SB Nation User Blog: greg8370

Defenders bound for Richmond in 2010......

greg8370 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:58:50 -0000

From Joe Perez in today's Norwich Bulletin citing a Richmond Times-Dispatch article

"A Virginia businessman has submitted an application with Minor League Baseball to purchase and relocate the Norwich-based Connecticut Defenders to Richmond, Va., according to a published report.

Expectations are the sale will be completed before Opening Day in April with the new ownership group, led by Bryan Bostic, running the team at Dodd Stadium this season. The Defenders would move to Richmond in time for the 2010 season.

"I'm not allowed to say any level, any team, any city, any affiliation," Bostic told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "That day, we believe, is coming."

When reached, Defenders owner Lou DiBella had no comment on a sale or relocation. It is believed the sale price of the team is in the $15 million to $17 million range.

Neither a sale nor relocation would change the team’s major league affiliation with the San Francisco Giants, which was renewed last fall through the 2011 season.

Once the parties strike a deal, it must be approved by the Eastern league, Minor League Baseball and then Major League Baseball. Eastern League President Joe McEacharn wouldn’t deny that an application from Bostic is in the works, only saying that nothing has reached his desk for approval.

Generally, Minor League Baseball does not like transactions of this magnitude to go on once the season begins. Much like DiBella’s purchase of the team prior to the 2005 season, this could come down to the wire.

Once a shoe-in to draw over 240,000 fans a year as a New York Yankees affiliate, the team has fallen on hard times at the turnstile. Five consecutive non-playoff seasons and a disconnect with its major-league affiliate, attendance dropped precipitously after the then-Norwich Navigators hooked up with the San Francisco Giants. Only until recently has attendance taken an upswing. The team topped 200,000 fans in 2008.

A hurdle in Bostic’s pursuit of the Defenders is that McEacharn doesn’t want an Eastern League team to relocate to a situation with an unstable stadium situation.

With the Richmond Braves having departed for Georgia after last season, the Defenders would play 2010 and 2011 at the city’s old ball park, The Diamond, while a new stadium is built for 2012. However, Richmond is not willing to commit to a new stadium until August and a new team is secured.

“There are so many factors to consider. Richmond has been an interest; I won’t deny the Eastern league’s interest,” McEacharn said. “We are not going to walk into a situation where there’s facilities issues. … We’re not going to assume they’re going to have a new ballpark.”

The acknowledged interest is a 180-degree turnaround from just a few months ago when both the Eastern League and the Carolina League were both believed to be jockeying for position to claim the profitable one-time Triple-A market and echoed “no comment” policies.

McEacharn’s admission could be seen as a sign that the league has at least one foot in the door already."

Double A musicial chairs....

greg8370 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:27:58 -0000

as the Marlins move from Carolina to Jacksonville and the Dodgers move from Jacksonville to Chattanooga replacing the Reds. Brewers stay in Huntsville. Trenton and Yankee are likely to renew. That leaves the Reds looking for a new home; which will either be Carolina or perhaps CT with the Giants (Defenders) then becoming MudCats.

So where would you like to be? Southern League or the Eastern League or anywhere but Dodd?

(Is this75 words yet?)

Your Double A team....

greg8370 — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:39:58 -0000

will be either the Connecticut Defenders of the Eastern League or the Carolina MudCats of the Southern League. Any thoughts?

a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa filler filler filler

Joe Perez has video interviews with...

greg8370 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:26:50 -0000

the newest Defenders Pablo and Ben posted on his Norwich Bulletin blog. Really looking forward to seeing both players soon. Joe also reports that Nestor Rojas is back with Augusta and Joey Martinez is on the DL. I heard Dayton Buller is in SJ now. What other moves do you folks think will be happening? Anyone know where MarkMincozzi and Barry Gunter are these days?

Ok now I am just vamping fot the 75 word min which is just killing me. Filler, filler, filler

Double A team on the move...??

greg8370 — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:09:13 -0000

Hi,

Several days ago the local newspaer here Norwich Bulletin Norwich, CT) mentioned the Marlins may be moving to the Eastern League in 2009 to play in Norwich Ct. The Giants are the current org. and both sides (Giants and home front office) appear ready for a change. Can anyone provide some insight on this? The Marlins used to be in the EL as the Portland (ME) Seadogs. I am now vamping for the 75 word min.

Thanks, greg

Double A affiliation moving?......

greg8370 — Thu, 29 May 2008 03:31:34 -0000

does someone have info on this? There was an article in the local paper (Norwich (CT) Bulletin that mentioned the chance that the Brewers Double A team in Huntsville could end up playing in the Eastern League next year. The Giants Double A team currently plays in the EL as the Connecticut Defenders but may be leaving after this season. Ok, I haven't hit the 75 word mark quite yet, how about now?

Thanks--Greg

Joe Perez's article on Giants/Double A in Norwich

greg8370 — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:08:19 -0000

Joe Perez: Defendersâ€™ affiliation has been a Giant pain
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/x194405749/Joe-Perez-Defenders-affiliation-has-been-a-Giant-pain

Posted in today's Norwich Bulletin and is spot on. I would have taken Defs mager Bien F. to task for doing a 180 on Dodd.

And there's this from SFDugout:

"Well, despite Municipal Stadium being in one of the best hitter’s leagues in minor league baseball, Municipal Stadium is not a hitter’s stadium. Its orientation facing to the southwest is a major factor. The easterly winds that often blow across the stadium from right field to left can be a damper on any left-handed slugger, holding balls up. San Jose is also being criticized as one of the toughest parks in which to pick up a baseball out of a pitcher’s hand, ranking in the bottom of all of minor league baseball for both average and on-base percentage park factors, and 5th worst in strikeouts."

I hear Augusta is a long way from a bandbox also. But the hate for Dodd seems just overwhelming and I know there are those home/away splits everyone will cite.. But is it because Double A is where the real separation starts to occur and because some of those players we hope are good just aren't?

Will Sandoval be promoted to CT or.....

greg8370 — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:01:18 -0000

will he go straight to Triple-A Fresno under the heading of a "baseball descision" thereby confirming the feelings of the good folks out here in CT. that the Giants really do not care about their Double A team. It is obvious that he doesn't have much to prove anymore in San Jose. Subtopic : has anyone anyone heard about the Giants 'moving" their Double A team elsewhere after the 2008 season ends? Please discuss, thanks.

Sergio Romo 4-3-08; sorry folks my card filed up just before strike three.

greg8370 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:32:07 -0000

Sergio Romo 4-3-08; sorry folks my card filed up just before strike three.

Giants name their 2008 Double A manager...

greg8370 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:07:47 -0000

Bienvenido Figueroa, who has managed in the Baltimore system, most recently as bench coach with the BaySox in the Eastern League.
Check out the full article on my blog or today's Norwich Bulletin.