The Pensacola News Journal ran a column about the future of the Pels and their ballpark: Field of dreams?
Most of it revolves around the rumor/idea that a new ballpark could/should gain the city an affiliated club.
Most of it revolves around the rumor/idea that a new ballpark could/should gain the city an affiliated club.
Quote:That's one of the (somewhat) obvious point kicked around:
... Which begs the obvious question: Is there a chance Pensacola could land a team affiliated with a major-league club?
While there always is a chance, it's something that likely will not happen because of the money involved. When the Pelicans move into the Maritime Park, all profits will go back to the city. If an affiliated franchise, which would cost about $6 million to $7 million to purchase, moved to Pensacola, the city likely would have to be renegotiate the lease.
Quote:There's even a list of "intangibles"
Even if the city had the money, it wouldn't be an easy process. Pelicans owner Quint Studer can't call up a major-league club such as the Atlanta Braves and ask to become an affiliate. There is no expansion in minor-league baseball, according to Jim Ferguson, the director of media relations for milb.com.
"An existing team would have to move there," Ferguson said. "And the only person who can request to move a team is the owner of an existing franchise."
...
But there are plenty of other obstacles standing in the way, including territorial rights the Mobile Bay Bears might object to a league rival being so close consent of the league and major-league affiliate and the projected attendance.
Quote:This story is a very good summary of the issues about indy and affiliated ball. These same issues would apply to rumors about Joliet going to affiliated ball.
Some intangibles that differ between the two:
* The Pelicans set up free host families for all players, while affiliated players usually pay;
* Independent teams can sign local products, while affiliated clubs must use the players the big-league club assigns them;
* The Pelicans sign autographs for at least 15 minutes after every home game, while some affiliated clubs don't require players to sign autographs at all;
* The Pelicans are involved with numerous community issues, while some affiliated clubs rarely get involved.
"Another thing with affiliated baseball, you really don't have a say in their presence in the community," Seibert said. "To me, that's huge. For our players to stand out on that third baseline and sign autographs for everyone who wants to come through here, that would never happen with an affiliated club."
So although having an affiliated club in Pensacola sounds positive, it might not be as good as it's billed.
