Hmmm

[JuiceFan]

Things aren't looking so rosy for the South Coast League, at least not right now. I'm wondering what's on the minds of other fans reading this. I completely enjoyed the SCL games I attended last year, and I was excited aobut a new indy league that seemed to have a formula for getting the players to the next level in their careers. I hope they can work through these difficult times and learn from their mistakes. They need to stabilize things real soon, though, I'd say.

I'm missing baseball in general, anybody else out there feel the same?:(

[Grrrowlguy]

Dunno the website is updated and with job fairs and tryouts id say well see SCL in 08. Anderson Joes is selling season tickets and I dont think they would do that with no intention of playing.

[SoCalABA]

It has been stated that the SCL definitely took a financial bath last year. This is also true for other start up leagues such as the GBL in their first year or two.

The good thing is the fact that Jamie Toole does not seem to be a quitter. After one bad season it looks as if he will make changes across the board and see where it takes him. I really think that if the can keep the quality of the product on and of the field where it was and save money expense wise they will be fine. Obviously some of the financal strain came from all the money spent to create build and operate Bradenton who ended up on the Road all seaon long. So that money was essentially tosse in the toilet.

Now with a season in their pocket they should have a good idea of what to do differently. In a couple places they really need to look at concessions ideas. That is where a lot can e made or lost. Concessions at Anderson sucked on the teams level but the outside vendors were great. Other teams did well with concessions.

It's jus a tough thing to start up a league where you own all 6 teams. The GBL went trough the same thing and had that not sol Fullerton and St. George going into year 3 they may not have made it. The SCL might have to take the same road to survive.

Thankfully there is another league similar and the SCL can learn by not only their mistakes but by looking at the GBL and seeing what is working for them!

The GBL in 2008 has grown to Canada and will probably grow bigger in 2009!

I hope that we see as much improvement in the SCL by year 3 as there has been in the GBL!

Keep up the good work Jamie! The fans will show up!

[Nuckinfuts]

All I know is that the 2007 Inaugural Champions gave their information and sizes for the championship rings they were supposed to be getting, which has now been told to them they are not going to get. Why were they promised this -- SCL must have known before the championship game they were in trouble -- what a blow to the players. Now they want them to come up with the money themselves -- and they're talking about paying them even less!

[JuiceFan]

I agree that Jamie O'Toole seems to be a determined individual, and he seems to know how to put out a positive press release, from what I've read. I, too, hope that the league can keep the level of play as high as it was last year, but with the apparent focus shifting more exclusively to younger players with less professional experience, and the talent pool continually diluted with more and more independent teams every year, I will have to see this to believe it. Are their new player salary guidelines in line with other indy leagues? If not, as they will learn--- you get what you pay for. With considerable cuts made to the pay for managers, will they still be able to attract talented leaders? Quite possibly some of the fan interest last year came out of the recognizable names on the field, both as the older players and managers, too. I saw games last year in both Anderson and Aiken and found the level of play and competition to be very good and highly entertaining.

I agree that the concessions available were definitely lacking at Anderson, but the staff, especially an usher named "Tim" were totally fired up about having baseball in Anderson. The stadium was charming for spectators despite its simplicity. I recall watching the sunset over the third bases seats each night. A scene made more beautiful in my mind because it was at the ballpark.

Like others, I hope soon the league will offer SCL merchandise for sale since they have such a great logo. I wish the league the best of luck in the future. I just plain love baseball, and the idea of giving these guys with baseball dreams another chance to make it big gets me excited.

[SoCalABA]

It's sad to hear the issue with the rings. I am guessing that at some point maybe Jamie and the League will realize that this is the one things that every players wants at any level. For them to Win the champonship and then be told they have to pay for the rings shouldn't happen. If anything come out with a plain and basic championship ring that they get for free and if they want it personalized they can get that at their own cost.

I also saw the piece on an Albany, GA TV newscast today about the former Peanuts GM talking about his check bouncing and other money issues in the league. I have heard that several employees in 2 or 3 markets had issues with their 15th of November paychecks. It will be interesting to see what happens at the end of this month. I am guessing that will tell the story on the leauge.

Obviously the financial woes are a concern but I truly believe that this league can and will make it if the leagues investors in Illinois will give Jamie and friends the money needed to continue. They say that they are willing to do that for 2008. If they do back the league I think they will be happy with the returns this year.

Obviously much of the start up costs are now gone, the simple upgrades that were needed at most of the stadiums we done last year as well and that will be probably close to $1,000,000 that will not be spent this year.

There were probably many similar things that got caught up in the Innaugural Season costs that will not be there this year. It is going to take a lot of hard work in Albany, Anderson and the new market (wherever that might be) to bring in more sponsorship dollars etc.

It seems that Aiken, SC is the most stable Market keeping 4 of their 6 staff members from last season. Almost all of the other teams have 2 or less in the front office right now. Yes, this is typical for baseball teams to cut back but places like Anderson have just the GM, Albany after the GM's firing has 1 person, Charlotte County has 2 people, and Macon has 2 people.

Right now Albany and Anderson should have 2 or 3 people in there working on sponsorships and ticket sales for 2008. Many of these markets also need a dammage control specialist as we have all read about teams that owe vendors and even employees money.

Whatever the case may be I expect to see new people both in front offices and in the Dugout that will make this league a huge success. I truly believe that if Jamie holds onto his never give up attitude and the Investors provide more financing for 2008 this league will be around for a long time!

If the league does for some reason fail or even fold don't be surprised to see the Atlantic League or another Indy League pick up some of the places the SCL is playing in. Most of these markets will support teams if everything is handled in a professional and timely manner including paying employees and vendors.

Again, I guess we will see what happens. If they get to the middle of January and you don't see new hires popping up on teams websites you know they are in trouble. One thing that might help them out is if the websites get updated more frequently and offered team merchandise and league merchandise they might actually bring in some money during the offseason!

My advice .......... sell off the Aiken franchise to outside owners, that should be worth $600,000 to $750,000. It's not much but it keeps them in business this year and the shot to rebuild present markets and find new markets to play in as well. They could also allow a couple of independantly owned teams into the league and have them pay a "franchise fee". Pensacola is definitely out of place in the American Association. They Could bring them in for 2009 and add 1 more team to get the league to 8!

Well let's just cross our fingers and hope that we see the teams "Swing" into things after the first of the new year!!