Despite a move by the American Association to remove the Fort Worth Cats from its 2012 lineup, owner Carl Bell says he’s selling the team to new owners, who would field a team next season. Earlier this week the American Association pulled the team’s membership after Bell failed to provide a $200,000 letter of credit, […]
Archive | Independent Baseball
Fort Worth booted from American Association — for now
Yet another change in the independent American Association lineup: the Fort Worth Cats have had their league membership revoked after failing to put up a required letter of credit for 2012. “We regret having to take this action,” said league commissioner Miles Wolff. “Fort Worth has been a valuable member of the league since we […]
Shapiro to head San Rafael NAL team
Mike Shapiro, who has spent many years in the front offices of the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves, will be heading up the new independent North American League team in his hometown, San Rafael. Shapiro has been named president and general manager of the new franchise set to play its home games at Albert […]
Zion, Fielders headed for court?
After a horrific 2011 season, it doesn’t look like the city of Zion (Ill.) and the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) owners have settled their differences — and their paths may cross next in court. You know what a nightmarish season the Fielders had. Opening the 201 North American League season with a […]
New for 2012: Schaumburg Boomers
We have a name for the newest team in the independent Frontier League: the Schaumburg Boomers, who will begin play at Alexian Field in 2012. As you can tell, a Boomer is a male prairie chicken. Here’s an explanation of the logo from the team: The Schaumburg Boomers name comes from a nickname for the […]
North American League expands to Fort McMurray
A Fort McMurray (Alberta) team is now part of the independent North American League, but the team won’t play next year except perhaps as a road team. Your primer on Fort McMurray: it’s in northeastern Alberta and is in the middle of oil country. The population isn’t large — just some 76,797 residents, according to […]
2012 Frontier League sched out; London in
Independent baseball will return to London’s historic Labatt Park next summer, as the 2012 Frontier League schedule released today adds both London and Schaumburg to the mix. That Schaumburg would be in the Frontier League was previously announced when the Alexian Field lease and rights to the market were sold to attorney Pat Salvi, already […]
Goldeyes organization of the year in American Association
Nice award for our friends north of the border: the Winnipeg Goldeyes were named organization of the year in the independent American Association for the 2011 season. “This award illustrates the respect the Goldeyes have in the American Association and it’s a privilege to be given this award by the other 13 teams in the […]
Lupton, Bethpage Ballpark honored by Atlantic League
Keith Lupton of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs was named the independent Atlantic League’s General Manager of the Year, while Bethpage Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks, was named Park of the Year. Bethpage Ballpark boasted the best attendance in the league for a 12th consecutive season and was the site for four playoff […]
Chico, Calgary offices closed; employees released
Offices of the Chico Outlaws and the Calgary Vipers (independent; North American League) have been shut down and all employees laid off, including Outlaws VP/GM Mike Marshall. Both Marshall and his wife, Mary, worked for the Outlaws. He told the local Chico newspaper he was laid off and the office closed. Meanwhile, the team, which […]
Ramapo ballpark lawsuit dismissed
A lawsuit challenging the funding method for Provident Bank Park, the home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League), was dismissed after a judge ruled against the claims made by Preserve Ramapo. Supreme Court Justice Linda Jamieson ruled that the city and its economic-development corporation had not broken laws regarding funding for the facility, according […]
Pittsfield out of Can-Am League; summer-collegiate ball on tap for Wahconah?
The Pittsfield Colonials were officially asked to leave the independent Can-Am League yesterday, as team management was unable to secure a $200,000 line of credit to guarantee play for the 2012 season. The issue: a past investor in the team did not step up to continue operations, forcing Buddy Lewis to either find new investors […]
London back in Frontier League?
London’s Labatt Park could once again host independent Frontier League baseball, as the owner of the dormant Oakland County Cruisers franchise is negotiating a lease with the Ontario city. A one-year lease with a five-year option will be presented to the city council’s community and neighbourhoods committee on Sept. 28. The team would pay the […]