Showing posts with label Joe McEacharn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe McEacharn. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sources say Eastern League will announce that Defenders are Richmond-bound
An announcement of which Class AA Eastern League franchise is relocating to Richmond for next season will be made a week from today, sources said. Industry insiders identified Connecticut as the franchise on the move.
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Richmond's new club will play at The Diamond for a minimum of two years while team owners and officials from the city and neighboring counties discuss a new ballpark. The franchise now in Connecticut is contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through 2010.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn yesterday chose not to reveal which franchise is moving. He also did not confirm the date of an announcement. McEacharn previously stated that one of the league's franchises would be based in Richmond starting next season. Yesterday, he said an announcement regarding Richmond's franchise would be made by the end of the month.
Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have asked involved parties not to publicly discuss the relocation until the announcement is made.
The Connecticut franchise is owned by a partnership led by Lou DiBella. He is expected to be the Richmond franchise's managing partner. An industry veteran, believed to be Chuck Domino, will supervise the team's operations. This season, Domino was president of two franchises, Class AAA Lehigh Valley and Class AA Reading.
The Connecticut franchise was identified by Minor League Baseball as a candidate for relocation to Richmond soon after the Atlanta Braves announced in January of 2008 that their Class AAA franchise was headed to Gwinnett County, Ga., where the club played this season.
A potential local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, failed in its bid to purchase the Connecticut franchise due to lack of funds.
To Minor League Baseball, ownership groups of several Eastern League franchises expressed interest in relocating to Richmond. Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League selected Connecticut. That franchise in recent years has been at or near the bottom of the Eastern League in home attendance.
The new franchise will spend a minimum of $1 million to upgrade The Diamond for short-term use, according to McEacharn. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond, also is expected to invest in the facility on the Boulevard.
This year was Richmond's first without professional baseball since 1965. The Braves' move was caused primarily by that organization's dissatisfaction with The Diamond, which opened in 1985, and the lack of a firm plan for a new ballpark.
The Connecticut Defenders are involved in the Eastern League's best-of-five championship series, against Akron. Connecticut made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, when it was an affiliate of the New York Yankees and called the Norwich Navigators.
McEacharn said the timing of an announcement regarding Richmond is unrelated to the Eastern League playoffs
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New team for Richmond still in works
A Class AA franchise has been designated for relocation to Richmond in 2010. But the Eastern League still is not ready to identify that franchise despite the league's goal of an announcement by Aug. 1.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
The modified timetable should not be interpreted as a sign of a problem with baseball's return to Richmond next season, according to Joe McEacharn, the Eastern League president.
"We are still in the day-to-day process of trying to finalize our agreements and get everything in place," McEacharn said yesterday. "There are always a lot of unique circumstances to any relocation. It starts with ownership and investment, and the more moving parts you have . . . baseball is a heavily regulated business for the protection of all.
"We've gotten through almost all of this. We're finding there's a little more to it than what would typically be the case. We're spending that time to make sure we get everything completed."
Several sources said the Connecticut franchise, contractually bound to the San Francisco Giants through next season, will relocate to Richmond with Chuck Domino supervising the management team. Domino is the president of the Class AAA Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Class AA Reading Phillies.
McEacharn said he would not identify the franchise that will relocate or the management team "until we have it signed, sealed and delivered."
The Richmond Metropolitan Authority, owner and operator of The Diamond, continues to negotiate lease terms with the franchise, according to Mike Berry, the RMA's general manager.
"I think we certainly have it in pretty good shape, but nothing definite at this point. Nothing signed, nothing planned to be signed," Berry said of a lease agreement.
The Diamond will be home to the new franchise for at least two years, with Richmond's long-term ballpark situation still unresolved.
"We anticipate starting that process as soon as we get there and are up and running," McEacharn said.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Eastern League “closing in” on announcement of Richmond’s new baseball franchise
Behind-the-scenes work apparently has already started as The Diamond readies for Richmond's next professional baseball team. Sources said it will be the Class AA franchise now based in Connecticut.
Those involved with the relocation process have been told by Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League not to comment publicly on the move until it is formally announced, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said.
Renovation of The Diamond's executive offices will be a priority following an announcement of franchise relocation for next season. McEacharn said yesterday that "the people who we anticipate coming down there are actively involved" in making arrangements for computer service, phone service and other business necessities in The Diamond's front office.
"It is my understanding that there have been some contacts relative to doing some things, carpet, [phone and computer] hook-ups and things like that," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
McEacharn reiterated that Richmond's new franchise and its ownership group will be announced by Aug. 1. He chose not to reveal the franchise or ownership team yesterday and said the announcement is "unlikely" this week. "We're closing in," McEacharn said. "We're dotting I's and crossing T's and all that stuff. We don't have anything to announce yet, but we continue to work toward that."
The Connecticut franchise will move to Richmond with Lou DiBella remaining as managing partner, said sources, and with a management team involving Chuck Domino, president of the Class AA Reading franchise (Philadelphia Phillies) and the Class AAA Lehigh Valley franchise (Philadelphia Phillies). Domino, who has worked in professional baseball for 27 years, was Reading's general manager 1988-2006. He won several national awards for franchise management.
Connecticut has been an Eastern League member since 1995. The franchise is contractually bound to be the San Francisco Giants' Class AA affiliate through next season. A local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, in May failed
to meet the purchase price of $15.4 million for that franchise.
"We will wait for Minor League Baseball to assign the region a team, and then that team will sit down with the RMA and enter into a lease agreement," said James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA's board of directors. "Then the process will go forward with an initial refurbishing of The Diamond."
The Diamond's refurbishment would be an upgrade to make it usable for at least the next two seasons. A long-term ballpark solution has not yet been determined. Peter Kirk's Opening Day Partners submitted a $28 million plan for a transformation of The Diamond in early June to city and county officials. Kirk yesterday said he has not heard from those officials.
McEacharn said that Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have agreed on the franchise to be relocated to Richmond but "there are always a whole bunch of
legal [issues] to work through . . . We have a plan and we're trying to finalize that plan. And we always have contingencies."
Connecticut was one of a few Eastern League franchises that expressed an interest in relocating to Richmond, sources said. Jenkins said seven groups toured The Diamond. That number includes representatives of franchises that were interested in relocation as well as members of potential ownership groups.
Those involved with the relocation process have been told by Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League not to comment publicly on the move until it is formally announced, Eastern League President Joe McEacharn said.
Renovation of The Diamond's executive offices will be a priority following an announcement of franchise relocation for next season. McEacharn said yesterday that "the people who we anticipate coming down there are actively involved" in making arrangements for computer service, phone service and other business necessities in The Diamond's front office.
"It is my understanding that there have been some contacts relative to doing some things, carpet, [phone and computer] hook-ups and things like that," said Mike Berry, general manager of the Richmond Metropolitan Authority, which owns and operates The Diamond.
McEacharn reiterated that Richmond's new franchise and its ownership group will be announced by Aug. 1. He chose not to reveal the franchise or ownership team yesterday and said the announcement is "unlikely" this week. "We're closing in," McEacharn said. "We're dotting I's and crossing T's and all that stuff. We don't have anything to announce yet, but we continue to work toward that."
The Connecticut franchise will move to Richmond with Lou DiBella remaining as managing partner, said sources, and with a management team involving Chuck Domino, president of the Class AA Reading franchise (Philadelphia Phillies) and the Class AAA Lehigh Valley franchise (Philadelphia Phillies). Domino, who has worked in professional baseball for 27 years, was Reading's general manager 1988-2006. He won several national awards for franchise management.
Connecticut has been an Eastern League member since 1995. The franchise is contractually bound to be the San Francisco Giants' Class AA affiliate through next season. A local ownership group, Richmond Baseball Club LC, in May failed
to meet the purchase price of $15.4 million for that franchise.
"We will wait for Minor League Baseball to assign the region a team, and then that team will sit down with the RMA and enter into a lease agreement," said James L. Jenkins, chairman of the RMA's board of directors. "Then the process will go forward with an initial refurbishing of The Diamond."
The Diamond's refurbishment would be an upgrade to make it usable for at least the next two seasons. A long-term ballpark solution has not yet been determined. Peter Kirk's Opening Day Partners submitted a $28 million plan for a transformation of The Diamond in early June to city and county officials. Kirk yesterday said he has not heard from those officials.
McEacharn said that Minor League Baseball and the Eastern League have agreed on the franchise to be relocated to Richmond but "there are always a whole bunch of
legal [issues] to work through . . . We have a plan and we're trying to finalize that plan. And we always have contingencies."
Connecticut was one of a few Eastern League franchises that expressed an interest in relocating to Richmond, sources said. Jenkins said seven groups toured The Diamond. That number includes representatives of franchises that were interested in relocation as well as members of potential ownership groups.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Independent league is ready to pitch in Richmond
Along with its plan to essentially rebuild The Diamond, Opening Day Partners would like Richmond leaders to consider putting an independent-league franchise in the made-over facility.
Minor League Baseball franchises are affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations. Independent leagues, such as the Atlantic League, are not.
Opening Day Partners, which this week released its proposal for a $28 million transformation of The Diamond, owns three of the eight Atlantic League franchises with local partners, and operates a fourth. "The Atlantic League would love to make a presentation and show Richmond how much we want to be there," said Peter Kirk, chairman of ODP. He added that the Atlantic League will make an expansion team available to Richmond for next season.
Kirk said Opening Day Partners also welcomes the opportunity to transform The Diamond for a Minor League Baseball franchise.
The Class AA Eastern League, part of Minor League Baseball, pledged to Richmond one of its 12 franchises for next season. Local investors failed in a bid to buy the Connecticut Defenders for $15.4 million. Minor League Baseball oversees a potential franchise sale and/or relocation it hopes to finalize by Aug. 1.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn promised a "tightly managed process." Representatives of Ryan-Sanders, a well-regarded ownership group, late last month visited Richmond to investigate the situation. Reid Ryan, the firm's president, said this week "because of baseball rules, we are not allowed to comment on the market. Everything has to go through the Eastern League."
Asked for an update, McEacharn this week said "I really can't give any specifics other than to say we are continuing to explore a number of different options."
Kirk, a former owner of Baltimore Orioles' affiliates, called the Atlantic League "equivalent to Triple-A hitting and fielding, Double-A pitching." Independent-league players are commonly signed by affiliated teams. Since the Atlantic League launched in 1998, more than 600 players with major-league experience have joined its teams, according to the league. This season, Carl Everett, Armando Benitez, Jay Gibbons, Esteban Yan and Preston Wilson are among the ex-big-leaguers.
Atlantic League franchises are in Bridgeport, Conn., Camden, N.J., Lancaster, Pa., Long Island, N.Y., Newark, N.J., Somerset, N.J., Southern Maryland (Waldorf) and York, Pa., and clubs usually have former big-leaguers as managers. This season, Gary Carter, Butch Hobson, Tim Raines, Sparky Lyle and Tommy John are managing.
Average Eastern League attendance this season is 4,146. Average Atlantic League attendance is 3,895. Kirk said locales involved with the Atlantic League find it features "great baseball, but also, quite frankly, the community gets a better financial deal with the Atlantic League."
If an ownership group pays $15 million for a franchise, for instance, in most cases that doesn't leave much for ownership to contribute to a new stadium, Kirk said. An Atlantic League expansion franchise would require approximately $7 million "to buy the franchise, set it up and do all of the things you have to do," Kirk said. "You have so much more [financial] room to work."
Minor League Baseball franchises are affiliated with Major League Baseball organizations. Independent leagues, such as the Atlantic League, are not.
Opening Day Partners, which this week released its proposal for a $28 million transformation of The Diamond, owns three of the eight Atlantic League franchises with local partners, and operates a fourth. "The Atlantic League would love to make a presentation and show Richmond how much we want to be there," said Peter Kirk, chairman of ODP. He added that the Atlantic League will make an expansion team available to Richmond for next season.
Kirk said Opening Day Partners also welcomes the opportunity to transform The Diamond for a Minor League Baseball franchise.
The Class AA Eastern League, part of Minor League Baseball, pledged to Richmond one of its 12 franchises for next season. Local investors failed in a bid to buy the Connecticut Defenders for $15.4 million. Minor League Baseball oversees a potential franchise sale and/or relocation it hopes to finalize by Aug. 1.
Eastern League President Joe McEacharn promised a "tightly managed process." Representatives of Ryan-Sanders, a well-regarded ownership group, late last month visited Richmond to investigate the situation. Reid Ryan, the firm's president, said this week "because of baseball rules, we are not allowed to comment on the market. Everything has to go through the Eastern League."
Asked for an update, McEacharn this week said "I really can't give any specifics other than to say we are continuing to explore a number of different options."
Kirk, a former owner of Baltimore Orioles' affiliates, called the Atlantic League "equivalent to Triple-A hitting and fielding, Double-A pitching." Independent-league players are commonly signed by affiliated teams. Since the Atlantic League launched in 1998, more than 600 players with major-league experience have joined its teams, according to the league. This season, Carl Everett, Armando Benitez, Jay Gibbons, Esteban Yan and Preston Wilson are among the ex-big-leaguers.
Atlantic League franchises are in Bridgeport, Conn., Camden, N.J., Lancaster, Pa., Long Island, N.Y., Newark, N.J., Somerset, N.J., Southern Maryland (Waldorf) and York, Pa., and clubs usually have former big-leaguers as managers. This season, Gary Carter, Butch Hobson, Tim Raines, Sparky Lyle and Tommy John are managing.
Average Eastern League attendance this season is 4,146. Average Atlantic League attendance is 3,895. Kirk said locales involved with the Atlantic League find it features "great baseball, but also, quite frankly, the community gets a better financial deal with the Atlantic League."
If an ownership group pays $15 million for a franchise, for instance, in most cases that doesn't leave much for ownership to contribute to a new stadium, Kirk said. An Atlantic League expansion franchise would require approximately $7 million "to buy the franchise, set it up and do all of the things you have to do," Kirk said. "You have so much more [financial] room to work."
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