The Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association) are making a major change to QuikTrip Park this offseason after the City of Grand Prairie approved $1.1 million in spending on synthetic turf for the 2013 season. The synthetic turf will be installed by Hellas Construction. The goal is to have the turf in place by the […]
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American Association, Can-Am League to play interconnected schedule again in ’13
The independent American Association and Can-Am League will once again play an interconnected schedule in 2013, as the AA deals with an odd number of teams and the Can-Am League deals with an uncertain situation in Worcester. Right now we’ve seen a few schedules released by American Association teams, and while they include play against […]
St. Paul reverses course, will let Saints ballpark contract to bid
The city of St. Paul will drop a no-bid contract for a St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark and instead open the design/build process to bid. The change in plans came after the Taxpayers League and a local conservative activist filed suit last week, seeking to overturn the decision to award the design/build contract […]
Wolff: We want to be back in Worcester in 2013
With other independent and summer-collegiate leagues pitching Worcester officials on a Fitton Field lease, Can-Am League Commissioner Miles Wolff is working on a plan to keep the city in his circuit. It’s no secret other leagues, such as a startup feeder league from the independent Atlantic League, would like to be playing out of Fitton […]
Opponents file TRO to halt work on new Saints ballpark
Groups opposing a no-bid design/build contract have now filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO), asking that all work be stopped on a new downtown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Last week the Taxpayers League and a local conservative activist announced plans to challenge the decision by St. Paul officials to award a […]
Joliet approves Slammers lease
A new lease with lowered rent has been approved by the city for the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League), clearing the way for a new ownership group to buy the team from businessman Alan Oremus. The deal, approved last night by the City Council, is along the lines set down earlier: it lowers the base […]
Frontier League at 13 teams for 2013
The independent Frontier League will be at 13 teams, plus a travel squad, for 2013, as the circuit releases a schedule for next season. The Frontier League will again consist of 14 total teams with two, seven-team divisions. The East Division consists of the Evansville Otters, Florence Freedom, Frontier Greys (travel team), Lake Erie Crushers, […]
New for 2013: North County Cannons
Jim Hoynes has paid the expansion fee to add the North County Cannons to the independent American West Baseball League for the 2013 season, playing out of Cal State San Marcos. North County, of course, is the suburban area north of San Diego once envisioned as home to Triple-A baseball, when Jeff Moorad was seeking […]
Lawsuit: Saints ballpark contract should be open for bidding
A lawsuit has been filed to force the city of St. Paul to open a bidding process for the design/build portion of a new downtown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. The issue: the city did not open a traditional bidding process before awarded a design/build contract to Ryan Companies, AECOM and Julie Snow […]
Joliet offers lowered ballpark lease to new Slammers owners
It’s a deal that makes baseball more viable in Joliet while rewarding the city if the new owners of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are successful, as the City Council will discuss a proposed Silver Cross Field lease on Monday. The broad terms of the proposed lease, as negotiated by city manager Tom Thanas, […]
Saints ballpark design/construction reward under review
Though St. Paul officials say nothing is amiss, Minnesota officials are viewing whether the decision to award the design/construction contracts for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark with no competitive bidding violates state guidelines. The issue: usually government contracts are awarded after some kind of competitive bidding, but after the Minnesota Department […]
Lease issues delay Malden ballpark planning
The earliest we could see a new $50-million ballpark in downtown Malden for an independent Atlantic League team is 2015, as the project is bogged down in lease negotiations. Alexander Bok, the attoney putting together the deal, says it’s been more complicated to put together a lease than anticipated for the 6.4-acre National Grid site. […]
Owners to rebrand rebranded Panthers
The new owner of the Yuma Panthers (independent; American West Baseball League) is already dropping his rebranding of the team and is seeking public input on a new name. The Panthers have technically never played a game: the former Yuma Scorpions (independent; North American League) were pulled out of the NAL for the 2012 season […]