Pecos League Moves Home Games out of Roswell, Harsh Words for Locals

PRESS RELEASE – The Roswell Invaders are currently in first place in the Pecos League with a record of 24-14. That is where the success ends for the defending Pecos League Champions.

The Invaders support has been much lower this year than in 2011. The Invaders had a faithful following that were at nearly every game last year, none of which have returned this year. The Pecos League is faced with a tough decision when the Frontier Motel decided to double hotel rates for the rest of the season due to the UFO Festival. The Invaders have a stadium lease which is five times higher than any stadium lease in the league. These are obstacles that the Pecos League cannot overcome. The Pecos League is beginning to move home games out of Roswell.

Schedule changes: Game 1951, originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between White Sands and Roswell, has been moved to White Sands. The start time is now 1:00 p.m. (MST). Game 1952, originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between White Sands and Roswell, has been moved to White Sands. Game 1953, originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between White Sands and Roswell, has been moved to White Sands. Game 1970, originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between Santa Fe and Roswell, has been moved to Santa Fe. Game 1971 (7/24), originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between Santa Fe and Roswell, has been moved to Santa Fe.  Game 1972 (7/25), originally scheduled to be played at Roswell between Santa Fe and Roswell, has been moved to Santa Fe to be played on 7/26.

The Pecos League will now consider what to do with games July 18-22. It is possible the games will be played in a neutral site location.

Statement by Pecos League Commisioner Andrew Dunn:
“We aren’t generating enough revenue to keep games in Roswell. We will regroup and attempt to get a deal that will allow baseball for 2013. There is no chance for 2012. The conflicts and power struggles locally have lead this team in downward spiral from May 1. It is amazing how Roswell was the best team in the league in 2011 and overnight they are the worst. I will review all options and make the best decisions for the Roswell Invaders for the 2013 season. We will completely regroup and turn this team around this year. We will have eight teams in 2013 and I hope to have Roswell as one of them. We will have to completely regroup on all aspects. For this season once again the City of Alamogordo has bailed out the Pecos League. They are going to allow us to play the rest of the games for no charge.”

Reaction from across the league:
Ryan Stevens– head coach Alpine”Move as many home games as possible out of Roswell, the fans don’t care about baseball and don’t respect this league. Our team was not treated professionally this season.” Casey Dill-“That hotel is a disaster to begin with, Roswell is the worst place I have been to yet. ” Bill Moore-“More homes games for us the better, our fans appreciate our team.”