IndependentBaseball.net

Last week, the Lake County Fielders (Northern League) independent minor league baseball team finally played its first home game at its temporary stadium.  The stadium construction has been the topic of much conversation in recent months (see earlier posts by clicking on the “Lake County Fielders” tag).

Even though the stadium does not have lights yet, the home opener drew over 6000 announced fans.  Here is an article detailing the specifics from the stadium and fan experiences:

• http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2460666,5_1_WA03_FIELDERS_S1-100703.article

Resources for those involved with baseball at any level:

If you, or someone you know, is a youth baseball parent and frustrated with the experience then click here: Youth Baseball Parents

If you, or someone you, want guidance from actual independent minor league baseball executives on how to succeed in the independent minor leagues then click here: Independent Baseball Advice Interviews

If you simply want to find out about independent minor league baseball tryouts then click here: Independent Minor League Baseball Tryouts Notification List

If you, or someone you care about, want to improve the mental game of baseball then click here: Improving Your Baseball Mental Game

If you, or someone you know, need to improve your 60 yard dash time then click here: Click Here

Click this link if you, or someone you know, need baseball equipment which occasionally is on sale and/or offers free shipping (check the site for any such incentives):

Here is updated information on the delays and possible temporary location for the home opening series for the expansion Lake County Fielders of the Northern League:

• http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/sports/2295538,5_2_WA20_FIELD_S1-100520.article

Feel free to leave your comments about the situation.

Resources for those involved with baseball at any level:

If you, or someone you know, is a youth baseball parent and frustrated with the experience then click here: Youth Baseball Parents

If you, or someone you, want guidance from actual independent minor league baseball executives on how to succeed in the independent minor leagues then click here: Independent Baseball Advice Interviews

If you simply want to find out about independent minor league baseball tryouts then click here: Independent Minor League Baseball Tryouts Notification List

If you, or someone you care about, want to improve the mental game of baseball then click here: Improving Your Baseball Mental Game

If you, or someone you know, need to improve your 60 yard dash time then click here: Click Here

Click this link if you, or someone you know, need baseball equipment which occasionally is on sale and/or offers free shipping (check the site for any such incentives):

One of the drawbacks of the baseball business is that over 80% of the team (or league) executives’ time is dealing with non-baseball issues.  A league president/commissioner, a team owner, and a team general manager have to deal with things that would ruin the enthusiasm that the average baseball fan has for the sport at any level.

One of the prime examples of this happening is whenever a new stadium is constructed.  When such a property is first being discussed, many town and regional VIP’s enter the mix, each with his or her own agenda.  Oftentimes the reason for a new stadium being given permission to be built has nothing to do with the baseball, the property values, or even civic pride.

The Lake County Fielders recent stadium construction situation has been interesting, to say the least!  Here is an article about the recent developments regarding the stadium’s construction:

• http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=372612

Of interest is the choice of wording in the first paragraph.  According to the author of the article, the goal of the new stadium is (presumably) to keep tax dollars in the city and the state.  The assumption is that the stadium will serve as a mechanism to attract businesses to stay in Zion, IL instead of crossing the state border.

If you have any “big picture” insights on this stadium construction, or other independent minor league baseball stadium construction projects, then you are welcome to leave your comments and corresponding documentation.

Yet another weird situation in the independent minor league baseball industry took place last week.  The Lake County Fielders of the Northern League (expansion team for 2010) have only a few weeks before the first pitch, yet their stadium construction was not only incomplete… but it is changing locations.  Take a look:

• http://ballparkbiz.wordpress.com/2010/04/09/site-for-fielders-stadium-changed-construction-to-begin/

If you have insights into this situation please leave your comments with links to appropriate sources of information.

Here is an article to help you better understand the intentions of the designers for the new stadium in Zion, IL:

• http://ballparkbiz.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/fielders-announce-new-stadium-design/

This will be the home of the expansion Lake County Fielders of the Northern League.

Here is an interview with Fran Riordan, the new manager for the expansion Lake County Fielders of the Northern League:

• http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/sports/2064426,5_2_WA23_COVER_S1-100223.article

Here is information about this week’s Lake County Fielders Fan Fest:

• http://www.lakecountybaseball.com/fielders-tickets/Readingprogram/Fanfest.aspx
• http://www.examiner.com/x-3851-Chicago-Minor-League-Baseball-Examiner~y2010m2d11-Lake-County-Fielders-decide-on-stadium-design

The Fielders are an independent baseball team which will play in the Northern League this summer.

Here are two articles discussing the groundbreaking ceremony and the terms of the stadium financing in Zion, IL.  Zion will be home to the expansion Lake County Fielders, the independent baseball team which will be a part of the Northern League starting in 2010.

• http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/sports/day/1868394,5_2_WA06_DAYAFTER_S1-091106.article
• http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=334539

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3918755

The Lake County Fielders are a new independent minor league baseball team, owned in part by actor Kevin Costner.  They will play in the Northern League for the 2010 season; and they have an interesting business arrangement in that they have 3 “founding partners” to help with promotions and other local marketing.

Thanks to OursportsCentral.com for the link to the story.

It will be interesting to see if Costner gets involved and if the promotion of independent baseball versus affiliated baseball gets any mention.

The Lake County Fielders are going to be an expansion team in the Northern League for 2010.  OurSportsCentral.com posted the results of the expansion draft which can be seen here:

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3919904