Can-Am League, American Association will play interlocking schedule
The independent American Association and Can-Am League will play an interlocking schedule this season, with five teams from each circuit crossing over for interleague play. The Can-Am League will adopt the AA’s 100-game schedule, with play starting May 17 and ending September 3. Five Can-Am teams will make one 10-game road trip to AA cities, […]
Plan B for Bears: Work on Yakima ballpark plan
With the defeat of a new-ballpark in Clark County yesterday, the Yakima Bears (short season; Northwest League) ownership say they will work on a ballpark solution in Yakima. Yesterday the Clark County Board of Commissioners voted down a 5 percent admissions tax that would have partially funded a new ballpark for the Bears in suburban […]
Baby Blue Jays unveil new logo, unis
The Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League) unveiled a new logo and new uniforms to match the new look of parent Toronto Blue Jays. The logo was introduced by General Manager Chris Maxwell at a press conference held at the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce. New uniforms and cap design were unveiled as well. “We are […]
Explorers mark 20th anniversary with commemorative logo
The relaunch of the Northern League happened 20 years ago — really! — and the Sioux City Explorers are marking the occasion with a new commemorative logo. Out of the original six teams in the independent circuit, three are still in business in their original markets: the Explorers, the Sioux Falls Pheasants (originally the Canaries) […]
Admissions tax voted down in Clark County; no new ballpark for now
A 5 percent admissions tax to partially fund a new ballpark for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) was voted down today by Clark County Commissioners on a 2-1 vote. Passage of the tax on admissions to entertainment and sports venues was never assured, with one solid vote for and one solid […]
Shreveport-Bossier Captains moving to Laredo
The Shreveport-Bossier Captains membership in the independent American Association has been bought by the Laredo Lemurs, but baseball is expected back at Fair Grounds Field in the form of a summer-collegiate team next season. “We thank everyone involved with our efforts in Shreveport-Bossier for the last nine years, starting with the fans, along with sponsors, […]
Oakland negotiating move to Mesa’s HoHoKam Park
The Oakland Athletics have entered into an exclusive negotiating period with the city of Mesa for a move to HoHoKam Park in 2015, once the Chicago Cubs shift to a new facility. The Athletics currently play spring matches at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and train at nearby Papago Park. Neither set of facilities approaches state of […]
Clark County ballpark vote slated for today
A vote on a proposed 5 percent admissions tax to help fund a new ballpark for the Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) is expected today — but no one is predicting the outcome. The proposal calls for a 5 percent tax on entertainment (movies, county fair, golf courses, concerts, etc.) admission fees in […]
Clearwater mulling $2.9M upgrade to Phils’ spring complex
Clearwater (Fla.) officials will decide this week whether to spend $2.9 million on upgrades to the Carpenter Complex, where the Philadelphia Phillies train each spring. The upgrades and new construction are mostly behind the scenes and for the benefit of players and coaches, not fans attending workouts. (The team works out in the complex and […]
O’Malley: Don’t expect spring training to return to Vero Beach
Peter O’Malley says that the business focus for the former Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach will remain on youth tournaments and visiting teams, not professional baseball. O’Malley invested in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. O’Malley will be one of five equal partners in VBSV management: MiLB will retain a share, while the […]
Silver Hawks sold
The South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League) have been sold to a Chicago businessman by an investment group led by former mayor Joe Kernan. Kernan and crew put up the good fight in keeping baseball alive in South Bend, operating the team at a loss while working with the city on a […]
Toros settle suit; will go gently into that good night
The Tucson Toros (independent; North American League) are going away after settling a lawsuit — on fairly favorable terms — over an eviction from Hi Corbett Field. Toros owner Jay Zucker settled with the city for $300,000 and announced he was folding the franchise, according to KOLD. He filed suit earlier this year, saying Tucson […]
Zion official: Bottom line, Fielders didn’t pay bills
In response to a lawsuit filed by the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League), a Zion official says it’s simple why the team didn’t get a new ballpark: bills went unpaid. J. Delaine Rogers, the former economic-development director for the Illinois city, was sued by Grand Slam Sports (parent of the Fielders) along with […]