city must identify funding sources for the enhancement in order to lure the Reds. It may not be easy to identify any revenue sources: development in Goodyear has lagged in recent months, there’s no money in the state fund for spring-training facilities, and a plant to ask the state for money appears to be a nonstarter. Meanwhile, Jeff Maultsby, who spearhead the attempt by the Reds to obtain public funding of renovated Ed Smith Stadium, has been hired by the city to work on economic issues — like trying to retain the Reds. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune quotes Reds officials as saying the team will move if Goodyear can come up with the money and says Sarasota may make a play for the Baltimore Orioles, whose minor leaguers already train in Sarasota.
Will new Gwinnett County ballpark require tax hike? Maybe
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Gwinnett County officials have maintained public funding of a new ballpark for the relocated Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) won’t require any property tax hikes, but records obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicate tax hikes were indeed discussed by county officials and there’s the chance the mill rate will be increased from .80 to 1.00 in 2009, the maximum under the law. We’re looking at a lot of technicalities here, but the bottom line is that the county is raising reserves in the county recreation fund to help pay for the ballpark, and an increase in the mill rate will be needed to fund ongoing operations and build back a reserve. Budget surpluses may negate the need for a tax increase. Still, locals are wondering what other surprises are waiting for them once more details are released.
Pirates unveil plans for new PNC Park restaurant
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Pittsburgh Pirates unveiled renderings of the new restaurant entertainment space located above PNC Park’s left-field bleachers. The club partnered with Aramark to transform the new space formerly occupied by Outback Steakhouse into a game-day dining and bar option for all fans with a ticket and a non-game-day event and entertainment destination. The new left-field restaurant, which has not yet been named, will offer a casual dining and sports bar atmosphere with wait service and will be open to all ticket holders before, during and after games beginning with the Pirates’ home opener on April 7 at 1:35 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs.
Lights on at McKechnie Field tonight
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Tonight will be the first night game at McKechnie Field, the spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Crews were at the ballpark today making last-minute adjustments to the lights, making sure the ballpark was evenly lit. McKechnie Field is the last ballpark in the Grapefruit League to receive lights; it’s part of a renovation of the ballpark and Pirate City, where dorms have been renovated. UPDATE: Rain marred the proceedings.
Dave Matthews Band to play some ballparks this summer
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
It doesn’t look like there will be a mega ballpark tour from a high-profile performing artist this summer (a la Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson), but the Dave Matthews Band is performing in several ballparks this summer as part of a larger tour: Busch Stadium (June 7), Joe Riley Park (July 4), Louisville Slugger Field (Aug. 1), AutoZone Park (Aug. 2), AT&T Bricktown Ballpark (Aug. 13) and Raley Field (Aug. 25). You can find ticket information here.
Jaxx sale still pending
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The sale of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) is still pending, as a Nashville ownership group is still putting together the final touches on its agreement to buy the team, and it doesn’t sound like anything will be resolved before start of the season — especially when baseball’s governing bodies still need to sign off on the deal.
Anti-ballpark group: Rays are illegally lobbying St. Pete officials
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We have now officially reached silly season in discussions of a new $450-million waterfront ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays on the Al Lang Field site. A local anti-ballpark group, St. Pete Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfronts, has raised the specter of illegal lobbying by the Rays. What alleged backroom deals were made by the Rays and St. Pete officials? There are none. The group is alleging illegal lobbying because the Rays handed out T-shirts referencing a website listing Hines as working with the Rays on a redevelopment of Tropicana Field. This amounts to illegal indirect lobbying of the city. (You can read the letter here.) There are lots of legitimate issues to discuss when it comes to a new ballpark and a redevelopment of this magnitude, but to allege illegal lobbying because of a website address on a T-shirt is just plain silly; it also delegitimizes opposition to the ballpark.
Chiefs present marketing plan to county
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) presented its 2008 marketing plan to Onondaga County — a condition of the team’s lease at Alliance Bank Stadium — and the plan was received without a comment from the board. It’s the first time in 11 years the Chiefs have submitted the plan. The team will be pushing the installation of grass at the ballpark to fans, as the team scrapped artificial turf in the offseason. More from the Syracuse Post-Standard.
Bettman shoots down notion of outdoor NHL game at Wrigley
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Well, that idea lasted all of a day. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in Chicago for meetings, and in a press conference he dismissed the notion of the Chicago Blackhawks hosting a game at Wrigley Field. The NHL is not likely to hold more than one outdoor game a year, and there are other teams who want an outdoor game: the New York Rangers are looking at a game at Yankee Stadium and the Detroit Red Wings are looking at a game at Michigan Stadium. The Yankee Stadium idea makes sense: the game could be held next winter after the Yankees end their run there (eliminating any turf issues), and the old ballpark could go down in history as being the only venue to host MLB, NFL and NHL games before it’s torn down. More from the Chicago Sun-Times.
Reese: Charlotte is missing out with new Knights ballpark
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Developers always engage in a little hyperbole in order to make a point, and Charlotte’s Jerry Reese is no exception. As you’ll recall, Reese is the local developer opposing a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), arguing that the city should instead push his vision of a billion-dollar development featuring a 40,000-seat retractable-roof ballpark. In this article from the Charlotte Observer Reese lists the things the city will miss out on if the Knights go ahead with their privately financed ballpark: a million square feet of retail, over a million square feet of office space, a luxury hotel, a new aquatic center, a renovated convention center, lots of new housing, and much, much more. Who knew one little Triple-A ballpark was preventing such progress! It’s not, of course, and Reese is promising pie-in-the-sky plans in lieu of a new Knights ballpark. The new Knights ballpark, by the way, is already in line to host the ACC conference tourney.
Rosenblatt defenders give Omaha mayor an earful
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Over 300 residents of south Omaha showed up for a public forum featuring Mayor Mike Fahey over the plan to dump Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in favor of a new downtown ballpark, and most of them weren’t pleased with the plan. There’s a lot of passion for Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in south Omaha, and many residents have been attending the College World Series for decades. So far the city is moving ahead with the ballpark plans: MECA, the organization that runs the Qwest Center, will be approaching the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Creighton University over new leases. Still a big problem: where to find overt $40 million in private donations. More from SW Iowa News.
All-you-can-eat plans at ballpark gain momentum
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
How many of you eat every meal at an all-you-can-eat buffet at a ballpark? Not many past some folks in the front office, we’re guessing. So that’s why this article in USA Today is supremely silly, quoting dieticians about the dangers of gorging yourself at a ballpark. Of course the buffets of burgers and hot dogs aren’t good for you. Neither are the steaks at Morton’s, the soft serves at Dairy Queen and the triple Whoppers at Burger King. No one is saying those should be a staple of any daily diet, and no one is saying a fan should get every meal from the gorging stations at the ballpark.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Charleston RiverDogs announced the hiring of two new staff members: Jamie Ballentine assumes the role as the first director of mascot development, while Danny Reed takes over as the new assistant director of media relations. A 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in marketing, Ballentine served as the school’s celebrated mascot, "Cocky," for four years, and was named the Capital One Mascot of the Year in 2003. Since 2005, he has played the character “Smart Cat” for South Carolina Educational Television (SCETV), which promoted physical education for the state’s child contingent. He has also garnered experience in the business world as the marketing director at Chick-fil-A restaurants in Columbia, helping the franchise gain national attention for possessing one of the top 10 mascot cows in 2007. Reed will be responsible for hosting the pre- and post-game radio broadcasts for ESPN Radio 910 AM as well as serving as the team’s media relations assistant. He graduated summa cum laude from Waynesburg University (Pa.) in May 2007 with a B.A. in communication….Joe Buck is walking away from any play-by-play duties for the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be the first time in 47 years there’s no Buck in the Cards’ broadcast booth….Kirk Goodman is now GM of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) He already was vice president of its baseball operations for Main Street Iowa, owners of the team. He replaces Ben Burke, who has left the team….
Plans in place to raze Yankee Stadium
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
New York City officials are finalizing a plan to raze the current Yankee Stadium after the new Yankee Stadium opens, though no formal dates has been set. Officials with the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation expect it to be a low-key affair, to be sure, and officials from the National Baseball Hall of Fame don’t expect to see a lot of treasures from the old place. Why? Because most of the current Yankee Stadium dates back to the 1970s when it was basically rebuilt. Treasures from the original Yankee Stadium, including Babe Ruth’s locker, are already in Cooperstown. Also, many of the historic elements of the ballpark, like the iconic outfield monuments, are going to the new Yankee Stadium. To be sure, there will be plenty of tears shed when the current Yankee Stadium is torn down to make way for three baseball fields. But the current Yankee Stadium isn’t quite the historic gem that some thing — which is why New York City preservationists (who are among the most passionate in the world) never rallied to keep it. More from USA Today.
Clippers ballpark construction delayed again by lawsuits
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Contractors in the Columbus area apparently are a litigious bunch, as construction of Huntington Park, the new $55-million home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), could delayed once again because of threatened lawsuits from spurned bidders. The latest lawsuit comes from a contractor rejected in their bid to land the painting contract. The Painting Co., a nonunion shop, says in the lawsuit Franklin County commissioners are using rules written by unions in an unlawful attempt to bar nonunion shops from the project. The county, meanwhile, says its rules about barring firms cited for not paying prevailing wages are clear. It’s the fourth lawsuit against the county for its bidding guidelines. Meanwhile, a local state rep — who happens to be a Republican — is calling for the state to withdraw its $7 million in aid for the ballpark to punish the county board of commissioners — which happens to be controlled by Democrats. It’s hard to see the state pull the grant so late in the process.
Pima County tentatively approves expanded ballpark funding
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Arizona’s Pima County tentatively approved a plan to expand the taxing ability of the local stadium authority in an attempt to keep spring training in Tucson. Currently the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies train in Tucson, but the White Sox plan a move to the Phoenix area, which would free the Rockies and the Diamondbacks to consider a move as well. Renovating Hi Corbett Field, the spring home of the Rockies, to the tune of $20 million is a stated priority for the authority, while there’s also been talk of a new downtown ballpark — something that may interest the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after the Tucson Sidewinders move to Reno. Still, there are a lot of hurdles to be overcome in keeping spring training in Tucson: it’s all about the facilities and the ability to generate revenues for MLB teams. More from AP.
Daley not sold on sale of Wrigley Field
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, a key player in the proposal by the Chicago Cubs to sell Wrigley Field to a state ballpark authority, didn’t sound too pleased about the prospect of removing the ballpark’s historic designation to make it easier to make changes there. He also didn’t sound too pleased about giving up sales-tax revenues in order to help finance the project put more money into the Tribune Company’s pockets. If Daley opposes the deal, there’s little chance it will happen — and it doesn’t sound like he’s enthusiastic, to say the least. More from the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. Meanwhile, the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority says it would spend $400 million to upgrade Wrigley Field