The Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League) revamped their front office at the end of the 2010 season, as president/GM Roger Wexelberg is out, Andy Viano is in, and Dave Salvi takes over as head of the franchise. Wexelberg became the organization’s first employee in July 2001 when he was hired as Vice President/General Manager, a […]
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ULB misses final Dillas payment; team could be evicted today
In potentially a sad ending for a community that’s supported baseball, United League Baseball missed yesterday’s deadline for a final $50,000 to cover back rent at the Amarillo Dilla Villa, and the Amarillo Dillas could be evicted as early as this morning. The independent league had a 2010 lease for the Dilla Villa that called […]
Westfield approves site for sports complex, complete with new ballpark
Westfield, Indiana wants to see itself as the Family Sports Capital of America and is embarking on what could be a billion-dollar sports complex, complete with a 5,000-seat minor-league ballpark. It is an ambitious project, to say the least, encompassing some 300 acres and potentially costing a billion dollars by the time all is said […]
OC Flyers pitch woo at Fullerton for new ballpark by threatening to leave
It is an interesting new-ballpark bargaining strategy, to be sure: threaten to leave the market before serious negotiations begin. But that’s exactly what the press release sent out by the Orange County Flyers (independent; Golden Baseball League) lays out. The OC Flyers haven’t been the biggest of successes in the indy circuit, though the team […]
Na Koa Ikaika Maui owners seek new money, will return in 2011: owner
Fresh off an inaugural season that saw 50,343 fans pass through the turnstiles at Maehara Stadium, the Na Koa Ikaika Maui (independent; Golden Baseball League) owners are seeking new investors to help cover the losses sustained in 2010. Running a pro sports team in Hawaii isn’t cheap: travel costs are a killer, even on a […]
JackHammers owe $200K in back rent, bounced check to Famous Chicken
It’s one thing to owe the city of Joliet more than $200,000 in back rent — which the team admits is the case — but the Joliet JackHammers (independent; Northern League) may have committed a more egregious sin: bouncing a check to the Famous Chicken after an appearance. To the Chicken! That the team owes […]
After voter rebuke of public funding, Ramapo looks to private sector
After voters overwhelmingly spanked down proposed public funding of a new ballpark for an independent Can-Am Association team, the city is looking to the private sector for assistance. The referendum, which was rejected by a 2-1 margin, halted the city of Ramapo (N.Y.) from borrowing $16 million to build a new ballpark for the Ramapo […]
Three finalists named in Sugar Land name-the-team contest
We have the three finalists for the name-the-team contest in Sugar Land, Texas, for the new independent Atlantic League team — and are they doozies. The three names: the Lizard Kings, the King Canes and the Skeeters. The King Canes are a reference to the sugar industry in Sugar Land (duh!), the Skeeters are a […]
New Loudoun County team to announce name, logo Sept. 21
Mark it on your calendars: the new independent Atlantic League team slated to play at a new Loudoun County ballpark will announce its team name and logo on Sept. 21. The event will be highlighted by Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew, the former Washington Senator who will help introduce the name, logo and uniform for […]
Consultant: Baseball at new Sugar Land ballpark shouldn’t impact neighbors–but concerts might
Opposition to new ballparks usually falls along the lines of increased traffic and noise impacting local residents. That’s the case in Sugar Land, Texas, where a proposed Atlantic League ballpark should fall within city noise guidelines during a baseball game — but not for concerts. Those are the findings of a consultant hired by the […]
Beach Bums set attendance record, make playoffs for first time
It’s been an exceedingly good year for the Traverse City Beach Bums (independent; Frontier League): the team set a single-game attendance record on the season closer on a year that saw the team make the league playoffs. This means there will be a first-ever playoff game at Wuerfel Park, the team’s home for its first […]
Skyhawks shooting for coin-toss record
Fans at tonight’s Sussex Skyhawks (independent; Can-Am Association) game will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for simultaneous coin tosses. Each fan in attendance at tonight’s game will receive a free nickel to use during the post-game toss courtesy of the event’s sponsor, Lakeland Bank. The current record of 1,117 people was set by […]
Canseco signs with Laredo Broncos; will pinch-hit and make appearances
Jose Canseco, whose stops after a promising and then disappointing stint in the major leagues have included the Atlantic League and the Golden League, has signed with United League Baseball’s Laredo Broncos. Canseco has been one of the most controversial figures in baseball over the last 15 years; in his younger days he formed […]