The independent Freedom Baseball League has scrapped the four-team postseason playoffs and has reportedly laid off staff in anticipation of the end of the regular season. The four-team league, which plays at various ballparks in the Phoenix area (including Scottsdale Stadium and Peoria Stadium), has had a rocky first year; seems Arizona baseball fans may […]
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Indy ball apparently not good enough for Joliet
Though the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) have worked hard on a quality product, some locals say baseball won’t be successful until affiliated ball arrives — which will probably be never. The Slammers were a smash in the first season, then saw things level off in 2012. That’s led to some talk about affiliated ball […]
65-year-old Lee throws complete game in NAL
We’re not sure what this says about the level of play, but 65-year-old Bill “Spaceman” Lee threw a complete-game victory and went 1-for-3 in his debut with the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League). Lee took the mound in front of 1,265 fans at Albert Park and pitched a complete game in a 9-4 […]
Pacifics sign “Spaceman” Lee to contract
Bill “Spaceman” Lee is coming out of retirement after signing a contract with the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) in an attempt to set a record for the oldest pitcher to win a pro baseball game. The 65-year-old lefty will take the mound Thursday, Aug. 23, for the Pacifics. The former Red Sox and […]
Pro soccer could revive Loudoun Hounds ballpark plan
Given up by many for dead, a proposed Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) ballpark could see the light of day if the team ownership lands a North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise. NASL officials and Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP), which owns the Hounds and has been working on the ballpark proposal at Kincora Village Center, […]
Skeeters sell naming rights to club level
The Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) announced today a new five-year agreement with Insperity for naming rights sponsorship of the Sky Box and Club Level at Constellation Field. Effective immediately, the Sky Box and Club Level will be known as the Insperity Club Level, and the former Legends Club has now become the Insperity […]
Freedom Baseball League shackled by economic realities
The independent Freedom Baseball League was locked out of Phoenix Municipal Stadium today because of missed rent payments — something that reportedly has also taken place in three other Arizona communities. According to this report, the league — four teams playing out of the greater Phoenix area — missed rent payments recently in Prescott, Peoria, […]
Skeeters start strong out of the gate
It’s been a great debut for the Sugar Land Skeeters: the team is pacing the independent Atlantic League in attendance and serves as a great calling card for further expansion in the Lone Star State. The team’s new home, Constellation Field, is a hit (we’ll be down there at the end of the month), and […]
No beer, no ball: Pecos League and Carlsbad part ways
The inability to sell beer has prompted the independent Pecos League and the city of Carlsbad to part ways in a discussion of a future franchise. The Pecos League’s Andrew Dunn has worked for several years on a Carlsbad franchise, going to the point of naming the league’s 2011 traveling team the Carlsbad Bats and […]
Retro bullpen cart a hit in Sugar Land
It’s proven to be a scene-stealer: the retro bullpen cart employed by the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) has proven to be a big hit with fans. All in all, Constellation Field has been a success this year, as Peter Kirk and crew have brought their fan-friendly operations to Texas. One big piece of […]
AWBL logo unveiled
The startup independent American West Baseball League, launched by Godfather Media, has unveiled its logo in anticipation of a 2013 debut. “I am very pleased with the outcome of the logo it has been done with class, shows professionalism and immediately lets the public know who we are as a league,” said Michael Cummings, Godfather […]
Lemurs successfully launch new ballpark
A big crowd of almost 6,000 was on hand last night to see the Laredo Lemurs (independent; American Association) open their new ballpark, Uni-Trade Stadium. Laredo baseball fans had to wait a while to see the sport return to the city; the market went without baseball last year while the new ballpark was under construction. […]
Rippers owner: No plans on changing team name
Despite some official disapproval from the City Council, the owner of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) says he has no plans to change the controversial team name. It’s fair to say there was a little disturbance in the Canadian community over the team name, which associates one of history’s most notorious mass murderers with a […]