We have a late addition to the baseball lineup for 2012: the independent Freedom Baseball League will set up shop at Scottsdale Stadium and other Arizona venues for a 90-game season.
The league, founded by Scottsdale resident Joe Sperle (owner of Joe Sperle’s Baseball School), North Dakota farmer Tim Gross and marketing consultants Tony & Dawn Kyle, will run from May 19 through September 21 with four teams: the Arizona Centennials will play their home games at Scottsdale Stadium; the Montezuma Federals will be negotiating a lease at Yavapai College’s Roughrider Park in Prescott; and the Copper State Prospectors (representing the East Valley) and Sonoran Explorers (representing the West Valley) still need to finalize a home venue. Slated for next season: the Western Wranglers and Grand Canyon Pioneers.
No schedule yet, but a general manager has been hired, according to a press release. The goal: affordable family fun and a platform for players to attract the attention of scouts.
Indy ball in the Phoenix area has a bad record: the Golden Baseball League tried with multiple teams at spring-training venues, but in the end the lack of access to concession revenues and clubhouse facilities doomed that effort.
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!