The Joliet JackHammers almost salted the territory after failing to pay bills the past few seasons, but the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are working hard to regain community trust — and succeeding. The JackHammers folded after owing $400,000 to vendors and $200,000 to the city for rent at Silver Cross Field — a deficit […]
Archive | Features
Reevaluating Fair Grounds Field after 25 years
It was once the very model of a modern ballpark, but 25 years later Fair Grounds Field is showing the effects of time and a less-than-aggressive maintenance budget, as Shreveport evaluates the future of the home of the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association). Built for $3.5 million, Fair Grounds Field was designed to be a […]
Atlantic League All-Star Game completely sold out
Tonight’s independent Atlantic League All-Star Game is completely sold out, as host York Revolution sold the last of the berm seating to the match at Sovereign Bank Stadium. All-Star Games are notably hard to sell out for most teams. Today’s events kick off with the Stauffer’s All-Star Family Fun Festival on the Brooks Robinson Plaza […]
Amarillo decision: Build new or renovate existing ballpark
With little movement on a new downtown ballpark and Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium in desperate need of repair, Amarillo Sox (independent; American Association) officials are exploring renovation plans — just in case. Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium — the former Amarillo Dilla Villa and Potter County Stadium — is the second-oldest ballpark in the […]
Slammers unveil mascot: J.L. Bird
The Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) unveiled a second mascot that keeps with the jailbird theme for the team: J.L. Bird. “He can be a little mischievous,” Slammers Director of Marketing Sarah H. Eichenberger said. “But we’ve been assured that he’s perfectly friendly.” The new mascot made his debut Sunday night as he ran wild […]
RiverHawks snare millionth fan
Nice landmark for the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League): the one-millionth fan in team history went through the turnstiles of Road Ranger Stadium Friday night. Katherine Moe won two plane tickets from Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). “The fact that we’ve enjoyed the sustained level of success to reach 1 million fans is testament to […]
Ohio extends tax breaks to indy ballparks
In what is being called an attempt to level the playing field, the Ohio General Assembly passed a measure extending tax breaks to municipally owned ballparks housing independent-league baseball teams, a tax break already in place for ballparks where affiliated teams are the tenant. The bill, which has been signed by Gov. John Kasich, is […]
As Pheasants struggle at gate, owners look for solutions
The last two seasons should have been gravy time for the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants (independent; American Association) as the team set marks for wins. Instead, attendance is plunging after branding and concession changes. What can be done to stem the tide? No doubt managing partner Gary Weckwerth thought he was opening a new chapter […]
Minnesota Legislature adjourns with no Saints ballpark funding
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned for the 2011 session with a lot left on its plate, including bonding bills that would help pay for construction of a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark — but with the certainty of a special session, the issue is far from dead. The Legislature adjourned with many large […]
Barnstormers unveil new unis, logos
The Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) are sporting a new look this season, with uniforms and logos riffing off the team’s successful rural barn theme dating back to the team’s 2005 inception. The barn motif can be seen in three looks. The first and most comprehensive is that “plank” markings, indicating the basic framework of […]
Riverhawks leave NAL; new Riverhawks enter Frontier League
The Rockford Riverhawks have officially left the North American League and will go dark; meanwhile, a new group has acquired the lease to Road Ranger Stadium and other assets and will play in the independent Frontier League under the Rockford Riverhawks name. A little complicated, but let us explain. The transaction was similar to what […]
Ramapo ballpark construction resumes; city faces fines
Construction of a new Ramapo, N.Y. ballpark for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) is fully on again after state pollution officials shut things down for drainage violations but the city still might face fines over the incident. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation issued a stop-work order on the ballpark project earlier […]
State shuts down Ramapo ballpark construction — again
The town of Ramapo has been cited for violating environmental laws in the construction of a new ballpark for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) for the third time — and this time state officials shut down construction pending a plan to correct the problems. The state Department of Environmental Conservation shut down construction Friday […]