Victoria Seals Cease Operations
November 10, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Victoria, BC - The Victoria Seals are disappointed to announce that they will cease operations, effective immediately, citing restrictive conditions of the current lease with the City of Victoria along with the unstable state of the Golden Baseball League.
Despite expressing continuous concerns over the current least agreement at out-dated Royal Athletic Park, the Seals were unable to find an agreement with the City that would address several alarming issues with the operation of a professional baseball team. Specifically, the poor field conditions, lack of a permanent outfield fence, unreasonable concession agreement and strained relationship with management at the current facility.
In addition, the current uncertainty surrounding the makeup of the GBL and the financially demanding geographic layout of the league put added stress on the organization.
"This is a city that deserves professional baseball, and our fans proved that over the course of two seasons here in Victoria," said Seals President Darren Parker. "The support we received from this community was unparalleled at this level, and I am extremely disappointed that our current situation with the lease and the City of Victoria has made it financially impossible for the Seals to go forward any further."
During their two-year stint in the Golden Baseball League, the Seals consistently finished in the top of league attendance standings while providing affordable family entertainment and generating millions of dollars in economic benefit to the Capital Region - including direct support to the accommodation, hospitality, transportation and local business community. In partnership with various youth baseball programs and other fundraising efforts, the franchise provided a commitment to its fan base both on and off the field.
Since their inception in 2008, the Seals advanced the contracts of five players to Major League Baseball teams while gaining both local, national, and international attention to the Victoria baseball community. Through events like Canada Day Fireworks, Paint the Park Pink Night, and various other promotions, the Seals added another experience to summer months in the Capital Region. For his work during the Seals inaugural campaign, team President Darren Parker also earned the Golden Baseball League Executive of the Year Award in 2009.
The Seals ownership group, comprised of Darren and Russ Parker, would like to express their utmost thanks to all of the volunteers, staff, host families, media supporters and fans of the Victoria Seals for their support over the course of the last two years.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from November 10, 2010
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