Big change at Riverwalk Stadium, as the Lou DiBella ownership era for the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern League) begins, after he takes control of the team from Sherrie Myers and Tom Dickson.
DiBella is a known entity in Minor League Baseball. As owner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League), he and his staff have managed to create excitement and fan interest despite playing in what everyone considers to be a subpar ballpark. In addition, he’s managed to come close to procuring a new ballpark in an environment where everyone seems to have their own political agenda. (Perhaps his background as a boxing promoter has indeed come in handy dealing with the Richmond ballpark situation.)
The new ownership group includes include Todd “Parney” Parenell, as well as other Flying Squirrels owners. Their plan is to start with a bang, but looks former substantive changes to take place next season. The Biscuits are not a fixer-upper: Myers and Dickson brought the team to Riverwalk Stadium in 2004 after spending several years in Orlando, and the franchise was a success from the beginning. From the Montgomery Advertiser:
But the Biscuits are planning a “grand re-opening” next month to fully signal a new start, DiBella said.
It is being planned for the June 22 game with the Birmingham Barons, just after the Southern League’s All-Star break.
“We look forward to putting our stamp on the Montgomery Biscuits and being very, very active in the community,” DiBella said. “We want there to be a lot of excitement at the ballpark every game.
“We’re going to make some noise.”
That noise includes live music every night, along with more promos.
The deal closed last Thursday, with Myers departing the team on Friday.
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