Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Hardball Capital’

Parkview Field was designed to be a ballpark to watch a game and visit with friends and loved ones — but not necessarily in that order. For us, that’s a good thing. TinCaps owner Jason Freier puts an emphasis on the ballpark as a community gathering spot, and that goal was superbly realized by architect Populous (formerly HOK Sport). In year where Populous opened multiple ballparks — including the overrated Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, and the underrated Goodyear Ballpark — Parkview Field is clearly the best of the lot.

Take a moment to hop over to Ballpark Digest and take a look at the full article. Great and accurate review of Parkview Field.

Here are some shots I took at the park. Hopefully I can post more and write a bit tomorrow.

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Here’s a pic I took of my message and name on the Harrison Square beam. It was lifted and secured in place by two workers in Wizards jerseys during a toping off ceremony held today. Definately more pics, video and info to be posted shortly.

 

I’ve written previously about what the Harrison Square development potentially means for the future of Minor League Baseball in Fort Wayne. It could mean many changes, from parent club to Minor League level. While most of that is still in the air, it now appears very likely that 2008 will be the last season for the Fort Wayne Wizards.

In 2009, they will usher in a new era that is likely to include a new team name. In their newsletter that was sent out earlier today, the Wizards announced a new website and a contest to suggest potential new names for the team.

Beginning on Sunday June 15, fans can go online to HarrisonSquareFortWayne.com and suggest names for the team, one of which may be adopted when the team begins play at the new ballpark in April 2009. When the allotted name submission time has expired, team executives and industry professionals will review the submissions to determine the name and identity of the team starting with the 2009 season.

“2009 will begin a new era for baseball in the Fort Wayne area,” stated Jason Freier of Hardball Capital, the team’s ownership group. “This new downtown ballpark will be one of the best in all professional baseball and something the community will be proud to call their own. This team is a part of the community and we want the community to have a hand in establishing the identity of this team.”

“Numerous people have asked us about the name over the years and the inquiries have been more frequent since the new downtown ballpark was announced,” said Wizards’ General Manager Mike Nutter. “More and more we realized that a lot of our fans and partners would like to see a name that is more identifiably and uniquely ‘Fort Wayne.’ If we do change, we would love to have a team name that connects with the community, represents some of the rich history and tradition of leadership and innovation that exemplifies Fort Wayne and that celebrates where we’ve been as a community as well as where we’re going in the future. We know our fans can be very creative and, with their help, we think we’ll come up with something great.”

Bragging rights over a new team name would not be the only benefit available to fans. The team will select one contest participant to receive a prize package that will include season tickets for the 2009 season, a shopping spree in the team store and the opportunity to throw a ceremonial first pitch at the new ballpark on Opening Day 2009.

Community members interested in making their suggestions, or simply learning more about the Harrison Square project, can visit HarrisonSquareFortWayne.com. Submissions are being accepted now through Monday, June 30^th.

The new website features videos, articles and information about the new ballpark, the condos, the retail areas, parking and more.

Several mini-news items that I have not been able to keep up on as of late. Here’s a quick recap with links:

• Back to traditional rotation (LaMond Pope: May 23) – The Wizards officially pulled the plug on the 8-man (piggy-back) rotation and went back to the traditional 5-man rotation. The setup had its critics and its champions, but I think everyone – players and fans – are pleased with the return to normalcy so-to-speak.
• Scott Woodward makes All-Big South (Bluffton News Banner: 5/23) – “Coastal Carolina freshman third baseman Scott Woodward, a 2007 Norwell graduate, was named to the first team of the 2008 Big South Conference baseball team. Woodward also was Freshman of the Year. Woodward ranked first in the Big South in the regular season with 35 stolen bases, 42 walks, a .513 on-base percentage and 25 hit-by-pitches. He also ranks seventh in batting average (.352) and second in runs scored (64). In Big South games, he was third with a .405 batting average and was first in stolen bases, walks and on-base percentage, while ranking second in runs scored. He also was among the top 10 in slugging percentage in overall and conference games. Nationally, he is 10th in the country in stolen bases and fifth in hit-by-pitches.”
• Billy Hogan Plays for the Atlantic City Surf (The New Ottowa Rapidz Blog) – Former Fort Wayne Wizard, Billy Hogan was selected by the Padres in the 5th round in 2003. He’s suiting up for the Atlantic City Surf of the CanAm League.
• IPFW: Knowling Named Summit League First Team (NCAA: 5/27) – IPFW junior Brandon Knowling was named to the Summit League’s First Team in voting conducted by conference coaches. The lefty was third in the league in ERA with the 2.91 mark and fourth in the conference in batting average by opponents at .249. He was tied for fifth in wins (7), and ninth in strikeouts per nine innings with 6.75. Senior center fielder, Jared Davis, was selected to the conference’s second team. His slugging percentage of .574 and doubles mark of 36 are also school records.
• I want this interview, in fact, I’m begging for it (ScoutAbout: 5/18) – Scout was inspired by a TV segment that featured former Fort Wayne Daisies player, Pat Scott. “I realized, I want an interview like that. I want to interview someone who played in the AAGPBL and I want to be able to reflect on the memorabilia and the memories. Yeah, I’m a sentimental softie, but I’m a sentimental softie who loves sports and how they were able to make the history books not by records but by paving ways and creating opportunities for people to succeed who otherwise wouldn’t have been given a chance.” Might I suggest Isabel Alvarez?
• Peter Ciofrone Named Pacific Coast League Batter of the Week (The Raw Feed: 5/28) – Ciofrone, 24, batted .429 (12-for-28) with four homers, three doubles, 10 RBIs, 10 runs scored and a .964 slugging percentage in seven games played during the week. It was enough to earn him the award; the second Portland Beavers player to earn it this season. Maybe he’ll be part of the big changes coming to the Padres later this summer.
• Pinto: Soria deal makes sense for Royals (The Sporting News: 5/21) – David Pinto weighs in on why the extension of the former Wizards pitcher makes sense for the Kansas City Royals.
• Former Wizard, Michael Cuddyer isn’t worried about power, but he did lead the Twins to an extra inning win.
• Hardball Capital not posting latest stories (Fort Wayne Observed: 5/28) – Mitch Harper points out that Fort Wayne Wizards’ owners, Hardball Capital have been a bit lax in posting news stories to their website as of late. Hmmmm….
• Jake Peavy Resumes Throwing (Friar John’s Blog: 5/27) – The former Wizards pitcher and current Padres’ ace, is on the disabled list because of an elbow strain. He rested the elbow and was to resume throwing last Saturday, but soreness persisted so the second MRI was ordered. That came up clean and he’ll begin throwing again.