After media reports surfaced that the Long Island Ducks would consider signing Alex Rodriguez for the 2014 season, another independent Atlantic League owner stepped forward to dispute the idea. As you are probably already know, arbitrator Fredric Horowitz ruled Saturday that Rodriguez must sit out the 2014 regular and post season for violations of MLB’s […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Revolution enters the radio business with station purchase
Interesting diversification: The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) are entering the radio business with the purchase of WOYK AM 1350 from WOYK, Inc., the radio station’s current licensee. The station is York’s oldest radio station, founded in 1932, and operates with a sports talk format. The station carries all 140 York Revolution games, York College […]
Public hearing planned on Joplin ballpark funding
Proposed public funding of Joplin’s Joe Becker Stadium renovations for an independent American Association team will be debated at a public hearing next Monday. The proposal calls for $9.3 million in upgrades to the surrounding area and the historic ballpark, which once hosted Minor League Baseball. The city would pay for $4 million in improvements, […]
Levy lands Saints ballpark concessions deal
When the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) open a new Lowertown ballpark in 2015, they’ll have a new dining and hospitality partner: Levy Restaurants. “Providing a wonderful experience for our fans and sponsors is our number one priority,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer. “The partnership with Levy Restaurants will enhance the […]
Unified Government sets terms for purchase of CommunityAmerica Ballpark
If the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City is to buy CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; American Association) will need to agree to a list of lease demands. The Unified Board of Commissioners voted tonight to move forward with a potential purchase of the ballpark after receiving minimal opposition from the […]
Proposed for 2014: the Schaumburg Zombies
Professional baseball teams are always looking for a new way to reach fans, and the Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) have come upon a unique marketing tool: a Kickstarter campaign to finance and promote a Schaumburg Zombies night at Boomers Stadium. You can view the Kickstarter campaign here. The premise of Kickstarter is simple: supporters […]
New Hamptons team will buck tradition: No nickname
The new Hamptons team in the startup Independent Professional Baseball League will be unique: it won’t have a nickname, in the manner of professional soccer teams here and abroad. Hamptons Professional Baseball Club is the name of the team, according to team president Dan Malley. As you can see by the logo, he’s taking a […]
Joplin to negotiate ballpark lease with Diablos owners
The Joplin City Council voted to move ahead with lease negotiations for Joe Becker Stadium with the owners of the former El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association). The Diablos shut down operations in El Paso’s Cohen Stadium at the end of the 2013 season due to the impending move of the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class […]
T-Bones ballpark sale: Winners and losers
A sale of CommunityAmerica Ballpark, home of the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; American Association), to local governments is creating ripple effects throughout the city and county. Some background: the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas has a agreement in place to buy CommunityAmerica Ballpark from Ehlert Development, owned by the T-Bones owners, […]
Lender seeks back payments for Campbell’s Field loans
Santander Bank has filed suit in federal court seeking $4.6 million in back payments for loans used to build Campbell’s Field, home of the Camden Riversharks (independent; Atlantic League). The lawsuit alleges that payments on the $7 million loan to build the ballpark in 1999 have stopped. The deal has been restructured since the ballpark’s […]
Mexican League operation pitched for Fairgrounds Field
The owner of Aguilas de Veracruz (Class AAA; Mexican League) is proposing a lease of Nueces County’s Fairgrounds Field for use as a training facility and home field for an independent-league team. Jose “Pepe” Mansur has pitched Nueces County on a lease of the ballpark from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. The proposal has […]
St. Paul Saints unveil new ballpark renderings
Seeking to blunt criticism that a proposed ballpark design was too modern for the historic Lowertown area, the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) unveiled new renderings downplaying its impact on the area. Indeed, the three renderings all had the same message: the low-slung ballpark would provide plenty of views of its surroundings, ranging from […]
Debate continues over new Saints ballpark design
The design of a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark has been criticized by some public officials for not being retro enough, as a debate rages over its impact on the historic Lowertown neighborhood. For those of you unfamiliar with St. Paul geography, here’s a short lesson. The Lowertown district, part of downtown, […]