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 […]
Tag Archives | independent
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 […]
Toros suing to get back into Hi Corbett Field
Jay Zucker is suing to get back the Tucson Toros (independent; North American League) lease to Hi Corbett Field after it was terminated by the city last June. The issue: Zucker, the former owner of the Tucson Sidewinders (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) held a lease for the Toros, who played the 2009 and 2010 […]
Hounds add Hondo as team ambassador
The Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) added former Washington Senator Frank Howard to the team’s front office as a corporate adviser and ambassador, as the team preps for a 2012 debut — somewhere. Howard’s duties will include public and media appearances on behalf of the Hounds, as well as offering his accumulated wisdom toward bringing […]
San Rafael approves one-year NAL lease for Albert Park
The independent North American League will be playing under some pretty restrictive circumstances at Albert Park in 2012, as the San Rafael (Cal.) City Council approved a one-year lease for the small ballpark. The terms of the lease, which is expected to bring the city $35,000 or so in revenue, calls for no changes to […]
2011 Baseball Attendance by Average
Here’s the Big Kahuna of attendance compilations: a list of the 350 affiliated, independent and summer-collegiate teams attracting 51 million fans during the 2011 baseball season. This list comprises 174 affiliated teams playing under the Minor League Baseball banner, 51 independent teams and venues, and 126 NCAA-sanctioned summer-collegiate teams across the United States and Canada. […]
2011 Independent Attendance by Average
Another attendance story, and the one that probably means the most for evaluating the health of a team: we list independent teams by average attendance. Here are the attendance figures from the five major independent leagues, as ranked by average. We have a new leader: the Winnipeg Goldeyes are now on top of the heap […]
2011 Independent Attendance by Total
More attendance goodness for you today: here are the 2011 independent-league attendance rankings, listed by total. This past offseason saw a shakeup in the independent-baseball world. The Northern League broke up, with four teams joining the American Association, one joining the North American League, one joining the Frontier League and two teams folding, with those […]
State Comptroller: Ramapo skirted laws in financing new ballpark
Ramapo (N.Y.) misused local development funds in financing Provident Bank Park, home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League), and will have difficulties in covering debt service on the facility, according to a draft audit from the state comptroller’s office. The draft, which will be final after Ramapo officials have a chance to respond. says […]
Sox to auction off notorious mascot for charity
Brilliant! The Amarillo Sox (independent; American Association) are auctioning off their arousing, excited mascot on eBay, raising money for local charities. As you’ll recall, the mascot made an immediate impression on the local fans during his June 24 debut. He didn’t last an entire game before being pulled by GM Mark Lee. The auction can […]
Pro ball unlikely at TD Ameritrade Park next year — and maybe beyond
A lawsuit from a spurned potential tenant and the lack of firm interest from other independent leagues will probably keep professional baseball away from Omaha’s TD Ameritrade Park in 2012 and potentially beyond. The lawsuit, detailed in today’s Omaha World-Herald, has the owners of a potential Northern League franchise, the Omaha Flame, suing the Metropolitan […]
Ducks notch 600th sellout
Nice milestone for the Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League): With a sellout at Bethpage Ballpark Saturday night, the franchise registered its 600th sellout in 12 years. That’s an Atlantic League record, far outpacing the second-place Somerset Patriots, with 222 to date in their 14th year). “It is a wonderful accomplishment to reach this milestone […]