The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (independent; American Association) welcomed the three-millionth fan in team history to Newman Outdoor Field last night. Nikki Rude, who says she typically attends around ten RedHawks games a season, was attending her first game of 2012 on Tuesday when she became the lucky fan. Rude won a RedHawks gift package that included […]
Tag Archives | independent
Fredericksburg, Opening Day Partners talking new ballpark
Peter Kirk and Opening Day Partners are discussing a new ballpark and independent Atlantic League franchise with city and county officials in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. Joining the group: Jack Lavoie, an attorney who attempted to bring Atlantic League baseball to Frederick, Maryland when the lease to Harry Grove Stadium was up for bid this […]
CommunityAmerica, T-Bones extend naming-rights deal
The Kansas City T-Bones (independent; American Association) and CommunityAmerica Credit Union announced an extension of the naming-rights deal for CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed. The ballpark has been known as CommunityAmerica Ballpark ever since the T-Bones moved to Kansas City from Duluth, Minn., 10 years ago. “Ten years ago, we […]
Pacifics sign “Spaceman” Lee to contract
Bill “Spaceman” Lee is coming out of retirement after signing a contract with the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) in an attempt to set a record for the oldest pitcher to win a pro baseball game. The 65-year-old lefty will take the mound Thursday, Aug. 23, for the Pacifics. The former Red Sox and […]
“Save Midway” group springs up once again
Peter Boehm has been fighting new-ballpark efforts by the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) for more than a decade, and he’s back in action, arguing against a new downtown facility in a local paper. He posted his reasoning at TwinCities.com, saying that spending $54 million on a new ballpark isn’t the best use of […]
Another NIMBY tale, this one in Ramapo
Neighbors of Provident Bank Park, home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League), want to see the team cut back on fireworks and music because their dogs are upset by the noise. We’re only being partly facetious. Admittedly, ballpark can have a negative impact on a neighborhood if things aren’t run properly. But in Ramapo […]
Pro soccer could revive Loudoun Hounds ballpark plan
Given up by many for dead, a proposed Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) ballpark could see the light of day if the team ownership lands a North American Soccer League (NASL) franchise. NASL officials and Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP), which owns the Hounds and has been working on the ballpark proposal at Kincora Village Center, […]
Pheasants see boost in ’12 attendance
After a few years in the doldrums, the Sioux Falls Pheasants (independent; American Association) are seeing a boost in the box office, attracting 100,000 fans for the first time since 2009. The Pheasants have averaged 2,511 fans per game through 40 openings, an increase of nearly 61 percent over the average in 2011. With nine home […]
Pupfish unveil new look for 2013 for simple reason: old caps didn’t sell
The White Sands Pupfish (independent; Pecos League) are getting a jump on 2013, unveiling new branding and uniforms featuring a pupfish flipping a baseball into its mouth. The Pupfish will wear black hats with the fish on the front, WS on the side and the New Mexico State Flag on the back. In a press […]
Indy teams fighting over Canseco?
Well, this is a new one: Jose Canseco can’t join the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (independent; North American League) because of a contract he signed with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) for 2012. The issue: Canseco signed a contract with the Tornadoes for this season and played 20 games before the two sides parted […]
Canseco signs with Rio Grande, misses first game
Just days after declaring bankruptcy, Jose Canseco signed a contract with the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings (independent; North American League) — and promptly missed his scheduled debut. Canseco, who parted ways with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) earlier this season after just 20 games, was scheduled to make his WhiteWings 2012 debut Saturday night […]
Atlantic League looks at speeding up games
The independent Atlantic League is tackling a common issue in pro baseball: whether games should be sped up and how to accomplish the task. It’s not a new problem: it seems every gathering of front-office types will include some discussion of whether games run too long, and the independent Northern League launched with the baseball […]
Baseball returns to Surf Stadium
Surf Stadium/The Sandcastle, the former home of the Atlantic City Surf (independent; Can-Am League), has been fixed up to the point where it will be hosting baseball again in the form of the 2012 Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Baseball Tournament. As you’ll recall, the Surf moved out of the ballpark because of its deteriorating condition, leaving city […]