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Dukes Moving to Kansas City

September 4, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Duluth-Superior Dukes News Release


Independent minor league baseball will shout "Play Ball" in the Kansas City market with the first pitch of the 2003 season. John Ehlert, CEO of Dukes Baseball LLC, today announced that his Duluth-Superior Northern League franchise will relocate from Minnesota to a new stadium to be constructed in Village West, Wyandotte County's Tourism District.

The new, 4,500 seat stadium will be built in conjunction with the Legends at Village West Shopping Center being developed by RED development. The as-yet unnamed ballpark will join a neighborhood that is already home to the Kansas Speedway, Cabela's, Nebraska Furniture Mart and Great Wolf Lodge Family Resort.

The stadium is being designed by local sports facility architects Heinlein Schrock Stearns and will be built by Titan Construction Organization.

"We are excited to bring the affordable family fun that is Northern League Baseball to the Kansas City market," said Ehlert. "The family demographics of the area, its rich baseball heritage, the enthusiastic cooperation of the local government units and a robust business climate make this an exciting area. This move will further allow the Northern League to continue its steady growth as the preeminent independent baseball league in North America."

"In addition," Ehlert continued, "the new stadium will host dozens of other events annually that maintain the family nature of our business, such as fairs, concerts, shows, rallies and community events to showcase the best the Kansas City area has to offer its citizens."

Mike stone, commissioner of the ten-team Northern League Central noted that the new Kansas City stadium will be the "ninth 'new' stadium in the ten team Central Division, which is a great testament to the baseball and family fun our league offers."

The new baseball team's name will be chosen by the area fans in a name-the-team contest soon to be announced.

Ehlert also announced the appointment of the baseball team's top local official. Michael Hurd, most recently publisher of the Olathe Daily News, has been named executive vice president of KCNL Baseball, and will head the team's marketing and operations.

Ehlert also announced that his son, Adam, general manager of the Dukes and a part owner of the team, will assume a similar position in and relocate to the Kansas City area. Additional management personnel will be announced as soon as their hiring is finalized.

Season ticket plans, Luxury Suite Sales, Advertising and Employment opportunities will be featured soon on the team website at kcnlbaseball.com.

The team can be contacted at P.O. Box 13365 Edwardsville, KS 66113. Phone 913/328-BALL (2255).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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