The owner of the Atlantic City Surf, frustrated with the city’s refusal to extend the team’s lease at Bernie Robbins Stadium, has decided to fold up shop, rather than throwing more good money after bad.The owner of the Atlantic City Surf (independent; Can-Am Association), frustrated with the city’s refusal to extend the team’s lease at Bernie Robbins Stadium, has decided to fold up shop, rather than throwing more good money after bad.
The issue, according to Surf owner Mark Schuster, is the city has other development plans for Bernie Robbins Stadium; in past months Atlantic City officials have floated plans for new development at the ballpark site. Finding it impossible to raise financing for a team sure to be booted out of its ballpark in two years, Schuster told us he decided to cut his losses and fold the team rather than certainly lose money for the next two seasons.
"We gave it our best shot," Schuster said. "They didn’t care whether we stayed or whether we left. So we’re leaving."
It remains to be seen how this affect the eight-team Can-Am Association for the 2009 season. UPDATE: Since the Ottawa media is breaking an embargo, we will too: the Can-Am Association will shrink to six teams for 2009, with Ottawa not fielding a team as well. The recent legal issue with the team was a factor in the decision, from what we’ve been told.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see articles before they’re posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!