Professional baseball back to Ottawa in 2010?

[Marcelo]

The Ottawa media has published that there is an ownership group in negociations with the Can-Am League and city officials to bring back a Can-Am franchise to Ottawa for 2010. This is good news and I hope everything falls in place. See below what has been said in the media.

"A group wants to bring professional baseball back to the capital.
The Ottawa Stadium Group is currently exploring the idea of acquiring a Can-Am baseball franchise for the 2010 season.
David Butler, who operates Bytown Trolley Company, is leading the group and says he has submitted a proposal to the city and to Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff to re-open the doors of the Ottawa Baseball Stadium and field a team. A franchise costs $750,000.
The Can-Am League was supposed to have a team ready to go for this season but pulled out at the last moment citing poor economic conditions.
“We are having discussions,” said Butler. “We are going to try and make a run at it again.” Long-term lease
Earlier this week, OSG submitted a proposal to the city’s legal department that outlines a plan to negotiate a long-term lease.
Butler said the negotiations with Can-Am are in full swing.
However, given the checkered history of baseball at the Coventry Rd. stadium, Butler says he wants to use the facility for more than just baseball.
Butler would like the city to allow the stadium to be used for concerts and other events.
“Baseball would be one product,” said Butler. “Nobody will make just baseball work. I want something there every day.”
OSG member Duncan Macdonald has worked in many roles with Major League Baseball, including with the Toronto Blue Jays during their two World Series wins in the early ’90s. He said there isn’t a stadium in North America that is used only for baseball
Macdonald also worked for Terrace Investments in the late 1980s, which was successful in bringing the Ottawa Senators to the capital.
“We want to sell fun, sun and entertainment,” he said.
The group has a marketing plan to try to fill the 10,000-seat stadium in the summer months and they’re working on plans for events during the city’s popular Winterlude festival.
“We need to give people a reason to come to the stadium,” said Macdonald.
Orleans Coun. Bob Monette said he has been speaking with Butler and likes the idea."

[OttawaBallFan]

There's still a ways to go before we get a team back in town, although it's looking good. We usually never hear of who the interested parties in getting a franchise are. To me, knowing Mr. Butler has gone public is a good sign.

Problem 1: City agreeing to his plan for the stadium's use. They already are willing to offer a four-year lease to a tenant. If they'll allow other uses, that's another question. David Butler wants ten years. Don't think that'll happen. His plan however is needed to make it financially viable since the rent is going to be at least $108k per year, high for an indie team.

Problem 2: All this has to be done within one month. Can-Am league meeting is end of September (not sure of exact date. Anyone?). Although granting a franchise to Mr. Butler (or someone else) should not a problem and the stadium lease can be negotiated over the winter, what will other owners think?

Problem 3: Assuming Ottawa is in for 2010, that makes seven teams. Sure, a road team can be created. One year might be OK but how long will the league be willing to do this? Is Montreal viable for 2011? Is Trois-Rivieres? Will a team from another league switch?

These are relatively minor problems and can easily be overcome although time is short. But at least, there's talk about baseball in Ottawa once more. I was having my doubts until this week we'd see baseball here again.

[skipster]

Good news for Ottawa. Btw, looks like 6 teams are in for 2010, what with New Hampshire having been locked out of their stadium. Can't see them being back.

[ottawasportsfan2010]

Ottawaballfan

I think part of it are there other offers that will bring baseball back.If not that may give this group a bit of a advantage.

[OttawaBallFan]

> Btw, looks like 6 teams are in for 2010, what with New Hampshire having been locked out of their stadium. Can't see them being back.

When did this happen? Do you have a link?
Wasn't NH's new owners given some sort of deal?

> I think part of it are there other offers that will bring baseball back.If not
> that may give this group a bit of a advantage.

Well, even Miles Wolff said a few week ago that there are a few interested parties for a Can-Am franchise in Ottawa. He must have been pleased about that and so am I. Someone also apparently talked to the city about the stadium for a team in the new Super Indie League, slated to start in 2011. Although the chances of the SIB getting off the ground are slim in my opinion, it can only help in showing city council there is interest in keeping baseball in town. I think the Can-Am is the best fit (maybe the only one) for Ottawa.

[ca]

team play ? hopefully somewhere as id like to see ball back in montreal !

[ca]

found a site in montreal over on the west side of the island a ballpark called the sportsplex . it can be viewed via google maps and while it would need a grandstand around it much like fitton field did at least their is a diamond there

[skipster]

Originally Posted by OttawaBallFan

> Btw, looks like 6 teams are in for 2010, what with New Hampshire having been locked out of their stadium. Can't see them being back.

When did this happen? Do you have a link?
Wasn't NH's new owners given some sort of deal?

Got two for you, both found on OSC:

http://www.enterprisenews.com/sports...in-Can-Am-spat

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/...#disqus_thread

Rent not paid, locks changed by the city, tractor parked on the infield just to make sure the point got across. Whatever deal they new owners got, they blew it and they are blaming everyone but themselves.

[NJ JACKALS FAN]

As a Jackals mini-plan holder for the past five years, I am seriously concerned about the future of the league. Floyd Hall own 1/3 of the league, and with it apparrent that New Hampshire is going to fold, the league does not have a bright future unless more franchises can be added.

[ca]

has done this stiffing in the necbl in the past as well and basically ran clemens , vaughn and greenwell out of boston so what he did in nh is consistent with his other blunders !