The El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) could live on if the city sells Cohen Stadium to the Tigua tribe, which owns and operates the team. The issue: a deal to bring a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team to a new downtown ballpark contains a noncomplete clause, prohibiting the city from doing business with […]
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New for 2013: Long Beach Splash
We have a name and logo for the team launching next season in the independent American West Baseball League: the Long Beach Splash. “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 the team is,” said Michael Cummings, AWBL Chief […]
More weather woes: Tarpocalypse in Joliet
It’s been an intense week for weather impacting ballpark operations; check out this video of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) staff strugging to keep a tarp down. During a June 29, 2012 rain delay, the Slammers staff put down the infield tarp, but that action didn’t take. Heavy winds blew the tarp off the field, […]
Pecos League pulls Invaders from Roswell
Citing increased hotel costs, decreased fan support and an expensive ballpark lease (relatively speaking), the independent Pecos League has pulled the Invaders out of Roswell. The website for the Roswell Invaders brags about how the team paces the Pecos League in attendance and merchandise sales, but apparently things have gone quite sour this year for […]
AWBL expands to Mesa; Albie Lopez will own team
Former major leaguer and Arizona Diamondback Albie Lopez is a part-owner of a new Mesa team to be playing under the independent American West Baseball League banner next season. His partner: local businessman and sports agent Eddie Marin. Albert Anthony “Albie” Lopez was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round of the 1991 […]
No beer for Rippers fans; owner seeks unique solution
Lacking approval to sell beer at Labatt Park, the owner of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) has an unusual solution: he challenged the license owner to a winner-take-all playoff. The London Majors, a semi-pro team in the Intercounty Baseball League, hold the liquor license for the ballpark. Since law dictates that only one liquor license […]
The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford
This, to the best of our knowledge, is a first: the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are wearing uniform sponsor logos for every game, in a straight sale of sponsorship rights. We’re not counting auto racing, golf or MLS soccer and don’t want to embark on a discussion of whether these are major sports; for the […]
Bridgeport Bluefish approaching franchise milestone: 1,000 wins
Nice milestone coming up for the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League): the team is approaching its 1,000th win in franchise history. Bridgeport is a charter member of the Atlantic League, now in its 15th season. During that time the Bluefish have compiled a 999-857 record under several owners. There was a time or two when the team’s […]
El Paso Diablos to Socorro?
If the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are booted from their Cohen Stadium lease, there’s the possibility ownership will build a new ballpark in nearby Socorro. The Diablos are owned by the Tigua tribe, who are seeking to preserve ther million-dollar-plus investment in the franchise and Cohen Stadium upgrades. The team’s future is threatened by […]
New for 2012: Bergen Boulders
Nice promo: the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) will be changing their team name to the Bergen Boulders — but just for a day. With Bergen County residents accounting for a good chunk of the team’s fan base — some 9 percent — and a ready sponsor in a local car dealership, the Boulders will […]
Slow start at the gate for Sioux City Explorers
It’s been a slow start to the season for the Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association), as only 1,177 fans are showing up nightly at Lewis and Clark Park. That number ranks last in the American Association; it’s also about half of what the second-to-last team, the Sioux Falls Pheasants, are drawing per game (2,200) and […]
Boulders, we hardly knew ye; name change on tap
Well, this is quick: the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) have scheduled a press conference Saturday to announce the team’s new name. The team had its inaugural season in 2011. The announcement, set for Ramsey Nissan in Upper Saddle River, N.J., will involve some ticket giveaways and more. — Share your news with the baseball community. […]
Life on the bottom indy league: $50 a week
You must really love baseball to play in the independent Pecos League, where players receive $50 a week and some teams draw as little as 150 fans a game. Now, most of us in the baseball world remember a time when we were doing it for the love of the game, whether it was as […]