The manager is the face of a baseball team in the community, and the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) made a key hire in their early history: Bart Zeller is the team’s new field manager. A native of Chicago Heights, Ill., Zeller attended Eastern Illinois University before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals and playing […]
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Taxes becoming huge issue for Skylands Park
Back taxes on Skylands Park, the former home of the New Jersey Cardinals (short season A; NY-Penn League) and Sussex SkyHawks (independent; Can-Am League), are a big problem for ballpark owners, who face a rough road in the near future and prepare for a year without baseball. There’s a reason you don’t see too many […]
Will baseball return to Augusta? Probably, if the price is right
The demise of the Sussex SkyHawks (independent; Can-Am League) doesn’t mean professional baseball won’t return to Skylands Park in the near future — but there needs to be some changes regarding the landlord’s financial expectations. Pro baseball has been a mixed bag in Augusta, N.J.: the original New Jersey Cardinals (short season A; NY-Penn League) […]
First NAL schedule released
The Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) have posted a schedule for the 2011 season — and as you might expect, it’s heavy with games against Schaumburg and Rockford. Really heavy. In fact, the schedule has the Fielders taking on the Schaumburg Flyers six times in June, 15 times in July (more than half […]
Fullerton, Flyers enter exclusive negotiating period for new ballpark
The Orange County Flyers (independent; Golden Baseball League) and the city of Fullerton (Cal.) have entered into an exclusive negotiating period for a new ballpark at the current Amerige Park site. The Flyers have been playing at the Cal State-Fullerton ballpark as a secondary tenant. The deal, approved by the City Council on Jan. 4 […]
New for 2011: Joliet Slammers
We have a name for the new Silver Cross Field team in the independent Frontier League: the Joliet Slammers, as team ownership goes with a penal theme for its inaugural season. “We deliberated over this for many days and many nights,” said team president Bill Waliewski. “And when all the evidence was considered, we came […]
New for 2011: Amarillo Sox
We have a name for the new Amarillo team in the independent American Association: the Amarillo Sox, as management goes with a name that evokes the Amarillo Gold Sox while not infringing on a trademark held by the city of Marysville. As you’ll recall, ownership had originally announced Gold Sox before the owners of the […]
SkyHawks to go dark?
A deal for Floyd Hall to sell the Sussex SkyHawks (independent; Can-Am League) has fallen through, and efforts to sell the team continues — but unless a deal can be consummated soon, the team could go dark in 2011 or play as a travel team, putting the indy circuit in a scheduling pinch. It’s a […]
Saints jump on Metrodome deflation with whoopee-cushion promotion
In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of “Inflation Day” of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, and, subsequently, the 2010 “Deflation Day,” the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) announced a Metrodome Whoopee Cushion giveaway during the 2011 season. The first 2,500 fans attending the Saints vs. Sioux Falls Pheasants game on Saturday, May 14 will […]
American Association schedule released: Amarillo in, Pensacola out
The independent American Association is going with 14 teams in the 2011 season, as new additions Amarillo, Fargo-Moorhead, Gary, Kansas City and Winnipeg offset the loss of the Pensacola Pelicans for the year. The schedule still features some of that grueling travel so loved by players and front-office staff alike: the Sioux City Explorers, for […]
What’s up in Kalamazoo?
The offices of the Kalamazoo Kings (independent; Frontier League) have been closed in recent weeks, and the local newspaper is questioning whether the team will be back in business next season despite being present in the league’s 2011 schedule. From the Kalamazoo Gazette: The fate of the Kings has yet to be answered definitively — […]
NAL at 12 teams, tentatively; no schedule yet
The new independent North American League — made up of former Golden Baseball League, Northern League and United Baseball League teams — now sits at 12 teams, as franchises looking toward the 2011 season are still waiting on a schedule. The current lineup, we’re told, consists of a Midwest Division (Lake County Fielders, Rockford RiverHawks, […]
New for 2012: StarTex Power Field
We have a name for the new Sugar Land (Texas) ballpark: StarTex Power Field, as StarTex Power Company buys naming rights for the new $30-million home of the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League), slated to open for the 2012 season. “A naming rights partnership is a big commitment,” said Skeeters President Matt O’Brien. “There […]