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.

Land Swap Deal to Revive LaGrave Field

LaGrave Field, the former home of the Fort Worth Cats (Independent Professional, United League Baseball/North American League/American Association/Central Baseball League/All-American Association), has been deteriorating for four years.  Now it appears to be getting a new lease on life via a land-swap deal between the Tarrant Regional Water District and the ballpark’s owners, Houston-based Panther Acquisition Partners.  Read more here.  Watch news report here.  Visit Save LaGrave here.

Future of LaGrave Field Remains Uncertain

As summer drags on without Fort Worth Cats (Indy Pro, United League) action, civic leaders and baseball fans are scrambling to bring back minor league baseball to LaGrave Field — or risk losing it for good.  Read more here.  Thanks to Jim Smith for LaGrave link.

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.

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

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.