Seattle Explorers

[FrontOffice]

Without weighing in on the larger issue, because I don't have enough knowledge of the situation to comment...Why would Wilmington, North Carolina be in the Midwest? Put them in the East where they can more easily get to PA and Maryland and have Pittsburgh in the Midwest. Makes more sense geographically

[Pounder]

What I'm seeing... even with a merger, the league would be wise to sell a little of its soul to find new markets to shore up a couple good ones... or perhaps leave Yakama (who might end up gone anyway) and Wilmington to the wolves.

I'm not sure there's a manageable setup in existence with this lineup. That western division is quite insane.

[wellington]

As mentioned previously, maybe we will see a few of the 'stronger' ABA teams as well. Its not going to help reduce travel costs for Western teams like Yakama, but New Hampshire, Vermont, and Halifax would fit in well in the East.

[wellington]

[quote=""Pounder""]That western division is quite insane.[/quote][warning sarcasm ahead]
When Tuckman gets his team up and running in Vancouver along with the Seattle Explorers -- that should really help Yakama.

[SUNKINGS]

Please use Icons when you are sarcastic or I will take everything seriously.
Can you imagine the costs of running teams in Vancouver and Seattle , two of the most expensive cities in North America.
Yakima has a class A minor league baseball team, an entry from Vancouver is in the same league, and they draw 3418 fans per game.

[Pounder]

Upset that the league website cleared 2007 stats off their website. Going from Ballpark Digest (and the "rankings" to the left are for overall minors & independents)...

59. Spokane Indians (NWL) 5,053 (they outdraw PCL Tacoma, BTW)
107. Eugene Emeralds (NWL) 3,551
114. Vancouver Canadians (NWL) 3,418
124. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (NWL) 3,124
132. Everett AquaSox (NWL) 2,883
139(t). Boise Hawks (NWL) 2,707
175. Tri-City Dust Devils (NWL) 1,981
180. Yakima Bears (NWL) 1,895

http://www.ballparkdigest.com/features/ ... _2007.html

However... baseball is a bad indicator of the potential success or failure of a minor pro basketball team.

[SUNKINGS]

As usual I was just guessing. Vancouver does draw decently, but you have to wonder why a world class city has a short season class A team. I know they used to have a AAA team. Sky Sox?

[wellington]

[quote=""SUNKINGS""]Please use Icons when you are sarcastic or I will take everything seriously.[/quote]

I will remember that in the future.

[quote=""SUNKINGS""]Can you imagine the costs of running teams in Vancouver and Seattle , two of the most expensive cities in North America.
[/quote]
Just imagine a Tuckman operated team in either one of those cities -- then again, let's not. It would definitely take someone with deep pockets to run a team in Seattle or Vancouver. Even then there would be no guarantee of success.

[psbf]

You're right, FO.

[Aaronhere]

Right now, I see Rochester, Reading and Wilmington coming over from the PBL. I also see Vermont, Halifax and Montreal coming over from the ABA. I do not see Atlanta and Great Falls coming back next season. So, you would have seven CBA teams, three PBL teams and three ABA teams. To make a balanced
THE 2008-2009 CBA
NORTHERN DIVISION - Halifax, Vermont, Rochester, Montreal, Albany
EASTERN DIVISION - Reading, Wilmington, Pittsburgh, East Kentucky
WESTERN DIVISION - Oklahoma, Yakama, Butte, Minot, Rapid City/La Crosse

I am going out on a limb and adding an expansion team in Rapid City or La Crosse, WI for the 14th franchise.