North American League

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dodgersnusc
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My Two cents...probably worth half a penny..

Post by dodgersnusc » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:03 am

It has been a long time since I have read, or posted, anything on this site. I left the GBL at the end of the 2007 season, after serving as the GM in OC for three seasons.

I have since been with USC for three years, and am experiencing in my role in corporate relations exactly what every team in professional baseball (major, minor, Indy) is experiencing.

This economy has taken its toll everywhere. One of you made a comment about 150 players, or so, being out of work if certain teams/leagues don't play in 2011. I don't want to sound insensitive, and any player who knows me or played for me knows that they are extremely important to me, but it is the inevitable, and unfortunate, fact, that what is happening in corporate America has rippled down, big time, to Indy ball, and everywhere else.

Sure, there have been mistakes made by leagues, teams, GM's (this one included), and others, but ultimately, the lack of success at the turnstiles, and in the sponsorships, has had everything to do with the fact that companies are spending less money on sponsorships, families are out of work, and thus spending less, if any at all, money on tickets (even the cheap ones), and concessions. And, as we always put it, and empty seat does not buy a hot dog.

Yet, with all of this going on, the constant in running these teams is the expense. We paid anywhere from $75,000 - $88,000 per year in player salaries in OC in 05, 06, and 07; we paid around $3,000 per GAME to play at Cal State Fullerton (so, do the math...another $90,000 - $135,000 per season). Throw in the costs to play the front office, game day staff, travel costs, insurance, equipment, etc, and trust me...it adds up!

Now, drop sponsorships by 70%, attendance by 25 - 50% (depending on the market), and you can see the REAL reason why these teams, and thus these players, are hurting!

Everyone seems to want to blame the owners, commissioners, presidents, GM's, etc., and certainly we all deserve a share of the blame, but ultimately, this is all going to catch up with all of us!

Can Indy ball survive in this economy? I suppose so, but it all depends on the market, the expenses, and the way in which the communities support and embrace their teams.

I will be the first to raise my hand and say that I want teams like Chico, OC, Yuma, St George, and the others to succeed, but instead of ranting and raving on here, and complaining about this, that, and the other thing, perhaps all of us should spend our time volunteering to support our local team by getting more dollars into the bank for them (sell seats, sponsorships, etc).

Until there is an upswing of a very significant measure in the revenues in these markets, nothing will bring these teams back, and nothing will keep these leagues alive.

Could the people in charge do a better job? Of course, but you know what? So could you, and so could I (in our respective jobs). But not many of us work where others are writing about us in blogs, tearing us apart for personnel decisions, and blasting us in emails.

Sorry to go on and on here, but this has been weighing on my mind for quite some time. I know many of the owners, GM's, and leaders of these leagues, and most are very good, honest, sincere men and women who got into this business because of a passion for the game, and a desire to see it work. These past three years have not been kind to any of them, or any of us.

Cut them slack, and instead of bemoaning the loss of your team, or loss of playing spots for these great young men who are just trying to pursue their dreams, maybe we should log off of our computers, and go do something about it...or at least offer.

In all fairness, I am guessing some of you have done just that, but it takes a community to raise, and care for, a baseball team!

Sorry...as I said, those were just my two cents worth, and were not intended to offend, nor make excuses for, anyone!

I love baseball, and I honor those owners, GM's, players, etc, that are still busting their tails to make this work!

God Bless Them!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Ed Hart
Former GM
Orange County Flyers
2005 - 2007

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Pounder
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Post by Pounder » Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:08 am

[quote=""riverrider35""]I also think Portland doesn't have a chance til 2012[/quote]

Since there's more than one person mentioning Portland for 2012, I really need to ask what makes anyone think anything will be ready for 2012.

The simple truth is, if anyone wants that to happen, they need to be rattling cages NOW and try and get a new ballpark. There is no credible current ballpark site, and the ones closest to credible either lack space for expansion or lack neighborhood support (anyone thinking Lents Park was simply upset with Merritt Paulson completely missed the boat).

Frankly, I don't consider the rumors credible.
Mean Spirited Blogger #107

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preeths
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Post by preeths » Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:58 pm

Interesting that Orange County remains on the list. Las Vegas? That's a surprise.

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ChicoOutlawsFan
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Merge a sign of desperation...

Post by ChicoOutlawsFan » Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:07 pm

As far as I'm concerned, this merger of the GBL, ULB and Northern League to create the North American League was done for one reason... desperation! If I were some of the more responsible owners, I would either call for a league takeover and "no confidence" vote for Kevin Outcalt or jump to a new league much like several Northern League teams did. Are they afraid they will be "blacklisted"? Oh, PUH-LEEZE!!!

All of these leagues have lost money and have been sugarcoating it for a long time. Fans are starting to see the writing on the wall. Time to jump ship or declare a mutiny!

riverrider35
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Post by riverrider35 » Wed Dec 29, 2010 11:15 pm

I hear San Angelo is trying to get out of the agreement but since the United league owns them they have no choice, rumor has them trying to go to the AA or Pecos League for the season but United ownership wont let them bail out. AS for the rest of the teams most have no where to go and only 3 of the teams in the NAl are prob even profitable the 2 Canadian teams and San Angelo so the rest are just along for the ride

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ChicoOutlawsFan
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Post by ChicoOutlawsFan » Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:11 am

Any league-owned team will not be able to get out of any agreement unless an ownership buys them. The only way out is contraction (meaning folding). It's sad, but true. The GBL only owns two teams, the Chico Outlaws and Yuma Scorpions. All of the other teams are privately-owned, so they can get out whenever they like... if they can avoid lawsuits.

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ChicoOutlawsFan
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Post by ChicoOutlawsFan » Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:15 am

[quote=""preeths""]Interesting that Orange County remains on the list. Las Vegas? That's a surprise.[/quote]

Las Vegas already has the 51's of the Pacific Coast League. That franchise will probably block the NAL's plans for a team there.

Eddie
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Post by Eddie » Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:21 am

[quote=""riverrider35""]I hear San Angelo is trying to get out of the agreement but since the United league owns them they have no choice, rumor has them trying to go to the AA or Pecos League for the season but United ownership wont let them bail out. AS for the rest of the teams most have no where to go and only 3 of the teams in the NAl are prob even profitable the 2 Canadian teams and San Angelo so the rest are just along for the ride[/quote]

AA or Pecos League? I can't see pecos league being in the same breath as the AA. San Angelo would be a good fit in the AA, too bad they won't have the chance.
Las Vegas already has the 51's of the Pacific Coast League. That franchise will probably block the NAL's plans for a team there.
They can't BLOCK them. The NAL could always use a high school field or something. Not that it would look professional if they did, unless there is a ballpark there that I can't think of right now.

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MJHankel
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Post by MJHankel » Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:35 am

[quote=""Eddie""]unless there is a ballpark there that I can't think of right now.[/quote]

Being an off shoot of the GBL they might try what they did in Reno and play at Earl Wilson Stadium on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

I am not saying it is a good idea, I am just saying it might be what they are thinking.

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ChicoOutlawsFan
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Post by ChicoOutlawsFan » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:39 pm

[quote=""Eddie""]The NAL could always use a high school field or something. Not that it would look professional if they did, unless there is a ballpark there that I can't think of right now.[/quote]

I highly doubt a high school would allow beer and smoking at a baseball field. The NAL always looks for facilities that are professional looking, but sometimes wind up disappointed. Again, I bet the 51's will have a say in the NAL's plans. If the 51's are in financial difficulty and flod or relocate, then I say "yes", the NAL could bring a team in. But until then, I just don't see it happening.

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