Luzerne County, Lakawanna County Nearing Settlement Over SWB Club

Luzerne County’s lawsuit aiming to gain half of the $14.6 million sale of the Moosic (PA)-based Triple-A minor league baseball franchise might be moving closer to a settlement.  Read more here.

Rochester Loses $48K with Batavia Under Its Wings

The Triple-A Rochester Red Wings (International League) made $95,000 from their own operations and allowing the Empire State Yankees (now Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) play 40 games at Frontier Field in 2012.  But the Wings lost $143,000 operating the Single-A Batavia Muckdogs (New York-Penn League), for a net loss of $48,000.  On a positive note, the Wing are sitting on

Fans Tour PNC Field

Fans of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (International League) braved the snow and cold this weekend to get their first glimpse of the new PNC Field during Saturday’s open house.  Read more and view video and photos here.

It’s the SWB ‘RailRiders’

PRESS RELEASE – The curtain has been pulled back, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) have arrived. Northeast Pennsylvania’s hometown team unveiled its new identity at the hotly-anticipated “Big Reveal” on Wednesday at Genetti Manor in Dickson City. Amid a carnival atmosphere populated by an overflowing throng of faithful fans and area media

Media Given Tour of New PNC Field, Videos Posted

The soon-to-be-renamed Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) offered the local media their first tour of the new PNC Field currently under (re)construction in Moosic (PA).  According to project superintendent John Baer, the 10,000-seat ballpark will be ready in time for the team’s home opener on April 4.  Read more and watch videos here and here.

SWB Yankees Name New Voice

The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) have announced the hiring of John Sadak as the team’s new director of media relations & broadcasting. Sadak (SAY-dack) comes to NEPA from the Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks where he served in a similar role since 2006. His tenure with the club will begin on Nov. 5.

New Stadium Construction Offers Unique Fan Outreach

About 1,200 fans of the soon-to-be-rebranded Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) showed up in Moosic (PA) Tuesday to add their signatures to the last steel beam to be installed during the $43.3 million reconstruction of PNC Field.  Read more here.

Luzerne County, Lackawanna County Legal Battle Not Over

We never heard that Lackawanna County and Luzerne County ever settled their dispute over the sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees, but we assumed it was still hanging out there.  Well, indeed it is, as Luzerne has just hired a Pittsburgh law firm to represent them in legal action against the neighboring county.  Read more here.

Rebuilding PNC Field: Construction Midpoint

Construction of the rebuilt (new) $43.3 million ballpark for the soon-to-be-rebranded Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) is at its midpoint between the groundbreaking last spring and opening day on April 4, 2013.  Read more and view photo here.

Voting Begins for New SWB Team Name

More than 2,700 names were submitted by fans to help rename the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees (International League).  Based on relevance to the area, family-friendliness and fun, the ownership has narrowed the list to six, including Blast, Black Diamond Bears, Fireflies, RailRiders, Porcupines, and Trolley Frogs.  To read the stories behind the choices and vote, click here.

PNC Field Seats Sold, More Available

More than 100 people showed up at the PNC Field Saturday to buy up seats from the old ballpark being dimantled to make room for the new home for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  The seats were sold for $25 each.  There are still more available, but interested parties only have a week or two to grab them up before the stadium authority disposes of them.  Read more here and here.

Crain Talks New Beginnings for SWB Yanks

TheTimes-Tribune.com staff writer David Singleton introduces us to Rob Crain, the new president and GM of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  Crain  looks to “press the reset button” for the team at rebuilt PNC Field with a renewed focus on fan service and entertainment.  Read more here.

Crain Named President and GM of SWB Yankees

PRESS RELEASE – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees continue the process of returning to Northeast Pennsylvania and to the reconstructed PNC Field for the 2013 season and are announcing the new leadership team for the franchise introducing Rob Crain as the new President and General Manager for the organization.

New Giant Video Board to Add to Fan Experience

Consistent with other new ballparks, expect the video board at the rebuilt PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, to wow fans.  Lackawanna County has issued an RFP for a scoreboard package calling for a “26-foot by 40-foot video board and a roughly 6-foot-tall LED digital display board that will stretch between 150 and 190 feet along the right field wall.”  Read more here

SWB Yankees Announce Name-the-Team Contest

PRESS RELEASE – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Professional Baseball is giving you the opportunity that few fans ever get – the chance to help us name your baseball team! Submit your team name using the form below, and you just might secure your place in baseball history. If your team name is chosen, you’ll receive two (2) season ticket plans in 2013, a team jersey and hat, and you’ll also throw out the first pitch at one of our 2013 home games!  Enter contest here.

PNC Field Slowly Coming Down

Amanda Lippert from BaseballStadiumReviews.com has posted 15 photos on Facebook showing PNC Field slowly being demolished.  View photos here.  Obviously, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Name Change for SWB Yankees?

During the groundbreaking ceremony for the replacement of PNC Field Monday, it was suggested that a name change could be on the horizon for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.  While the Yankees name has value, energizing the opening of a fancy new ballpark with a creative new team branding campaign is the correct model.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the Link.

SWB Yankees Sold, PNC Field Demolition to Begin Soon

Lackawanna County signed off on a deal Thursday to finally sell the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankess (International League) to the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Properties for $14.6 million.  A dispute between Lackawanna and Luzerne County over the proceeds remains at issue.  Read more here.  View purchase agreement here.  Now it’s time to push the pedal to the metal to demolish and replace PNC Field, which could begin Friday.  Read more here.

Deal Close for SWB Yankees

A deal to keep the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) in Northeastern Pennsyvania for the next 30 years in a rebuilt PNC Field could be signed as early as Thursday.  The final agreement is expected to be presented to the Lackawanna County Commissioners and the Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority on Wednesday night.  Read more here.

Rose to Step Down as President of SWB Yankees

PRESS RELEASE – The Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees announced today that Kristen Rose, team President, has resigned in order to relocate closer to family and take on the role of Executive Vice President of Mandalay Baseball Properties. In discussing her decision with the staff this morning, Ms. Rose said “I have enjoyed my time as President of the SWB Yankees, but have decided for

Pondering the Future of the SWB/Empire State Yankees

There are concerns in town that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area could actually lose the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (now Empire State Yankees), if a stadium deal does not come together shortly.  Read more here.  We have not seen the option-to-buy contract between Lackawanna County and the New York Yankees/Mandalay Baseball Properties, but we thought the deal was a mere

SWB Yankes Now Empire State Yankees, Logos Unveiled (UPDATED)

PRESS RELEASE – The Rochester Red Wings announced today that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, who will play their entire 2012 season on the road while PNC Field in Moosic, PA is renovated, will be known as the Empire State Yankees for the 2012 season.

Negotiations Not Yet Done for Sale of SWB Yankees

Lackawanna County (PA) is still in negotiations to sell the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) to SWB Yankees LLC, a joint venture between Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees.  Concerns have been raised by some that time is running very short, as demolition of PNC Field needs to begin soon in order for a new ballpark to be built in time for the club’s

Design Work Halted on SWB Yankees Ballpark

Lackawanna County (PA) has put a hold on the design work being done for the new stadium for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, until the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball Properties, which are expected to buy the team pursuant to a memorandum of understanding signed in 2010, step up to the plate to finalize a deal for the stadium construction and lease.  Read more here.

Lackawanna Gets Extension, Commissioner Wants Guarantee from NY Yankees

The State of Pennsylvania has given Lackawanna County a one-year extension to raise the matching funds necessary to receive a $20 million state grant to build a new ballpark for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  In related news, outgoing Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo would like to see the New York Yankees guarantee annual lease payments

Deadline Approaches for $20M Ballpark Grant

In order to receive a $20 million grant awarded by the State of Pennsylvania to renovate PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League), Lackawanna County has until Dec. 6 to sell the team.  The sale of the franchise is necessary to raise the required matching funds for the $40 million project.  Don’t fret though, as a deadline extension appears

Yankees Want Their Name Back?

While working to divest themselves of their minor league affiliates, the New York Yankees apparently want to keep their brand solely for themselves. According to Jim Timlin, chairman of the Lackawanna County Stadium Authority board, the Yankees have “recommended” that the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees get a new nickname.

Contract Law Expert: Luzerne Entitled to Half

According to a four-page legal opinion released at a press conference yesterday, Luzerne County is entitled to half of the proceeds (approximately $7 million) from any sale of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  The opinion was written by Dr. John E. Murray Jr., chancellor of Duquesne University and a leading authority on the law of contracts.  Looks like the

SWB Yankees Announce Home Sites for 2012

PRESS RELEASE – While the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees permanent home at PNC Field undergoes a $40 million dollar rebuilding project during 2012, the organization has announced the team will play its home games in the upcoming International League season in a combination of six venues: Frontier Field in Rochester, New York, Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, New York, Alliance Bank Stadium

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.

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.

SWB Yankees to Ramapo?

One New York radio host has opined that Provident Bank Park, home of the indy pro Rockland Boulders (Can-Am League), would be the perfect temporary home for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League), while PNC Field is being renovated.  We don’t think there is a snowball’s chance, but it’s an interesting thought.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Commissioners Choose Design Firm

The Lackawanna County Commissioners have chosen Philadephia-based EwingCole as the design firm to handle the architectural and engineering work for the $40 million renovation of PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  Read more here.

No Battle Now for SWB Yankees

Just when you think there could be an interesting battle brewing between Mandalay and a a local investment group led by Dr. Steven Vale for the rights to operate the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League), Vale’s group withdraws their $15 million offer for the team.  Read more here.

Triple-A Yankees Headed to St. George?

As previously reported, the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) will be playing on the road in 2012, while PNC Field undergoes $40 million in renovations.  One temporary home could be Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George, home of the Single-A Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn League).  To best avoid scheduling conflicts, relocating to an adequate short-season

Battle Brewing for Rights to SWB Yankees?

Mandalay has a $14.6 million option to buy the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League), but an offer this week by an investment group led by local ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Vale to take control of the team for $15 million could throw a wrench into the deal.  If a legal battle were to ensue, it wouldn’t help Mandalay that the Lackawanna County commissioner

Local Ophthalmologist Makes Bid to Operate SWB Yankees

An investment group led by Dr. Steven Vale, a Scranton ophthalmologist, has offered $15 million to purchase the management rights for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  The team is owned by the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority.  There’s still a tentative agreement on the table for the authority to sell the team to SWB Yankees LLC.

SWB Yankees Will Hit the Road in 2012

The Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) will temporarily relocate during the 2012 season, while PNC Field undergoes $40 million in renovations.  No word yet on the exact location, but several ballparks have been mentioned.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: PNC Field (Moosic, PA)

Reuben Frank from CSNPhilly.com visits PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.