A league promise

[psbf]

When the Xplosion joined this league, we were awarded the All-Star game in Pittsburgh for next year. I still have that article, from before the season. I read the article in today's Yakama Herald about that city being given the event, with no reason given. This makes me wonder if it is actually true, since the All-Star game represents a committment to that city. I don't know where the Herald collected facts, but if true, it means that the CBA has broken their promise to Pittsburgh and I can only hope that the story is false or they award another for the following season. Before the fans of Yakama celebrate, I would advise them to investigate the story first. If true, I would consider this to be robbery to us here in Pittsburgh.

[kg21obf]

I was at the game, and one of the owners announced it. Maybe it is an attempt by the league to keep Yakima from jumping to the d-league. I can't imagine that would be incentive stay.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

When the Xplosion joined this league, we were awarded the All-Star game in Pittsburgh for next year. I still have that article, from before the season. I read the article in today's Yakama Herald about that city being given the event, with no reason given. This makes me wonder if it is actually true, since the All-Star game represents a committment to that city. I don't know where the Herald collected facts, but if true, it means that the CBA has broken their promise to Pittsburgh and I can only hope that the story is false or they award another for the following season. Before the fans of Yakama celebrate, I would advise them to investigate the story first. If true, I would consider this to be robbery to us here in Pittsburgh.

...or it may mean that Pittsburgh is not capable of hosting an all*star game. Remember what I said about Pittsburgh's ability to sell season tickets before July? Yeah, yeah I know I don't live in Pittsburgh, but there have been several Pittsburghs in the midwest recently...including Fort Wayne. Remember Gary before the 2006 CBA season? They got a late start marketing (as late as after the first week of July) and they never really caught-up. Had there been continuous team operations, the Steelheads would be in the NBADL today (which may be a blessing in disguise).

We'll see if I have a clue or if you need to live in the Pittsburgh metro area to understand the situation there. ;)

[psbf]

to that, kg, but they should have picked the following year. You said you were there when the owners announced it. I still don't hear anything about league involvement.

Typical response, Ken.:(

[kg21obf]

I dont think the owners of the soon to be CBA champion SunKings, would announce this info on a whim.

[heavesrock]

Yakima will host it next year and Pitt the year after that

[psbf]

I contacted the league about it. Pittsburgh will be hosting the following year so they can add more events to it. Yakama has it in 08.

[Juicemann13]

Not to start anything...but maybe they didnt want to award it to them {X} because of their record. Maybe they are moving to a different league, you jsut dont know until its published by the CBA.

kg you from Yakama?

[psbf]

Juicemann13, you should have read what I posted above before you posted. YOur recent post is nonsense. The X are improving and you are just an example of posters who have not noticed, unfortunately:(

[Juicemann13]

I'm sorry I haven't noticed. But I did read your post.

I'm ignorant. I look at the standings, and they are just NOW reaching what the Utah Eagles had when they stop their company. 6 wins.

Can you blame me for making a post, thats obviously my opinion. I may not be welcomed here, and I'll leave once I have been banned or whatever, but to say my posts are nonsense is harsh.

What did you want me to talk about. Talk about their shotty web page, and post everything they can on one page and make it a scrolling contest to see how many finger-scrolls it takes to reach the bottom? Or do I talk about how Pittsburgh is a huge enough city that is should have its own team in the NBA?


Let the Flaming BEGIN!!!


Whatever though. I'm just rooting for my Kings!

[psbf]

Juicemann13, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when I see the Xplosion mentioned in a negative way, I'm going to stand up for them. I'm a proud season ticket holder and I have been to all of their home games and I see the improvement they make every game.
Go root for your Kings. The Xplosion are proving to be better than their record and I'm glad to bring it to the attention of anyone who does not notice that. As I say, I've been to all of their home games, which qualifies me to do that. They will be back next season!!

[Juicemann13]

I commend you for standing up for your team. Shows true commitment, and I'm glad to see you have that for your team. Commitment is also shown when you say you have season tickets. Not to many 'regular' people do that these days.
(regular meaning people that don't own the team or are apart of the team in some way)

I want to digress and apologize for saying what I said earlier. I understand what I said was a negative thing, and contained no facts. Your right, I don't attend games, so I don't know. I do notice that when they lose, the score is pretty close. At a lot of heart breakers is tough, yet it gains the attention of the crowd for more support in the end in future games.

I wish best of luck to the X for next years return.

No hard feelings?

[psbf]

That's cool, Juicemann13, and thankyou. No hard feelings here either.:)

[panchess]

..remember Butte was pretty bad before the All-Star break too.

The problem in Pittsburgh may or may not be the size of the crowds, but is definitely the size of the arenas. The CBA All-Star Game can't fill a 15,000 seat arena (wishing it was otherwise), and having a bunch of empty seats isn't a good idea for this kind of event.

There has to be a 5,000-7,000 seat arena in Pittsburgh that the Xplosion can make their own, and build a following. If people don't have any incentive to buy season tickets, they won't, and attendance suffers.

[psbf]

I hear you, Panchess. I feel that the more improvement the Xplosion get, the more attention they will find. Unfortunately, the X are in the midst of a contract with their venues so I'm trying to help promote them. I do see the turnouts gettling larger at some games, gradually.
As far as smaller arenas, there are not many around here. I do know of one that has not been used for a while and it seems to need refirbishing. I have notified the Xplosion of this and I've yet to hear back. I think it would be perfect, but we'll see. They have to wait for their lease to expire anyway, which leaves them 3 more years at their current venues, unless they can find a way out of it. But I feel more wins will help their cause, until then.

[dmbishop]

What about Duquesne or even Robert Morris? Their arenas should be about the right size.

Dave

[psbf]

The Duquesne Dukes play at the A.J. Palumbo Center, which is where the Pittsburgh Piranhas(95) called home for a season and I watched attendence grow for them also. Unfortunately, that facility is booked, as I've read in the paper.
The Robert Morris Univ. Colonials play at Sewall Center and I have no knowledge of that place, aside from seeing a recently televised game from there. It looks nice. But the fact is that the Xplosion have a lease to play at M.A. and the Pete for 3 more seasons. But I guess that depends on how things fare with the Pens situation.

[Sam Hill]

When the Xplosion joined this league, we were awarded the All-Star game in Pittsburgh for next year. I still have that article, from before the season. I read the article in today's Yakama Herald about that city being given the event, with no reason given. This makes me wonder if it is actually true, since the All-Star game represents a committment to that city. I don't know where the Herald collected facts, but if true, it means that the CBA has broken their promise to Pittsburgh and I can only hope that the story is false or they award another for the following season. Before the fans of Yakama celebrate, I would advise them to investigate the story first. If true, I would consider this to be robbery to us here in Pittsburgh.

It's only a robbery if someone reports it. :)

Seriously, "sticking up for your team" and all that is terrific and all, but let's get realistic: Yakama consistently draws fans. Pittsburgh does not. Nor are you likely to. Blah blah blah hackles up blah blah blah. But the truth is that Pittsburgh's organization has struggled to sell tickets, whether you trot out the "I've seen improvement" line or not.

If they decided Yakama would be a better host, then so be it. Rather they change their minds and make a change now than have a poorly-attended game next year.

[psbf]

I respect your thoughts, Sam, but we will have the All-Star game here in 09(if you read my previous post).
I appreciate those who have expressed their support for us. For all the nay sayers, one season does not make a lifetime. I'm sure your teams have had bad seasons before and this is ours. The Xplosion will come back stronger!!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

I contacted the league about it. Pittsburgh will be hosting the following year so they can add more events to it. Yakama has it in 08.

I don't know about you, but if someone told me a team decided to put-off hosting an all*star game next season so "they can add more events to it" the following season then I would raise a big time skeptical eyebrow. It sounds more to me like, "Heck! We probably don't have funds to start another season, yet alone sponsor an all*star game".

...but hey, that's me.

[FrozenUpHere]

I think there are a couple reasons why the game was moved, more so a combination of some things some of you touched on before.

I feel that this is a league that’s got a lot of pride and history, and it’s no secret that they have taken a hit and are at a low point. This is the signature event for the league. And I feel that having one of its flagship cities host the event puts up more of a positive spin. I understand it’s pretty disappointing for you X fans and it was good of the league to guarantee (maybe?) Pit for 09. And a sound business decision because I think Pits will have a stronger fan base by the time.

That’s my 2 cents.

[Sam Hill]

I respect your thoughts, Sam, but we will have the All-Star game here in 09(if you read my previous post).

So what's the problem, then?

I appreciate those who have expressed their support for us. For all the nay sayers, one season does not make a lifetime.

You've had two. You haven't drawn flies yet.

[Minor League Man]

It's official now. The CBA has turned into the ABA (Newman era).

[jjbballfan]

Minor League teams don't do well in cities with major league teams... Pittsburgh has a baseball, football and hockey team (don't know how much longer for hockey)... I've looked at the d-league attendence and SF and Bismark are leading and if my geography and common knowledge doesn't put me down i belive they are the 2 smallest metro area's that have a d-league team. You need to put these teams where they make the news every night.. Where its, what are you doing tonight?? Im going to a CBA game or D-league game... Not im going to go watch the penguins play...

[Minor League Man]

You need to put these teams...Where its, what are you doing tonight?? Im going to a CBA game or D-league game... Not im going to go watch the penguins play...

Especially since Pitt might not have the Penguins much longer.

According to a news story, arena negotiations seem to have broken down, and Kansas City has a good chance of landing the team.

In case you're wondering, I don't know if the CBA would work in Kansas City either.

[sportsguy12]

Especially since Pitt might not have the Penguins much longer.

According to a news story, arena negotiations seem to have broken down, and Kansas City has a good chance of landing the team.

In case you're wondering, I don't know if the CBA would work in Kansas City either.

but the Kansas City Sizzlers didn't last long in the CBA.

Also, maybe the X asked to host the game in 2008. Let Jaren Jackson put a good team on the floor next year, build some excitement then host the game in 08.

What's the big deal? Since the X aren't making a stink, maybe they asked not to host the game.

[panchess]

That comparison is ridiculous.

Yeah, the CBA has had some hard times, but moving an All-Star Game almost a year in advance to the longest-running and most successful franchise in the league doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

It's a lot different than franchises that don't show up to games, fold and return later in the season, and the like.

[psbf]

Frozenuphere, the Xplosion will improve their fan base with the momentum that they have currently if all stay healthy and this streak continues. Jackson knows what he is doing and is proving it.

Sportsguy12, the All-Star game was originally set to come here next season as part of an agreement(to my understanding of what I read in the paper) for our joining the league this year.

And it is a unusual for a league to switch All-Star sights(this is a first that I know of), as All-Star events are always a permanent event once set.
But I was told that this was the Xplosion's request so they can plan more events around the big event. When I first heard that Yakama was awarded, I did not know about it. To me, the bottom line is that we will have it and I look forward to when it comes.
As far as the Pens(somewhat different matter), I don't know if this is a ploy or if they are serious. But Mario insists he wants to keep the team here, so it may be a ploy. Time will tell, as will it's affect on the Xplosion.

[panchess]

.. I agree with the general sentiment that minor league teams don't do well in "major league" cities, unless there is a direct hook to the local big league team, like the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL, or the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets) of the New York Penn League. They are the exception, though, and not the rule.

The D-League Lakers team didn't even bother to try and sell tickets. It is strictly a loss leader.

Broomfield, an suburban part of Denver (it's about 20 miles away), is doing OK despite a new arena and the former CBA commissioner running the show. Fort Worth, a suburb of Dallas, has the worst attendance in the D-League.

In the CBA, Pittsburgh is well below expectations, and I don't think anybody goes to the Alley Cats games in Anderson, IN, about 45 miles from Indianapolis. Clearly nobody gets less press coverage than the Alley Cats.

[kg21obf]

I Love Your Enthusiasm For Your Team, But This League Is In Struggle City. Someone Called Yakima The Flagship City,which It Is For The Cba. If Anyone Has Ever Been Here, It Aint The Flagship For Much. (other Than Of Course The Worlds Best Apples And Pears)
Back To You Pb What Kind Of Attendance Has The X Been Drawing, (approximatly) Because They Have Never Posted An Attendance Figure. Can Anyone Share Some Attendance Figures For League.
I Can See Yakima Is Going Have 3000+ Avg With 2nd ,3rd Combining For Less.

[psbf]

kg, I salute Yakama for being one of the two cities to survive in this league and for your fans.
As far as here in Pittsburgh, I admit that our turnouts have gone up and down but I have seen a couple games with attendence above 1,000, while most are still under that mark. They need promotions to bring out the fans. I think our largest crowd was the loss to Butte on a friday, my estimate would say about 1,500 attended that. We still have 3 more home games left.

[Sam Hill]

And it is a unusual for a league to switch All-Star sights(this is a first that I know of), as All-Star events are always a permanent event once set. (emphasis mine)

Really?

Come on, how much stuff are you going to get wrong around here?

"Always" a permanent event once set?

The 2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was originally awarded to the Florida Marlins, but baseball pulled it and moved it to Atlanta because of the uncertainty surrounding the Marlins' franchise at the time and the stadium.

Major League Soccer moved their 2004 All-Star Game, not only from Foxboro to Washington, DC, but also changed the date in an effort to get Real Madrid as the opponent (but RM backed out).

It happens. You're absolutely not the first city to lose an All-Star Game after it has been awarded.

[psbf]

the part where I said as far AS FAR AS I KNOW, Sam. So please don't pretend that you know me.
I don't follow Baseball and I forgot about the MLS All-Star where Real Madrid was no show(I remember them canceling their trip with no reason given). Ok, so there have been times when it was moved, but I was thinking particularly of Basketball and the CBA when I said it.

[Sam Hill]

You also said "always."

I don't pretend I know you. But you're wrong a lot.

And RM's reason was because they had a sub-par season that forced them to qualify for the Champions League instead of just getting a free pass into the competition (thus cutting short their preseason).

Too bad Pittsburgh lost the game. You'll get the next one. If the team is still around then.

[psbf]

We will be!

[Juicemann13]

...but Sams got a point.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but the team is not doing so well. They have only won 6 games, when Utah folded with that many. Actually, when Utah folded, Pitts had 3 wins.

Your enthusiasm reminds me of when I loved the Sun Kings, because I met them. Did you meet your X and thats why you have such an honor toward them? Do you sit in the front row?

Who cares if they were awarded the All-Star Game, they have to have attendance to keep it. And its just one game. The whole city of Yakama doesn't turn upside down when the All-star game is there. Its not a big deal. So to host it or not to host it, its just another game.

Why don't you ask your peeps at X why they didnt get it. Maybe that will give you some closure. If you don't have your connection there, I'm sure they take emails and respond.

Again, not trying to be a jack-ass, however, I will honestly be surprised if the team is back next year.

[rams80]

Wins don't necesarilly have any bearing on whether a team lives or dies, just a fyi. (though winning helps bring in the fans.)

[Juicemann13]

Wins don't necesarilly have any bearing on whether a team lives or dies, just a fyi. (though winning helps bring in the fans.)

...thus creating more a longevity for the team to stay afloat...fyi

[kg21obf]

Juice, I have been a Sking T-holder for 4 years, and it is sad to me how the league has deteriorated. I remember a couple years ago when Dakota came in with a super squad of NBA caliber players, although they waxed the Skings it was a joy to see that quality of hoops from close up. I am very dissapointed that the NBDl rumors, apparently were just that. I think with a few NBA draftpicks and the quality of play, the SinKIngs could lead the NBDl in attendance approaching the 4000 grand level. The SunKIngs will average well over 3000 this year with Albany and whoever is 3 rd combined not reaching that level.

[Chuck the Writer]

Geez do I have to be the voice of reason around here?

The CBA All-Star Classic has been moved at least once before in its history, as far as I can recall.

In 1983 the CBA All-Star Classic was scheduled to be held in Los Angeles (to be the pre-game entertainment for the NBA All-Star game, as is what happened in 1982 when the CBA was the pre-game entertainment for the NBA's East Rutherford NJ All-Star Classic). Well, at the last minute it was moved to Albany, which at that time was an expansion franchise. Albany hosted the event and did well with it (it was the first appearance of the "Million Dollar Shot"), and it pitted the Patroons against an all-star squad made up of the rest of the league.

As for other leagues who have lost their All-Star games for one reason or another; I seem to recall the Milwaukee Brewers losing the all-star game because their new Miller Park wouldn't be built in time; I think the Braves got the All-Star Game that year because of that.

In hockey, I recall that the San Jose Sharks were supposed to host the 1994 All-Star Game; that game was wiped out with an NHL lockout.

So Pittsburgh doesn't get the game in 2008. That just means that by the time they do get it, they'll have all their ducks in a row, there will be 3,000 to 4,000 fans a night at Mellon Arena, and the Xplosion will be fighting for the playoffs.

Heck, it took the Sun Kings a couple of years after they moved from Topeka to get on the winning track. So if the Kings can do it, so could the Xplosion.

[psbf]

I've been to almost all of the Xplosion home games and I've met a few of the players, as well as the head coach(s) and some of the office personnel. My passion for the X goes all the way back to when the Piranhas of 1995, who only lasted one season here, but they drew interest from fans and even drew a live report one of of our tv stations, prior to one of their Championship games. But they lost out to Yakama in the title series and their owner took them from us.
I would love to see the Xplosion do as well as they did. It surprises me that some of you look at the X record after ONLY 1 season and have them dead already!! Not even giving us a chance!! I'm sure that if your teams had the same record(as we do) you would be more forgiving.
I'm a strong believer in the Xplosion and I'll always be attending their games and promoting them. They are selling for next year so I know they will be back. If anything happened to the Xplosion(heaven forbid) you would not see me back here. In addition, it would be another question mark for the league, which some had burried before this season started.
So what if we have as many wins as Utah had?? What does that prove?? We are still here and we will be back which is why I am going to renew my season tickets at the conclsion of the X season.

[indy legend]

Hang in there Psbf. If every team had a few more fans like you the CBA would be a much beter off than it is and the ABA wouldn't be the total disaster it is. I admire your passion for the X. It's loyal fans like you that keep minor league sports going. I feel the same way about the AlleyCats but judging from the crowds at Mellon and at the Wigwam I'm afraid we might be all alone out here. I do all I can to promote the Cats here but as far as the local media here is concerned if it's not the Pacers or Colts it doesn't exist.I hope we are both watching our favorite team next year but I am a liitle concerned at least here in Anderson.

[panchess]

..what we hear of Anderson is like 30 people a game.

The local paper would rather cover girl's HS basketball, which doesn't help at all.

What are the crowds there?

[indy legend]

Don't know for sure. My schedual dosn't allow me to go to every game. I've not been to a week night game but the games I've been to there could not have been more than 250 or so. It's to bad because they are pretty talented and a fun team to watch.

[Sam Hill]

I would love to see the Xplosion do as well as they did. It surprises me that some of you look at the X record after ONLY 1 season and have them dead already!! Not even giving us a chance!!

I can't speak for anybody else, but I don't even know what the Xplosion's record is. I'm looking at the fact they haven't been able to draw flies in two seasons.

I'm sure that if your teams had the same record(as we do) you would be more forgiving.

Again, uh, no. If my team wasn't drawing flies, I'd be expecting them to be on the way out, too.

They are selling for next year so I know they will be back.

Because, God knows, no team has ever folded after starting to sell for next season. :rolleyes: Next thing you know, you'll tell me that the All-Star Game is always locked in once it's been promised to a city.

If anything happened to the Xplosion(heaven forbid) you would not see me back here.

Promise? Do you promise?

Hey, a few teams just missed out on their chance to get into the CBA Playoffs this year because they had to change the format because of a lack of arena dates. Don't you think that's kind of a bigger deal than the All-Star Game?

[psbf]

Thankyou, Indy, I appreciate your kind words. I'm sorry to see about Indiana. Hopefully fans will start noticing how good they are as well. I know you will do what you can to help.
The papers give small mention of the Xplosion results and sometimes certain stations give a mention as well. I sent an email to one of the local reporters here to update him on the X progress, so I'm hoping(but not counting on) that he will have another article on them. I'm also hoping to go to a Pens game and bring more attention to the X.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

That comparison is ridiculous.

Yeah, the CBA has had some hard times, but moving an All-Star Game almost a year in advance to the longest-running and most successful franchise in the league doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

It's a lot different than franchises that don't show up to games, fold and return later in the season, and the like.

The CBA had a team fold during the season and now this:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3434482

The playoffs have been reduced to just the finals and forget the postponed February 15th Pittsburgh/Albany game--just give each team 3.5 quarter points and call it a day. Why couldn't the game be switched to Albany? Albany owns their arena and should have more flexibility with dates. Unjustifiable additional travel expenses for the Xplosion? Probably so. Unjustifiable additional operating expenses for the Patroons? Probably so. Well, limited arena dates and rushing into a season go hand-in-hand.

On the Indiana Alley Cats:
I haven't seen an Anderson newspaper, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts that the Alley Cats would get press coverage if they marketed and bought ad space in the newspaper. One hand washes the other.

Also on the Alley Cats:
This team has also been around for two years. This team has been winning for two years. The fans have been staying away in droves for two years and will continue to do so...Can you even buy a beer at an Alley Cats game? :shock: