Archives: March 10-16, 2008
Reds close to striking deal for Arizona move
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Cincinnati Reds are close to a spring-training move to Arizona after announcing the city of Goodyear has procured $33 million in financing toward the expansion of a facility to be shared with the Cleveland Indians. (The Indians are moving west next spring; the Reds would follow in 2010.) No one is saying where money is coming from, but Reds officials sounded pretty confident that a deal would be struck. The move would place 15 teams apiece in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. During our recent spring-training journeys we chatted with some front-office folks who weren’t thrilled with the potential scheduling conflicts presented by the odd numbers, but apparently the commissioner’s office has backed away from intervening. More from the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Reds will be leaving Sarasota, and the issue facing officials there is whether another MLB team will move to Ed Smith Stadium. Curiously, the two names that popped up in our discussions were the Baltimore Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers. The future of the Orioles in Florida is cloudy. First, the team is waiting to hear from the FAA whether a proposed renovation of Fort Lauderdale Stadium will be approved (it’s an FAA issue because the complex abuts the local airport). If the Orioles are denied permission to renovate, they’d be looking to move to Vero Beach’s Dodgertown — where they signed a nonbinding option to play in 2008 should the Los Angeles Dodgers move west — or Sarasota, where the Orioles have their minor-league camp. (It used to be common for the major-league and minor-league spring camps to be held in different cities; today only the Orioles do it that way.) Milwaukee’s limited interest was curious: true, Sarasota is much closer to Milwaukee — by more than 500 miles. And Maryvale Baseball Park is a plain-jane facility with limited revenue potential, to say the least. In a sense, Milwaukee’s presence in Arizona is more a series of quirks and inertia than anything else: the Seattle Pilots trained there for obvious reasons, and when Bud Selig’s group plucked the team from bankruptcy court the team was in the midst of spring practices. Selig wintered in Arizona; hence the team’s continued presence there. Still, the move of either team to Sarasota would be a long shot. More from the Herald-Tribune.
Augusta mayor announces push for new downtown ballpark
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
To the surprise of no one, Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver today announced a committee charged with the future of a downtown ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) has indeed concluded the project is viable. The city has been working with Ripken Baseball, owners of the GreenJackets, on the proposal for a downtown complex that would include the ballpark and more, as you can see by the renderings below. Funding the project is the next big issue: the city may look at revenue bonds or general obligation bonds, which would need to be approved by voters. Renderings courtesy of Ripken Management and Design.
Cubs selling naming rights; Wrigley name will stay
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Chicago Cubs are shopping around naming rights to specific parts of Wrigley Field but will likely retain the historic ballpark’s moniker, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs are emulating the model used by the New York Yankees for Yankee Stadium, where the team kept the powerful brand name of the ballpark and are instead affixing naming rights to areas like the upper deck; the naming rights would be reflected in ballpark signage, tickets and (we’re guessing) radio and TV broadcasts. Names of potential sponsors like Walgreen’s and State Farm are being thrown around, and Bill Wrigley says there’s the chance his firm would look at some sort of deal, but he didn’t sound too enthusiastic. Selling naming rights is a delicate issue: while the ballpark originally was re-named for Cubs owner William Wrigley, it did serve as a de-facto naming-rights deal for the confectionary giant at a time when MLB rules prohibited naming-rights deals. Today, the Wrigley Field name is woven into the Windy City fabric, and the Cubs apparently came to their senses and decided against selling a total naming-rights package (or, what’s more likely, is that no one stepped up to pay $400 million for the entire packages). Still, the team expects to yield $20 million a year for 20 years from the combination of naming-rights deals — and that’s a lot of ching for a team already experiencing a healthy cash flow. The Los Angeles Tribune takes a few potshots at their new corporate overlords over the naming-rights deal. The Chicago Sun-Times continues its gleeful criticism of new Cubs owner Sam Zell and its chief rival in the local media market.
Red Wings to run Muckdogs in 2008
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The Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) will be running the Batavia Muckdogs (short season; NY-Penn League) on behalf of the Genesee County Baseball Club, the not-for-profit entity that owns the team. Not-for-profit is an understatement: the Red Wings will pay off the debt incurred by the club (around $150,000, according to some estimates) and receive all the proceeds from daily operations. Muckdogs GM Dave Wellenzohn will remain on staff, but all other functions will be run out of Rochester with existing staff. The move is billed as an attempt to save baseball in Batavia, but it may take more than the Red Wings’ expertise: Dwyer Stadium isn’t much of a ballpark, and any long-term solutions would likely include a renovation of some sort. More from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Mets to go green in Citi Field
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Green is trends in baseball right now, and the Mets let us know about some of the green initiatives taking place at Citi Field, their new home for 2009. Some of them are features found both in Nationals Park and the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, such as energy-efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing, while some of them are pretty unique. For instance, the Mets’ administration building will be topped with a "green roof" — where a layer of dirt and grasses are used to insulate the facility year-round.
Letter: NCAA neutral on new Omaha ballpark
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A letter from NCAA facilities honcho Dennis Poppe indicates the organization isn’t pushing for a replacement for Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, according to Omaha city councilman Garry Gernandt — a stand confirmed by NCAA spokesperson Bob Williams. The letter, dated two weeks ago, says the NCAA favors neither a renovated Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium nor a new downtown ballpark. This is entirely consistent with what NCAA officials have told us off the record: they sounded perfect happy staying at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. City officials brushed off the letter sent to Jack Diesing Jr., a key proponent of the downtown ballpark, as being dated and coming before the city’s presentation to NCAA officials. Perhaps, but our conversations came after that presentation as well. It’s fine to want a new downtown ballpark, but it’s being sold through the unrealistic fear that the College World Series might leave rather than any principled arguments for the proposal. More from NTV.
Audubon Society opposes Tampa Bay ballpark proposal
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The St. Petersburg Audubon Society is opposing a new $450-million waterfront ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays on the Al Lang Field site, saying the plan to fill in part of the harbor violates environmental guidelines. This objection has been raised by others, and we’re probably going to see some sort of lawsuit should voters approve an alternative use for the Al Lang Field site in November. That area of the Tampa Bay is considered a state aquatic reserve. More from the Tampa Tribune.
Biscuits, Rays extend affiliation
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The Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern League) and the Tampa Bay Rays have a verbal agreement to extend their player development deal through 2010, according to team owner Tom Dickson. The affiliation has been a good one for both sides: the Biscuits have been Southern League champs the last two season.
Feds deny use of key parking garage to Nats fans
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
We’ve known all along parking would be a challenge at Nationals Park, the new home of the Washington Nationals, and it appears the challenge is even greater thanks to a decision from the federal government — yes, the one still led by former Texas Rangers owner George W. Bush — to deny any access to a 1,060-stall garage near the ballpark. The Feds are not going to allow evening access to the ballpark because of national security concerns. Whether the concerns are valid is debatable — most of the federal employees using the ramp work for the Department of Transportation — and Marc Fisher seems skeptical there’s any real cause concern.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 13, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Twenty-five non-profit organizations representing nine Mid-Michigan counties have been selected to receive the inaugural Michigan Baseball Foundation grants. The amount awarded totaled $100,500. The Michigan Baseball Foundation was formed in 2006 by a group of community leaders led by Bill Stavropoulos. The Foundation’s mission is to revitalize and reinvigorate the Mid-Michigan region and promote greater economic and civic prosperity through the Great Lakes Loons (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the operation of Dow Diamond. One of the key components of the Foundation’s mission is to give back to the community through grants and other donations…. Chuck Domino, a 26-year veteran of the baseball business, was inducted into the Berks County Business Hall of Fame on March 12, 2008 at the annual dinner for Junior Achievement. Domino is president of the Reading Phillies (Class AA; Eastern League), its non-profit entity Baseballtown Charities and Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League). The honor was presented to Domino by the Greater Reading/Lehigh Valley Chapter of Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement is a national organization that uses hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential….The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) is conducting online and text message voting for the name of their new puppy. The Thunder’s golden retriever Chase, and his partner, Cyndarella, had a litter on January 26. The Thunder are keeping one of the dogs to be trained as Chase’s sidekick around the ballpark. Thunder fans were invited to visit www.trentonthunder.com to suggest a name for the new puppy. Hundreds of names were nominated and now fans are asked to cast their vote for one of the top 5 most suggested names. The five finalists are: Lightning, Derby, Catch, Champ and Slider.
Rays: Plenty of parking for new downtown ballpark
Posted March 12, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Tampa Bay Rays released a study indicating there’s plenty of parking in downtown St. Petersburg should the team build a new $450-million waterfront ballpark on the Al Lang Field site. Parking is an issue with many residents: businesses don’t want to see all available spots used up by fans, and local residents want to be able to park on the street. The Rays say 12,000 parking spots are available within three-quarters of a mile of the Al Lang Field site — enough capacity should the 34,000-seat ballpark be sold out. We suspect private investors would also pick up some of the slack; we’d be very surprised if the Hilton Hotel across the street didn’t turn the current parking lot into a ramp. More from the Tampa Tribune. Also, the Rays submitted a formal plan for the new ballpark to the city of St. Petersburg; it doesn’t deviate from the preview we’ve already posted.
No bull: iconic sign leaving DBAP
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We’re a little surprised by this, to be honest. The Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) are removing the iconic bull sign used in Bull Durham from the concourse at Durham Bulls Athletic Park pending a decision on where the bull will end up. That bull was such a large part of the revival of minor-league baseball triggered by Bull Durham, so we’re a little amazed to hear Bulls officials discuss tearing it down and selling it piecemeal to collectors. Really, there are only three places the Bull belongs: back in Durham Bulls Athletic Park, back in the original Durham Athletic Park if a minor-league museum from MiLB comes to be, or in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. As part of other changes in Durham Bulls Athletic Park the current outfield bull is being removed, to be replaced by a double-sided new bull visible from the outside of the ballpark. The current bull will take the place of the Bull Durham bull in the Durham Bulls Athletic Park concourse. More from the Raleigh News-Observer.
A’s to reopen part of McAfee Coliseum upper deck
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The Oakland A’s made plenty of news last season when they closed down the upper deck of McAfee Coliseum to shrink seating capacity at the ballpark. This year they’re once again playing with that capacity with a plan to open the sections behind home plate. There’s a catch: this will be the site of an all-you-can-eat area, as the A’s join several other MLB and MiLB teams in providing what’s proving to be a popular offering. The A’s will limit the sections open in the upper deck to 990 seats.
O-Royals to open picnic area at Rosenblatt Stadium
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The Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announce the opening of a new outdoor picnic area in 2008 at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. The U.S. Cellular Home Run Porch, located in the bleachers in straight-away center field, will be the only area of the ballpark where fans can enjoy an outdoor picnic and enjoy watching a Royals game at the same time. The U.S. Cellular Home Run Porch will have a seating capacity of 250 fans.
Parking issues at play at proposed Omaha ballpark
Posted March 12, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Officials with the city of Omaha and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority, which will managed a proposed downtown ballpark for the NCAA College World Series and the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), say they’ve addressed most of the parking issues posed by the 26,000-seat facility, except for one: how to pay for it. It will cost at least $4.6 million to keep the current parking capacity at the Qwest Event Center. We’re also seeing some hidden ballpark costs beyond the $140 million identified by the city, as officials want to add more freeway exits to the area. We are not entirely sure ballpark proponent Jack Diesing Jr. is correct when he says Omaha will lost the College World Series if a new downtown ballpark isn’t built; we’ve had some informal discussions with NCAA officials that would strongly indicate otherwise; what they say in off-the-record private discussions is a whole lot different than what Diesing says. Some Omaha city councilmen agree with our assessment.
Recommendations for Augusta ballpark to be unveiled Thursday
Posted March 12, 2008 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Augusta Downtown Baseball Exploratory Committee will present its findings regarding a potential new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) this Thursday. We hear the committee will indeed call for a new downtown ballpark — indeed, that’s what groups like this usually do — as well as specify a funding mechanism. More from WRDW. Speaking of the ‘Jackets: The team has already set a franchise record by selling over 1,800 season seats for the 2008 season during this off-season. The GreenJackets surpassed the 2007 season seat total of 1,608 and continue to increase ticket sales as interest in the team continues to rise. With over 1,800 already sold expectations are high that the GreenJackets may hit 2,000 season seats sold.
Sky Sox, Rockies extend affiliation
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The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Colorado Rockies have extended their Player Development Contract through the end of the 2010 baseball season, team officials announced today. The two-year agreement extends from October 1, 2008 until September 30, 2010. The Rockies have been affiliated with the Sky Sox since 1993, the Rockies very first season. The 15-year partnership has seen great success as more than 225 players have split regular season time between the Sky Sox and Rockies and, in 2007, 22 of the Rockies 25-man World Series roster were former Sky Sox. In addition, the Sky Sox have reached the playoffs three times over that span and won the PCL Championship in 1995. More on the current state of affiliations here.
MiLB unveils "Long Ball Program"
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Minor League Baseball has formed a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to form "The Long Ball Program," an initiative to generate interest in baseball in the African-American community. Important aspects of the program include celebrating the achievements of African-Americans throughout the history of baseball; using the platform of Minor League Baseball to spearhead education programs in the African-American community; and teaching the youth to play and foster an appreciation for baseball and to create career opportunities in the game.
The program’s first official event will take place tonight at the Philadelphia-Cincinnati spring training game at Bright House Networks Field, regular season home of the Florida State League Clearwater Threshers. Children attending the game through the program will receive T-shirts, pre-game recognition on the field and the opportunity to interact with players.
The Brooklyn Cyclones recently discussed the Long Ball Program as