Can-Am League and Frontier League Announce Historic Merger

PRESS RELEASE – Today the Can-Am League and the Frontier League are announcing a historic merger resulting in the creation of the largest league in all of Independent Professional Baseball. The newly formed Frontier League will begin play in 2020 with a soon to be revealed 96-game schedule spanning from mid-May through September.

New Britain Bees to Play in Can-Am League?

The New Britain Bees (Independent Professional, Atlantic League) will be playing baseball in New Britain (CT) for at least one more year, though their league affiliation for 2020 is unclear.  Reports are that the team will play in the Can-Am League (Independent Professional).  Read more here and here.

Demolition of Newark Ballpark Stirs Memories

Construction crews continued the demolition of Newark’s (NJ) Riverfront Stadium last week, as the ballpark, built in 1999, met its unfortunate demise.  Read more and view photo here.

The slow disassembly of Newark Bears stadium is underway @News12NJ pic.twitter.com/M838ogJySe

— Jeremy Settle (@JeremySettle) August 5, 2019

Rascals to Cease Operations, Otters Take Wait-and-See Approach as Frontier League/Can-Am League Merger Talks Continue

As recently reported, after 21 years, the River City Rascals (Independent Professional, Frontier League) will cease operations at the end of the 2019 baseball season.  The city of O’Fallon (MO) has started looking for another team to play at CarShield Field in 2020.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, Evansville Otters owner Bill Bussing is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Rascals’ imminent departure from the league and a possible Frontier League/Can-Am League merger.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link to the Otters article.

Economics Professor: Triple-A or Redevelopment Only Viable Options for Ottawa Ballpark

Redevelopment may be the only viable option for Ottawa’s RCGT Park, home of the Ottawa Champions (Independent Professional, Can-Am League), according to a professor at Concordia University.  Read more here.

Move to Rental Fee Will Keep Champions at Ottawa Stadium for Now

The city of Ottawa (ON) has ended the Ottawa Champions’ (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) lease at the municipal baseball stadium, but a deal has been made so that the team pays a rental fee, just like any other league or team renting city ball fields.  Miles Wolff said the club had been talking with the city for nearly two years about the terms of the 10-year stadium lease to find some way to make it more “livable.”  Under the terms of the original lease, the rent was over $400,000 a year.  The team is reportedly in arrears.  One missing piece to the Champions’ success model is the critical Confederation LRT station that was supposed to open in mid-2018, and it still doesn’t have an opening date set.   Read more here.

OOB Surge Relocate to New York, Can-Am and EPBL to Battle in Series

The Old Orchard Beach Surge (Independent Professional, Empire Professional Baseball League) have relocated from The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach (ME) to Saranac Lake (NY).  The team will be known as the Saranac Lake Surge.  Read more here.  In other news, the The Can-Am League (Independent Professional) announced last week that the EPBL’s all-star team, the Empire League Grays, will play four games against the 2018 Can-Am League champion Sussex County Miners.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Can-Am League Teams Get in the ‘Game’

The Sussex County Miners and New Jersey Jackals (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) are celebrating the final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones with special jerseys.  Of course, these are not the first and only teams to capitalize on the phenomenon.   The Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League), for example, actually hosted the show’s creator in 2015.  And lets not forget about MLB’s promo video from last season.

Can-Am League Owners Vote to Implement Expansion Plans

PRESS RELEASE – Following the conclusion of the Can-Am League Owner Meetings in Orlando, Fla., club owners have given Executive Director Kevin Winn approval to implement league expansion plans on multiple levels.

Pondering Redevelopment of Ottawa’s Aging Ballpark, Dreaming of MLB Affiliation

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park has been identified by city staff as one of 20 possible locations to build affordable housing, giving council a clear option of what to do with the aging baseball stadium after the current lease expires.  Read more here.

Can-Am League Announces 5th-Annual International Series

PRESS RELEASE – Can-Am League officials attended meetings in Havana, Cuba, this week to finalize the agreement with the Cuban National Team and also hosted the delegation from Japan’s Shikoku Island League at Yogi Berra Stadium later in the week.

Boulders to Host 2019 Can-Am League vs Frontier League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE – The Rockland Boulders will host the 2019 All-Star Game between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League on Wednesday, July 10, at Palisades Credit Union Park, presented by Good Samaritan Hospital. This will mark the first time that these two independent professional leagues will face each other, and only the third time a Can-Am organization has hosted an All-Star game since the league’s re-formation in 2005.

Can-Am League Appoints Kevin Winn as Executive Director

PRESS RELEASE – Today the Can-Am League announces the appointment of Kevin Winn as Executive Director. In this new role, Winn will oversee baseball operations including player contracts, roster classifications, sales and salary caps and league expansion. In addition, Winn will continue applying his 25 years of professional umpiring experience to spearhead the circuit’s umpire development.

Boulders Break Attendance Records

Despite losing to the Quebec Capitales in the first round of the Can Am League (Independent Professional) playoffs, the Rockland Boulders have announced that they broke a league attendance record this year with an average of 2,772 per game.  The team also shattered their single-game attendance record with a gate of 7,336 for Fan Appreciation Day.  Read more and watch video here.

Negotiations Continue, But No Pro Baseball at Surf Stadium in 2019

Negotiations to bring baseball back to Surf Stadium are continuing, but the prospect of seeing a team on the field next summer is unlikely.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Yogi Berra Museum Receives Recognition from Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest, the publishing world’s “international design authority,” has announced its selection for the best designed museums in every state in America, deeming the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center its top pick for the Garden State.  Read more here.  Read full AD article here.  Visit museum website here. Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Grand Opening Saturday for Skylands Stadium Sports Academy

Champions Way Sports Academy, a 17,000-square-foot training facility operating in coordination with the Sussex County Miners (Independent Professional, Can-Am League), will hold its grand opening from 12:30-4 p.m. Saturday at the Skylands Stadium Event Center.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Ramapo Hires Local to Promote Boulders’ Ballpark

Spring Valley (NY) Deputy Mayor Bernard Charles lost his Ramapo recreation job after failing civil service exams and soon afterward was hired by Ramapo to promote the town’s financially beleaguered baseball stadium.  Read more here.

New Amenities Added to Skylands Stadium, New GM Takes the Reins

Visitors to Skylands Stadium for the upcoming season of Sussex County Miners (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) baseball will notice several renovations or additions to the complex, from field and concourse improvements to special promotions during games.  Read more here.  Taking the reins this year as the team’s new GM is 24-year-old Justin Ferrarella.  Read more here.

Jackals Unveil New Videoboard

The new 42-foot Daktronics LED videoboard has been installed at Yogi Berra Stadium, home of the New Jersey Jackals (Independent Professional, Can-Am League).  Fans will get their first look at the new monster media amenity on Opening Day on Friday, May 25.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

New Jersey Jackals Facebook photo by Alex Cammarata

Boulton Given Green Light to Search for Atlantic City Team Owner

The Atlantic City (NJ) City Council has authorized Frank Boulton, the former owner of the Atlantic City Surf (Independent Professional, Can-Am League/Atlantic League) to find an ownership group willing to bring minor league baseball back to Surf Stadium.  Read more here.

Jackals Announce ‘Cup in Hand Kickball’

The New Jersey Jackals (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) and NJ Play Sports have announced the Cup in Hand Kickball League, where participants can play kickball and enjoy a beverage at the same time.  The Cup In Hand Kickball League plays on Monday nights, under the lights, at Yogi Berra Stadium.

Boulders to Leave Can-Am League for Atlantic League?

Shawn Reilly, who was promoted to Rockland Boulders (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) team president in September after six years as vice president, said he has been contemplating a move from the Can-Am to the Atlantic League (Independent Professional) for about two years.  The goal would be to join the Atlantic League as soon as 2019 or 2020, but there are hurdles the Boulders must clear before a move is possible.  Reilly has also explored an even more difficult and complicated move to become a MLB affiliate.  Read more here.

Jackals Install Yogi Berra Stadium’s First-Ever HD Video Board

PRESS RELEASE – The New Jersey Jackals proudly announce the installation of Yogi Berra Stadium’s first-ever video scoreboard. Manufactured by Daktronics, the 20’ high, 36’ wide state-of-the-art video board is the crown jewel of the vast renovations at the home of the Jackals.

Timber Tower to Replace Newark’s Riverfront Stadium

A new, 500,000-square-foot wooden office building will replace Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark (NJ). Designed by Michael Green Architecture, the structure will be the largest wooden tower in the United States.  It will serve as the centerpiece for the Riverfront Square development.  Read more and view renderings here.

Newark Ballpark Re-Development on Deck

The plans for the redevelopment of the Newark Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium property and surrounding area have expanded, and the public will soon get a chance to weigh in on whether it should go forward.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Ramapo Attorney Disbarred for Role in Ballpark Fraud

Former Ramapo Assistant Attorney Aaron Troodler has been disbarred based on his fraud convictions with former Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, who could face up to 14 years in prison on the recommendation of federal prosecutors.  Read more here.

Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at Yogi Berra Stadium Saturday

Tap into the fun at the first annual Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival presented by the New Jersey Jackals (Independent Professional, Can-Am League).  Two great festivals are being combined into one event, and it all takes place on the field at Yogi Berra Stadium.  This all-day party is fun for the whole family.  Parking is free.  Learn more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Boulton’s Goal to Return Baseball to Atlantic City

For a decade, the Atlantic City Surf (Independent Professional, Atlantic League/Can-Am League) called Sandcastle Stadium home.  Since the team folded after the 2008 season, the site has sat vacant except for the occasional college or Babe Ruth league game.  This could soon change, as former Surf owner Frank Boulton wants to bring baseball back to the ballpark.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Miners Promote Ferrarella to GM

The Sussex County Miners (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) have promoted 24-year-old Justin Ferrarella from operations manager to general manager.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the news.

Ramapo Wants Share of Ballpark Sales Tax Revenues, County Says No

Ramapo (NY) acting supervisor Yitzchok Ullman seeks a share of estimated $250,000 in sales tax revenues generated by Palisades Credit Union Park, home of the Rockland Boulders (Independent Professional, Can-Am League).  Rockland County Executive Ed Day says he’s not supportive.  Read more and watch video here.

Developer Details Plans for Newark Bears Stadium Site

The site now occupied by Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium will be a 24/7 community of apartments, office, retail and entertainment spaces comprised of three “blocks” designed by separate architects and surrounding a 1.5-acre courtyard, according to the developer.  Read more and view renderings here.

Jackals Unveil New Logos

PRESS RELEASE – To commemorate the 20th anniversary season of the New Jersey Jackals, we are pleased to introduce our new brand identity, which includes refreshed logos and a revamped font.

New Jersey Jackals Get New Owner and GM, Over $1M in Capital Improvements Planned

PRESS RELEASE – The New Jersey Jackals Professional Baseball Team today announced the team has been acquired by University Sports and Entertainment, LLC.

The Sandcastle Not Looking Good

One month away from its 20th birthday, the once-beautiful Surf Stadium in Atlantic City (NJ) (aka The Sandcastle) has again fallen into a state of disrepair, according to local beat writer David Weinberg.  Read more here.

A Greater Vision for Ottawa Stadium

Ottawa Champions (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) president David Gourlay says he wants to start talking about a larger vision for the Ottawa Stadium property, especially as the city gets closer to starting a light rail system.  Read more here.

‘BoulderBirdies’ Mini-Golf Course Coming to Palisades Credit Union Park

The Rockland Boulders (Independent Professional, Can-Am League) have announced that a nine-hole mini-golf course, known as “BoulderBirdies” will be built at Palisades Credit Union Park for the 2017 season.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the news.

Newark Ballpark to be Demolished, Replaced with Mixed-Use Development

Officials announced more details on Thursday about the future of the Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium site in Downtown Newark (NJ).

Front Office Changes in Store for Miners

After a two-year stint with the Sussex County Miners (Independent Professional, Can-Am League), general manager Dave Chase has moved on.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Ramapo Ballpark Auditor Agrees to Pay Hefty Penalties

A major Westchester County auditor and one of its senior partners have agreed to pay more than a half-million dollars in penalties for issuing fraudulent audit reports in connection with municipal bonds sought by the town of Ramapo (NY) for the construction of its baseball stadium.  Read more here.