Beyond The Diamond

Ex-city manager’s got ballpark ideas.

Gwinnett Co. commits to keeping up new park — or else

This article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution details the Atlanta Braves’ deal with Gwinnett County concerning the upkeep of the $45 million ballpark the county is building. It’s a glance at how badly the county wanted to get the nod as the organization’s new home for AAA baseball. The county is on the hook for maintaining the stadium, and the A-Braves won’t have to contribute a dime to the park’s upkeep. And, if Atlanta decides the ballpark has not been maintained appropriately, the organization has the right to pull its team after 15 years – halfway through the county’s debt payments on the stadium. Needless to say, Mike Plant makes sure to explain that this part of the deal was due to maintenance problems at the Diamond. Read through the largely unhappy comments at the bottom of the article.

 

The paper also recently reported that the stadium could lead to a property tax rate hike.

The stadium recently secured a AAA bond rating.

 

Some links to kick off the spring.

Tickets go on sale next week.

Richmond’s moving on Boulevard revitalization plan – with or without the Diamond.

Old friend Chris Chambliss returning to Richmond – this time as hitting coach.

Some useful background on The Diamond and Chief Connecticut.

Some news about a couple of last year’s R-Braves. Blaine Boyer has regained his 96-mph fastball and he’s out of minor league options, so he might be Atlanta-bound. Brent Lillibridge, blocked at shortstop at the major league level by fellow ex-RBrave Yunel Escobar, is going to boost his big-league chances by learning centerfield.

Chesterfield Observer writer takes a few shots at coverage of county’s professed non-interest in professional baseball.

A petition to save the Braves.

Lease on Diamond Extended till 2010

I’m sure the players are really stoked about that.  Actually, it’s probably a good thing since it allows everyone more time to hash out a deal on a new park, although there’s not much going on in the negotiations front.  All the pundits and so-called experts say that a new park will solve the lagging attendance issues; it would certainly be a Godsend for the players.  It’s admittedly embarassing to hear about the cramped conditions for the teams and lack of remotely adequate facilities.  Classic Richmond, where people are more concerned with their neighbor’s lawn than with something as unifying or satisfying as a professional ball club.   Here’s an unrelated thought, I was watching Magnum last night, and does anything on TV these days compare to the high concept action dramas of the 80s?  No way.  A Team, MacGuyver, Magnum, The Dukes, Airwolf, Streethawk, Knight Rider, Fall Guy, Hunter, Baywatch, Greatest American Hero, etc.  It doesn’t get more entertaining. 

On the Boulevard

Some new developments in R-Braves’ ballpark debate. The odds seem to now favor a new ballpark elsewhere on the Boulevard. It won’t be cheap — an est. $50 million. What kind of push will there be for subsidies? And what kind of public support will the ballpark get for that price tag? Andrew Zimbalist, the frequently quoted sports economist, has argued for years that new ballparks have no economic impact — just a cultural one.