Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report

by Dan Krieger
Published on September 4, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)


BASEBALL

Golden Baseball League: A former owner of the Tucson Sidewinders in the Pacific Coast League has expressed interest in bringing an independent GBL expansion franchise to Tucson next season when the Sidewinders relocate to Reno (NV). The GBL team could be called the Tucson Toros, which was the name of the city's minor league baseball team from 1969 to 1997. With the PCL moving into Reno, the GBL's Reno Silver Sox team is not likely to return to the city in 2009. Since there has been talk of certain Class-A California League franchises moving to the Carolina League, the GBL plans to consider some of those vacated markets for future teams. The league also hopes to add two Canadian teams in British Columbia for 2009 with Victoria as one location and either Kamloops or Kelowna as a second location.

Canadian-American League: The owner of the Nashua (NH) Pride in the independent Can-Am League has put the team up for sale and the future of the franchise is uncertain. The owner planned to fold the team last year, but a last-minute season-ticket drive kept the team alive for one more season. The Nashua Pride started in 1998 as member of the Atlantic Baseball League, but shifted to the shorter season of the Can-Am League for the 2006 season.

Pacific Coast League: The Omaha Royals signed a two-year deal to extend their affiliation with the Kansas City Royals through the 2010 season, which is when Omaha's current stadium will be torn down. Rather than move to a 25,000-seat downtown stadium, which is being built to accommodate the College World Series, the Omaha Royals could move to a new stadium being considered for nearby Sarpy County or move to a new city for the 2011 season. Sugar Land (TX) in the Houston area and Vancouver (British Columbia) have expressed interest in the Omaha Royals.

Eastern League: The Connecticut Defenders and the Bowie Baysox of the Double-A Eastern League are rumored to be involved in the move of a franchise to Richmond (VA), which is losing its Triple-A team after this season. A local Richmond group could purchase an Eastern League franchise or one could be relocated to Richmond.

Puerto Rican League: After sitting idle last winter, the Puerto Rican winter baseball league is expected to return this fall with six teams.

BASKETBALL

Continental Basketball Association: Apparently, the CBA plans to move forward with a 2008-09 season and plans to hold its player draft in September. Possible returning teams for the 2008-09 season include the Albany Patroons, East Kentucky Miners, Minot Skyrockets, Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry and Pittsburgh Xplosion.

United Basketball League: The UBL commissioner has left to form the new United Regions Basketball League for 2009, but the UBL will apparently live on as a separate operation with some of the UBL team owners.

Texas Professional Basketball League: The TPBL has confirmed it will operate a women's pro division starting in June 2009.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from September 4, 2008


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