The Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League) have a new general manager for the 2011 season: Jeremy Crum, promoted from his position as AGM. “Jeremy has grown with us since our inception, working his way up from an intern in 2006,” said Beach Bums Managing Member/COO John Wuerfel. “As a family owned and operated […]
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Griffith works to preserve Northern League
It sounds like independent Northern League Commissioner Clark Griffith was working the phones fast and furiously this past week, seeking to augment the four teams remaining in the circuit with expansion teams and maybe even some refugees from the independent Frontier League. A quiet week was actually pretty good news for Griffith: it mean that […]
The next big thing: Artificial turf
Forget about the old days of AstroTurf, the artificial turf with practically no padding, the stuff that killed careers — or certainly impacted them, as Andre Dawson can attest. Today’s artificial turf is making a resurgence in indy and college ballparks, as the product has improved significantly in recent years. It wasn’t that long ago […]
Four bids submitted for Amarillo ballpark lease
Four bids were received by Potter County for a lease at Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa (Potter County Stadium), with some familiar faces in the mix — like the Amarillo Dillas and the American Association — as well as some unfamiliar players. The Amarillo Dillas bid did strike us as odd. This whole mess was […]
Griffith new EVP for Pensacola Pelicans
The Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association) have a new Executive Vice President, Operations: Jonathan Griffith, formerly Vice President/General Manager for the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League). “Jonathan has a proven track record of success everywhere he’s been and we think he is the perfect fit for the Pensacola Pelicans,” said Pelicans owner Quint […]
Amarillo can support downtown ballpark: CSL
A new downtown Amarillo ballpark is financially feasible and capable of hosting events other than professional baseball throughout the year, according to a study presented to the City Council by Conventions Sports & Leisure. The report estimated that a market the size of Amarillo could support an independent-league team and draw between 3,700 and 4,200 […]
Rockford, Joliet to Frontier League?
The future of the independent Northern League is in doubt, as the Rockford RiverHawks are set to bolt to the independent Frontier League for the 2011 season and the future of the Joliet JackHammers is in doubt, potentially leaving the Schaumburg Flyers out in the cold. The Northern League, a pioneer in the resurgence of independent […]
It’s official: Four teams defect from NoL to AA
It’s official: four teams — the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Gary-SouthShore RailCats, Kansas City T-Bones and Winnipeg Goldeyes — will be leaving the independent Northern League for the American Association for the 2011 season. The four teams will leave behind four Chicagoland teams in the Northern League for the 2011 season, presumably with Clark Griffith still as […]
Northern League split: Four to AA, four remain
According to several sources at the ownership level, the current game plan for the independent Northern League has the four Chicagoland teams remaining in the circuit and Clark Griffith continuing as commissioner, while four teams — Winnipeg, Fargo-Moorhead, Gary-SouthShore and Kansas City — moving to the American Association. The four Chicagoland teams — Rockford RiverHawks, […]
More on Fullerton ballpark proposal
Despite an awkwardly phrased press release that threatened a franchise move if a new ballpark wasn’t forthcoming, the Orange County Flyers (independent; Golden Baseball League) are serious about working with Fullerton on a new facility located on a historic baseball site. For a year now the Flyers have a deal to negotiate a deal to […]
It’s official: Bears to Can-Am Association
The Newark Bears are officially moving from the Atlantic League to the Can-Am Association, a move that all sides hope will revive the fortunes of the struggling franchise. The Bears will be replaced in the Atlantic League by the Pennsylvania Road Warriors. Indy ball has struggled in Newark, despite a relatively new ballpark — Bears […]
Kaval leaves Golden League; Outcalt is new CEO
A small shakeup at Diamond Sports & Entertainment, the parent of the independent Golden Baseball League and the Arizona Winter League: CEO David Kaval is stepping down, to be replaced as CEO by Kevin Outcalt. Kaval, a founder of the indy circuit, will remain as chairman of the Board of Directors. He’s leaving the GBL […]
Bears to Can-Am Association?
The Newark Bears may be switching from the Atlantic League to the Can-Am Association, a move that may help the struggling team in the long term but could cause some headaches for both indy circuits. It’s no secret indy ball has struggled in Newark, despite a relatively new ballpark — Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium […]