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BPD's take

BPD (finally) got on the story too yesterday (on a rare Saturday update).

The have a rare, lengthy analysis of their own touching on and elaborating some of the sub-plots the future may hold...

That distinction may become important should any legal battles arise. Here's the deal: we're guessing the Northern League constitution says every team must put up letters of credit, with the commissioner having the discretion to return them after a certain amount of time (say, three years). When the two Alberta teams were asked to put up the letters of credit, we're guessing they demanded that every other team do so as well per the league bylaws, but not every team has done so (and, indeed, at least one of the other teams is in no financial position to do so). We'(d) be very surprised if Calgary and Edmonton owners weren't looking at their legal options -- which is why they were saying they were forced out and the league says they left of their own accord.

Given the comments in other stories, BPD may be wrong about enforcing this on the other clubs or it being part of the league charter. That they may be looking at legal options seems to be all the more likely. BPD's main point is that legal matters may hinge on whether those clubs were unfairly treated and "forced" to leave. If that could be proved in court, the NoL may have to pay up.

Though unconvinced about baseball in Canada (with many of the common reasons cited), they do have a couple reasons why the GBL might work:

Two reasons the GBL might succeed: its payroll requirements are more modest than those of the Northern League, and its season doesn't start until after the college baseball season ends, opening the possibility of playing in college ballparks and concentrating its season when the weather is most amenable.

As for their thoughts on the NoL...

Team owners admit there's virtually no chance for expansion this coming season, and we don't see many prospects (or open venues) for 2009, either. Between the Midwest League, the American Association, the Frontier League and the Northwoods League most of the attractive markets in the Northern League footprint are taken. Also, the league is a victim of its own success to a certain extent. Owners like Winnipeg's Sam Katz insist on a high salary cap in an effort to push "name" players, and it takes a larger facility and bigger crowds to support that salary requirement. In contrast, the American Association and Frontier League boast considerably more modest salary caps, which means those leagues can succeed in cities like Sioux Falls and Evansville. We fully expect Northern League officials to directly approach both those leagues about interleague play or the future placement of teams (indeed, some backdoor discussions have already taken place), but the salary cap is going to be a huge issue. Personality issues will also be at play, but that problem can be finessed.

I'm pretty sure they're off on their comment that the AA has a (much) lower salary cap. In fact, I'm pretty sure they're still both around $105K. And, given their past comments about "placement of teams" they're hinting again about Chicago. Whatever the case, 2008 is pretty well settled. Nothing new is likely to be discussed publicly until after the 2008 season --except for another set of legal actions against the NoL.