The independent Golden Baseball League (GBL) is making a move into Mexico after signing a letter of intent with a group to bring professional baseball to Tijuana for the upcoming 2009 season. The 2008 Tijuana Potros team was disbanded by the Mexican League and their franchise relocated to Reynosa, opening up the market for the […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Monetizing the cold: how ballparks are used in wintertime
Three teams are taking two different approaches toward monetizing their ballparks in the cold winter months: the Lancaster Barnstormers are once again hosting an ice rink at the ballpark — sponsored, no less — while the Quad Cities River Bandits and American Defenders of New Hampshire are hosting one-day holiday celebrations.Three teams are taking two […]
Atlantic League teams won’t train in Florida
The York Revolution, Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will train at home rather than spending the money to train at the Detroit Tigers complex in Lakeland, Fla.The York Revolution, Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will train at home rather than spending the money to train at the Detroit Tigers complex in […]
JackHammers seek rent reduction for Silver Cross Field
The Joliet JackHammers owe money to vendors and are seeking a rent reduction from the $240,000 owed annually to the city for Silver Cross Field. Board chairman Pete Ferro attributes the request in a slowdown in sponsorship dollars, and admits some vendors may not be paid until 2009.The Joliet JackHammers (independent; Northern League) owe money […]
Proposed Burnsville ballpark on life support
A proposed ballpark in Burnsville, Minn. is on life support after the landowners informed the city a deal to sell the land was off. A press rep for the Metro Millers says the ownership group is working on a ballpark proposal.A proposed ballpark in Burnsville, Minn. is on life support after the landowners informed the […]
Cubs implicated in Blagojevich scandal
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested this morning on federal corruption charges, and one of the charges concerns an alleged offer to arrange state aid for the Cubs if team owner Sam Zell fired the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune. Meanwhile, a bankruptcy filing yesterday by the Tribune Co., which owns the Cubs and […]
New McHenry County ballpark receives initial approval
The real decision will come from the Woodstock City Council, perhaps as soon as Dec. 16The Woodstock Plan Commission gave initial approval to plan for a new independent Frontier League ballpark late last week, with the City Council next up. The proposal didn’t pass without some criticism, however. While commissioners loved the idea of a […]
New for 2009: The Lake Erie Crushers
The new Avon team in the independent Frontier League has a name and logo.
GBL offers Henderson $1M to enter HoF as Surf Dawg
Yeah, it’s a publicity stunt, but a rather entertaining one. As far as publicity stunts go, this is a pretty good one: The independent Golden Baseball League (GBL) has offered professional baseball superstar Rickey Henderson a million dollars if he elects to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown as a […]
Atlantic League eyes Loudoun, Spencer ballparks
Virginia could be host to two independent Atlantic League franchises in coming years.The independent Atlantic League is working on two ballpark projects in Virginia, covering both ends of the state. In Loudoun, located in the northern part of the state, the league is working with developer NA Dulles Real Estate Investor LLC to place a […]
Avon team name, branding to be announced Thursday
The management of the new Frontier League franchise will unveil a logo, moniker and more. We have several teams unveiling new logos and marks this week — including Lowell and Mahoning Valley — while the Frontier League’s Avon Professional Baseball will announce the winner of the Name the Team Contest at the official unveiling ceremony […]
Campbell’s Field / Camden Riversharks
Sporting perhaps the most dramatic view from any ballpark, Campbell’s Field in downtown Camden is surely one of the most scenic ballparks in minor-league baseball. With the Ben Franklin Bridge outside of right field and the downtown Philadelphia skyline past the left-field corner, a Camden Riversharks or Rutgers University game at Campbell’s Field provides a […]
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard / Bridgeport Bluefish
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard is a comfortable enough venue to watch the Bluefish take on the Atlantic League, which often includes a former major leaguer or two. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 5,300 + 200 standing room Original Price: $19 million Dimensions: 325L, 405C, 405R Playing Surface: Grass Website: bridgeportbluefish.com Phone: 203/345-4800 League: […]