Baseball Benefits Battle Creek (1999)
Again, some hints about the team budget amongst the boosterism. Comparing with the 1976 Danville program’s similar blurb, we see that costs about tripled in two decades. Hmmm.
Tag Archives: battle creek’s teams
Minor League Franchise Continuity
I was a season ticket holder in Battle Creek. That’s given me no emotional stake in the successor franchise, Great Lakes–and I rooted against the Springfield and Madison predecessor franchises when they actually existed. I’ve now transferred my loyalties mostly to the Lugnuts, and I root against the Loons.
Bill Mosiello
That voluntary mid-season job change is really quite unusual. But changing schools has been Mosiello’s norm; except for a fairly long stint at Oklahoma, he’s made a habit of moving to another university after a couple years.
Ballgame
West Michigan’s 5/3 BP is not what I’d call a charming yard–really it’s just a big bowl–but it’s a comfortable place. Kinda like an old sofa. The Caps don’t really do things differently from the other successful minor league organizations, but they work harder on the ballpark ambiance. Lansing, in a more interesting ballyard and with a similarly excellent staff, produces a harder-edged experience that’s more exciting but less cozy. In Battle Creek, the ballpark layout and the small crowds force a focus on the game, which works well for me but less well for the business. That I think all three are worthwhile should be pretty obvious.
Battle Creek Futures
In the past eight years the team’s been sold three times (one fell through), and the owners have arranged/agreed to move the team twice (both fell through). Making an emotional investment in this franchise is foolhardy, except for the hardest core of fandom.
Ground Rules
Two events from last night’s Fort Wayne/Battle Creek game involved the ground rules at C.O. Brown Stadium. Both generated some controversy.
Opening Day
Battle Creek’s Chase Wright pitched well, and looks impressive, but threw too many pitches and was visibly tired by the fifth. Regardless, Sean Marshall, a lanky guy with some apparent potential, pitched a better game. The most interesting thing seen was Lansing’s Clay Rapada, who is a radical sidewinder; don’t remember seeing a southpaw throw like that before. Lansing’s Kyle Boyer had a fine day at the plate.
Bay City?
The Bay City Times is reporting that a minor league team “with a major league affiliation” has approached the city about building a ballpark, probably on the Saginaw River, in time for the 2006 season. By most standards, that has to be treated as a credible rumor. What can we do with this information?
Foul Ball: into the stands
Fans, chasing a foul ball at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek. Summer of 1998.
BC Yanks to Dubuque: a Quad Cities perspective
John Petrakis left delightful memories, but his teams were weak on the business side. I’d certainly hesitate before citing them as precedents in this discussion.