It was a good weekend for the Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association): not only did the team set a U.S. Steel Yard attendance record on Saturday, they promptly broke it on Sunday. The records were broken with the assistance of two union groups. Today the RailCats drew 8,208, thanks to UAW Local 551 and […]
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Another potential AA defection: Shreveport-Bossier exploring options
Disappointing attendance and the potential to occupy better markets is causing Southern Independent Baseball to look at other options for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association). The issues: the deteriorating condition of Fair Grounds Field and the inability of the local market to support professional baseball. The team owners came close to scrapping the Captains […]
Nine players, 125 fans in Zion
Last night’s Lake County Fielders-Kenosha County Fielders game in Zion was a matchup of minimums, with 125 fans on hand to cheer on nine players in home uniforms. The game was billed as a replacement for the regularly scheduled Lake County-Maui North American League matchup, scrapped after Na Koa Ikaika Maui shut down for the […]
NAL ending season early; Na Koa Ikaika Maui shuts down completely
Despite all the well-documented problems with the Lake County Fielders, the first team in the independent North American League to go under is Na Koa Ikaika Maui; meanwhile, the league announced it’s shutting down the 2011 season a week early. In announcing the end of the season will come Aug. 28, league officials said the […]
It’s Fielders versus Fielders in Lake County
The Lake County Fielders will finish out the season as a member of the independent North American League, but if an NAL team doesn’t show up for a series, the opponent will be the Kenosha County Fielders. The Washington Generals Kenosha County Fielders could be pressed into action tomorrow, when Na Koa Ikaika Maui is […]
Fielders: We’re still in NAL — for now
The independent North American League has pulled back on kicking the Lake County Fielders from the circuit for the time being, as Rich Ehrenreich says the team will finish out the season playing against NAL teams or squads from a different league. This isn’t to say that a league action won’t come shortly: we get […]
Fielders tossed from North American League
The Lake County Fielders have been kicked out of the independent North American League after failing to show up yesterday for a scheduled four-day series against Na Koa Ikaika Maui — the logical conclusion to one of the worst seasons in baseball history. The league made this announcement on its Facebook page: The North American […]
Fielders skip on Hawaii road trip; season in question
The Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) did not fly to Hawaii for a long series against Na Koa Ikaika Maui today as scheduled, as the team’s status is now certainly up for debate. Ownership has been quiet about exactly what’s going on. That ownership, by the way, includes more than just Rich Ehrenreich, […]
Another forfeit in the NAL — this time in Chico
Things seem to be careening out of control in the independent North American League, as the circuit’s second forfeit in three days came last night after a bench-clearing brawl featuring former major leaguer Tony Phillips. The brawl had its roots in the third inning, when former major leaguer and current Yuma Scorpions third baseman Tony […]
Fielders game scrapped because of sub-par baseballs
Just when you think things couldn’t get weirder: last Friday’s Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) game was scrapped because the team failed to provide official Rawlings baseballs and substituted recreational baseballs. Not all baseballs are created the same, and the professional baseballs manufactured by the likes of Rawlings are of a considerably higher […]
Expos spirit lives on in Quebec City
There’s still a Canadian ballpark where the retired numbers of the Montreal Expos are displayed — but it’s in Quebec City at Municipal Stadium, home of the Quebec Capitales (independent; Can-Am League). The right-field wall at historic Municipal Stadium features the three numbers retired by the Expos — #10 (Gary Carter), #10 (Andre Dawson and […]
Fielders may disband because of city inaction on new ballpark
The Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) might disband this week because of the lack of a permanent ballpark in Zion, but officials there say they’re living up to the terms of the lease. Without a permanent ballpark, it was difficult to sell sponsorships and season tickets, according to Fielders spokesperson Bernie DiMeo. And […]
River City Wizards for a night
The River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) will be the River City Wizards on Sept. 1, as the team honors longtime St. Louis coach Lonnie Maclin with an Ozzie Smith promotion. Smith is a longtime friend of Maclin, who played in twelve games for the Cardinals in 1993. Maclin suffered a stroke back in January […]