The Edmonton Capitals have pulled out of the independent North American League, saying only three other Northern Division teams are committed to the circuit for 2012. The team’s presence in the league was seen as iffy by insiders after it became apparent travel mate Calgary Vipers were not going to field a team this season. […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Illinois to Zion: Exactly where did the ballpark money go?
The State of Illinois is seeking information from Zion about whether money earmarked toward a new Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) ballpark was properly spent. It’s yet another turn in the odd ballpark odyssey that saw the Fielders and Zion scrap through most of 2011 over whether a temporary ballpark met the terms […]
Kings suing Frontier League over dropped team sale
Owners of the defunct Kalamazoo Kings are suing the Frontier League over rejection of a possible sale that led to the eventual demise of the team and removal from the indy circuit. The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, names the Frontier League and commissioner Bill Lee […]
Boomers unveil new mascot in time for Valentine’s Day: Coop
The Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) unveiled mascot Coop, a male prairie chicken with his own Booming Dance — a mating strut to pitch the woo toward the lady chickens. “We’re so happy to have Coop as part of our family and as the official face of the Boomers,” Boomers President/GM Andy Viano said. “It’s […]
New for 2012: Yuma Panthers
The Yuma Scorpions are no more, as owners of the independent North American League team are rebranding the franchise as the Yuma Panthers. The announcement came when team ownership in the form of Godfather Media executives met with the local press and outlined their plans to take the team public. Godfather Media already trades over the […]
North American League eyes Prescott
Mark Peterson, managing director of Strategic Pathways and former CFO of the Phoenix Coyotes, is in talks to bring an independent North American League team to Prescott’s Ken Lindley Field. The proposal isn’t new — Peterson pitched Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall last summer on his idea to place a team at the classic WPA ballpark […]
Malden ballpark plan on path for preliminary approval
A plan for a new downtown ballpark in Malden (Mass.) is gaining momentum, as the Malden Redevelopment Authority is poised to push the $30-million proposal from developer Alexander Bok. The authority will decide Wednesday whether to grant Bok’s plan preliminary approval and engage in discussions with National Grid about a lease of the 6.4-acre site. […]
New ballpark on tap for Abilene
In announcing the addition of the Abilene Prairie Dogs to the independent North American League lineup, team ownership announced efforts were underway to procure a new ballpark for the 2013 season. It’s not the first time Byron Pierce and John Bryant have fielded a team in Abilene; they owned the Abilene Prairie Dogs in the […]
Pacifics headed to jail
The San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) will be playing one of the more unusual exhibitions ever: in May they’ll be playing an All-Star squad of San Quentin State Prison inmates. San Quentin State Prison baseball coach Kent Philpott issued the invitation; the game is set for May 19, 2012. The game will serve […]
American Association: We’d be interested in Hoover team
Commissioner Miles Wolff says the independent American Association is interested in placing a team at Regions Park, set to be vacated in 2013 by the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The Barons are set to move to a new downtown ballpark for the 2013 season, assuming construction goes smoothly. That would leave Regions Park, […]
State: Provident Bank Park could end up costing taxpayers $60 million
The New York Comptroller’s Office says Ramapo (N.Y.) taxpayers could be on the hook for $60 million to pay off Provident Bank Park, not the projected $39 million. The ballpark is the home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League). Financing for the ballpark has been embroiled in controversy since day one. Voters initially rejected […]
Outlaws negotiating return to Chico in 2012; Abilene in NAL
The Chico Outlaws (independent; North American League) and Chico State have exchanged 2012 lease terms for Nettleton Stadium, but so far the two sides have not reached an agreement. The Outlaws sent in a proposed lease that reportedly calls for lower rent and payments for use of the ballpark; the counterproposal from the university basically […]
NAL sells Yuma Scorpions in stock transaction
The independent North American League has sold the Yuma Scorpions and other operating considerations to Godfather Media for five million shares in the firm’s OTC stock, valued at $200,000. Godfather Media, Inc,. based in Mission Viejo, Cal, acquired 100 percent of the assets of the Scorpions, as well the right of first refusal to the […]