There are no plans for expansion in the independent American Association, reports commissioner Miles Wolff, as the league continues its focus on large markets and stable ownership groups. Visiting Fargo’s Newman Outdoor Field, Wolff addressed the issue of western Canadian teams joining the indy circuit — not likely, given the remote nature of Edmonton and […]
Tag Archives | independent
Midseason at Albert Park: How is the NAL doing?
The Albert Park Advisory Committee will be conducting a midseason review of the operations of the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) next Monday; we’ll do the same for the entire league now. Going forward with a 2012 season after the defection of several teams was a pretty gutsy move for the league owners: […]
Olerud adds VP title at P-Nats
Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) General Manager Josh Olerud has been promoted: he’s now vice preident/general manager of the team, as announced by President Lani Silber Weiss. “Josh has just been wonderful in trying to find ways to amplify the in game experience for our fans,” says Silber Weiss. “His management and leadership skills […]
Saints, Huskies ballparks pitched for Minnesota state funds
Proposals for a new St. Paul Saints ballpark and renovations to Wade Stadium, home of the Duluth Huskies, have been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED has $47.5 million to spend on capital improvements across the state as a result of the bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature in the […]
El Paso: Let’s sell Cohen Stadium to Tigua tribe
The El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) could live on if the city sells Cohen Stadium to the Tigua tribe, which owns and operates the team. The issue: a deal to bring a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team to a new downtown ballpark contains a noncomplete clause, prohibiting the city from doing business with […]
New for 2013: Long Beach Splash
We have a name and logo for the team launching next season in the independent American West Baseball League: the Long Beach Splash. “I am very pleased with the outcome of the logo it has been done with class, shows professionalism and immediately lets the public know who the team is,” said Michael Cummings, AWBL Chief […]
Skeeters start strong out of the gate
It’s been a great debut for the Sugar Land Skeeters: the team is pacing the independent Atlantic League in attendance and serves as a great calling card for further expansion in the Lone Star State. The team’s new home, Constellation Field, is a hit (we’ll be down there at the end of the month), and […]
More weather woes: Tarpocalypse in Joliet
It’s been an intense week for weather impacting ballpark operations; check out this video of the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) staff strugging to keep a tarp down. During a June 29, 2012 rain delay, the Slammers staff put down the infield tarp, but that action didn’t take. Heavy winds blew the tarp off the field, […]
Pecos League pulls Invaders from Roswell
Citing increased hotel costs, decreased fan support and an expensive ballpark lease (relatively speaking), the independent Pecos League has pulled the Invaders out of Roswell. The website for the Roswell Invaders brags about how the team paces the Pecos League in attendance and merchandise sales, but apparently things have gone quite sour this year for […]
No beer for Rippers fans; owner seeks unique solution
Lacking approval to sell beer at Labatt Park, the owner of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) has an unusual solution: he challenged the license owner to a winner-take-all playoff. The London Majors, a semi-pro team in the Intercounty Baseball League, hold the liquor license for the ballpark. Since law dictates that only one liquor license […]
The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford
This, to the best of our knowledge, is a first: the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are wearing uniform sponsor logos for every game, in a straight sale of sponsorship rights. We’re not counting auto racing, golf or MLS soccer and don’t want to embark on a discussion of whether these are major sports; for the […]
Bridgeport Bluefish approaching franchise milestone: 1,000 wins
Nice milestone coming up for the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League): the team is approaching its 1,000th win in franchise history. Bridgeport is a charter member of the Atlantic League, now in its 15th season. During that time the Bluefish have compiled a 999-857 record under several owners. There was a time or two when the team’s […]
El Paso Diablos to Socorro?
If the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are booted from their Cohen Stadium lease, there’s the possibility ownership will build a new ballpark in nearby Socorro. The Diablos are owned by the Tigua tribe, who are seeking to preserve ther million-dollar-plus investment in the franchise and Cohen Stadium upgrades. The team’s future is threatened by […]