Disappointing attendance and the potential to occupy better markets is causing Southern Independent Baseball to look at other options for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association).
The issues: the deteriorating condition of Fair Grounds Field and the inability of the local market to support professional baseball. The team owners came close to scrapping the Captains for 2011; with team attendance this year (1,235 per game) lagging the 2010 totals, it’s pretty clear something needs to be done.
While Scott Berry says his organization will be back at Fair Grounds Field, leaving the American Association (and its higher travel costs) is a potential solution. (We assume this will be done under friendly circumstances: SIB also owns the Grand Prairie AirHogs and the Amarillo Sox in the same circuit.) We can’t see Berry and crew joining the North American League next season given that league’s difficulties; it’s slightly more probable to see the Captains joining United League Baseball if the Texas teams break off from the NAL. Another option, and one that probably makes the most financial sense: joining up with the summer-collegiate Texas Collegiate League.
RELATED STORIES: Reevaluating Fair Grounds Field after 25 years
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