Freedom Pro League

[montezuma Federals fan]

Colonel,
I do think this league could use some work and i do see some changes taking place. I too have sent several emails and asked several questions and gave ideas and like yourself, i also have not had any emails returned by the league. You are correct this league does belong to Joe and his partners, not us. I have said it before i do not have any connection to this league, other than i would like to keep baseball in Prescott. All the work i do on Facebook i do as enjoyment for myself not the league. I do cover the Federals as they are the local team. I do post photos of players from other teams on the Facebook site, but im not going to drive an 1 1/2 to get info on other games. When the league get big enough the press will cover it because it will merit the coverage, not cause it has been paid to cover it.
You can win people to your side more easily by gentle persuasion and flattery than by hostile confrontation. Keep sending the league emails and go talk to them in person if you feel that strongly about the league problems. If all else fails dont go the games or buy any league gear and then when they go out of business you can feel content and know you were correct all along.

[smallballfan]

When the league get big enough the press will cover it because it will merit the coverage, not cause it has been paid to cover it.

Isn't it up to the owners and the league GM to convince the media in their area that the team is worth covering? I can see fighting for space in the Phoenix papers but coverage in Prescott shouldn't be difficult to get if the team promotes their product as worth covering. Building relationships with the local sports wonks is kind of key in any such venture. Also, aren't there some smaller, regional newspapers around Phoenix? You'd think they'd be looking for local angles and content rather than just reprinting stories from Phoenix papers.

[Colonel]

It was reported several places that today was a doubleheader by the Federals -got up early and drove to Prescott only to find that game was at 3:00 and it was only 1 game ---

[montezuma Federals fan]

The Federals schedule did show a doubleheader game starting at 1:05. I was told by someone related to the team that it was a scheduling error. If you were there good for you. Try to say hello next time, Im the guy with the camera. Sorry about the incorrect game news but like i said i only know what i read and see, i have no connection to the league. I was at todays game the Federals lost 14-5 and i put a few(41)photos on the site of todays game.

[Colonel]

I was there - had to leave to get back to Phoenix to do something. I enjoyed the park -- it was a nice little park.

You know I want this league to exist. I like it --- after living in CA for years and years and having choices of games between MLB, CA league, Golden League, North American League -- now what I get is the Dbacks -- although with the Fall League I do get baseball for 10 months a years. But a good Independent League would round out the baseball season.

When I complain about some of these things- its not that I want the league to fold. I want it to exist. And many of the things I mention -- I am not alone --- indeed some of the people there yesterday were upset with the scheduling -- the league told me that it was a 3:05 game - then it got posted as a 1 game on the website as well as on facebook. I think the question should be - how do we make this league better so that it might make it? Personally, I think they should hire somebody to run the business part of it.
Colonel
Phoenix

[Sam Hill]

Originally Posted by smallballfan

Isn't it up to the owners and the league GM to convince the media in their area that the team is worth covering?

And what do you think, perhaps, might be the best way to do that convincing?

[Colonel]

Most of the people I know in the media do not even know this league exists. The league should try to get information about it out there- if the media is not covering it (and that appears to be the case) then at least buy an ad -- or go to some of the free places such as the New Times and run an article -- I would also send SABR (Society for American Baseball Research-- located in Phoenix) 100 tickets --that would bring some people to the games ---in effect get information out there --- and then update the computer site --baseball fans want to know stats -- and scores of games --- plus keep the scedule correct and updated --- I drove up to Prescott for a game only to find out that the schedule was wrong and the game was not played when the schedule said it was....


8-(

[montezuma Federals fan]

Colonel,
The Freedom Pro Baseball League is starting to hit the to hit the press sheets. With articles in or on the web at, http://www.examiner.com,www.dcourier...www.zimbio.com, & www.pointstreak.com and more. They all cover this league or have printed news about it for free. I see there are Facebook pages for Freedom Pro Baseball League, the Montezuma Federals, and the Sonoran Explorers. There is also www.freedomprobaseballleague.com. I do know the the league did give away tickets to "The Phoenix Singles". They also did, Any Player wearing their "Little League" Uniform to any or all of the Games in the first Series on May 19th-21st will get in for FREE! In prescott they were giving away tickets at the prescott chamber of commerce on June 10th.
I can not be sure but i do think all but one team has passed out free tickets so far.
The Freedom Pro Baseball League is starting to turn the corner on getting this to become a Successful Business. I think there might have been an underestimation on some part as to how to start the league, and everything it would take to get it going, and what should be done first.
I would think you have been to the FPBL web site and seen under the stats and standings page that, "statistics are currently being updated. Full statistics will be available shortly". The standings are being updated daily now. This will all take time and money to to get put on the site, if you ever had a business that you had some i.t. person manage your web site you would know the headache,time and cost to get the work done.
Dont be so quick to judge, its not easy or cheap to start something this big. If you ever owned a bussiness you know how much work it takes.

[Colonel]

Great that they are starting ---- I have ran a business plus have been in business myself by myself -- and its not easy.... but you need to look at who your customers are -- before you start ---- it is great that they are beginning to start to put information out --- but when people tried to help when they started - they (and I ) were told that they were to busy to worry about getting fans-- they wanted to do the business part first. (That sounds good but does not lead to large crowds and the crowds do pay the salaries-- or perhaps as in this case -not). I intend to go to as many games as possible given my work and personal life. Looking forward to meeting you and getting my picture taken.




Colonel
Phoenix

[Colonel]

My friend - I am in complete agreement with you --- after a couple of years watching the whole Golden League/North American League mess (not to mention ABA2000==I said don't mention that mess!) -- What Joe needs is somebody who runs the business end - indeed that is what Major League Baseball does - they have people to run the baseball portion and people to run the business portion of the league -- a league this small could do it with 2-5 people easy ----if they don't -- unless they sell their players for $1,000,000 each - they won't be back ....8=(


Colonel
Phoenix