The independent Atlantic League hit a big milestone this weekend, attracting the 30-millionth fan to a league game. “We are excited to celebrate surpassing 30 million fans coming to our ballparks in just our 17th year,” says Atlantic League president Rick White. “Our goal every year is to provide affordable family entertainment for all baseball […]
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Rick White new Atlantic League president
Former Major League Baseball executive Rick White is the new president of the independent Atlantic League, supervising all league business affairs. White was chosen following a nationwide search of sports and business executives conducted by the League’s search committee led by Jon Danos, and including other League Directors Peter Kirk, Seth Waugh, Josh Kalafer, and […]
Atlantic League hiring new president
The next management of the independent Atlantic League will be a little less homegrown, as the circuit is seeking a new president not affiliated with a current team ownership. Atlantic League Founder and CEO Frank Boulton, will retire the CEO position at the end of the 2013 ALPB Championship Season, and Peter Kirk, who currently […]
New rules speeding play in Atlantic League
This season the independent Atlantic League instituted a series of rules designed to speed up and shorten games. So far, the plan has shaved 10 minutes off game times. The results were compiled by John Walk of the York Dispatch, who analyzed game times this season and then talked to players and front-office personnel about […]
New for 2014: Diamond League
The long-awaited new independent-baseball league from Frank Boulton and crew, the Diamond League, was announced today, with a game plan focused on developing younger undrafted players. According to league founders Boulton and Michael Pfaff, the Diamond League is being formed to create a platform for the developing professional baseball player. In the past, there were […]
Multiple teams on tap for Houston?
With the possible move of a Triple-A team to The Woodlands and several other cities in the area seeking independent Atlantic League franchises, Houston could be a baseball mecca in coming years. Houston is now the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the United States. Baseball options in the city are limited: […]
Atlantic League eyes Fort Worth’s LaGrave Field
Peter Kirk says the independent Atlantic League is looking at putting a team in an upgraded LaGrave Field in Fort Worth. From Jim Seip: Architects that work with ODP have looked at the stadium and believe the shell of LeGrave Field can be saved and used after a renovation/addition has been completed to bring the […]
Hagerstown owner: We’d meet with Fredericksburg about new ballpark
With work on a new ballpark stalled, Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) owner Bruce Quinn says he’d be willing to talk about facilities with Fredericksburg (Va.) officials. This week Fredericksburg’s Economic Development Authority authorized a study as to the feasibility of a new minor-league ballpark in the central Virginia city, located halfway between […]
Atlantic League: big plans for 2014 and beyond
We’ve mentioned the possibility of an independent Atlantic League feeder circuit before, but bigger plans are in the works, including a possible expansion to Puerto Rico and Cuba. The feeder circuit now has a name — ALPB2 — and a target date for launch: 2014, according to Atlantic League founder/CEO Frank Boulton. We’ve reported in […]
Why Clemens signing will boost Atlantic League
The real value to Roger Clemens signing a contract with the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League): it makes the circuit a more attractive business proposition. It was a good weekend for the league: the appearance with the Skeeters was nationally televised by ESPN Classic, and Tal Smith got in some good interview time during […]
Fredericksburg, Opening Day Partners talking new ballpark
Peter Kirk and Opening Day Partners are discussing a new ballpark and independent Atlantic League franchise with city and county officials in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. Joining the group: Jack Lavoie, an attorney who attempted to bring Atlantic League baseball to Frederick, Maryland when the lease to Harry Grove Stadium was up for bid this […]
Kirk: If Spikes want to win, they can control their destiny
If the State College Spikes (short season; NY-Penn League) want to ensure winning teams, argues Peter Kirk, there’s a simple solution: make the leap to independent ball. Our story on the front office of the Spikes showing extreme frustration with parent Pittsburgh Pirates stirred a lot of discussion about the proper role of farm teams […]
Retro bullpen cart a hit in Sugar Land
It’s proven to be a scene-stealer: the retro bullpen cart employed by the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) has proven to be a big hit with fans. All in all, Constellation Field has been a success this year, as Peter Kirk and crew have brought their fan-friendly operations to Texas. One big piece of […]