In some of the press stories regarding the Hawaii expansion, they've mentioned both Canada (naturally), but also Arizona in at least two different publications I read.
A return to Phoenix could be the only thing I can imagine. A new city like Prescott or Kingman (too small) or a second team in Tucson, we'd of heard whispers of that by now, right?
It could be just nothing as well...who's got any clues?
Arizona Whispers?
As was proven by the Mesa and Surprise teams a few years ago, it's just too damn hot to come out and see GBL baseball in a market like Phoenix where there are so many other things to do. Would make sense to try a major market again with a stronger league, as the GBL is now, but again you run in to the heat and other alternatives as drawbacks.
Prescott isn't a bad alternative, though I don't know if there's a park with lighting there or one that could be adapted easily. The CHL team there does good business and it's a town that's growing like crazy. I always wondered why Flagstaff didn't get any play - but I don't think there's a park there at all, I don't think NAU has a baseball team. But not sure about that.
Prescott isn't a bad alternative, though I don't know if there's a park with lighting there or one that could be adapted easily. The CHL team there does good business and it's a town that's growing like crazy. I always wondered why Flagstaff didn't get any play - but I don't think there's a park there at all, I don't think NAU has a baseball team. But not sure about that.
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ChicoOutlawsFan
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[quote=""ChicoOutlawsFan""]Scottsdale is a logical choice. Phoenix already has the Arizona Diamondbacks, so a GBL team there is highly unlikely.[/quote]
Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix - you can see Chase Field from Scottsdale. Gotta think the Diamondbacks have a good hold on Scottsdale. Wouldn't matter if you put the GBL team in Phoenix or any suburb of Phoenix, it's still the same market.
Indy ball in major markets works though, but it has to be done right. The Frontier and Northern Leagues do well in major markets because they don't take on the Major League teams, they find their niche and work it well. So it could work, but it has to have the right people running it and they have to understand their market.
Scottsdale certainly has the ballpark and the money. Scottsdale Stadium sits empty 8 months a year, would be nice to light it up every so often.
Scottsdale is a suburb of Phoenix - you can see Chase Field from Scottsdale. Gotta think the Diamondbacks have a good hold on Scottsdale. Wouldn't matter if you put the GBL team in Phoenix or any suburb of Phoenix, it's still the same market.
Indy ball in major markets works though, but it has to be done right. The Frontier and Northern Leagues do well in major markets because they don't take on the Major League teams, they find their niche and work it well. So it could work, but it has to have the right people running it and they have to understand their market.
Scottsdale certainly has the ballpark and the money. Scottsdale Stadium sits empty 8 months a year, would be nice to light it up every so often.
The Diamondbacks don't exactly get a lot of support. They've slashed prices and still don't get many people to an indoor stadium. I like your idea about Prescott. They built a beautiful arena for their hockey team, and there is no stadium fit for baseball right now, but with the market growing, the 4,000 ft. elevation, and being only an hour from Phoenix...it would be great.
How about this one...why doesn't one of the casinos in Laughlin build a stadium. There's plenty of senior citizens in that area that would be a good market. Easy travel. No history of professional sports in the area, a good baseball team might catch on.
How about this one...why doesn't one of the casinos in Laughlin build a stadium. There's plenty of senior citizens in that area that would be a good market. Easy travel. No history of professional sports in the area, a good baseball team might catch on.
arizona
The GBL does not need any more expansion ideas...First they need to see if St George will make it...40% chance...then they need to see if Tijuana will show up...didn't last year and messed everything up...30 % chance...then there is Hawaii which is well funded and I think will succeed, but, can the teams afford the travel expense and can Hawaii get the $$ and backing to sustain housing etc for visiting teams? I believe the GBL will be better suited to stay at 8 teams and move slowly towards 10 max. Mexico would be great, but the reality of it is far from solid...a website doesn't mean a thing, $$ talks...it's Yuma that has transitioned to a real player now.
Think of expense before expansion...we get 6-7000 fans in Tucson and can afford to travel, some teams avg 2-3000...but, if you now throw in Mexico, and Hawaii with the Canada trips, you are really stretching the profits if there are any. With league owned/funded teams in the mix, it can be a shaky league with too much $$ for travel.
Let's see how this year goes and then we can think about expanding. We don't need the whole ship to sink now.
Think of expense before expansion...we get 6-7000 fans in Tucson and can afford to travel, some teams avg 2-3000...but, if you now throw in Mexico, and Hawaii with the Canada trips, you are really stretching the profits if there are any. With league owned/funded teams in the mix, it can be a shaky league with too much $$ for travel.
Let's see how this year goes and then we can think about expanding. We don't need the whole ship to sink now.
Baseball is Life
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digitalballparks
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[quote=""Hawk87""]In some of the press stories regarding the Hawaii expansion, they've mentioned both Canada (naturally), but also Arizona in at least two different publications I read.
A return to Phoenix could be the only thing I can imagine. A new city like Prescott or Kingman (too small) or a second team in Tucson, we'd of heard whispers of that by now, right?
It could be just nothing as well...who's got any clues?[/quote]
I wonder if they would ever consider Bisbee-Douglas? Both of those classic old ballparks are still in beautiful condition. We photographed both on http://www.digitalballparks.com. Bisbee dates back to the early 1900s and little parts of it to the 1800's, and it's in mint condition
Eric
President
http://www.digitalballparks.com
An online baseball stadium museum featuring over 12,000 Hi-Res photographs of ballparks from today and yesteryear.
A return to Phoenix could be the only thing I can imagine. A new city like Prescott or Kingman (too small) or a second team in Tucson, we'd of heard whispers of that by now, right?
It could be just nothing as well...who's got any clues?[/quote]
I wonder if they would ever consider Bisbee-Douglas? Both of those classic old ballparks are still in beautiful condition. We photographed both on http://www.digitalballparks.com. Bisbee dates back to the early 1900s and little parts of it to the 1800's, and it's in mint condition
Eric
President
http://www.digitalballparks.com
An online baseball stadium museum featuring over 12,000 Hi-Res photographs of ballparks from today and yesteryear.
