LaGrave Saved, Fort Worth Cats to Return

PRESS RELEASE – In an effort to return baseball to historic LaGrave Field, a non-profit foundation agreed to pay the Tarrant Regional Water District an upfront, 10-year market-rate lease for the facility that also includes a commitment by the group to spend $3 million on renovations to the minor league baseball field.

United League Ceases Operations

In not-so-surprising news, the indy pro United League has called it quits.  Read more here.

Following today's official announcement, The RGV WhiteWings will cease operations. It has been a great 20 years.

— RGV WhiteWings (@rgvwhitewing) January 16, 2015

Cue Up the Euthanasia Puns for the Cats

The indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League) are on life support after losing their lease to play at LaGrave Field.  The baseball season begins May 15.  If the cats can’t find another home by the end of January, it’s doubtful the team will play, according to team owner John Bryant.  Read more here.

Future for LaGrave Field Unclear

The indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League) have been ejected from LaGrave Field, and the team name will reportedly stay in town, but the actual future of the ballpark remains unclear.  It could be leveled, if a team owner or league doesn’t step up to the plate to lease (or maybe even buy?) the facility.  We have to believe the indy pro American Association and/or Atlantic League are taking a close look at the situation.  Read more here.

Fort Worth Cats Booted from LaGrave Field

The indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League) have been asked to move out of LaGrave Field, owner John Bryant confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.  Bryant said the Cats intend to play the 2015 season and are hopeful to find a new home in the Fort Worth area. However, he acknowledged they might have to relocate to a different city in North Texas.  Read more here.

Colts to Celebrate 15th Season, Release Logo

We haven’t seen any stories about the indy pro San Angelo Colts (United League) celebrating their 15th season at Foster Field on their website, but we did find the logo attached to an April 27 story announcing the release of the team’s 2014 schedule, without an actual schedule attached.  See logo blurb here from the local paper.  Last we heard, the Colts, Fort Worth Cats, Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, and Mexico Paisanos would make up a four-team United League this season.

Fort Worth Cats Release 2014 Schedule, United League Will Operate with Four Teams

The indy pro United League will operate with just four teams in 2014.  The Fort Worth Cats have released their schedule, and only the San Angelo Colts, Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings and new-entry Mexico Paisanos will be coming to LaGrave Field this season. The WhiteWings and Paisanos will apparently share Harlingen Field in Harlingen (TX).  View the Cats’ schedule here.

Professional Soccer to Play Season at LaGrave Field

Minor league soccer is coming to LaGrave Field, home of the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League).  The newly named Fort Worth Vaqueros FC from the National Premier Soccer League will begin play at LaGrave beginning May 9.  Read more here.  View schedule here.

Columnist Makes A-Rod Pitch for Forth Worth Cats

We have to wonder if Forth Worth Star-Telegram blogger/columnist Mac Engel has a bit of a man-crush on embattled New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, as the seemingly giddy-at-the-thought-of-it writer believes the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League) “need” to sign “our favorite son.”  Read more here.

United League’s Financial Woes Haunting Alexandria Too?

Consistent with the story posted over the weekend regarding the financial troubles facing the indy pro United League’s Fort Worth Cats, the former field manager, broadcaster, and other players and employees of the now-dormant or defunct first-year Alexandria Aces claim the league still owes them paychecks.  When asked by the Alexandria newspaper about money owed, former Aces GM and

Adding to the Checkered Financial Past in Fort Worth

In an investigative report, ABC News 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth (TX) looks into claims by employees and vendors that they have not been paid by the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League).  When GM Craig Brasfield is confronted on camera by reporter Byron Harris, he defensively responds with “I’m an employee here, not the owner,” and  repeats “Not true” and “Everybody’s paid” when asked

Was the Fix In? Canseco and the United League’s Fort Worth Cats

In a very belated but troubling story out of Fort Worth (TX) — On Sunday, May 26, 2013, the indy pro United League’s Fort Worth Cats faced the Edinburg Roadrunners at LaGrave Field for the fourth game of the young 2013 season.  In the home dugout was embattled former MLB powerhitter Jose Canseco, who signed a short-term contract to play for the Cats.  In the opposing

Finances Dog Cats, As 2013 Schedule is Released

Despite the outcry by some vendors and employees over not being paid, the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League Baseball) released their schedule for the upcoming 2013 season.  Team owner, league official, and former U.S. Congressman John Bryant confidently had this to say about the team’s finances in the Fort Worth Star-

Roadrunners Finally Release 2013 Schedule, Maddock Leaves Cats

We don’t typically talk about schedules, but the fact that the indy pro Edinburg Roadrunners are the first United League Baseball team out of the gate with a schedule with a mere month before the season begins is worthy of mention.  According to the schedule, the ULB’s lineup will include the Forth Worth Cats, McAllen Thunder, Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, San Angelo Colts, and repatriated

Atlantic League Coming to Fort Worth?

Opening Day Partners chairman Peter Kirk has confirmed his ownership group is in talks with Fort Worth about putting an indy pro Atlantic League franchise at LaGrave Field, the current home of the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League).  Kirk classified the ballpark as half-finished by Atlantic League standards and would need to be upgraded to make it work.  Read more here.  Thanks to Karl for the link.

Cats Owe Suppliers, Payments Expected in January

The indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League/North American League) admittedly owe an estimated $70,000 to vendors, including $38,000 for 20,000 baseballs and uniforms.  Owner John Bryant says the team has a cash flow issue right now, because the ownership had to spend $5.1 million to buy LaGrave Field before Amergy Bank sold it off in a foreclosure auction.  Bryant says the

LaGrave Field Sold

LaGrave Field, home to the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (North American League), was sold to FW Stadium Group LLC, an affiliate of the team’s ownership group, for $4.5 million during a foreclosure auction Tuesday.  Read more here

Cats Name Hart as GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Fort Worth Cats have named Chris Hart as the organization’s new General Manager. Before joining the Cats, Chris spent 10 years with the Texas Rangers Baseball Club in their front office as a Senior Account Executive. During his tenure with the Rangers, he was a part of the team’s first two trips to the World Series, establishing and maintaining relationships between the Rangers and corporate

LaGrave Field Now Under Bankruptcy Protection

In a last ditch maneuver to protect LaGrave Field from foreclosure, owner Carl Bell (LaGrave Reconstruction Co.) filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday.  The stadium is the home of the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (formerly American Association/now North American League), which Bell recently sold to a group led by former Texas Rangers president Mike Stone, and United League and Texas-Louisiana League

Fort Worth Cats Sold, Will Play in North American League

The indy pro Fort Worth Cats (formerly American Association) have been sold to a new ownership group led by former Texas Rangers president Mike Stone, and United Baseball League and Texas-Louisiana League co-founder John Bryant.  The team recently lost its membership in the American Association, so it’s “Welcome to the North American League” for the Cats starting in 2012 .  As you

LaGrave Field Facing Foreclosure (Again), Auction Scheduled

In a move that could spell doom for LaGrave Field and the indy pro Fort Worth Cats, which recently lost its membership in the American Association, note holder Amegy Bank will put the stadium and surrounding property on the auction block on Jan. 3.  This is the second time the property has been posted for foreclosure.  Read more here and here.

LaGrave Field Granted Historic Designation

The City of Fort Worth’s Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission has granted LaGrave Field, home of the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (American Association), historic status.  With this designation, the park can receive special tax breaks, if improvements are ever made to the property.  New LaGrave Field (2002) sits on the same site as old LaGrave Field (1926-1967).  Read more here.

LaGrave Field: Reflecting on Its Past, Pondering Its Future

From its storied history to its uncertain long-term ownership outlook, Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Gil Lebreton takes a look at LaGrave Field, home of the indy pro American Association’s Fort Worth Cats.  Read more and view 23 photos of the Cats’ home opener here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: LaGrave Field

Ballpark Reviews visits LaGrave Field, home of the American Association’s Fort Worth Cats. Read review and view photos here.