Opponents of a proposed Can-Am League ballpark in Ramapo, N.Y. have informed interested parties — potential lenders, title-insurance companies and the city — that they intend to file suit opposing the funding plan for the new facility currently being pursued by the town’s economic-development agency. The group, Preserve Ramapo, argued that the transfer of 61 […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
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 […]
New for 2011: Bethpage Ballpark
The home of the Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League) will have a new name, as Bethpage Federal Credit Union ponies up $2.1 million for a naming-rights deal running through 2020. The deal must be approved by the full Suffolk County Legislature after passage today by a subcommittee. The ballpark opened as Citibank Park and […]
Potter County commits $30K to ballpark improvements
Potter County (Texas) must be pretty happy to have the independent American Association in town: the municipality is committing $30,000 to ballpark improvements for the 2011 season. True, that’s not a large sum, but it’s more than what the city put into Potter County Memorial Stadium in recent years, during the tenure of the Amarillo […]
Frontier League unveils ’11 schedule; Oakland County to go dark
The independent Frontier League unveiled a 2011 schedule today that includes the new Joliet team playing out of Silver Cross Field; the big news is the the Oakland County Cruisers will go dark for the season and will not resume operations until a new ballpark is finished. Basicall, the Frontier League will be the same […]
New Joliet team launches name-the-team contest
The new Joliet team in the independent Frontier League is launching a name-the-team contest and is starting with a solid list of names already suggested by others, including our favorite: the Jailbirds. Names already on the docket also include Pioneers, ’66ers, Gems, Jackrabbits, Old-Timers, Gravel, Stonecutters, Luckys, Steelheads and Jailers. “We have had many brainstorming […]
Dillas: We were illegally evicted by Potter County
Reunion Sports Group was back in court this week, asking a district court judge to reverse his decision to deny a temporary restraining order against Potter County over the eviction of the Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball) from Potter County Memorial Stadium. Judge Dan Schaap denied the motion, ruling that the county was immune […]
New group takes control of Joliet ballpark
The regime change in Joliet, Ill., is complete, as a new ownership group led by Alan Oremus takes control of Silver Cross Field and sets up operations today. Now comes the fun part: prepping for the 2011 season. Steel City Baseball paid $915,000 for the privilege of playing at Silver Cross Field, along with all […]
No Gold Sox for you!
There will be no Amarillo Gold Sox playing in the independent American Association in 2011, as the city of Marysville trademarked the Gold Sox name during the days of the old indy Western League days — and they’re not allowing its use in Texas. Southern Independent Baseball and GM Mark Lee had made the announcement […]
Another indy league on the horizon?
Reps from the startup Ultimate Baseball League say they’re forming a new six-team league to begin play in 2012 and pitched Johnstown (Pa.) officials last night on placing a team in Point Stadium. Andrew Haines, the man behind the American Indoor Football League and the new Ultimate Indoor Football League, says the league’s footprint could […]
New Na Koa Ikaika Maui owners addressing debt of previous regime
It’s no secret the original owners of Na Koa Ikaika Maui (independent; Golden Baseball League) ran into some financial issues last season, but the new owners say they’ll address outstanding debts in preparation for the 2011 season. Last season was rough: Though the expansion team was successful on the field, it struggled on the business […]