Bridgeport (W. Va.) Mayor Jim Christie says his city is ready to open a new ballpark for the 2014 season to house an independent Frontier League team — if funding issues can be worked out. Of course, veterans in the baseball world know that the issue of funding is typically the biggest hurdle in opening […]
Tag Archives | independent
New for 2013: Rockford Aviators
The name-the-team contest in Rockford has a winner: the Rockford RiverHawks will now be known as the Rockford Aviators (independent; Frontier League). “This was important to our fans and it showed due to the over 3,000 name entries over the three week period,” said Aviators President Bryan Wickline. “We want to thank each and every […]
League: No pro ball in Abilene this season
The Abilene Prairie Dogs, which failed to finish the season last year, will not play this season, as independent United League Baseball finalizes a 2013 lineup. Byron Pierce and John Bryant say they’ll continue efforts to build a new ballpark in Abilene, but the rent and low capacity at Walt Driggers Field make fielding a […]
Capitales to honor two institutions in 2013
The Quebec Capitales (independent; Can-Am League) will mark two anniversaries in 2013: the team’s 15th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Municipal Stadium. The Capitales were a founding member of what would become the independent Can-Am League, taking up residence at one of baseball’s grand facilities: Stade Municipal, or Municipal Stadium, opened in 1938 and […]
Edinburg to negotiate new lease with RoadRunners ownership, passes on American Association
Despite having problems with unpaid rent at Edinburg Baseball Stadium, the Edinburg City Council decided to go ahead with lease negotiations with the Edinburg Roadrunners (independent; United League Baseball) for 2013 and beyond. Problems with unpaid rent at the end of the 2012 season caused the council to terminate the ballpark lease with Edinburg Equities, […]
Freedom first out of the gate on Manti Te’o promo
It was inevitable someone in minor-league baseball would jump on the whole Manti Te’o weirdness and come out with a promo. Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner: the Florence Freedom (independent; Frontier League), who announced plans for a girlfriend bobblehead. Manti Te’o is the Notre Dame linebacker and Heisman Trophy finalist whose road to […]
Jose Canseco tanned, rested and ready — for Australia?
Former major leaguer Jose Canseco can’t quite pull the plug on his baseball career and is making some noise about playing in the next Australian Baseball League season for the Canberra Cavalry. While the move isn’t likely to happen, it still makes for some interesting Twitter chatter, as Cavalry second baseman Adam Buschini — who […]
New for 2013: Pacific Association
The North American League is no more, as four independent teams from California and Hawaii reboot with the creation of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs. The four clubs in the new Pacific Association comprised the North Division of the North American League in 2012: the San Rafael Pacifics, Sonoma County Grapes, Hawaii Stars […]
Ryan awarded Saints ballpark design/build contract
Not a surprise: the Ryan Companies/AECOM/Julie Snow Architects bid was approved by St. Paul officials for the design/build contract for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. The group received initial approval for the contract before a public outcry and pressure from Gov. Mark Dayton forced city officials to put the project out […]
Middlesex County to make another run at pro baseball?
It sounds like Middlesex County (N.J.) is ready to make another run at professional baseball, as Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano says county officials will work on a public/private partnership on a new facility. Not much else was discussed, as Rafano made the announcement during his annual director’s address, outlining county activities for the year […]
Hagerstown officials: Let ballpark out to bid
The Hagerstown City Council is being asked to open the funding of a new ballpark to bid, as a member argues the market should determine where baseball is played in the Maryland city. Lewis C. Metzner, a member of the city council who in the past supported a proposed downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns […]
Carlsbad in, Las Cruces out in latest Pecos League shuffle
Just when you think the independent Pecos League was on the brink of stability, another franchise shuffle occurs, with the Carlsbad Bats replacing the Las Cruces Vaqueros in the league lineup for 2013. League commissioner Andrew Dunn says the prospect of competing with a Triple-A team in nearby El Paso in 2014 was not a […]
Goodbye RiverHawks; name-the-team contest on in Rockford
The Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are no more, after Rock River Valley Baseball decided to launch a name-the-team context for 2013. “I cannot stress enough that the professional baseball team will be here for many years to come, and we will continue to be involved and visible in the greater Rockford community,” said Rock […]