The battle over a new Ramapo (N.Y.) ballpark for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) could see some sort of resolution Monday, after a court hearing last week where opponents will argue the project is being funded by the city in defiance of a referendum that prohibited city money used for construction. New York Supreme […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Calderwood new Voice of the RailCats
Tim Calderwood makes another stop on his tour of independent-baseball leagues, joining the Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) as the team’s broadcaster for the 2011 season. Calderwood began his broadcast career as a broadcast intern and fill-in broadcaster for the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League). He comes to the RailCats after stints as the […]
Riverhawks to Frontier League for 2011?
Though nothing’s finalized, there’s a plan for a Chillicothe group to invest in the Rockford Riverhawks and shift the team to the Frontier League for 2011 — coming at the heels of the circulation of a 10-team North American League schedule that drops both Henderson and Rockford for the coming season. The move of the […]
Freedom: We’d welcome locked-out NFL players
In a nice promo, the Florence Freedom (independent; Frontier League) have sent an open letter to locked-out Cincinnati Bengals players, inviting them to suit up for baseball during the upcoming season while waiting for labor issues to end. Now, no one expects any Bengals to actually sign with the Freedom. Still, with Chad Ochocinco trying […]
Ramapo ballpark construction resumes; city faces fines
Construction of a new Ramapo, N.Y. ballpark for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) is fully on again after state pollution officials shut things down for drainage violations but the city still might face fines over the incident. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation issued a stop-work order on the ballpark project earlier […]
From the Frontier League to Cubs PA announcer
Former Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) public-address announcer Andrew Belleson is the new PA announcer for the Chicago Cubs and is slated to make his Wrigley Field debut on April 1. The 24-year-old Belleson spent part of five seasons in multiple broadcasting roles with the RiverHawks. At 15, Belleson joined RiverHawks home radio broadcasts in […]
Oremus moves forward on Schaumburg lease
Alan Oremus and his investors have 90 days to finalize a lease for Alexian Field, the former home of the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League), as both the Village Board and Park District gave initial approval to the group this week. The ballpark is available because the Flyers were evicted earlier this month for nonpayment […]
Fielders looking at pop-up ballpark for 2011
Pop-up restaurants and retail stores are all the rage in the trendier parts of the world. Now it appears that the baseball world will see its first pop-up ballpark, as the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) are considering a pop-up facility in Zion for the upcoming season. UPDATED! According to insiders, the facility, […]
NAL preps for post-Schaumburg season
With virtually no chance of the Schaumburg Flyers operating in some form in 2011, the independent North American League is preparing schedules and plans for a league that may operate with 10 or 12 teams — and maybe a travel team in Texas. Team officials and league insiders say work is being done on a […]
WhipTails or Javelinas? Finalists announced for Laredo team name
The six finalists for the name of the new Laredo team in the independent American Association, slated to begin play next season, have been announced by team owner Ventura Sports Group. The finalists: Javelinas, Lynx, Lemurs, Lobos, Generals and WhipTails. “We were just overwhelmed by the number and quality of the great names we’ve received […]
State shuts down Ramapo ballpark construction — again
The town of Ramapo has been cited for violating environmental laws in the construction of a new ballpark for the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League) for the third time — and this time state officials shut down construction pending a plan to correct the problems. The state Department of Environmental Conservation shut down construction Friday […]
New funding plan on horizon for Saints ballpark?
A proposed regional sports authority in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area could be empowered to issue bonds and provide funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark — but approval for such an authority is far from assured. The authority would be responsible for funding a new Minnesota Vikings stadium and a renovation […]
Joliet Slammers unveil logos, uniforms
The Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) unveiled new logos, uniforms and team colors last night at an all-star gala, with John Dittrich leading the crowd through skits, celebrity appearances and more. Among the celebrities on hand at Joliet’s Rialto Theatre: White Sox organist Nancy Faust, Blackhawksʼ national anthem singer Jim Cornelison, and longtime Chicago broadcaster […]