Fired up about 07' season Possibilities

[Bill Leeds]

Is anyone here from Western Pa that is as stoked as I am about the possibilty of 3 teams being in the same division of the Frontier League from Pa. Butler, Pa? Washington Wild Things Johnstown Johnnies? I'm a Wild Things fan and those 2 teams, if they come in would be some really heated rivalries if you ask me. Chillicote and possibly Lorain,OH (Expansion) would also make sense for the division.

[BumsTC]

Bill. Ive heard a few of these rumors myself. I have family in Johnstown and that wold be cool to see them back. So if my calculations are correct that would be 8 teams in the east:

Traverse City
Kalamazoo
Chillicothe
Washington
Florence
Lorain (E)
Butler (E)
Johnstown (E)

Who else would go out west? You would need 2 new teams to go along with Marion or Souther Illinois whatever there going to be called. Mid Missouri I guess could be a possibility. What other city could go out west so soon. Ive heard rumors of Terre Haute, Indiana. Anyone else got any ideas or rumors on number of teams, divisions and cities for 07?

Mark

[sillinois]

I am from S. Illinois (let's hope they are called Southern Illinois - although, really Marion did most of the work to bring them in). From the papers in Southern Illinois and the buzz, it seemed like Mid Missouri was a lock. I was just expecting them to join back up.

Terre Haute would be a good location for a team. Evansville would be a natural competitor and I think they could draw because there are some close towns to boost attendance. Terre Haute would also be good for Southern Illinois because many people that live near Terre Haute still consider themselves Southern Illinoisans.

We in Southern Illinois have not heard that much about expansion of the east, are the Pennsylvania teams the leading contenders?

I too can't wait until '07 and that first ballgame on the hill. Go Egyptians, or Swamp Foxes, or Miners, or Pharohs, or Pyramids, or (my personal favorite) the Southern Illinois Sphinx or whatever, let's just play ball.

[Paintsfan]

Bill Lee recently said that Butler is a long way off from getting a team because of the slow development and plans for Butler Pullman Park. Johnstowners, however, should be more optimistic about their chances of getting a team. There are only finishing touches needed for Point Stadium.

I don't know about Lorain. I've heard recently that Battle Creek, Michigan is now a hot spot for expansion. Battle Creek is only 30 miles east of Kalamazoo, but the general feeling I think I get from Kalamazoo is positive. The FL has not been in talks with Battle Creek; only the Northwoods League (Summer Collegiate) and the Northern League have been talking. Okay, why would the Northern League think about Battle Creek, Michigan if you have 2 teams jammed up in Western Canada? :confused:

I guess if Mid Missouri comes back, then you just move the Evansville Otters back over to the East.

Anyway, it should be interesting to see how this plays out for the second expansion team.

[wildcat000]

If there isn't an even teams for both divisions, look for either Kalamazoo or Marion to move to the West. I personally hope that the Frontier League switches to North/South Divisions soon, it would make more geographical sense.

[Loaf31]

Man I am very very excited. I am a WildThings fan also, and getting them a geographical rival would be awesome. This article was in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today about Butler's possible Frontier Lg team.

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06233/715078-54.stm

[BumsTC]

Thats a great update about Butler. Questions for you would be how far apart are Washington and Butler? Also the article didnt seem like a woohoo seemed like they were not to excited about another franchise financially. Do you think it wold be a good fit? How about for a 12th team in '07?

Mark

GO BUMS!!!

[Loaf31]

Butler is about 2.5 to 3 hrs north of WSH.....I think it will get done, the mayor really wants it. If it doesnt happen in Butler, I also heard about New Stanton Pa, or Morgantown or Fairmont Wva,. New stanton would be awesome itsonly like 40 mins from WSH

[HeadFirst]

Few would be happier than I to see professional baseball return to Johnstown, and I have seen construction around the Point recently, but can someone prove to me that there is serious consideration for pro ball coming back?

I like Johnstown very much, and it's a fairly easy drive for me from Northern Virginia (approximately three hours). It's a historic and distinctive town in a naturally beautiful area. But the population has dwindled in recent times, an indoor football team came and went, and the Chiefs viability seems to be an annual question. The Johnnies were playing before throngs of empty seats before they folded. Even with a prettied-up Point, why would the situation be any different now?

[ca]

the commisioner has stated in the washington PA paper that the new eastern division team would not call PA home . rumors are flying around that it may be a WV locale but the prospects arent any better than lorain since you have facility issues .