Pittsburgh Hardhats

[Anonymous Hardhat]

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04277/389453.stm

I thought you might be interested in knowing the truth about the Pittsburgh Hardhats situation.

[BBall Fan]

Sad story, but predictable.

EVERY city this league has set up in (or talked about setting up in) has been the same story.

As of last year, there have probably been 30 or more different operations that have done the exact same thing. Here are just a few. I'm sure that by the end of this year, we'll be able to add about 20 more.

Chicago Skyliners
Detroit Dogs
Indiana Legend
Memphis Dawgs?
Tampa Bay ?
LA Stars
San Diego Wildfire
So. Cal Surf
N. Kentucky
Phoenix Eclipse
Westchester
Guadalajara
Omaha
Pittsburgh (x2)

[meyes]

I don't see how you can compare all the teams on your list to the Hardhats. The Skyliners, Stars, and Houndawgs all played through the ABA's first season and the playoffs. The Legends and Dogs played through two seasons and playoffs. The Eclipse played through the second season and the playoffs, Just to name a few. I know the league shortened those seasons but all of those teams were still around when the playoffs took place. That is considerably different from never even getting off the ground. I have no way of knowing for sure, but I believe the Skyliners, Stars, Houndawgs and Dogs did may all or most of their bills.

[skippy]

Just read that Native America is moving to Canada?

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!

[skippy]

This comes from the Abqjournal.com website. Santa Fe version.

— Professional hoops back in Albuquerque? Don't count on it.
Hosting a tryout camp at McCurdy School, the American Basketball Association all-Indian team known as Native America likely will be based in Canada and not the Duke City, according to a team official on hand for a workout Tuesday afternoon at the small northern New Mexico school.
The team is one of 35 listed on the league's Web site, abalive.com, but its heading is under "Albuquerque."
As the team's owner, William S. "Spider" Ledesma, and prospective head coach, Dave Taylor, talked with the players following Tuesday's practice, assistant coach Clinton Pilcher said the team probably would be located in Toronto, not Albuquerque.
Asked about the upcoming season, Ledesma declined comment on the specific whereabouts of his franchise and would not go on the record about the location of its base of operations. However, he did say that the team will have no problems getting ready in time for its scheduled season opener in November.
"It's an exciting time because we're working on something special here," he said. "Things are coming together."
ABA co-founder and chairman Joe Newman at the league offices in Indianapolis could not be reached for comment on where the team will play.
But location doesn't matter, said the players attending the McCurdy camp. Each paid a $200 fee to try out.
"I'll go anywhere," said Dan Warrior, a 6-foot, 10-inch center who last played for Grace College and Seminary in Indiana, an NAIA school. "It's a chance to play and I think that's what we're all interested in here."
One of 32 prospects taking part in this week's tryouts, which started Monday and conclude today, Warrior was among a handful of players who either spent time on a college roster or played overseas as a professional. Only a few locals were in the group, among them former Eastern New Mexico University guard Matt Vail.
All have to meet the requisite criteria. In other words, they have to have at least some connection to an Indian tribe from North America.
Some on hand, like 6-3 guard Vegas Davis (Tennessee) and 6-7 forward Terrell Hill (UT-Pan American), played at NCAA Division I schools. Others, like Ledesma, have the potential of serving dual roles.
"If my health holds out, I might play," he said.
Like most, Davis said he found out about the team's tryouts by surfing the Internet. And, like all the others, he had no problem paying his own travel expenses, driving cross country on short notice and anteing up the tryout fee.
"I'd heard all the rumors about this team, but as soon as I found out it was real I had to give it a try," he said. "I got a couple other guys together and drove out here. I mean, why not?"
Ledesma said he'll weed out all but five or 10 players from this week's tryouts. Those lucky enough to catch his eye will be invited to a veterans camp later this month in Toronto

[Sam Hill]

"Asked about the upcoming season, Ledesma declined comment on the specific whereabouts of his franchise and would not go on the record about the location of its base of operations. However, he did say that the team will have no problems getting ready in time for its scheduled season opener in November. "

Nah, no problem at all. :roll: