Andrew Haines is trying baseball now

[Minor League Man]

Ladies and gentlemen, it with uneasy optimism that I report that Andrew Haines has now given baseball a try, and that league is the Ultimate Baseball League:

http://ublbaseball.com/

Plans call for 4-6 teams in 2011, with more in 2012. Canton has already been announced as the first team, playing at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium (former home of the Canton-Akron Indians and later the Canton Crocs/Coyotes)

Johnstown, PA has already been announced as a potential site (Point Stadium to be exact).

Anybody can think of any unused but still good ballparks around the country? (I still think Simmons Field in Kenosha could use a team again)

[tops804]

Ladies and gentlemen, it with uneasy optimism that I report that Andrew Haines has now given baseball a try, and that league is the Ultimate Baseball League:

http://ublbaseball.com/

Plans call for 4-6 teams in 2011, with more in 2012. Canton has already been announced as the first team, playing at Thurman Munson Memorial Stadium (former home of the Canton-Akron Indians and later the Canton Crocs/Coyotes)

Johnstown, PA has already been announced as a potential site (Point Stadium to be exact).

Anybody can think of any unused but still good ballparks around the country? (I still think Simmons Field in Kenosha could use a team again)

Haines has also tried:
Football (AIFL) -- Little remains but some teams that are in other leagues, and memories of a few disastrous seasons.
Hockey (MAHL) -- Played less than one half season.
Basketball (GPBL) -- "24 teams in 2009." Has yet to play a game.
Basketball (GPBL2) -- Played a rather unnoticeable season last year. All weblinks to the league are currently redirected.
Football / again (UIFL) -- (*)Still waiting for the jury to see if it lasts a season.
Politics -- an established politician against a candidate who admits he’s not even campaigning.
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x294032744/Schuring-Haines-square-off-for-51st-District

To me, it's beginning to sound like a broken record with someone who can start a website, promise the moon, and hope to sell for profit but no product in return. As was the case with the GPBL. This is great for those who are "in the business of covering minor league sports". But does little for those who want to work for, play for, or follow a minor league team.

(*) I'd rather see the UIFL go one strong season before he even dabbles in baseball, UIFL expansion, or any other sport.

Can outdoor football and indoor soccer be far behind? :(

This brings back memories... :)
http://www.oursportscentral.com/boards/showthread.php?p=83671

[Texasrangers13]

Oh dear... This like the Permian Basin League, and Peach State League, will go nowhere.

[Jntg4]

Oh dear... This like the Permian Basin League, and Peach State League, will go nowhere.

The PBL became the Southwestern States League. And the PSL was successful in that it ran as a developmental league and got players signed by Major League teams, which was its purpose. The PSL is still running, right?

[Texasrangers13]

In a sense yes, the PSL has been successful as a minor league for the indy leagues. The SSL/PBL/whatever it is going to be called, will be a joke.

[lamearmjr]

So, TexasRanger what do you have against the SSL. Are you an employee of another league or what? Have you even attempted to start and or run a league.

[Texasrangers13]

I'm merely stating my point. They have a mission statement that is a paragraph long, they haven't updated the website in a month, they have one team with a home, one team without a name. I hope it works, I really do, I just don't think it is positioned properly for the 2011 season.

[Jntg4]

They've actually updated it less than a week ago, notice the 4th team that is listed now.

[jwalters]

There are several stadiums in Kentucky in the 1200 seat range. Madisonville has an old WPA KIT league stadium that seats that amount. Clarksville has a 2,000 seat stadium at APSU, Rihmond, IN has a 3000 seat stadium and Huntington has a 3100 seat stadium. The UIFL has teams in Canton, Johnstown, and Huntington so I would expect Johnstown and Huntington to show up in the UBL soon.

[smallballfan]

They have a mission statement that is a paragraph long

I learned in college that one should keep one's company mission statement to one paragraph or less. It's not a business plan, it's a mission statement. It should state what you intend to do, not how you intend to do it.

Don't some of the above listed stadiums have college wood bat teams? I know Richmond is in the Prospect League, not sure about others.

Do agree with your point that they should be providing more information to fans though if they intend to start in 2011. Web presence isn't everything, but it's pretty big.

[nksports]

There are several stadiums in Kentucky in the 1200 seat range. Madisonville has an old WPA KIT league stadium that seats that amount. Clarksville has a 2,000 seat stadium at APSU, Rihmond, IN has a 3000 seat stadium and Huntington has a 3100 seat stadium. The UIFL has teams in Canton, Johnstown, and Huntington so I would expect Johnstown and Huntington to show up in the UBL soon.

Richmond washed out in the FL a couple of years ago (now the Traverse City team). The team couldn't draw flies. (It didn't help being 45 min. from the Dayton Dragons, an hour from the Reds and an hour from the Indianapolis Indians.

If this does what other AH enterprises have done in the past, this may be the first person to flame out in baseball, indoor football (possibly twice) and hockey. That leaves soccer. Look out MLS.

[Minor League Man]

Richmond washed out in the FL a couple of years ago (now the Traverse City team). The team couldn't draw flies. (It didn't help being 45 min. from the Dayton Dragons, an hour from the Reds and an hour from the Indianapolis Indians.

If this does what other AH enterprises have done in the past, this may be the first person to flame out in baseball, indoor football (possibly twice) and hockey. That leaves soccer. Look out MLS.
Also, Richmond is now home to the Prospect League's Richmond RiverRats

[ca]

might work due to the fact that this is an in season venture and its not a watered down version of the sport . the other sports he's tried to establish loops in have imo too much competition for more of it so with 4 leases outside of canton OH and maybe johnstown PA this might work