A Telus Field Revival?

Telus Field in Edmonton (AB) could become the center of a baseball stadium district that spurs Rossdale redevelopment similar to the impact of Rogers Place on downtown, a new report says.  Read more here.  The stadium is the former home of the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers (Pacific Coast League) and indy pro Edmonton  Cracker-Cats/Capitals (Northern League/Golden Baseball

Kingfish Are No Fielders

The Lake County News-Sun looks back at the failed indy pro Lake County Fielders (Northern League/North American League) and compares the effort to bring baseball to the area with the new summer collegiate Kenosha Kingfish (Northwoods League).  You can ignore the so-called  “reporter” looking for Kevin Costner dirt and not the true facts about the Zion (IL) situation.  Read more here.

Drama Continues in Zion

This news is two weeks old, but the indy pro Lake County Fielders (Northern League/North American League) have amended their lawsuit against Zion (IL),  city officials and a developer to include allegations of bribery against Zion (IL) Mayor Lane Harrison.  Harrison called the allegations against him “fiction” and “unbelievable.”  Read more here.

Judge Issues Ruling in Lake County Fielders Case

Lake County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Ortiz issued a 37-page ruling Thursday on a lawsuit filed by the indy pro Lake County Fielders (Northern League/North American League) against Zion (IL), city officials and a developer that reportedly retains significant claims (including fraud and conspiracy) while also dismissing some aspects of the suit.  The next hearing is set for Dec. 4.  Read more here.

Zion Taxpayers Out Millions Over Abandoned Fielders Ballpark Project

In an investigative report, NBC 5 News Chicago found that taxpayers in Zion (IL) lost at least $7.8 million for the ballpark that was never built for the defunct indy pro Lake County Fielders (Northern League/North American League).  Read more and watch news report here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Rehashing the Fielders: A Player’s Perspective

For those  interested in the failed indy pro Lake County Fielders (Northern League/North American League), a link to an in-depth article by Shannon Proudfoot appearing on SportsNet.com last fall was recently posted on AABFAN.com.  It’s worth a read, even if you paid close attention to the happenings of the Fielders.  Read more here.

New Pacific Association Adds Vallejo, Logo Revealed

The burgeoning Pacific Association, formerly known as the North Division of the defunct indy pro North American League, has added the Vallejo Admirals to replace the traveling Sonoma County Grapes.  The team will be owned by Redwood Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the Grapes and San Rafael Pacifics.  The Admirals will play

Omaha Flame Group Targeting Shakopee (MN)?

While doing a little research on the failed effort to build a new stadium and bring an expansion indy pro Northern League franchise called the Metro Millers to the south Minneapolis (MN) suburb of Burnsville back in 2008, we came across a website claiming that a new team also called the Metro Millers will begin play at the yet-t0-be-built Metro Millers Multi-Event Park in nearby

Edinburg Chooses Most-Recent Tenant Over Ventura Sports Group

The city of Edinburg (TX) in November put the lease to Edinburg Stadium up for bid, after the owner of the indy pro Edinburg Roadrunners (North American League/United League) were late in making lease payments.   In the end, the city decided to stick with the Roadrunners over Ventura Sports Group, the owner of the indy pro Laredo Lemurs (American Association).  Read more here.

Capitals Continue to Hibernate in Edmonton

It appears the indy pro Edmonton Capitals will take another season off, as franchise owners continue to search for a new home in a viable league.  The Caps suspended operations after the 2011 season, when the newly formed North American League began to fall apart.  Read more here.  View team history here.

Pacific Association to Replace NAL North

The new indy pro Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs will replace the North Division of the indy pro North American League.  In addition to playing each other, the San Rafael Pacifics, traveling Sonoma County Grapes, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, and Hawaii Stars will play 24 interleague games.  The two

Rams, Watertown Work on Lease

The potential drama in Watertown (NY) was all for not.  Only one team stepped up to play at Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds for the 2013 season, and it’s the same team that has been playing there for the past decade.  The summer collegiate Watertown Wizards (Perfect Game League), now known as the Watertown Rams, are negotiating with the city to extend their lease.  Interesting that one other potential

New Seating Sections to Be Added to Albert Park

PRESS RELEASE – Building on the excitment of their magical 2012 Inaugural Season that ended with a division championship, the San Rafael Pacifics announced on Monday the creation of new, unique seating options for the 2013 season.

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

Maui Releases Victory Girls Calendar for the Holidays

PRESS RELEASE – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, and their “Spirit Squad,” the Victory Girls, announce that they are accepting advance orders of the brand new 2013 Inaugural Victory Girls calendar, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Shot by Entertainment Photographer, Derek Shook, at some of the most beautiful spots on the island

Edinburg Stadium: Calling All Suitors

The city of Edinburg (TX) has apparently grown tired of the late payments by the owners of the indy pro Edinburg Roadrunners (North American League/United League) for using Edinburg Baseball Stadium.  While the Roadrunners have not been given the boot, the city is now trolling to see if there might be others out there interested in leasing the ballpark.  Read more here.

Pacifics Under New Ownership

PRESS RELEASE – The San Rafael Pacifics Baseball Club have announced a new ownership group that will oversee club operations in 2013 and beyond. Redwood Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC, have purchased the assets of the San Rafael Pacifics and Sonoma County Grapes.

Hawaii Baseball Adds to Board, Looks to Expand

PRESS RELEASE – Hawaii Baseball, LLC, owners and operators of Hawaii’s only professional sports teams, Na Koa Ikaika Maui (www.mauiprobaseball.com) and the Hawaii Stars (www.hawaiistarsprobaseball.com), announced today that the appointment of key marketing executives to its Board of Directors.

Prairie Dogs Still Owe Money to Players

There have already been rumors that the indy pro Abilene Prairie Dogs (North American League/United League) were one and done after a financially troubled first season, and the admission by General Manager Chet Carey that the team still owes some players final paychecks doesn’t help to quell those rumors.  Read more here.

Edinburg to Terminate Lease, If Team Doesn’t Pay Up

The Edinburg City Council has reportedly told the ownership of the indy pro Edinburg Roadrunners (North American League/United League) that they have 30 days to pay $75,000 in back rent for using Edinburg Baseball Stadium, or get out.  The league’s McAllen Thunder also use the park.  Read more here.

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

Na Koa Ikaika Maui Return From Japan, Owners Talk International Baseball Circuit

PRESS RELEASE – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, have returned from a successful tour of Japan.

Na Koa Ikaika Maui to Play Ishikawa Million Stars This Week in Japan, World Independent League to Be Discussed

PRESS RELEASE – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, is honored to announce that they will be participating in another historic exhibition series against the Ishikawa Million Stars on September 10th and 11th, only this time they will be playing in Ishikawa, Japan, at Kanazawa Shimin Stadium.

One and Done for Prairie Dogs?

With the regular season coming to an abrupt, premature halt for the indy pro Abilene Prairie Dogs (North American League) after a road game on Aug. 26, questions remain whether the financially-troubled franchise will return next season.  As reported by the Abilene paper, “league leadership pulled the plug on the team’s inaugural campaign eight games short of its scheduled finale” in Harlingen against the

North American League’s North Division Survives Season

Despite the rocky start with only four teams — including two squads formed at the last minute to replace the Yuma and Fullerton franchises withdrawn from the circuit — the indy pro North American League’s North Division ended the season Sunday night with the first-year San Rafael Pacifics taking the title from the Na Koa Ikaika Maui in a three-game championship series.  Read more here.

Indoor Football League Team Owner Exploring Pro Baseball for Lake Charles (LA)

Chris Meaux, president of the Professional Indoor Football League’s Louisiana Swashbucklers, says he is in preliminary discussions with a group willing to help him bring an indy pro North American League franchise to Lake Charles (LA).  The summer collegiate Texas Collegiate League has also shown interest in the market.  Read more here.

Freedom Pro Baseball League Expects to Return

The indy pro Freedom Pro Baseball League is wrapping up its red-ink-bleeding inaugural season, but league chief Joe Sperle doesn’t seem deterred from returning next season in an interview with Rodney Johnson, president of the Arizona Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).  In the interview, Sperle attempts to show how his

Committee Hears Few Concerns About Pacifics

Beyond minor noise and jaywalking complaints, the seven-member Albert Park Advisory Committee heard few concerns during Monday’s mid-season review Monday of the inaugural San Rafael Pacifics (North American League) playing at Albert Park.  Read more here.

Mid-Season Review for Pacifics Today

The seven-member Albert Park Advisory Committee will conduct a mid-season review Monday of the inaugural San Rafael Pacifics (North American League) playing at Albert Park.  The group includes three members from the adjacent neighborhood, one downtown business owner, two from the Pacifics’ ownership group, and one from the Parks and Recreation Commission.  Read more here.  View attendance numbers here.

RMWB Council Approves Expansion for Fort McMurray, Alberta Ballpark Project

Despite not having a league to play in with the dessimation of the indy pro North American League, Craig Tkachuk‘s ballpark project in Fort McMurray (AB) is moving forward.  The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo councilors unanimously approved a $127-million expansion to MacDonald Island Park that includes a professional baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Maui to Face Ishikawa Million Stars of Japan

PRESS RELEASE – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, is honored to welcome the Ishikawa Million Stars of Japan to the island of Maui for an exciting International Exhibition Series. The series will be held at Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku on Tuesday July 10th and Wednesday July 11th, with Maui set to visit the Million Stars in Ishikawa in

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Albert Park (San Rafael, CA)

World Wide Baseball Stadiums recently visited Albert Park, home of the first-year indy pro San Rafael Pacifics (North American League).  View photos on Facebook here.

Female Pitcher Earns Third Pro Win

Japanese female pitcher Eri Yoshida, the “Knuckle Princess,” secured her third professional victory Saturday night, as the indy pro Na Koa Ikaiku Maui defeated North American League rivals the San Rafael Pacifics 9-4 at Maehara Stadium.  Read more here.

Eri Yoshida – Maui Facebook Photo

Na Koa Ikaika Sets New Attendance Record on Opening Day of the 2012 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, is proud to announce that last night’s 2012 Season Opener set a new franchise attendance record of almost 3,000 fans! The actual paid attendance was 2,818. The previous record was under 2,000. Na Koa Ikaika Maui defeated their new sister team, the Hawaii Stars (of Hilo, Hawaii) 4-3, coming back

First-Year Pacifics Open Season in Front of Full House

Over 1,000 fans turned out Monday night to watch the inaugural home opener for the indy pro San Rafael Pacifics (North American League) at Albert Park.  Read more here.

NAL’s Southern Division Now United

We noticed that the indy pro North American League’s Southern Division is now listed as the United Division.  As this whole Frankenleague experiment — born out of desperation, not inspiration — evolves, we could certainly see the Texas teams reverting back to the old United League Baseball brand, if the Northern Division of the NAL fails to stabilize.  The Edinburg Roadrunners

Franchise Start Up in a Crunch

It’s been a scramble to take the indy pro North American League’s revamped Northern Division from two teams to four, but it appears to be getting done.  Logos for the new Hawaii Stars and Sonoma County Grapes were introduced earlier this week, the Stars have secured Wong Stadium as the team’s home, and a travel-mitigating schedule is in place.  Now it’s time to focus on putting fans in the seats.  Read more here.

New Flyers to Pay Old Flyers’ Debt, Return to Goodwin Field?

According to a Cal State Fullerton official, Godfather Media, Inc. has contacted the university about making arrangements to pay off the $75,000 debt owed by the indy pro Fullerton/Orange County Flyers (Golden Baseball League) for the use of Goodwin Field before the team went dark in 2010.  Godfather recently took control of the franchise and apparently wants to bring the Flyers back to Goodwin in

More on the American West Baseball League

The Orange County Register has posted a story about the new American West Baseball League.  It is pretty much a rehash of the Godfather Media, Inc.’s press release.  The league will: (1) charge teams an initial franchise fee and annual league fee, (2) provide sales and marketing training to team owners and staff, (3) share league advertising revenues with teams, and (4) charge players for participating in the fall and winter instructional leagues.  Read more here.

Godfather Media Launches New League, Agency

Hot on the heels of pulling the Yuma Panthers and Fullerton Flyers out of the indy pro North American League and taking them dark for 2012, Godfather Media, Inc. has announced the formation of the American West Baseball League (AWBL).