PRESS RELEASE – The popular 1989 movie “Field of Dreams” starring Kevin Costner made the saying “If You Build It – They Will Come” famous. On January 4th, the City of Fullerton decided to take that exact approach when the City Council voted unanimously (7-0) to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with the Orange County Flyers Independent Professional Baseball Team for the development of a multi-use Sports Facility to be built where Amerige Park is presently located.
“We are extremely pleased to have this great opportunity given to us by the City of Fullerton”, said OC Flyers Managing Partner Bob Young. “We have been working closely with the City, their Redevelopment Agency, and the Parks and Recreation Department for the past 3 years to bring this dream closer to reality.”
The Flyers have been closely associated with the City since they started playing their home games in the Golden Baseball League in 2005 at Cal State Fullerton. They won the Championship of the highly competitive independent League in 2008 under the tutelage of Manager and Fullerton native, Hall of Fame Catcher Gary Carter. Their Southern California location has enabled the Flyers to attract many former Major League players who desire to get back to playing in the Major Leagues or furthering their managing careers.
“The Flyers have been proud to play in Fullerton and bring family fun and great baseball at affordable prices to a city rich in baseball history,” stated Young. “Scott Spezio, Mark Prior, and many others have played for the Flyers. We have had the good fortune to have former Major Leaguer All-Stars Gary Carter, Phil Nevin, Paul Abbot, and Gary Templeton mentor these fine young athletes. Fullerton is an attractive baseball mecca to entice these capable ballplayers to join us and our new stadium can only help solidify our franchise as the place to play in the independent leagues.”
The Flyers have been playing their home games at Cal State Fullerton. The facility is home to the nationally-ranked CSUF Titans and the Flyers are their tenant during the summer months after the Titans finish their season in early June.
This new facility will enable the Flyers to have a permanent home of their own with more control over parking fees, concessions, and other opportunities. The Flyers have also promised to work with the local community to allow public use of the proposed field not only in the off-season but during their season as well. “Most importantly”, said Young, “is the opportunity to have a permanent home in this great baseball City.”
The agreement gives the Flyers two years to work with the City of Fullerton and their Redevelopment Agency on a proposal which will be privately financed.
The Flyers are currently making plans for the 2011 season and, along with other members of the GBL, the United League in Texas, and the Northern League, have joined to form the beginnings of a super independent minor league, the newly created North American Baseball League.
“Joining the new League will bring even more excitement and activity to Fullerton and North Orange County area,” said Flyers Managing Partner and Executive VP of Player Personnel Harris Tulchin. “The combining of the Golden Baseball League, Northern League, and the United League in multiple countries is exciting. The league will have 16 to 20 teams and except for Major League Baseball, it will be the largest professional league in terms of number of teams. geographies and attendance”.
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