New Cities, New Names As Another Season

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

New Cities, New Names As Another Season VOLUME XXX Opening Day, 2004 No. 2 New Cities, New Names As Another Season Opens The best day of the year–-every year-–is The Montgomery Biscuits are the Double- they joined the Florida State League in 1985, just around the corner. It’s the first day of A farm team of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but opted for their own identity as the the baseball season, which is Thursday, Apr. who relocated the Southern League franchise Clearwater Threshers (a type of shark) as 8, this year for Minor League Baseball. from the Walt Disney World sports complex they move into a new 7,000 seat stadium. near Orlando. Montgomery has had a long Opening Day or Opening Night is a magi- history in Minor League Baseball, dating The Midwest League’s Quad City River cal time. The grass will be a little greener. back to 1903. But it has not had a team since Bandits, likewise, are taking on a new iden- The new paint will be brighter and more the Montgomery Rebels were a Detroit farm tity as Swing of the Quad Cities. The new cheerful. The hot dogs will smell great. The team in the Southern League from 1965-80. logo reflects the musical heritage of the re- breezes will feel a little warmer–or at least The Biscuits will unveil Riverwalk Stadium, a gion, combining a saxophone with a base- not quite as cold. And hopefully there won’t brand-new 7,000-seat facility for the first ball. The move is tied to a $12.5-million reno- be any snow flakes falling. game on Apr. 16. The game has been sold vation that has turned ancient John out for some time. O’Donnell Stadium into a virtually new ball That’s the day that the 10 full-season Mi- park. But that renovation has also meant a nor League Baseball leagues begin playing delay in Opening Day. The Swing will play the game for keeps and the spring training on the road for nearly all of April while work drills under the hot Florida or Arizona sun is finished to get ready for the Apr. 29 opener. will seem far away. About half of the 120 af- filiated teams in the U.S. and Canada will be The new name in the South Atlantic League in their home stadiums to start another sea- is the Columbus Catfish, replacing the South son. Most of the others will have only a few Georgia Wave. The team was moved to Co- days on the road before they, too, greet the lumbus virtually on the eve of the 2003 sea- hometown fans. son and wanted an identity with the new location. Fishing is a prime recreational ac- There are two cities that are particularly The fans in Manchester won’t have to wait tivity in the Columbus area and the ball park eager for the start of the new season. After quite so long to see the New Hampshire sits alongside the Chattahooche River. long absences from the game, Montgomery Fisher Cats, a Toronto farm team in the East- (AL) and Manchester (NH) again get teams ern League that was relocated from New Ha- There are no changes in names or loca- to call their own as a result of shifts in the ven. That opener is Apr. 15, but the fans will tions at the top level of Minor League Base- baseball landscape. They are the only new have to wait longer for their new stadium. ball, but the Triple-A leagues—International cities in the full-season leagues this year in The new one won’t be ready until the 2005 and Pacific Coast—made one move that Minor League Baseball, but both will have season. In the meantime, the Fisher Cats will could affect play. Roster sizes have been to wait a few days past Apr. 8. be playing in renovated Gill Stadium, also expanded from 23 players to 24 for the entire the home of the last previous Manchester season. team, the Yankees of the Eastern League (1969-71). Manchester was one of the origi- nal National Association teams in 1902 as a member of the New England League. While those are the only new cities among the 120-full season domestic teams, there are others that sound new as a result of some name changes. The Clearwater Phillies have used the name of parent Philadelphia since Tamburro Elected BOT Chairman Minor League Clubs Mike Tamburro, who helped turn the Pawtucket Red Sox into one of the most successful teams in Minor League Baseball, has been Featured in Video Game elected to a two-year term as the new Chairman of the Board of Triple-A and Double-A Minor League Baseball clubs will make Trustees (BOT) for Minor League Baseball. The BOT consists of their video game debut this season in EA Sports MVP Baseball club owners from the various leagues 2004. For the first time ever in a baseball video game, fans will have and works closely with President the ability to play with every Triple-A and Double-A team. Mike Moore in establishing policy and direction for the industry. From the Albuquerque Isotopes to the Wichita Wranglers, MVP Baseball gives fans complete control over all 60 Triple-A and Double- Tamburro was elevated from the role A teams and their players. of Vice-Chairman at the BOT’s annual spring meeting in Tampa. Joe Finley Minor League players are a combination of real and fictitious play- was named as the new Vice-Chairman ers. Any player who has played even one game in the Majors is and Ken Carson was re-elected Sec- considered a member of the Major League Baseball Players Asso- retary. All will serve two-year terms. ciation and is included in the game. The rest of the roster is filled with fictitious players. Tamburro has spent most of his adult life with Pawtucket, joining the Tamburro MVP Baseball 2004 boasts an Official Minor League license, and team in 1977 as General Manager and has been President of the fans can actually play as those teams in Play Now, Exhibition and International League team since 1985. He has been The Sporting Dynasty Mode play. News’ Minor League Executive of the Year and named three times as IL Executive of the Year. The Minor Leagues feature correct season lengths, standings, and playoff formats for both the full-season Triple-A and Double-A Tamburro was an original member of the BOT, which was formed in leagues (International, Pacific Coast & Eastern) as well as the split- 1992, and represented the International League from 1992-1997. He season ones (Southern and Texas). Full Minor League stats are kept served as the Triple-A At-Large representative (2001-2003) and cur- at all levels. rently again represents the International. Finley, owner of the Trenton Thunder, has represented the Double- A Eastern League since 1997. Carson has been the only representive for the Class A Florida State League. He is Director of Florida Opera- tions for the Toronto Blue Jays and GM of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Traveling Hall of Fame Show Lands in Washington, DC The renowned traveling exhibit from the Baseball Hall of Fame continues its three-year tour around America with a stop in Wash- ington, D.C., where it will be on display from Apr. 3 through Oct. 3 at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Curators at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, assembled some of the Hall’s most significant and popular arti- facts for the tour, which is billed as “Baseball As America.” In addition to famous memorabilia, the exhibit, sponsored by Ernst & Young, has exhibits showing how pro baseball has reflected and helped influence social, cultural and economic issues in the U.S. Baseball News Jim Ferguson, Editor PO Box A Steve Densa, Associate Editor St. Petersburg, FL 33731 (727) 822-6937 ©2004, All Rights Reserved, Professional Baseball Promotion Corp. BASEBALL NEWS is published 10 times a year. Subscription rates are $12 for one year (plus $4 for S/H) and are payable in U.S. funds only 2 No Blizzard Expected in Yuma Home games in April have often been a said, “but the last two years have been bru- nightmare for the Edmonton Trappers, es- tal. You have to play the percentages. The pecially the last two seasons, with raging later we get in April the better the odds that snowstorms and freezing temperatures. the weather will be acceptable. We’ve had Things reached a nadir in 2002 when the team to scramble in the past, moving games on was able to play just one scheduled home short notice to Iowa. game in April. It wasn’t much better last spring. “When I started thinking about places to play, Yuma came up immediately. I was well But if the Pacific Coast League team runs aware of the facilities and how well they were into similar conditions for their first two maintained,” explained Henke. Edmonton, “home” series this season it will the result of now affiliated with the Montreal Expos, used Joe Mauer a freak act of nature. The Trappers have to be was a farm team of the Angels, who transferred their first two series, Apr. 8-11 visited the Padres in Yuma regularly. Road to the Show against Sacramento and Apr. 12-15 against Fresno, to Yuma, AZ. They will then play the “Branch Rickey (PCL president) and I went Card Set Available same two teams in California before their first to Yuma last fall to check it out and every- Minor League Baseball has produced The game in Canada on Apr.
Recommended publications
  • How US Sports Financing and Recruiting Models Can Restore
    Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law Volume 42 Issue 1 Article 23 2009 Perfect Pitch: How U.S. Sports Financing and Recruiting Models Can Restore Harmony between FIFA and the EU Christine Snyder Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil Recommended Citation Christine Snyder, Perfect Pitch: How U.S. Sports Financing and Recruiting Models Can Restore Harmony between FIFA and the EU, 42 Case W. Res. J. Int'l L. 499 (2009) Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil/vol42/iss1/23 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Journals at Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law by an authorized administrator of Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. PERFECT PITCH:HOW U.S. SPORTS FINANCING AND RECRUITING MODELS CAN RESTORE HARMONY BETWEEN FIFA AND THE EU Christine Snyder* When the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world governing body for football, announced its plan to implement a new rule restricting the number of foreign players eligible to play for club teams the world over, the European Union took notice. Prior court rulings on a similar rule found that such a rule conflicts with the protection for the free movement of workers under the EC Treaty. Despite this conflict, the Presi- dent of FIFA pressed forward, citing three main justifications for implemen- tation of the new rule. This Note examines each of those justifications and proposes alternative solutions based on U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Altoona Curve Final Notes
    EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS DIVISION CHAMPIONS PLAYOFF APPEARANCES PLAYERS TO MLB 2010, 2017 2004, 2010, 2017 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 144 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017 THE 19TH SEASON OF CURVE BASEBALL: Altoona finished the season eight games over .500 and won the Western 2017 E.L. WESTERN STANDINGS Division by two games over the Baysox. The title marked the franchise's third regular-season division championship in Team W-L PCT GB franchise history, winning the South Division in 2004 and the Western Division in 2010. This year, the Curve led the Altoona 74-66 .529 -- West for 96 of 140 games and took over sole possession of the top spot for good on August 22. The Curve won 10 of Bowie 72-68 .514 2.0 their final 16 games, including a regular-season-best five-game winning streak from August 20-24. Altoona clinched the Western Division regular-season title with a walk-off win over Harrisburg on September 4 and a loss by Bowie at Akron 69-71 .493 5.0 Richmond that afternoon. The Curve advanced to the ELCS with a three-game sweep over the Bowie Baysox in the Erie 65-75 .464 9.0 Western Division Series. In the Championship Series, the Curve took the first two games in Trenton before beating Richmond 63-77 .450 11.0 the Thunder, 4-2, at PNG Field on September 14 to lock up their second league title in franchise history. Including the Harrisburg 60-80 .429 14.0 regular season and the playoffs, the Curve won their final eight games, their best winning streak of the year.
    [Show full text]
  • Bristol Eastbayri.Com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 VOL
    PhoenixPhoenixBristol eastbayri.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 VOL. 177, NO. 46 $1.00 Town: Don’t dock at Quito’s Byfield Fisherman denied taking licks from the waters of in the Coastal Resources Manage- this,” said the Bristol fisherman, dockage at Quito’s, Bristol Harbor, sits a small, wood- ment Council’s (CRMC) assent, Robert Morris, who has presented en dock. dated Feb. 11, 2004. a petition to Bristol Town Council space seeks answers The 5-by-15-foot structure is Yet, one local fisherman has members, asking them to look affixed to four pilings. There’s been ticketed by Bristol Harbor into it. BY CHRISTINE O’CONNOR about enough space for two good- Patrol almost $1,000 for having “Coastal better investigate this [email protected] filled up sized commercial fishing boats to docked there over the course of a thing.” Just outside of Quitos’ Restau- tie up and unload their catch. winter and into this summer. rant next to Independence Park, After all, that’s the use approved “I don’t know where to go with See QUITO’S Page 20 fast Town brought tenants into empty school building without long-term strategy BY CHRISTINE O’CONNOR [email protected] The Town of Bristol has no clear vision for the future of the old Byfield School building on High Street. While town officials initially thought of the building as a busi- ness incubator, its current tenants have their own idea: To utilize the space as an arts collaborative, fos- tering arts in the community. The idea to rent out Byfield’s rooms belongs to Parks and Recreation Director Walter Burke.
    [Show full text]
  • GAME NOTES Tuesday, May 11, 2021
    GAME NOTES Tuesday, May 11, 2021 2019 PCL Pacific Southern Division Champions Game 6 – Home Game 6 Sacramento River Cats (2-3) (AAA-S.F. Giants) vs. Las Vegas Reyes de Plata (3-2) (AAA-Oakland Athletics) Aviators At A Glance . The Series (L.V. leads 3-2) Overall Record: 3-2 (.600) Home: 3-2 (.600) PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS Road: 0-0 (.000) Day Games: 1-0 (1.000) SACRAMENTO LAS VEGAS Tues. (7:05) – LHP Anthony Banda (1-0, 0.00) RHP Matt Milburn 0-0, 0.00) Night Games: 2-2 (.500) Wednesday, May 12 OFF DAY Follow the Aviators on Facebook/Las Vegas Aviators Baseball Team & Twitter/@AviatorsLV Probable Starting Pitchers (Las Vegas at Reno, May 13-18) RENO LAS VEGAS Thurs. (6:35) – TBA RHP Parker Dunshee (0-1, 13.50) Radio: KRLV AM 920 - Russ Langer Fri. (6:35) – TBA RHP Grant Holmes (0-0, 15.00) Web & TV: www.aviatorslv.com; MiLB.TV Sat. (4:05) – TBA RHP Paul Blackburn (0-0. 5.40) Aviators vs. River Cats: The Las Vegas Reyes de Plata professional baseball team, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, will host the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, tonight in the finale of the season -opening six-game series in Triple-A West action at Las Vegas Ballpark (8,834)…Las Vegas is 3-2 on the homestand…following an off day on Wednesday, May 12, Las Vegas will embark on its first road trip of the season to Northern Nevada to face intrastate rival, the Reno Aces, Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in a six-game series at Greater Nevada Field from Thursday-Tuesday, May 13-18.
    [Show full text]
  • Seattle Area Baseball Umpire Camp
    Seattle Area Baseball Umpire Camp February 8th, 2020 - 8:00am-4:00pm Everett Memorial Stadium • A one-day camp featuring current Major League, Minor League, and college umpires. • Tailored for umpires of all levels. • Includes indoor instruction, cage training, and field training. • Provides training credit for local area associations. Little League High School Sub-Varsity High School Varsity Apprentice B Tier Connie Mack C Tier A Tier High School C-Games Tournament Tier Introduction Introduction Introduction 8:00am-8:30am Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Conference Center Center Center Orientation to Umpiring Everett Stadium Cages Field Training Everett Stadium 8:30am-10-30am Field Training Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Cages Everett Stadium Center Taking the Next Step 10:30am-12:30pm 12:30pm-1:30pm LUNCH at Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Cages Field Training Mistakes even the best make Everett StadiumCenter Everett Stadium Conference Center 1:30pm-3:30pm Finale Finale Finale 3:30pm-4:00pm Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Conference Everett Stadium Conference Center Center Center NOTES: • Umpire support: • Tripp Gibson – Major League Umpire • Mike Muchlinski – Major League Umpire • Brian Hertzog – NCAA Div I & Div II Umpire • Jacob Metz – Minor League Umpire • Cage Training and Field Training support from College–level umpires from NBUA and SCBUA • Uniform: wear the uniform for the bases/field. Plate gear will be worn over the field uniform when in the cages. • Lunch will be provided: sub-sandwiches, chips, water, soda • Cost: $15.00 (assessed at the end of the 2020 season) This covers the cost of the trainers and the food.
    [Show full text]
  • Baseball Stadium Market Feasibility Study for Franklin, Wisconsin
    Franklin Baseball Stadium Market Feasibility Study SUBMITTED TO Zimmerman Ventures SUBMITTED BY C.H. Johnson Consulting, Incorporated March 20, 2014 DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I TRANSMITTAL LETTER SECTION II INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION III ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 6 SECTION IV COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS & DEMAND PROJECTIONS 20 SECTION V FRONTIER LEAGUE STADIUM AND MINOR LEAGUE CASE STUDIES 42 SECTION VI ECONOMIC AND FISCAL IMPACTS ANALYSIS 69 SECTION VII STADIUM FUNDING OPTIONS 83 APPENDIX I 6 East Monroe Street | Fifth Floor | Chicago, Illinois 60603 | Phone: 312.447.2010 | Fax: 312.444.1125 www.chjc.com | [email protected] SECTION I TRANSMITTAL LETTER 6 East Monroe Street | Fifth Floor | Chicago, Illinois 60603 | Phone: 312.447.2010 | Fax: 312.444.1125 www.chjc.com | [email protected] March 20, 2014 Mr. Michael Zimmerman President Zimmerman Ventures 4600 Loomis Road, Suite 310 Milwaukee, WI 53220 Re: Feasibility Study for a Proposed Minor League Baseball Stadium Dear Mr. Zimmerman: Johnson Consulting is pleased to submit this DRAFT report to Zimmerman Ventures (“Client”) that analyzes the market and financial feasibility of a proposed minor league baseball stadium in Franklin, WI. This report also quantifies the total economic and fiscal impact the proposed stadium will have on the local community. Johnson Consulting has no responsibility to update this report for events and circumstances occurring after the date of this report. The findings presented herein reflect analyses of primary and secondary sources of information. Johnson Consulting used sources deemed to be reliable, but cannot guarantee their accuracy. Moreover, some of the estimates and analyses presented in this study are based on trends and assumptions, which can result in differences between the projected results and the actual results.
    [Show full text]
  • Gone: Minor League Baseball Franchise Relocations in the Northeast
    PROCEEDINGS - AAG MIDDLE STATES DIVISION· VOL. 21, 1988 GOING, GOING~ GONE: MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FRANCHISE RELOCATIONS IN THE NORTHEAST Jonathan I. Leib Syracuse University Department of Geography Syracuse, NY 13244 Within the past five years a number of cities in the northeast have explored the possibility of building baseball parks in order to attract minor league baseball franchises. In New York State, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Brooklyn have examined the economic feasibility of building their own stadia. Such studies have also be carried out in Scranton, Pennsylvania; Springfield, Massachusetts; and Wilmington, Delaware. The main public sector expense involved in trying to attract a minor league baseball franchise is the building and maintenance of a baseball stadium. However, Okner argues that stadia and arenas occupied by major league franchises do not generally operate at a profit. 1 Rees, Greytak, and Leib make the same argument for minor league ballparks.2 One reason why minor league stadia do not generally operate at a profit is that attendance at games is substantially lower than in the major leagues. In 1988, for example, the average major league team drew over two million fans. At the highest level of the minor leagues (AAA classification) the average team drew just under 320,000 spectators, while at the middle level (AA classification), the average team drew about 150,000 fans. 3 Given the possible low return from attendance receipts, it is not surprising that a city government may hesitate to build an expensive stadium. Although a stadium that is intended for a minor league team generally loses money, a baseball franchise does bring benefits to a community.
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Myers Miracle Will Host the 2016 FSL All-Star Game All-Star Weekend in Fort Myers Set for June 17-19
    Fort Myers Miracle will host the 2016 FSL All-Star Game All-Star Weekend in Fort Myers set for June 17-19 FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 25, 2015) - The Fort Myers Miracle are pleased to announce that the 2016 Florida State League All-Star Game will be hosted at the newly renovated Hammond Stadium at the CenturyLink Sports Complex. The 55th All-Star Game in league history will be played for a sixth time in Fort Myers since 1985 and will be put on by the Miracle for a fifth time. A three-day All-Star break will commence on Friday, June 17 and end on Sunday, June 19. The game will be played on Saturday, June 18 at 7:05 p.m. “We are thrilled to show off this state-of-the art facility after the renovations and upgrades that have improved the fan experience the last two seasons,” said Miracle Chief Operating Officer Steve Gliner. “This event will be a great opportunity not just for local fans, but also for guests from around Florida and the United States to come and experience Fort Myers, Hammond Stadium and the beautiful Southwest Florida region.” Hammond Stadium and the CenturyLink Sports Complex underwent a two-phase, $48.5 million dollar renovation that began during the fall of 2013 and was completed prior to Minnesota Twins Spring Training in the spring of 2015. Phase I included a brand new outfield boardwalk to provide 360-degree viewing, four different types of seating options, two full service bars and new concession stands in center field.
    [Show full text]
  • MEDIA GUIDE 2019 Triple-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners
    MEDIA GUIDE 2019 Triple-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners TACOMA RAINIERS BASEBALL tacomarainiers.com CHENEY STADIUM /TacomaRainiers 2502 S. Tyler Street Tacoma, WA 98405 @RainiersLand Phone: 253.752.7707 tacomarainiers Fax: 253.752.7135 2019 TACOMA RAINIERS MEDIA GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS Front Office/Contact Info .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Cheney Stadium .....................................................................................................................................................6-9 Coaching Staff ....................................................................................................................................................10-14 2019 Tacoma Rainiers Players ...........................................................................................................................15-76 2018 Season Review ........................................................................................................................................77-106 League Leaders and Final Standings .........................................................................................................78-79 Team Batting/Pitching/Fielding Summary ..................................................................................................80-81 Monthly Batting/Pitching Totals ..................................................................................................................82-85 Situational
    [Show full text]
  • Meeting - Board Op Mayor and Aldermen
    215 MEETING - BOARD OP MAYOR AND ALDERMEN SPECIAL ROAD HEARING January 3, 1969 3:00 P.h Mayor Mongan called the meeting to order. I Mayor Mongan called for the Pledge of Allegiance and Aid. Psaledas led the Board in this function. The Clerk called the roll. Roll Cal I Present: Mayor Mongan, Aid. Bergquist, Enright, Walsh, Casey, Larochelle, Verville, Head and Psaledas. Absent: Aid. Hunt, Kelley, Wilcox, Noel, Martineau and Acorace. Mayor Mongan announced the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a special road heari] Purpose V. on a petition as follows: "....laying out and discontinuing a highway, beginning at a point on the Petition northerly line of Loring Street, said point being six hundred (600) feet Loring Street west of the intersection of the westerly line of South Willow Street and the northerly line of Loring Street and measured along the northerly line of Loring Street? thence continuing in the same straight line in a westerly direction, a distance of two hundred ninety-eight and thirty-two one hundredths I (298.32) feet to the Boston and Maine Railroad Right of Way. The above described line to be the northerly line of the highway, the highway to be fifty (50) feet wide and to be known as Loring Street in said City. They, therefore, request you to layout and discontinue the highway on the route above described, subject to twenty-five (25) feet easement for sanitary sewerage II Communications as follows were read into the record by the Clerk: • Department of Highways "At the request of Hr.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 International League Field Managers Eight Il Clubs to Be Led by New Skippers This Season
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2020 2020 INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FIELD MANAGERS EIGHT IL CLUBS TO BE LED BY NEW SKIPPERS THIS SEASON When the International League's 137th season opens on April 9, eight of the circuit’s fourteen teams will have a new manager leading the quest to capture the coveted Governors’ Cup trophy. Only six managers return from the 2019 season, although several of the League’s new field generals bring pre-existing ties to their teams and communities. It is the first time since 2006 that more than half of the circuit’s clubs changed managers during an offseason. The reining IL Manager of the Year Damon Berryhill is the International League’s longest- tenured manager, preparing to begin his fourth season at the helm of the Gwinnett Stripers. Also hoping to get his team back to the postseason is Brady Williams, who took Durham to the finals in his first year with the Bulls in 2019. They will be challenged in the South Division by another returning manager in Norfolk, Gary Kendall. The 2018 IL Manager of the Year, Lehigh Valley’s Gary Jones, will lead the IronPigs once again this season. Like Jones, Brian Esposito in Indianapolis is also at the helm for the third straight campaign. IL Hall of Famer Billy McMillon will manage the Red Sox for the franchise’s final season at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. Two men have found themselves moving from a coach’s role to the manager’s chair in 2020. Pennsylvania-native Doug Davis (former Syracuse manager) takes over in Scranton/Wilkes- Barre after three seasons coaching, while in Columbus, Ohio-native Andy Tracy is the new manager after helping lead the Clippers to the 2019 Governors’ Cup title as hitting coach.
    [Show full text]
  • The Necessity of Major League Baseball's Antitrust Exemption
    PROTECTING AMERICA’S PASTIME: THE NECESSITY OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL’S ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR THE SURVIVAL OF MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL BRADLEY V. MURPHY* INTRODUCTION “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”1 Imagine a warm summer evening in Rome, Georgia. This city of just under 36,000 residents2 is home to the Rome Braves, the Class-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.3 State Mutual Stadium is filled to capacity as the local residents pack the stands to cheer on their hometown Braves.4 The smell of peanuts, popcorn, and hotdogs emanates throughout the stadium. A beer vendor climbs up and down the stadium steps hollering, “Ice cold beer!” Between innings, children are brought out on the field to partake in on-field promotions. After the game, these same children line up to run the bases, meet the mascot, and enjoy the postgame firework display. This minor league game brings the people of Rome, Georgia together and provides them with a common identity. Bradley Reynolds, general manager of the Double-A Mobile BayBears, highlighted the importance of minor league baseball when he said, “What keeps fans coming back isn’t baseball. If they want a better baseball game, they can see it on ESPN. This is about affordability, family fun, wholesome entertainment. That’s what makes this business unique and what makes it work.”5 Considered to be “America’s National Pastime,”6 baseball holds a special place in the hearts of many. In “Field of Dreams,” arguably the most famous baseball movie of all- time, Terence Mann, an author played by James Earl Jones, discussed the importance of baseball to many Americans: * J.D.
    [Show full text]