Bob Richmond is retiring as president of the short-season-A Northwest League at the end of the calendar year, according to the league directors. For 30 years, Richmond has overseen the growth of the Northwest League as it developed into one of Minor League Baseball’s most diverse and profitable entities. “For 30 years, I have been […]
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Spokane, Texas extend affiliation
The Spokane Indians (short season A; Northwest League) and the Texas Rangers have extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years, through 2014. “We are happy to extend our relationship with the Texas Rangers,” said Indians General Manager Chris Duff. “The last 10 years have been some of the most successful in team history and […]
Milwaukie has week to decide ballpark fate
Milwaukie (Ore.) has a week to decide if a new ballpark for a summer-collegiate West Coast League team is in the city’s future — or whether a team is unable to justify the revenue necessary for a large-scale project. Spurned by the short-season Northwest League, the city has turned to the WCL as a possible […]
Hillsboro approves naming-rights deal with Bears
No surprise: the Hillsboro (Ore.) City Council unanimously approved a naming-rights deal with the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League), where the team has 60 days to launch marketing. The proposal, negotiated separately from the lease that is bringing the Bears to the Portland suburb next season, calls for the team ownership to sell naming […]
Milwaukie to study economic impact of summer-collegiate ball
The Milwaukie (Ore.) City Council voted to spend $5,000 on updated economic studies to determine the impact of a summer-collegiate team team at a new ballpark — but declined to start negotiating with the West Coast League. The city had been negotiating with the short-season Northwest League about the possible move of a franchise, but […]
Hillsboro set to approve naming-rights deal
A proposed naming-rights contract with the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) could yield Hillsboro at least $150,000 annually, if appoved by the city council tonight. The proposal, negotiated separately from the lease that is bringing the Bears to the Portland suburb next season, calls for the team ownership to sell naming rights […]
Northwest League bringing back All-Star Game in 2013; Everett to host
The Everett AquaSox are hosting the 2013 Northwest League All-Star Game on August 6, 2013, the first time the circuit has held an All-Star Game since 2004, with the plan for it to become an annual event once again. The All-Star Game celebration will include several other events, including a Homerun Derby and an All-Star […]
West Coast League to Milwaukie? Highly unlikely
In one of the most improbable pitches ever, the summer-collegiate West Coast League says it would be happy to pursue public funding for a new Milwaukie (Ore.) ballpark after the Northwest League failed to meet a deadline. The Portland suburb has been talking with the short-season circuit about a new $25-million ballpark for the 2014 […]
Rotting fence comes down at Civic Stadium
The rotting outfield fence at Civic Stadium, former home of the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League), was taken down by a volunteer group after it was deemed to be a fire hazard. The fear was that the 12-foot fence could catch fire, as transients occasionally hide in the ballpark and start warming fires. […]
Milwaukie: Efforts to bring Northwest League team to new ballpark are done
The inability of the short-season Northwest League to commit a team to a new ballpark has led Milwaukie (Ore.) officials to drop work on funding for such a new facility. The league and the city were facing a July 31 deadline for a team. Last week the league informed the city that a team commitment […]
Hillsboro: We never thought to ask for upfront money from Yakima Bears
A comparison of proposed leases between Hillsboro and the Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) reveals something interesting: despite a team offer to pay up front toward a proposed Clark County ballpark, no such demand was issued by Hillsboro. Not that it would have made a difference anyway: with Northwest League president Bob Richmond […]
Mariners, AquaSox extend PDC
The Seattle Mariners and Everett AquaSox (short season A; Northwest League) are extending their player-development contract through the 2014 season. “We are pleased to extend our partnership with the Mariners,” said AquaSox Executive Vice President Tom Backemeyer. “We could not be affiliated with a better organization, and we are excited that future Mariners will continue […]
Milwaukie: We expect ballpark deal by end of July
Milwaukie (Ore.) officials say they’re progressing on a deal for a new ballpark opening in 2014 and expect to have a plan in place by the end of July. City officials were in the hunt for a short-season A Northwest League team along with Hillsboro in recent months, but Hillsboro managed to pull the trigger […]