Frontier League Adds Ottawa to Lineup, Ownership Group Led by Goldeyes’ Sam Katz

PRESS RELEASE – The Frontier League has announced the granting of an expansion membership to Ottawa, Ontario, to begin play in the 2021 season. Ottawa becomes the 15th Frontier League team and the third in Canada, joining the Quebec Capitales and Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

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.

Ottawa Stadium Gets New Name

PRESS RELEASE – The Ottawa Champions Baseball Club will play their home opener of their inaugural season on May 22 against the Sussex County Miners in newly designated “Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park”.

Ottawa to Host 2017 Can-Am League/American Association All-Star Game to Align with Canada’s 150th Birthday Celebrations

PRESS RELEASE – Ottawa Stadium and the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club will host the 2017 Can-Am League and American Association of Professional Baseball League All-Star game. Following a vote by Owner’s in both Leagues, Ottawa was awarded the 2017 All-Star game to align with the Canada’s 150th Birthday celebrations taking place in the Nation’s Capital.

Ottawa Champions Unveil Logos, Website

PRESS RELEASE – Today, the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club unveiled their official team logos in advance of their inaugural season in 2015. Ottawa’s newest professional sports franchise released their new corporate logo and a special baseball hat logo to be worn by the players next May when the season starts.

It’s the ‘Ottawa Champions’

The name for the indy pro Can-Am League expansion team that will take up residence at Ottawa Stadium in Ottawa (ON) next season will be known as the “Ottawa Champions.”  The name was announced at a press conference Monday.  Read more here.  Watch news report here.

Mayor, Hall of Famer Stuck in Ottawa Stadium Elevator, Baseball Booster Complains About News Coverage

The mayor of Ottawa (ON), Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins and others were stranded in an elevator at Ottawa Stadium for nearly an hour, as supporters of local youth teams, adult amateur baseball, and the new franchise from the indy pro Can-Am League gathered together for the city’s inaugural Baseball Day.  Read more here.  One booster wasn’t happy with the Ottawa Citizen’s coverage of the event.  Read more here.

Wolff Optimistic About Baseball in Ottawa

There is no owner and just one employee, but indy pro Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff is optimistic that there will be a baseball team in Ottawa Stadium next year.  Read more here.

Ottawa, Can-Am League Finalize Ballpark Lease

Speaking Wednesday as part of his “State of the City” address, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said the municipality has signed a lease agreement with the indy pro Can-Am baseball league that will see a team play out of the Ottawa Stadium on Coventry Road starting in 2015.  In his own words, the mayor said the following:

“I’m also pleased to announce this morning that we’ve signed a lease agreement with the CanAm League that will see baseball return to Ottawa next year.  We look forward to helping raise awareness and excitement in the months ahead, to ensure the team’s long-term success in our city.”

Read more here.  View lease terms here.

Ottawa Council Approves Deal with Can-Am League

The Ottawa City Council on Wednesday approved a deal to lease Ottawa Stadium to the indy pro Can-Am League for at least 10 years.  A new franchise is slated to take the field for 50 home games starting in 2015.  Read more here.  Read league press release here.

Council Committee: Begin Negotiations with Can-Am League

Members of the Ottawa City Council’s finance and economic development committee voted Tuesday to direct staff to enter into negotiations with the indy pro Can-Am League to lease Ottawa Stadium for a new Can-Am League franchise starting in 2015.  Read more here.

Ottawa to Consider Can-Am League Recommendation

Ottawa (ON) Mayor Jim Watson announced late Tuesday that a staff report to be presented to the city’s financial and economic development committee Oct. 1 recommends approving an offer from the indy pro Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball to lease Ottawa Stadium.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Multiple Bids in Ottawa, But…

The city of Ottawa announced today that more than one suitor submitted a bid to lease Ottawa Stadium before the deadline for offers expired Thursday afternoon, but, as posted Wednesday, the bid by Mandalay Sports Entertainment and Professional Sports Catering was the only “legitimate” one.  Read more here.  More from “The Bulldog” here.

As RFO Deadline Approaches, Only One ‘Legitimate’ Bid in Ottawa

Ken “The Bulldog” Gray is reporting that a source close to the negotiations has indicated that Mandalay Sports Entertainment and Professional Sports Catering have submitted the only ‘legitimate’ bid in response to the city of Ottawa’s Request for Offers (RFO) to lease Ottawa Stadium.  The RFO deadline is August 8.  Read more here.  Read more about the bid here.  View RFO here.

Ottawa Formally Seeking Bidders for Ballpark

The city of Ottawa (ON) announced late Thursday that it put out a formal “request for offers” for potential bidders to lease Ottawa Stadium and bring a minor-league baseball franchise to town.  Tours of the ballpark for any interested parties are scheduled for late next week.  Bids are due by August 8th.  Read more here.  View RFO here.

A Single-A Option for Ottawa?

An Ottawa city committee heard that there is at least one team ready to submit a proposal to bring baseball back to the city, pending $10 million to $30 million in funding for Ottawa Stadium upgrades.  Single-A ball is reportedly a possibility.  Read more here and here.

Ottawa Mayor Defends Self, City Against Critic

Ottawa (ON) Mayor Jim Watson is defending himself and the city against Ottawa Citizen columnist Joanne Chianello, who criticized the mayor and the city for rushing to release a detailed report on the future of the Ottawa Stadium developed from “secret negotiations” without any public consultation.  Read more here.

A Summer Bid for Ottawa Stadium

Marketing Breakthroughs CEO Steve Klein and former Ottawa Fat Cats GM Duncan MacDonald have made an unsolicited pitch to the City of Ottawa to manage vacant Ottawa Stadium over the summer and open the space up to youth and amateur ball clubs.  So far, the pair have not received a response from the city.  Read more here.

Ottawa Looks to Landsdowne Project as Model

As talks continue to bring a Double-A Eastern League team to Ottawa, the city and investors  are contemplating a Landsdowne-style property-development deal to help fund the high cost of renovating Ottawa Stadium.  Read more here

Yee Haw Time at Ottawa Stadium?

Capital Hoedown organizer Denis Benoit is interested in using Ottawa Stadium as a venue for the country music festival that he hopes to resurrect next summer.  The event has been billed as “Ottawa’s Biggest Summer Party!”  Read more here.

Fat Cats Given the Boot

With renovations to Ottawa Stadium and a Double-A Eastern League franchise on their way, the Ottawa Fat Cats (Intercounty Baseball League) were told to clear out of the ballpark by midnight Tuesday night.  The team would like to stay and play in 2013 while construction is going on, but it appears the Fat Cats are done.  Read more here.

Gray Predicting a Different Experience for Ottawa Baseball Fans This Time Around

Ottawa Sun blogger Ken “The Bulldog” Gray, a vocal proponent of bringing Double-A ball to Ottawa, visited Grayson Stadium last spring to experience the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) operation first hand.  While taking minor shots at the former Triple-A Ottawa Lynx (International League) and even the Toronto Blue Jays, Gray voices his expectations for a fun-filled

Double-A Ball Actually Headed Toward Ottawa?

An agreement has reportedly been reached between the City of Ottawa and middleman/broker Beacon Sports, and Beacon Sports and an unnamed Double-A Eastern League team, to bring the franchise to a renovated Ottawa Stadium beginning in 2014.  Read more here.  Read mayor’s press release here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Ottawa Stadium (Ottawa, Ontario)

Callum Hughson from MopUpDuty.com visits Ottawa Stadium, home of the semi-professional Ottawa Fat Cats (Intercounty Baseball League).  Read review and view photos here.

Ottawa Baseball Decision By Fall

The City of Ottawa and Beacon Sports of Boston are still in talks to bring a Double-A Eastern League team to a renovated Ottawa Stadium in 2014.  Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson says he has had meetings with a possible owner with “tremendous credibility,” and the city has talked with others too.  Beacon Sports of Boston hopes to have a deal signed, sealed, delivered, and approved by around Oct. 1.

Time to Move On in Ottawa?

Elizabeth Payne, a member of the Ottawa Citizen’s editorial board, believes it’s time to sell Ottawa Stadium.  Read more here.  As you would expect, ballpark and baseball proponent Ken “The Bulldog” Gray vehemently disagrees.  Read more here.  Beacon Sports says they remain on track to bring a Double-A Eastern League team to Ottawa in 2014.  We’ll see.

Fat Cats Fired Up Over Festival’s Damage to Field

Ottawa Stadium Group, owners of the amateur Ottawa Fat Cats (Intercounty Baseball League), are not happy with the condition of the field at Ottawa Stadium after the two-day Escapade (electronic) Music Festival on Canada Day weekend.  OSG estimates the damage to be $25,000 to $30,000, which they are seeking from event organizers.  Read more here.

The Bulldog Blasts Ottawa Officials (Again!)

Ottawa Citzen columnist and blogger Ken “The Bulldog” Gray takes another shot at the City of Ottawa for failing to negotiate a final lease deal with Beacon Sports of Boston in time to bring a Double-A Eastern League franchise to Ottawa Stadium starting next season.  We’re not so sure the city is entirely to blame here, but we enjoy The Bulldog’s prodding.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Beacon Sports Confirms No Double-A Baseball in Ottawa for 2013

Beacon Sports of Boston confirmed today that the group will not be seeking a Double-A Eastern League team to play at Ottawa Stadium in 2013 because time has run out to finalize a lease agreement and secure all the necessary approvals to purchase and relocate an existing franchise.  Beacon would still like to continue lease negotiations with the city for a 2014 start.  Read more here.  The parties have been

Fat Cats Back for 2012, Community Group Launches Double-A Website

The City of Ottawa has worked out a deal for the Ottawa Fat Cats (Intercounty Baseball league) to return to Ottawa Stadium for the 2012 season, while the ballpark is being upgraded for a relocated Double-A Eastern League franchise.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, a community group has launched a new website to help stir interest in season

Ottawa Stadium to Get Artificial Turf

Ken “The Bulldog” Gray from the Ottawa Citizen is reporting that artificial turf will be installed at Ottawa Stadium to accommodate the Double-A Eastern League franchise coming to town in 2013.  Gray believes this is a sign that the team will be an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, as the possible parent club uses artificial turf too.  Read more here.

Ottawa Council Approves Double-A Deal

The Ottawa City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a deal with Beacon Sports of Boston to bring a Double-A Eastern League franchise to Ottawa Stadium beginning in 2013.  No word yet on the franchise slated for relocation, but all signs continue to point toward the Binghamton Mets.  Read more here.

Deal Would Reduce Ottawa Ballpark Capacity by 2,000

According to Councillor Rick Chiarelli, Beacon Sports of Boston would remove 2,000 seats from Ottawa Stadium and replace them with other fan-friendly amenities, if a deal is finalized to bring a Double-A Eastern League to town.  This would reduce the capacity of the ballpark to around 8,000, which would be a good move to enhance all-important ballpark intimacy and add amenities that fans expect in

More on Ottawa

As reported earlier, Ottawa has agreed to a tentative deal with Beacon Sports of Boston to bring a Double-A Eastern League franchise, expected to be the Binghamton Mets, to Ottawa Stadium in 2013.  One debate now is whether the Intercounty Baseball League’s Ottawa Fat Cats can play this summer or not.  City staff are recommending

Deal to Bring Double-A Ball to Ottawa to be Announced Friday

The City of Ottawa has reportedly reached a tentative long-term deal with Beacon Sports of Boston (MA) to bring a Double-A Eastern League team to the capital city beginning in 2013.  The city is apparently planning to pump $6 million into Ottawa Stadium to bring it up to par, while Beacon will pony up $3 million.  If the deal happens, expect the team’s affiliation to eventually be the Toronto Blue Jays.  Read more here.

Mayor, Potential AA Team Owners: One-Week Delay Not a Concern

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is saying that a one-week delay from Feb. 7 to Feb. 16 for city staff to report on the future of minor league baseball at Ottawa Stadium will not harm chances for Double-A ball in the capital city.  The potential Double-A team owners apparently agree.  In an effort to keep the pressure on, Ken “The Bulldog” Gray has continued to chomp at the city’s heels clamoring

Mayor ‘Very Optimistic’ About Future of Baseball in Ottawa

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has said that the prospects for Double-A baseball are not in danger, despite the holdup in  announcing the winning bidder for the use of Ottawa Stadium.  Confidential discussions with bidders are apparently causing the delay, but a final report to the council is expected to be issued on Feb. 7.  Read more here.

Ottawa Stadium: Let the Bidding Begin

The lease to use Ottawa Stadium, the current home of the semi-pro Ottawa Fat Cats (Intercounty Baseball League), has been put up for bid by the city, which may very well lead to a return of affiliated ball to the capital city.  The bidding process appears to be nothing more than a formality, as Double-A ball remains on deck.  Read more here.

The Bulldog Advocates for Affiliated Ball in Ottawa

Ottawa Citizen columnist Ken Gray makes another pitch for Double-A ball in Ottawa, and hammers the city and the former owner of the Triple-A Ottawa Lynx for the demise of affiliated ball in the past.  Read more here.  Gray has commented extensively on the possible return of affiliated ball to the capital city on The Bulldog, his daily blog.

Writer Pooh-Poohs Idea of Double-A Ball in Ottawa

Folks in Ottawa seem pretty excited about the possible return of affiliated ball to the capital city.  Ottawa Citizen writer Mark Sutcliffe is one of those who would be happy to see Double-A ball take up residence at Ottawa Stadium, but he thinks it would be a failure.  Read more here.