The St. Paul City Council is expected to unanimously approve a request of state funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark today. The city will put together a funding request for $27 million from a $47.5 million economic-development fund overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This would cover half […]
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Pheasants attendance up dramatically this season
Apparently new ownership and management caught the attention of Sioux Falls Pheasants (independent; American Association) fans: attendance is up some 46 percent this season over last. “We want to thank our fans for their outstanding support so far this season,” said Pheasants President and CEO Tom Garrity. “We are working hard to create new ways […]
Atlantic City exhibition games scrapped; still in running for 2013 pro ball
A plan for independent Atlantic League exhibition games at Surf Stadium has been scrapped due to ballpark issues, but Atlantic City remains in the running to land a 2013 team. Former Surf manager Mario Perrucci pulled the plug on the Labor Day exhibition games, saying he wasn’t confident ballpark improvements would be completed in time to see a […]
Pacifics pack Albert Park in opener
It was a good opener for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League), as the team sold out Albert Park. Of course, it doesn’t take much to sell out a thousand-seat venue, and the team worked awfully hard to pull off the sellout. The real key to success will be how the team draws […]
Pacifics launch season tonight
It will either be a unqualified success or an amazing crash, as the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) open team history tonight at Albert Park. We’ll give the Pacifics ownership big props for gutsiness: down to two years, they and Bob Young, owner of Maui Na Koa Ikaika, went out and added two […]
New Loudoun County ballpark delayed
A new ballpark for the Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) is on hold while issues related to access are being resolved, with 2014 now eyed as an opening date. Here’s the statement from the Hounds’ Bob Farren via the team’s Website: With the fact that construction of the road system cannot begin for several more […]
Pro baseball returns to Schaumburg
The Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) kicked off their home schedule last night with a 5-2 victory over the Florence Freedom before 6,067 fans. As you’ll recall, there was no pro baseball in Schaumburg last year after the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League) were evicted and folded under a sea of debt. Now, we’re going to […]
St. Paul: We’ll request economic-development funds for new Saints ballpark
It’s more than a little premature, but St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman has informed the state his city will request $27 million for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Why premature? The state hasn’t even put together the criteria for how the money will be allocated. The Minnesota Legislature, in making the […]
AirHogs attract record crowd for home opener
Nice news out of Texas, where the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association) drew a record crowd of 7,101 fans to QuikTrip Park for the 2012 season opener. It was an occasion to celebrate: the crowd watched the 2011 American Association champions receive their championship rings. Former AirHog ace Jason Jennings, who won the decisive Game […]
Freedom Baseball League begins play
Independent baseball is going to be a hard sell in the Arizona desert, and the first game for the Freedom Baseball League drew a small crowd at Scottsdale Stadium. An announced of 637 was on hand at Scottsdale Stadium to see the Copper State Prospectors defeat the Arizona Centennials, 5-3. It’s a little hard to get any […]
RailCats: U.S. Steel Yard needs upgrades
After a decade, U.S. Steel Yard is starting to show its age, and the management of tenant Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) wants to work with the city on improvements. Gary is in the same situation as many other cities: tax revenues are down and city coffers are empty. And while the city has […]
Boomers, Rippers debut in Frontier League
The two newest teams in the independent Frontier League — the Schaumburg Boomers and the London Rippers — made their debuts last night, both on the road. Four Boomers pitchers combined to shut out the Lake Erie Crushers, 4-0, at All Pro Freight Stadium. The Boomers scored in the top of the first and never […]
New Flyers owner to pay off Fullerton debt?
Cal State-Fullerton officials would welcome the Orange County Flyers back to Goodwin Field — but only if the team’s new owners, Godfather Media, pays off the team’s $75,000 debt. Before the final version of the Flyers folded, the owners owed $75,000 in back rent at Goodwin Field. That debt has remained unpaid, but as Godfather […]