Lincoln Saltdogs Vice President and General Manager Tim Utrup was named American Association Executive of the Year, as voted by league managers and media personnel. This is the second time the American Association has issued the award, and Utrup has won it on both occasions (2006). He has now earned top general manager honors three […]
Tag Archives | independent
Adamski new Sioux City Explorers president
The Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association) announced a major upgrade to the team’s front office today with the hiring of Matt Adamski as club president. He joins GM Shane Tritz and Assistant GM Ashley Schoenrock as part of the front-office staff. His focus for the team will be enhancing non-baseball operations revenue and community […]
Schaumburg to Frontier League: sources
Though it’s not a totally done deal, we’re told, it appears likely the Pat Salvi-owned Schaumburg team will be playing in the independent Frontier League next season, as he honors a deal struck by former owner Alan Oremus. We reported on this earlier this month, raising the potential that a Frontier League team, and not […]
San Rafael ballpark proposal scaled back to 800-seat facility
We’re totally mystified by this: a proposed lease for San Rafael‘s Albert Field calls for an 800-seat facility with free parking and temporary concessions for a independent North American League team. Where are the profits? The proposal, presented last night to the San Rafael City Council by Centerfield Partners, calls for minimal changes to the […]
Salvi buys Schaumburg lease, will own new team
Pat Salvi, owner of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association), has bought the Alexian FIeld lease from Alan Oremus and has appointed Andy Viano as team president of the as-yet-unnamed Schaumburg team. The future of the Schaumburg team, originally slated to play in the American Association, has been in doubt in several weeks; there […]
Professional Sports Catering adds Laredo to portfolio
Professional Sports Catering is adding a new team to the company’s lineup of customers, as the firm will manage the food and beverage operation at the new home of the Laredo Lemurs (independent; American Association). “We are pleased to partner with the Lemurs,” said Tom Dickson, CEO of PSC. “The new Laredo ballpark is going […]
Candlesticks always make a nice gift
It was a wedding scene right out of Bull Durham when Ricky VanAsselberg, manager of the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association), married Annie Malott on the field at QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie. We see weddings at the ballpark all the time. But we don’t often see team managers getting married on the field. […]
Keys lease raising debate in Frederick
Several Frederick Board of Aldermen members want to see more information about the bidding process for Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League), saying the city passed on a better bid from the independent Atlantic League. One board member, Karen Young (wife of Ron Young, the former Frederick mayor […]
Another potential AA defection: Shreveport-Bossier exploring options
Disappointing attendance and the potential to occupy better markets is causing Southern Independent Baseball to look at other options for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association). The issues: the deteriorating condition of Fair Grounds Field and the inability of the local market to support professional baseball. The team owners came close to scrapping the Captains […]
Nine players, 125 fans in Zion
Last night’s Lake County Fielders-Kenosha County Fielders game in Zion was a matchup of minimums, with 125 fans on hand to cheer on nine players in home uniforms. The game was billed as a replacement for the regularly scheduled Lake County-Maui North American League matchup, scrapped after Na Koa Ikaika Maui shut down for the […]
Councilman pitches Frontier League ballpark for Port Huron
A Port Huron, Mich. council member is pushing a 4,500-capacity ballpark for an independent Frontier League team, but right now there’s no funding plan on the table. Jim Fisher says a new ballpark on the shores of the St. Clair River would add to the quality of life in the lakeshore city. Minor-league sports have […]
NAL ending season early; Na Koa Ikaika Maui shuts down completely
Despite all the well-documented problems with the Lake County Fielders, the first team in the independent North American League to go under is Na Koa Ikaika Maui; meanwhile, the league announced it’s shutting down the 2011 season a week early. In announcing the end of the season will come Aug. 28, league officials said the […]
Windy City fetes millionth fan
The Windy City ThunderBolts (independent; Frontier League) honored the millionth fan in team history, Karen Kenny of Tinley Park, with a grand time at Standard Bank Stadium. Kenny was given a crown, sash, flowers, and a plaque, and her group of 14 were treated to free food and drink in te team’s Party Box; she also […]