Expansion?

[Shootmaster_44]

I like how the Commish actually responds on this board. Much better than the nonsense some league head's have towards posters on these boards.

Anyways, my question for the commish is this, does the GBL have any long-term plans for heading North from Southern California and expanding into Oregon, Washington and into Canada? I realize its a pipedream to think that the GBL would ever expand as far East as my hometown of Saskatoon, but can't hurt to ask.

If the GBL isn't planning expansion out of the SoCal region, are there talks amongst the Indy leagues of banding together into a more formal structure like MiLB? I would think that a formal structure that could help oversee all the leagues would be a great idea. Not only that but it would be less hassle for an owner of a team say in the Atlantic League to buy a franchise in say the American Association, as the franchise rules would be the same.

[GBLCommish]

Hi ShootMaster 44,

Sorry for the tardy reply, I missed your message somehow when it first posted and just came across it.

As for GBL expansion, we are working to build the league out in western North America to 16 to 24 teams over the next five years or so. However, the current stage of our company is to get the business succeeding in our current markets and expand slowly. Next year you will most likely see a new GBL team in Grand Junction, Colorado, as has been reported during the last few months in a variety of places. In addition, there are a couple of northern California locations that we are working on new stadium development, and a return to San Diego in a new facility that comprise the short-term expansion plans. Further out, and heading in your direction, we are very interested in Medford, Bend, and Corvallis in Oregon; Twin Falls, Pocatello, Couer D'Alene, and Lewiston in Idaho; and potentially western Canada if things don't work out for the Northern League in that territory.

As for an Association of Independepnt Professional Baseball Leagues, there has been discussion for the last three years at the winter meetings. The name above is the working title but the formalization and function of such an organization have not built a lot of momentum, besides talk at the annual meetings. The combining of the Northern and NorthEast leagues a few years back was an early manifestation of this that did not work out -- many feel because the junior circuit (NorthEast League) prevailed in both Championship Series and rankled Northern League ownership which has long considered their league the premier independent league. The fracture of the Northern League and Central League last year, along with the creation of the American Association and United League severely diminished the cooperative nature of the Independent Leagues and it hasn't yet really recovered -- although it was much improved this year in Orlando with everyone at least invited to the table to begin the process of pulling back together.

There are a number of untapped benefits that the Independent Leagues could take advantage of: cross-league sponsorships with regional and national advertisers, inter-league play that would lower travel costs and build natural rivalries, collective purchasing to drive costs down of equipment and merchandise and promotional acts, development of a standard contract to ease inter-league trades and dealing with MLB teams, immigration and player visa issues, implementation of benefiits provided by being covered by baseball's anti-trust exemption, worker's compensation risk pooling, and the list goes on and on. I am optimistic that as a group we will start teaming on these business opportunities over time or in smaller agreements between just two or a few leagues.

As for S'toon, the city of bridges, Cairns Field has hosted professional baseball since 1913 in that 5,000 seat plus ballpark. Last pro team there was the Saskatoon Legends of the short-lived Canadian Baseball League in 2003. Since then the collegiate wood bat amateur Saskatoon Yellow Jackets have played in Canada's Western Major Baseball League which has also placed teams in the former minor league ballparks in Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Regina, and Okotoks along with several smaller facilities. Although their attendance is light, the cost structure is so low (no player salaries, relatively short travel distances, etc.) that I doubt that facility would be available anytime in the near future. Also, you have that great SaskPlace Arena that the Saskatoon Blades (Western Hockey League) play in that will soon also host professional Lacrosse and Indoor Soccer, so I doubt the city would have much appetite to build a new ballpark. But you never know, the Indy landscape is constantly changing....

Best Regards,
Kevin Outcalt
Commissioner
Golden Baseball League
925-226-2896

[Shootmaster_44]

Hi ShootMaster 44,

Sorry for the tardy reply, I missed your message somehow when it first posted and just came across it.

As for GBL expansion, we are working to build the league out in western North America to 16 to 24 teams over the next five years or so. However, the current stage of our company is to get the business succeeding in our current markets and expand slowly. Next year you will most likely see a new GBL team in Grand Junction, Colorado, as has been reported during the last few months in a variety of places. In addition, there are a couple of northern California locations that we are working on new stadium development, and a return to San Diego in a new facility that comprise the short-term expansion plans. Further out, and heading in your direction, we are very interested in Medford, Bend, and Corvallis in Oregon; Twin Falls, Pocatello, Couer D'Alene, and Lewiston in Idaho; and potentially western Canada if things don't work out for the Northern League in that territory.

As for an Association of Independepnt Professional Baseball Leagues, there has been discussion for the last three years at the winter meetings. The name above is the working title but the formalization and function of such an organization have not built a lot of momentum, besides talk at the annual meetings. The combining of the Northern and NorthEast leagues a few years back was an early manifestation of this that did not work out -- many feel because the junior circuit (NorthEast League) prevailed in both Championship Series and rankled Northern League ownership which has long considered their league the premier independent league. The fracture of the Northern League and Central League last year, along with the creation of the American Association and United League severely diminished the cooperative nature of the Independent Leagues and it hasn't yet really recovered -- although it was much improved this year in Orlando with everyone at least invited to the table to begin the process of pulling back together.

There are a number of untapped benefits that the Independent Leagues could take advantage of: cross-league sponsorships with regional and national advertisers, inter-league play that would lower travel costs and build natural rivalries, collective purchasing to drive costs down of equipment and merchandise and promotional acts, development of a standard contract to ease inter-league trades and dealing with MLB teams, immigration and player visa issues, implementation of benefiits provided by being covered by baseball's anti-trust exemption, worker's compensation risk pooling, and the list goes on and on. I am optimistic that as a group we will start teaming on these business opportunities over time or in smaller agreements between just two or a few leagues.

As for S'toon, the city of bridges, Cairns Field has hosted professional baseball since 1913 in that 5,000 seat plus ballpark. Last pro team there was the Saskatoon Legends of the short-lived Canadian Baseball League in 2003. Since then the collegiate wood bat amateur Saskatoon Yellow Jackets have played in Canada's Western Major Baseball League which has also placed teams in the former minor league ballparks in Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Regina, and Okotoks along with several smaller facilities. Although their attendance is light, the cost structure is so low (no player salaries, relatively short travel distances, etc.) that I doubt that facility would be available anytime in the near future. Also, you have that great SaskPlace Arena that the Saskatoon Blades (Western Hockey League) play in that will soon also host professional Lacrosse and Indoor Soccer, so I doubt the city would have much appetite to build a new ballpark. But you never know, the Indy landscape is constantly changing....

Best Regards,
Kevin Outcalt
Commissioner
Golden Baseball League
925-226-2896

Thanks Commish. Incidentally, I posted that question before I saw heard the rumblings coming out of the Northern League. It appears that they are intent on putting a team here in Saskatoon for 2008. However, the commissioner knew less about the city than you do. I commend you for actually either knowing about our fair city or doing research into it.

I've often thought the GBL looked to be the pinnacle of Indy League baseball, that's sort of why I hoped at some point the GBL would come through here.

[LandRoverUT60]

Commish, thanks for thinking of St. George. If these plans go through with these new teams, and San Diego returns next year, then I would like to see St. George play in a league of 12 or so teams. How close to that number would you say you are? How would you say that the Roadrunners are being received by the fans?

[GBLCommish]

Hi LandRoverUT60,

Thanks for your interest in the Roadrunners and the questions. We are planning for 8 teams in 2008, but will probably announce a couple more that will not play until 2009 because of stadium construction timelines.

As for St. George, it was a proven independent league market in the Western League with excellent fan support -- just some ownership issues that created some difficulty, and the city was much smaller both in terms of population and businesses then. We feel fortunate to be in the market and our front office staff there has surpassed last year's expansion Reno Silver Sox (our most successful launch) in advertising and sponsorship revenue already. The ticket drive is currently underway, the Spectrum is starting to cover the team, group sales are coming along nicely, host families are coming aboard at a good clip, but we won't really know how the team will be received until we see that first night crowd. The radio deal has just been finalized, so you should start to hear Roadrunner commercials. Cory Snyder is busy building his team and signing former MLB draft selections like Tanner Rogers and Madison Edwards -- also his pitching coach will be former St. Louis Cardinal major league pitcher Garrett Stephenson who may very well become a player/coach during the season. But there is still so much to do to market the team and gain awareness throughout Washington County.

You asked about merchandise and uniforms on a separate thread, and yes game hats made by our hat vendor, Zephyr, for the players will be also available as merchandise. In addition, jerseys produced by our uniform vendor, Victory Athletic, for the players will also be available as merchandise.

If you would like to get involved with the team -- as a ticketholder, booster club member, host family, or just to provide comments from a fan's perspective you can always give the General Manager, Rick Berry, a call at 435-673-5333.

Best Regards,
Kevin Outcalt
Commissioner
Golden Baseball League
commish@goldenbaseball.com
925-226-2896

[Silver Sox Fan]

Commish:

Pure curiosity but are you looking at the Vacaville-Fairfield area? i've always thought this would be a great market for indy baseball. It is right between Sacramento (AAA team) and the bay area (two major league teams).

They also have a nice stadium in Travis Credit Union Park that is currently occupied by a wood bat ametuer league. It would conflict with the GBL schedule but it would be nice to see more than the 100 people the Solano Firebirds bring in.

I read somewhere that WBL Solano Steelheads were there but went bankrupt when the city of Vacaville refused to reorganize some financial obligations as had been agreed to. Rumor has it that was the straw that broke the entire WBL's back as Solano was one of, if not the, flagship frachise of the league.

With average attendance in the high 2000s, I would assume the GBL would have as much or better bargaining power than the last team and Vacaville would probably love to get a team in there that could actually draw.

Anyway, I would also love to see baseball there as I bet Chico and Reno would too (shorter commutes).

Keith

[amazingdv]

As for GBL expansion, ... In addition, there are a couple of northern California locations that we are working on new stadium development

As for an Association of Independepnt Professional Baseball Leagues, there has been discussion for the last three years at the winter meetings. The name above is the working title but the formalization and function of such an organization have not built a lot of momentum, besides talk at the annual meetings. The combining of the Northern and NorthEast leagues a few years back was an early manifestation of this that did not work out -- many feel because the junior circuit (NorthEast League) prevailed in both Championship Series and rankled Northern League ownership which has long considered their league the premier independent league. The fracture of the Northern League and Central League last year, along with the creation of the American Association and United League severely diminished the cooperative nature of the Independent Leagues and it hasn't yet really recovered -- although it was much improved this year in Orlando with everyone at least invited to the table to begin the process of pulling back together.

There are a number of untapped benefits that the Independent Leagues could take advantage of: cross-league sponsorships with regional and national advertisers, inter-league play that would lower travel costs and build natural rivalries, collective purchasing to drive costs down of equipment and merchandise and promotional acts, development of a standard contract to ease inter-league trades and dealing with MLB teams, immigration and player visa issues, implementation of benefiits provided by being covered by baseball's anti-trust exemption, worker's compensation risk pooling, and the list goes on and on. I am optimistic that as a group we will start teaming on these business opportunities over time or in smaller agreements between just two or a few leagues.



Commish,
Would you be allowed to elaborate on the specific cities you are thinking of expanding to in Northern California? I currently live in Brentwood and would like to see a team come to the East Contra Costa area.

I like hearing that the Indy Leagues are collaborating to lower costs and increase cooperations. A basic economic advantage is to "create power in numbers". If all the Indy leagues are on the same page when buying equipment then that will provide leaverage when making purchases. Good Luck with that!
I also think that with all the Indy Leagues together it would make a large corporate sponsor easier to attact, perhaps leading to an extension to the post season with a tournament of champions.
Danny