In the aftermath of the arrival of the High Desert Yardbirds (independent; Pecos League), Adelanto officials are revealing some details about the team’s agreement to use Adelanto Stadium.
It was announced earlier this month that the Yardbirds would join the Pecos League next season. This move brought baseball back to Adelanto just months after its previous tenant, the High Desert Mavericks (High A; California League) departed.
The Mavericks and Bakersfield Blaze ceased operations are part of Minor League Baseball’s realignment of the California and Carolina Leagues. Prior to their final season in Adelanto, the Mavericks became entangled in a legal dispute with the city, which attempted to void a previously agreed upon lease on the premise that it violated the California State Constitution, only for the Mavericks to win a preliminary injunction in April. (More on that here and here.)
In its agreement with the Yardbirds, Adelanto will receive an annual base rent plus a percentage of ticket sales, while working with the San Bernardino County Fair to assist in ballpark maintenance. More from the Daily Press:
“I think all the parties involved believe bringing baseball back is important to the fans and the entire High Desert,” San Bernardino County Fair CEO and General Manager Geoff Hinds said last week. “It’ll be good to see baseball back in the Victor Valley.”
Adelanto has contracted with the Fair to manage marketing the stadium in hopes it can achieve the same success as it has in recent years promoting the fairgrounds in Victorville.
The Yardbirds, an expansion franchise in the independent Pecos League, will pay the city a base fee of $2,500 plus 10 percent of all paid tickets, including group and season tickets, according to Hinds, who also addressed terms associated with the stadium’s upkeep.
“Essentially, the Fair will be responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the stadium, but the Pecos League/High Desert Yardbirds will be responsible for any non-customary field maintenance (outside of standard lawn care, watering, etc.),” he said. “The Pecos League will care for the field, locker rooms and stadium after each game, to return them to an as-provided condition, with an understanding that additional cleaning and resources as needed will be provided by the Fair staff on an as-needed basis.”
The Pecos League revealed that Adelanto will be receiving a team along with Bakersfield, where the Topeka Train Robbers will relocate for the 2017 season. The circuit has also been connected to Monterey.
RELATED STORIES: Pecos League to Adelanto, High Desert