Opponents of an Albert Park lease for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) lost their motion to boot the team, allowing the team and the circuit to proceed with the 2012 season. The Albert Park Neighborhood Alliance had argued the leasing of Albert Park by the Pacifics would violate the park’s original grant, which […]
Tag Archives | north american league
Singing Ed Nottle: Out of baseball this summer
“Singing Ed” Nottle, a baseball lifer and one of the more colorful figures in the game, is out of the sport this year as he battles health issues. Originally slated to manage the Edinburg Roadrunners in the independent North American League this year, Nottle stepped down after it was discovered he was battling a blood […]
Pacifics: Fate of NAL’s Northern Division rests on winning lawsuit
If an appellate court grants a request to boot the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) from Albert Park, the league’s Northern Division will shut down, according to Pacifics President Mike Shapiro in papers filed in court. The California First District Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal of a lower-court decision allowing the […]
Jose Canseco resurfaces, this time in Worcester
The unsinkable Jose Canseco is back in baseball for 2012, signing a contract with the Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) to play as a first baseman/designated hitter. Canseco, who spent last season with the independent Yuma Scorpions (independent; North American League) as a player/coach/pitcher, spent the past offseason lobbying various MLB teams via Twitter for […]
Yuma owner acquires NAL Fullerton franchise
We have a final lineup for the 2012 independent North American League season, as the owner of the circuit’s Yuma franchise is taking over the Orange County Flyers. The team, which was dormant last season, has played most of its history at Goodwin Stadium at the Cal State-Fullerton campus. An attempt to build a new ballpark […]
Fielders launch shocker: no 2012 season on tap
With no ballpark, no league, no front office and no sales force, the Lake County Fielders made it official: no 2012 season for the team. It’s not exactly a shocker, but the Fielders decided to go ahead and issue a press statement today confirming the team is on hiatus for the coming season: “With no […]
Pacifics ballpark back in court
A neighborhood group is appealing a court decision allowing the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) to play in Albert Park, arguing it violates grant-deed restrictions. The Pacifics earlier won a court case allowing Centerfield Partners to sign a one-year deal to play at the city-owned park. A neighborhood group, Albert Park Neighborhood Alliance, […]
The Week That Was: April 1
No April Fools here: attendance expectations in Wilmington, indy-team comings and goings, and the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers are this week’s top stories on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. What should Wilmington expect for new-ballpark attendance? Diamond Sports walks away from North American League management Wild Things to bring new team […]
Diamond Sports walks away from North American League management
Diamond Sports and Entertainment, which founded the independent Golden Baseball League and formed the North American League via merger, has walked away from the circuit as league management. Kevin Outcalt, the league commissioner who was part of the original Golden Baseball League, left the organization on March 7, according to a press release issued by […]
North American League at 10 teams for ’12
The independent North American League will go with 10 teams this season: six in Texas and four — San Rafael, Orange County, Yuma and Maui — in a Northern Division. Last night the San Rafael Pacifics released a 72-game schedule with 42 home games at Albert Park, beginning June 4 with a home game against […]
PA announcer prevails in Fielders lawsuit
P.A. announcer Gregory Koeppen won his lawsuit against the Lake County Fielders (independent, North American League) over unpaid payments for game-day work after team officials failed to attend Lake County Circuit Court hearings. In December, Koeppen filed suit against the Lake County Fielders and ownership Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment. “This court victory wasn’t so […]
Fielders expand lawsuit, allege conspiracy
A lawsuit over a failed Zion (Ill.) ballpark from the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) has been expanded to allege a conspiracy involving a developer and the decision to move the facility site. The original lawsuit alleges that Zion officials failed to live up to the terms of an agreement to build a […]
Chico Outlaws season scrapped
The independent North American League pulled the plug on the Chico Outlaws after failing to persuade Chico State to sign off on a three-year lease for Nettleton Stadium. Chico State had offered a one-year lease for the ballpark, under pretty much the same terms offered the last two years. The Outlaws — a team still […]