A new independent American Association ballpark is being pitched for Rosemont (Ill.), with a potential price tag between $50 million and $60 million, under a proposal from Mayor Brad Stephens. (more…)
Tag Archives | illinois
Champaign to discuss ballpark plan tonight
The Champaign City Council will hear a report on the potential of professional baseball in that Illinois community, with both affiliated and independent ball on the agenda. The county will hear a presentation from the Illinois Business Consulting group, a student-run organization operating under the University of Illinois College of Business, regarding a feasibility study […]
Illinois guv: no public money for Wrigley Field renovations
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn laid down the law today: no way the state contributes to an effort to spend public money on a renovation of the privately owned Wrigley Field. “Our state has severe fiscal challenges so the very idea of the state of Illinois spending millions and millions of dollars on Wrigley Field, I […]
City, Cubs finalizing terms of Wrigley Field renovations
In a surprising assertion, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says his city is close to a deal with the Chicago Cubs to help fund renovations to Wrigley Field. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has repeatedly called for city or state help in renovating the Chicago landmark, which will be 100 years old in 2014. He’s pitched a […]
Fielders expand lawsuit, allege conspiracy
A lawsuit over a failed Zion (Ill.) ballpark from the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) has been expanded to allege a conspiracy involving a developer and the decision to move the facility site. The original lawsuit alleges that Zion officials failed to live up to the terms of an agreement to build a […]
Champaign takes another run at new ballpark
The effort to bring professional baseball to Champaign, Ill., continues, as a city task force will meet at the end of the month to map out a game plan for funding a new ballpark. The exploratory committee, whose deliberations will be closed to the public, will take a look at the plethora of options available […]
Financing elusive for new McHenry County ballpark
After several years of work on financing for a new $18-million McHenry County K-Nines (independent; Frontier League) ballpark, team owners have returned bonding money to the county, as the project has stalled. The plan was to build the new ballpark as part of a development that includes a gravel pit and possibly the new grounds […]
Midwest Collegiate League adds Kankakee for 2012
The summer-collegiate Midwest Collegiate League is adding a Kankakee (Ill.) team for the 2012 season, as the team will be playing at the Kankakee Community College ballpark. “The Kankakee, Illinois market offers the Midwest Collegiate League an ideal location, which is easily accessible from the I-57 Interstate Highway,” said Midwest Collegiate League Commissioner Don Popravak. […]
Champaign to study ballpark issues
Elected officials in Champaign are forming a committee to study potential ballpark and baseball funding issue in the Illinois city, and indications are that they’d be looking at an affiliated team after exploring indy ball in the past. Mayor Don Gerard says he’ll appoint an exploratory committee to look at baseball and ballpark-financing issues, including […]
Fielders looking at pop-up ballpark for 2011
Pop-up restaurants and retail stores are all the rage in the trendier parts of the world. Now it appears that the baseball world will see its first pop-up ballpark, as the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) are considering a pop-up facility in Zion for the upcoming season. UPDATED! According to insiders, the facility, […]
Normal to host 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game
Plan ahead: The Normal CornBelters are hosting the 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game at the Corn Crib on July 11, 2012. Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee made the All-Star Game bid to Mayor Chris Koos at the Town of Normal Council Meeting tonight at City Hall. “The Frontier League is extremely pleased to have the […]
Flyers tax woes date back to August
The Schaumburg Flyers (independent; North American League) have been operating without an Illinois business license since August 25, 2010, a situation that caused the state to shutter the team’s doors at Alexian Field. It’s been dubbed a “misunderstanding” by Flyers owner Rich Ehrenreich, who says the state has been paid but the payments were made […]
Flyers sale postponed; team loses business license
The sale of the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; North American League) has been pushed back a month, but the asset is diminishing daily: the team’s business license from the state of Illinois has been revoked because of nonpayment of taxes. The decision to postpone a scheduled Jan. 20 hearing to evict the team from Alexian Field […]