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

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.

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.

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).

The Future of the New Jerey’s Riverfront Stadium

Redevelopment plans for the site of a Newark (NJ) baseball stadium are moving forward.  Essex County’s Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a public hearing this month regarding the future of the 17-year-old Newark Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Say Goodbye to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium

The former home of the defunct Newark Bears (Independent, Atlantic League/Can-Am League) has been sold to a New York-based developer for $23.5 million. The purchaser plans to demolish Riverfront Stadium and build a mixed-use, high-rise tower in its place.  Read more here.

A Casino for Newark’s Riverfront Stadium?

Hopes are high that the legislature and voters could pave the way for a gambling venue in Newark (NJ) by the end of the year, and preliminary conversations with developers have apparently already begun.  Riverfront Stadium, the former home of the Newark Bears (Indy Pro, Can-Am League), is reportedly one of three target locations being considered.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Possible Ballpark Suitor in Newark

A.J. Khubani, founder of Telebrands, the Fairfield (NJ) company credited with creating the “As Seen on TV” direct-marketing business model, said Thursday he is exploring the possibility of making a bid to bring a minor league baseball team back to Newark and reopen Riverfront Stadium for minor league baseball.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Looks for New Tenant, Bears Former Owner Looks to New Fall League Venture

With the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) now just a memory, the city of Newark and Essex County, both on the hook for more than $2 million in annual debt obligations on Riverfront Stadium until 2029, continue to scramble to find a new tenant.  Meanwhile, former Bears owner Doug Spiel says he plans to join three friends in launching a four-team fall league for rookie-level players in Arizona next September.  Read more here.

Former Field Manager Blames Owners for Bears Demise

Ken Oberkfell, former field manager of the now-defunct indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), paints a depressing picture of bumbling mismanagement of the club by owners Douglas Spiel and his wife, Danielle Dronet.  Oberkfell is now field manager for the indy pro Lincoln SaltDogs (American Association).  Spiel and Dronet are reportedly no longer a couple.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Bears Done?

Rumors were already out there that the indy pro Newark Bears would not be returning for the 2014 season.  Beyond the team’s absence from the Can-Am League website header and 2014 schedule, a liquidation sale and auction announcement was posted on the Bears Facebook page this afternoon.

Assessing the Future of the Newark Bears

Sports communications-guru Joe Favorito takes a look at the current and future status of the hibernating (?) indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), after team owners pulled the plug on the franchise for the 2014 season.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Bears to Play Outside Can-Am League in 2014?

On Wednesday, the indy pro Can-Am League announced the Newark Bears would not be returning next season, but co-owner Danielle Dronet said Friday the struggling franchise will take the field for the 2014 season.  According to NJ.com, Dronet said the following:

“We have a couple of opportunities that we are evaluating and exploring,” said Dronet, who co-owns the baseball team with her partner, Douglas Spiel.  Asked to confirm if the team would play she said, “I’m pretty positive that yes, in some capacity, yes.”

Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Can-Am League to Play as Division in Four Division American Association, Minus Newark Bears

PRESS RELEASE – Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball commissioner Miles Wolff announced on Wednesday that the league will play as one of four divisions in the American Association for the 2014 season. Can-Am League players

Panasonic Partners with New Neighbors Newark Bears to Enhance Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – Panasonic Eco Solutions North America announces that it has installed new, cutting-edge LED videoboards at the Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in partnership with the Newark Bears. The stadium is in the same city soon to be the new home of Panasonic’s North American headquarters – Newark, New Jersey.

BieberDuped in Newark?

The indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) announced Monday that Justin Bieber would make an appearance at a fundraiser for charity at Riverfront Stadium the end of October.  When Bieber’s publicist was asked about the show, she dismissed it as “pure fiction.”  This afternoon, the Newark Bears tweeted the following:

Justin Bieber to Headline ‘Stadium of Screams’ Party for Charity at Riverfront Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – International pop sensation Justin Bieber and Owner/CEO/GM Danielle Dronet host as a special event at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J., as part of the Newark Bears’ second annual “Stadium of Screams” in support of the Newark Bears That Care Foundation.

Bears, Neil Berg Set to Bring “100 Years of Broadway” to Newark

PRESS RELEASE – Broadway composer Neil Berg is bringing his musical, “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway” to Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J. An ensemble of the best variety from several popular Broadway musicals, the show will be performed prior to the Newark Bears baseball game on July 14.

Getting to Know the Owners of the Newark Bears

In true reality-show style, the indy pro Newarks Bears (Can-Am League) have released a video featuring the owners of the franchise and their immediate family.  Beyond the interesting cast of real characters and a little drama too, the owners appear to be trying hard and spending a poop-load of money to turn the Bears around.  View this and more videos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Bears Promote ‘Stadium of Screams’ with News Report

The indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) are promoting the opening of the “Stadium of Screams” at Riverfront Stadium with a news report and scary cell phone footage.  View news report here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Yanks Tried to Pay to Play in Newark

The New York Yankees reportedly offered the New York Mets $250,000 to allow the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to temporarily relocate to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), but talks collapsed when the Mets demanded the right to permanently relocate one of their affiliates to Long Island or Connecticut.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Triple-A Yanks Would Bring No Harm to Mets

Unnamed experts believe that moving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), for one season while PNC Field is being renovated would have no negative financial impact on the New York Mets.  Duh!  Read more here.

Newark Bears Open ‘Stadium of Screams’ Friday

PRESS RELEASE – Newark Bears is hosting their first annual Stadium of Screams Halloween Bash. The Bash will start on Friday, September 30th and run every Friday-Sunday till November 6th, including October 31st (Halloween).

Mets Stiff-Arm Yanks in Newark

The New York Mets have reportedly exercised their territorial rights and rejected a proposal by the New York Yankees to move the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) for one season.  Read more here.

Newark Bears Hire New GM

PRESS RELEASE – In the past few months, the Newark Bears have been about change. New owners, new attitude and now, a shakeup in management. The Newark Bears welcome former Bear, Matt Smith back to the team in his new role as General Manager.

MADD Rejects Donation on Heels of Beer Pong Tournament, Bears Release Statement

The indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) withdrew a $2,000 donation offer to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in the name of New York Yankees World Series star Jim Leyritz, after the organization said they would reject it.  The donation was reportedly to coincide with the Bear’s last Thirsty Thursday of the season and beer pong tournament.  Leyritz was convicted of driving under

Soccer Stadium Envy in Newark?

Newark (NJ) had a chance to build a new soccer stadium for an MLS team but chose the baseball-only route when Riverfront Stadium was built for the struggling indy pro Newark Bears (then Atlantic League, now Can-Am League).  Today, just across the river in Harrison (NJ), 25,000 fans pack 17-month-old Red Bull Arena, home of MLS’s Red Bulls.  Read more here.  View gallery here.

All About the Struggling Newark Bears

The Star-Ledger’s Amy Brittain takes a very interesting, in-depth look at the ownership, operations, and finances of the indy pro Can-Am League’s Newark Bears.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Riverfront Stadium (Newark, NJ)

Reuben Frank from CSNPhilly.com visits Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Bears Under New Ownership (Again)

The four-person ownership for the indy pro Can-Am League’s Newark (NJ) Bears is now down to two, after Doug Speil and Danielle Dronet acquired full control of the team from fellow co-owners Tom Cetnar and Shelley Garrett.  There was reportedly plenty of friction between the parties over team operations and finances, after the foursome took over the financially-struggling club

Governer Promotes NJ Baseball Teams

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is promoting the six minor league baseball teams in New Jersey via the state’s official website.  Now this is the type of elected representation we like to see!  View website here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Bears Unveil New Unis

PRESS RELEASE – The Newark Bears held their annual Media Day festivities Thursday afternoon at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, with Bears partner and CEO Tom Cetnar unveiling a new red, white and blue home uniform that will be worn for the first time when the Bears open their 2011 season next Thursday, May 26.

New Jersey’s Affiliated Clubs Set Selves Apart from Indy Pros?

Sports marketing and PR guy Joe Favorito compares the success of New Jersey’s affiliated teams (Trenton Thunder and Lakewood Blue Claws), with the state’s challenged indy pro clubs (Newark Bears, New Jersey Jackals, and now-defunct Sussex Skyhawks).  We thinks Joe should have given a little ink to the popular indy pro Somerset Patriots, Camden Riversharks,

Bears, Jackals Announce Rivalry ‘County Executive’s Cup’

PRESS RELEASE – The New Jersey Jackals and and Newark Bears Form Off-the-Field Friendship to Increase Community Involvement.

Can-Am, Atlantic League Announce Bears Move

PRESS RELEASE – The Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am League) and the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs (Atlantic League) today jointly announced the transfer of the Newark Bears, who have played as a member of the Atlantic League since inception, to the Can-Am League for the 2011 season.

Colonials Renew Agreement with Can-Am League, New Markets on Deck

The Pittsfield (MA) Colonials have renewed their franchise affiliation agreement with the indy pro Can-Am League for the next three years.  This does not guarantee that the franchise remains in Pittsfield, but the ownership has expressed a commitment to the market.  In other Can-Am news, the league heard presentations from groups representing Ramapo (NY), Newark (NJ), and Trois Rivieres (QC) at the

New Owner Seeks to Move Bears to Can-Am League

The Atlantic League’s Newark (NJ) Bears are now under new ownership and may end up in a new league.  Thomas Cetnar has taken control of the franchise and has his sights set on moving the team to the Can-Am League.  The Can-Am League is expected vote on the proposal at a league meeting next week.  Read more here.

Life on the Minor League Bottom Rung

Richmond W. Benichak is a sports management student at NYU and a finance intern with the Atlantic League’s Newark Bears.  Nominal pay and long hours are the name of the game, but the experience is invaluable.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

‘Stadium Crawl’: Rating the Ballparks in NY, NJ

Joe DeLessio and Will Leitch from the sports pages of New York magazine are on a “stadium crawl” mission to visit and rate a number of minor league ballparks in New York and New Jersey based on five categories, including Facilities, Quality of Play, Promotions, Adorability, and Miscellaneous.  The tour began on April 28 with a visit to the

New Jersey: The State of Baseball

New Jersey has come along way in the baseball revival world over the past two decades.  We haven’t personally done the math, but it looks like folks in the Garden State can lay claim to having the most minor league and indy pro baseball teams per square mile than any other state, and some believe there is room for a few more.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the article.