On the cusp of the team’s 20th-anniversary season, the Sioux Falls Pheasants (independent; American Association) has been sold to a new investment group with some fairly big names. Majority owner Bill Sexton has sold his stake in the Pheasants and the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede to SD Sports and Entertainment, a new corporation owned by Bob Naegele […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Pheasants unveil 20th-anniversary logo
The Sioux Falls Pheasants (independent; American Association) unveiled a 20th anniversary logo to mark the team’s history in independent baseball. “It’s exciting and surreal to think that this modern era of professional baseball in the Sioux Empire celebrates twenty years this season,” said Pheasants CEO Gary Weckwerth. “For those that have followed the team during […]
Yuma, OC out of NAL; two replacements in the works
Despite losing the Yuma Panthers and Orange County Flyers, the independent North American League will add teams in Hawaii and Sonoma County to stay with four Northern Division teams. According to San Rafael Pacifics President/GM Mike Shapiro, work is underway to find new homes for new teams, with discussions occurring with a variety of venues; Na Koa […]
State aid for Saints ballpark coming down to the wire
State funding for a new St. Paul Saints ballpark (independent; American Association) is very much in the air, as Minnesota legislators hunker down for the end of the 2012 session. There are two big issues before lawmakers that could in theory involve St. Paul’s request for $27 million in state funding for a Lowertown ballpark: […]
Pacifics, North American League season to proceed as planned after court victory
Opponents of an Albert Park lease for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) lost their motion to boot the team, allowing the team and the circuit to proceed with the 2012 season. The Albert Park Neighborhood Alliance had argued the leasing of Albert Park by the Pacifics would violate the park’s original grant, which […]
Somerset Patriots unveil ballpark improvements
More ballpark news from the independent Atlantic League, where the Somerset Patriots have unveiled ballpark improvements to TD Bank Ballpark. New this year, from CentralJersey.com: TD Bank Ballpark’s renovations include the installation of a protective railing in front of both dugouts, a fully refurbished home clubhouse and the addition of the Diamond Club hospitality suite flush […]
Skeeters to launch Constellation Field tonight
Peter Kirk tells us Constellation Field is the most spectacular ballpark he’s opened, and we’re guessing Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) fans will concur at tonight’s opening. Kirk is an expert at new-ballpark openings: he’s launched 15 over the years, both in affiliated ball and independent ball. In recent years there’s been a certain […]
Tal Smith joins ODP as special advisor
A personnel move to note: Tal Smith, longtime member of the Houston Astros front office, has been named special advisor to Opening Day Partners (ODP), owners of several independent Atlantic League teams. ODP’s newest team is the Sugar Land Skeeters, and Smith will be advising Opening Day Partners on that team as well as new locations […]
Parcels eyed for new Malden ballpark
The owner of a potential new downtown Malden ballpark says he is working to buy the final three land parcels needed to create a 7-acre site. Alex Bok, president of the Boston Baseball Field of Dreams LLC, already is in negotiations with National Grid to build on the downtown Malden site. The next step is […]
Pacifics: Fate of NAL’s Northern Division rests on winning lawsuit
If an appellate court grants a request to boot the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) from Albert Park, the league’s Northern Division will shut down, according to Pacifics President Mike Shapiro in papers filed in court. The California First District Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal of a lower-court decision allowing the […]
Jose Canseco resurfaces, this time in Worcester
The unsinkable Jose Canseco is back in baseball for 2012, signing a contract with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) to play as a first baseman/designated hitter. Canseco, who spent last season with the independent Yuma Scorpions (independent; North American League) as a player/coach/pitcher, spent the past offseason lobbying various MLB teams via Twitter for […]
Yuma owner acquires NAL Fullerton franchise
We have a final lineup for the 2012 independent North American League season, as the owner of the circuit’s Yuma franchise is taking over the Orange County Flyers. The team, which was dormant last season, has played most of its history at Goodwin Stadium at the Cal State-Fullerton campus. An attempt to build a new ballpark […]
Saints add 0K race to annual Running of the Pigs
Exercise we can embrace: the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) will hold a 0K race as part of the team’s Ninth Annual Running of the Pigs on April 21. Billed as a race perfect for an ultra marathon runner or couch potato, the 0-K race is the only competition in the world where everyone […]