Sioux Falls Canaries Return!

PRESS RELEASE – Sioux Falls Sports LLC, the ownership group of the Sioux Falls Pheasants and Sioux Falls Stampede, made several major announcements concerning the Sioux Falls Pheasants baseball club on Tuesday.

Former Canaries Staffer Publishes Book About Working for Team

PRESS RELEASE – In conjunction with their 20th-anniversary season, the Sioux Falls Pheasants are excited to announce that former Canaries intern and assistant general manager Becky Moen will hold a book signing at the game on Saturday. Gates will open at 5:05 p.m. with the game slated to begin at 6:05 p.m.

Ownership in Sioux Falls Changes Again

Sioux Falls Sports, owner of the indy pro Sioux Falls Pheasants (American Association) and the local hockey franchise, has sold a majority stake in the two sports properties to a four-member investment group called SD Sports and Entertainment.  Read more here.

Pheasants Unveil 20th Anniversary Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants will be celebrating 20 years of professional baseball in Sioux Falls this season and unveiled their 20th anniversary logo today as well as special promotions that will take place all season long.

Pheasants to Remain in American Association

PRESS RELEASE – The Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants announced at a press conference Tuesday that they have signed a three-year agreement to remain in the American Association.  The Pheasants are beginning their preparations for the 2012 season. It will be the 20th anniversary of professional baseball in Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls Pheasants Headed to Northwoods League?

Argus Leader guest columnist Dave Kemp, the first secretary of the now-defunct Northern League and co-editor of “The History of Independent Baseball, 1993-2002,” doesn’t like the option being batted around by Gary Weckwerth, CEO of the Sioux Falls Pheasants, and his partners to move the franchise from the indy pro American Association to the summer collegiate Northwoods

Low Attendance in Sioux Falls Confirmed

We were in Sioux Falls (SD) on Sunday and thought we would drop in on the American Association’s Sioux Falls Pheaseants (formerly Canaries) on Sunday afternoon.  Attendance at Sioux Falls Stadium was indeed weak and below the 1,397 reported.  To be fair, there was a threat of severe storms, and it was the fifth inning when we arrived.

For older photos of Sioux Falls Stadium, click here.

Pro Ball at Risk in Sioux Falls?

Gary Weckworth, managing partner of the indy pro American Association’s Sioux Falls Pheasants (formerly Canaries), says he needs at least 2,300 fans per game to break even, but the team is currently averaging a mere 1,226.  We think the numbers will improve over the summer, but don’t expect any miracles.  The team averaged 1,922 in 2010.  Read eight page story here.

Pheasants Announce ‘Ringer’ as New Mascot

PRESS RELEASE – The Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants announced Monday the name of their new mascot, Ringer. Ringer was chosen by an online fan poll conducted over the last five days. The name received over 1,900 vote, good for 54% of the vote. Ringer beat out two other nominations, Phreddy and Rocky.

Tattoo Contract Dispute Resolved in Sioux Falls

It appears now that the dust has settled on the tattoo front in Sioux Falls.  While not arising to the level of a “Tattoo-Gate”, the situation did present a bit of a public/fan relations problem for the new owners of the American Association’s Sioux Falls Canaries, now known as the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants.