After nine season, the Niagara Power (Summer Collegiate, New York Collegiate Baseball League) have called it quits, at least in part, because of frustration with the city over the condition of Sal Maglie Stadium. What does this mean for the future of the 76-year-old ballpark? Read more here.
The Condition and Future of Sal Maglie Stadium
Filed under Stadium Issues
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The local politics also helped diminish pro baseball in Niagara Falls. When major-league baseball said that the stadium needed improvements in the early 1990s, the city could’ve received money from the state to help bring the ballpark up the codes. There were other cities in New York State that did receive similar funding, but Niagara Falls did not get a dime. I’m not sure who to blame, but there were a few fingers point on who to blame.
Well said Eastfirst. This is why it is so hard for a-ball, collegiate ball and although it’s a different model, indy ball to survive. Politics, taxes, etc…way to many hurdles.
Collegiate ball (Perfect Game & NYCBL) is actually doing fairly well there, but you’re right, the fact that Upstate NY is a terrible place to do business is one of the reasons that pro ball is fading.
A lot of Upstate towns are pretty grim places – economically depressed and declining in population. Niagara Falls had a population of over 100,000 in 1960; now, it’s less than 50,000. Utica, Elmira, Jamestown – same story.
Many have strong baseball histories, and sentimentally, it would have been nice to see them keep their pro teams…but if a wealthier suburb somewhere builds a shiny new ballpark, you can’t blame clubs for leaving.
The ballpark was completely rebuilt in 1998, so while the baseball field has been there for 76 years, the ballpark itself is relatively new.
Good to know. Thanks, Brian.
Alan
“Kern told the Reporter in August that the the city claims it is too broke to properly maintain the field, but that when the Power organization offered to maintain it themselves, they were told that such a course of action would be in violation of union work rules.”
Upstate New York in a nutshell. So glad I got out of there.