West Virginia to Appleton? Updated: It's official! Latest: Ten TV Games

[dadofandrew]

They might well have a few games on FSN-W as well.

[battlekow]

They already have some games on Time Warner Sports, channel 32 in Milwaukee.

[Teatoe993]

Consider me a T-Rats season ticket holder for 2009 if this happens. Heck, I'd even apply for a job at Fox Cities Stadium. Or have my family take in a player or two to our home.

[billyhallfan]

this would be awesome, a lot of people in beloit, including some front office personel really think this is going to happen...I am a huge fan of minor league baseball, and especially the midwest league, but it has been weird the last three years seeing all the snappers as twins players...it has been fun watching ben revere, matt garza, kevin slowey, etc...but it would be sweet if the brewers were back in the MWL...

 

This would also be great for Appleton, because they would no doubt draw more fans...

 

I hope this happens, would love to see them play in beloit as milwaukee instead of seattle!

[Mass Haas]

Remember, Charleston has two newspapers, so there will be some duplication in reporting --

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Brewers in no rush to renew deal with Power

Club's player development contract expires in September

By Tommy R. Atkinson

Charleston Gazette Staff writer

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Milwaukee Brewers have thrown the West Virginia Power a curve.

 

The Power's low Class A player development contract with the Brewers expires in September. The Brewers have told Power management they do not want to hold any discussions about renewal until the season is over.

 

Power general manager Ryan Gates said the Brewers are taking a different tact in negotiations than in previous years. The Brewers have signed a pair of two-year agreements with the Power since Appalachian Power Park opened in 2005.

 

"During September of '06 whenever a Brewers associate was in town they always asked us what the status was [of a new contract],'' the GM said. "We told them let the year play out and discuss it at the end of the year. We wanted to at least check what's out there. When it was said and done we had a good relationship with the Brewers.

 

"When the Brewers have been in town [this year] they haven't been saying that. They might have had one conversation with [Palisades Baseball executive vice president] Andy [Milovich], but it didn't go anything beyond let's wait until the end of the year and discuss it then which seemed to be a direct departure from their approach two years earlier.''

 

Gates said the Power may negotiate with the Brewers at any time, but the Power can't seek a new affiliate with another major league team until after Sept. 15. The Brewers are one of 17 major league teams whose player development contracts with low Class A affiliates runs out this fall.

 

"I feel like we've had a good relationship over the last four years,'' he said. "We'd like to know what we're up against. It would put you in a bind if a lot of the teams renew with the existing affiliates.''

 

The Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and New York Mets have expiring player development contracts in the South Atlantic League, the same one the Power plays in.

 

The Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners have expiring contracts in the Midwest League.

 

"That's a pretty solid list of teams that are open at the end of the year,'' said Gates. "Around the league [the APP is] one of the top facilities.

 

We won't be left with one choice. We will have some options going into next season. There definitely would be appeal to major league teams.''

 

The Brewers have always sent their best prospects to the Power, including Ryan Braun, who was last year's National League rookie of the year. Evan Frederickson, one of this year's first-round draft choices of the Brewers, is currently on the Power's roster.

 

"With the talent they sent through here, you've got a lot of people in Charleston who keep an eye on the Brewers and what they're doing,'' Gates said.

 

It's hard to figure why the Brewers would want to end the affiliation with the Power.

 

The Power has had an above .500 record in five of the seven halves it has played since 2005. The Power is currently in first place in the Northern Division and last year played in the Sally championship game. And the Power has drawn fans, setting attendance records the past three seasons.

 

Gates said no matter what happens, Charleston will have minor league baseball next spring and beyond.

 

"We will have minor league baseball, quality minor league baseball at the end of the year,'' he said. "There's no question about that. We're in absolutely no danger of not fielding a team next year.''

 

Gates said the Power is a little bit below last year's attendance average, but not much.

 

"300 to 500,'' he said. "Our challenge has been Mother Nature. We've had five rainouts and just countless games that have been affected by rain. There's nothing worse for us than a storm at 5 or 6 o'clock.''

 

The Power ranks fifth in the 16-team league in average attendance this season, attracting 4,295 per game and 210,478 total.

 

"I kind of look at where we were last year at this time and it's the next couple of homestands where we got our numbers up,'' he said. "I think if this team keeps winning we're going to make a push in the final 20 [home games].''

 

Briefly

 

Gates said the Power expects to get a few more of the Brewers' June draft picks in the coming weeks. ... The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will make an appearance at the APP on Aug. 9. Gates said a cheerleading clinic is scheduled in conjunction with the event.

[jakesdaddio]

I was just saying to my wife at the last T-Rats game we attended," Wouldn't it be awesome if the Power moved here?" Getting a chance to watch future Brewers would increase attendance at an already beautiful and fun park. I would order my 2009 season tickets right now if this were guaranteed.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Is something brewing at Fox Cities Stadium?

Timber Rattlers hold off talks with Mariners as Brewers remain possible link to Fox Cities Stadium

By Brett Christopherson

Appleton Post-Crescent staff writer

 

No news is supposed to be good news, but that might not be the case for the Seattle Mariners' partnership with the minor league Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

 

The Mariners' four-year player development contract with the Timber Rattlers - which keeps the Rattlers playing at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute - expires in September, and Rattlers officials are holding off on a new deal despite ongoing talks with Seattle. Wisconsin has served as Seattle's low Class-A affiliate since 1993.

 

The Rattlers' delay in re-signing with the Mariners is curious considering the current pact was signed in January 2004 with one season still remaining on the previous deal, and the past two contracts have been for the four-year maximum instead of the two-year minimum.

 

"We're seeing how this season goes," Rattlers president Rob Zerjav said. "There are different factors this time going into this decision."

 

Adding to the intrigue, the Milwaukee Brewers are in the final year of a two-year deal with the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League, and so far have declined to negotiate a new contract with the Power that would keep them grounded at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W. Va.

 

If the Rattlers decide to not re-sign with the Mariners and the Brewers abandon West Virginia, both organizations would be free to discuss a deal when the major league-mandated negotiating period begins in September.

 

Minor league teams, which mostly are locally owned, benefit from major league affiliation because of the high profile of the professional franchise and the players the organization provides, who have talent but need improvement.

 

Brewers, T-Rats pairing logical

 

A partnership with the Rattlers makes sense for the Brewers. Miller Park and Fox Cities Stadium are close to one another, making rehab starts for major leaguers convenient.

 

And the Brewers already are familiar with the Midwest League through a 22-year affiliation with Beloit that ended in 2004.

 

It also makes sense for the Rattlers, who could increase their fan base by tapping into the heightened interest in Brewers baseball.

 

Major and minor league groups already affiliated are free to renew a contract at any time, but neither can begin negotiating a deal with a different partner until Sept. 16. Major league rules allow negotiations to run until Sept. 30.

 

Major League Baseball has strict guidelines that prohibit big league and minor league teams not bound by contract from discussing their future intentions - publicly or with each other.

 

Violations, if discovered, result in tampering charges and stiff fines: $500,000 at the major league level and up to $100,000 at the minor league level.

 

Seattle still pursuing deal

 

Seattle apparently remains interested in re-signing with the Rattlers.

 

"We've had some discussions, and I feel like they've been positive," said Mariners director of player development Greg Hunter, in town last week for the Rattlers' series with South Bend.

 

"I feel like I have a good relationship with the people here. I trust and believe in them. They've been straightforward with me, and I think they'll continue to be.

 

"We'll see where it goes. We'd like to be here. This is a good spot."

 

Agreeing to a new contract with any major league club requires a majority vote by the Rattlers' 12-person board of directors, based on a recommendation made by Zerjav and the board's four-person executive committee.

 

Though the Mariners remain an option, board chairman Craig Dickman doesn't expect the Rattlers will make a decision until the two-week negotiating period in September.

 

"I think the Mariners are a great club," he said.

 

"Well run. Good people. It's been a great relationship. We'll assess the Mariners and go through and assess anyone that might be a possibility."

Losing ways a problem

 

Wisconsin's recent wave of losing baseball and turmoil within the Seattle organization could be sticking points.

The Rattlers have enjoyed just two winning seasons since 2002, limping to showings of 53-86 ('02), 57-82 ('04), 54-86 in ('06) and 53-85 ('07) during that span.

 

They are 38-59 overall this season, including a dismal 7-24 in the second half, and Zerjav admits there are fans who have expressed their disappointment over shoddy play.

 

Still, attendance remains steady, with Wisconsin ranking ninth out of the 14 Midwest League teams at a per-game average of 2,529.

 

Meanwhile, the situation isn't much brighter with the Mariners, who were thought to be contenders this season in the American League West but instead are in last place. In June, the club fired general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren.

 

"I think whenever we make a decision, it's important that we look at what the fans want," Zerjav said. "They're the ones buying the tickets.

 

You want to give them what they want. So it's one aspect of how we make the decision."

 

Brewers delaying W.V. affiliate

 

As the open negotiation period nears, West Virginia officials are feeling frozen out by the Brewers.

 

"They indicated to us that their new policy is to now wait until the end of season before discussing (a new player development contract)," said Andy Milovich, executive vice president of Palisades Baseball, the management company that oversees the Power.

 

"That's a change from the last time we negotiated, but it's something they're doing on an organizational-wide basis with all of their affiliates."

 

Two years ago the Brewers wanted West Virginia to sign the contract in force now while the season was ongoing, but the Power waited until the offseason to renew the deal.

 

"The fact that the Brewers haven't said, 'We're happy, but we want to wait until the end of the season,' indicates to me that maybe their minds might be made up," Milovich said. "I could be completely off base, I don't know.

 

"We would certainly be interested in continuing that relationship. If they want to come back, fantastic."

 

Brewers director of player development Reid Nichols could not be reached for comment.

 

Expert sees merit in pairing

 

Baseball America news editor Josh Leventhal, who follows business trends throughout the minor leagues, thinks re-signing with the Mariners makes the most sense for the Rattlers.

 

"They've been together 15 years now, the Mariners have sent some pretty good prospects through Wisconsin and they rank in the middle of Midwest League attendance," he said in an e-mail.

 

Leventhal sees little benefit for the Rattlers to pair with another major league team - with one exception: "a deal with the hometown Brewers."

 

The sun sets over Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute during a game Friday between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the South Bend Silver Hawks. The sun may be setting on the Seattle Mariners' affiliation with the Rattlers when their contract expires in September. Post-Crescent photo by M.P. King

 

http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080724&Category=APC0101&ArtNo=807240516&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[colbyjack]

The T-Rats announced their '09 schedule a couple of days ago for those looking to get a jump on season tickets:

 

http://web.minorleaguebas.../28/KP9wsTbr.jpg?sid=t572

[dadofandrew]

The Appleton guy said, what was it, "there are different factors this time".

 

It appears this is all done except the contract being signed.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Power's parent still unknown for 2009

by Jack Bogaczyk

Charleston Daily Mail Sports Editor

 

In 2005 and 2006, Appalachian Power Park had an Angel behind home plate.

 

However, the West Virginia Power will not have Angels in the outfield next season.

 

Aw, shucks! The Los Angeles Angels have extended their low Class A baseball affiliation through 2010 with the Great Lakes Loons - nickname nirvana! - of the Midwest League.

 

That's the same circuit Milwaukee plans to call home after four years of providing Charleston with plenty of quality in Baby Brewers - some of whom already are in the bigs, like catcher Angel Salome.

 

The South Atlantic League playoffs opened Wednesday night at Power Park, and Lake County took a lead in the Northern Division series with a 10-4 bat-breaker.

 

Unless West Virginia can find some pitching on the bus ride up I-77 to suburban Cleveland and get a sweep of the Captains in Games 2 and 3 on Friday and Saturday, the Brewers figure to be part of Charleston baseball history.

 

What's not known is which club will sign a contract to continue Class A ball at the East End ballpark, but the prospects are dwindling.

 

What is assured is that there will be an SAL club in West Virginia's capital city. It isn't musical chairs. Everyone in the two leagues gets a parent team.

 

Two months ago, despite baseball-disallowed confirmation or any denials, it became apparent Milwaukee was leaving West Virginia after four seasons for Appleton, Wis., 80-some miles from Miller Park and home of the MWL's Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

 

Those same two months ago, there were 17 possible Player Development Contract deals for the Power future. With oodles of renewals since, that number has dwindled to six - including Milwaukee's very highly unlikely return.

 

The others available are Texas, Seattle (in Appleton now), Washington, Pittsburgh and the New York Mets. One of those clubs will provide the Power for at least 2009 and '10.

 

Power Executive Vice President Andy Milovich is prohibited (with threat of a stuff fine) from discussing the possibilities, or whether he even has filed with Minor League Baseball as seeking an affiliation or renewal.

 

However, Milovich is sufficiently frustrated with the Brewers - who seem to have little reason to exit other than geography - that it's likely he filed to seek a new parent club Tuesday, the first day allowable.

 

Clubs are notified of available teams between Sept. 12-15 (like they already don't know). New deals can be worked out between Sept. 16-30.

 

Among the available, it's obvious the Pirates would be the preferred option in a city where the Class AAA Charlies were embraced and had Charleston one step from the bigs 25 years ago.

 

Pittsburgh hasn't re-upped with its low Class A home, Hickory of the SAL, although Crawdads Owner Don Beaver remains a Pirates' partner. That affiliation in the past was considered a lock.

 

However, things have changed at the north end of the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

 

Kevin McClatchy is no longer the Bucs' managing partner. The Wheeling-based Nutting family now runs the club. The past Pirates-Charlies connection and geography make sense. Area fans regularly go to picturesque PNC Park.

 

Here's where Gov. Joe Manchin, always looking for deals that could boost the Mountain State, could lobby the Nuttings for consideration of a nice ballpark with supportive fans (3,239 paid per game this season at the APP).

 

It also might be a plus that Milovich has a decade-long relationship with first-year Pirates GM Neal Huntington, who was a Cleveland front-office executive when the Power boss was running Indian farm Mahoning Valley (Ohio) in the short-season New York-Penn League.

 

When Milwaukee renewed its original two-year Power deal for 2007 and '08, Texas (now at Clinton, Iowa, in the Midwest League) had shown strong interest in putting its club here.

 

The Mets were squeezed out here and went to Savannah, Ga., in the SAL. The Metropolitans may be a good bet. Adam Wogan, the Mets' farm director, formerly worked with Milovich for Palisades Baseball with the South Bend SilverHawks.

 

Milwaukee will be a tough act to follow. The Power has Charleston baseball in two straight SAL playoffs for the first time since a Cincinnati-affiliated run from 1990-92. Seven former Power players already have reached the Majors.

 

The Brewers started here with a 2005 first-half season of 25-45. Once they got their act together, Milwaukee's teams have played 55 games over .500 in 3 1/2 seasons here.

 

Milwaukee also has provided locals the chance to watch rising stars like Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo, Mat Gamel, Matt LaPorta, Alcides Escobar, Jeremy Jeffress, Will Inman and Salome.

 

Charleston will keep Class A South Atlantic League baseball. Who provides the Power, however, remains a Texas-sized (or other club's) question.

[brewmann04]

Qick question except for the Potential move from WV are the brewers staying with all their other affiliates

[trwi7]

They already have some games on Time Warner Sports, channel 32 in Milwaukee.

I like Al's idea better. For those of us who don't have Time Warner and therefore don't get that channel, it would suck for us. Even if they have to replay games on FSN WI that would be fine.

[jason21nl]

With the Brewers popularity in the state going through the roof I think it would only make sense for them to move to Appleton. I live 5 minutes from the Timber Rattlers stadium and go a fair amount of games. I have never bought a hat, a t shirt or any other merchandise because I could careless about the team and I don't know or follow any of the players because they aren't affiliated with the Brewers. If they moved to Appleton, I would buy a hell of a lot more tickets, and then would actually buy a hat or two. I don't want to get excited because I don't want to cry when it doesn't happen

[AJhawk50]

I would be estatic if the Brewers fielded a team in Appleton. I haven't been to a T'rats game in years mainly because like other have said, I don't follow the Mariners. Also the Mariners tend to bypass their top prospects quickly to their AAA team in Tacoma, WA. A-Rod was only in Appleton (Foxes) for a little over a week, Felix Hernandez split time in A, and Jeff Clement/Adam Jones were only here a little while too. Other than that they fielded a team of career minor league players.

[dadofandrew]

50% of my idea is now going to happen, the other half being Mark A buying a AAA team and putting it in Madison...which would probably only happen if he'd start his own TV network and need "filler", as it would involve building or massively upgrading a stadium.

 

I won't hold my breath, but I never thought Appleton would have the low A team either.

 

As for WV, I would think any team left to choose would love to have a new ballpark and the like. I bet SEA may already have a verbal agreement, unless WV is trying to get Pittsburgh for geography.

[packfan79]

I hope they get this deal done having gone to numerous T-rats games through the years the last couple years have been brutal. I went to a game this past year where the team didn't hit a ball out of the infield until about the 8th inning. They really were a joke this year. Even with a terrible team they still draw pretty well so I can only imagine what they would draw with the Brewers affiliated, hopefully they could get an exhibition game or two setup there to(which is something the Mariners used to do).

[dadofandrew]

In season exhibitions with the major league team are now not allowed, player's union thing. I could never believe it anyway.

[sausage racer]

THe first time the Mariners came to Fox Cities Stadium for a exhibition game it got rained out, so they did a HR derby with a few of the Mariners, A-Rod, Griffey, Buhner against a few T-Rats. David Ortiz ( Aries ) at the time was on that team the entire season and he did good againt those guys in the derby. It wasn't a game but the crowd was jacked. Its a shame they cannot do that any more.

I get to about 6-7 T-Rat games a year but would definatly be going alot more if they became a Brewers farm team.

[battlekow]

Baseball America has helpfully provided a chart of all player development contracts that remain unrenewed for next year. Is it a foregone conclusion that the Brewers re-sign with Huntsville?

[dadofandrew]

I thought they already had.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

That chart isn't 100% correct. It lists Beloit as a team that hasn't re-signed yet when they extended with the Twins thru 2010 last summer.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Looks like Brewers' last game in Charleston

By Mitch Vingle

Charleston Gazette Sports Editor

 

It seemed like old times Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Way back to, oh, a couple weeks ago, when the area and state weren't into high school football. Or college football. Or pro football.

 

The West Virginia Power baseball team did a nice job grabbing the Kanawha Valley's spotlight on an evening on which there was none of the above.

 

With a summer breeze making a surprise appearance, the vendor was yelling "popcorn, peanuts.'' For at least one more time this summer, Cookie worked the public address microphone. Bull was in the radio booth. The Toast Man was chiding the Augusta Greenjacket players. ("Rejected by the Padres!'') The club even hired a country singer, Jason Wickline, to entertain the crowd beforehand. ("She's something to write home abouuut ...'')

 

The face of Power left-handed pitcher Mike Ramlow was lit.

 

"It's a big deal to be one of the last teams playing in the season,'' he said. "That's why you go out there every year to start. You want to be the last ones playing.''

 

He called the championship games "a lot more tense.''

 

"You make one mistake and it gets amplified,'' he said. "Just everything is big-time.''

 

We saw that early in the game when the Power's Zelous Wheeler, red-hot in the playoffs, booted a grounder to allow an Augusta run.

 

But back to Ramlow's comment. The one in which he said, "you want to be the last ones playing.''

 

It's the question that blew through the APP's stands like that summer wind. Would this be the last group of Milwaukee Brewers playing here?

 

Well, Dan O'Brien Jr. was at the game. In case you're unaware, he's the former Cincinnati Reds general manager who succeeded Jim Bowden and then was fired in 2006. O'Brien is now the assistant general manager to Doug Melvin in Milwaukee.

 

In the press box, O'Brien was asked if this was the last time we'd see the Brewers as the home team affiliate.

 

"Well,'' he said, "I'd like to think we'll be playing through Saturday night.''

 

See ya later, Brewers, huh? That's on top of published speculation Milwaukee may be moving to Appleton, Wis., to replace the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

 

Of course, there's been speculation here, too. Charleston and Tampa Bay have been linked. The logic has been the marriage would make sense since Princeton has the Rays' Appalachian League team. But strike that one. The Rays recently signed a new contract with Bowling Green.

 

So where does that leave Charleston?

 

The list may be down to four.

 

"As soon as the regular season ended, we were able to contact minor league baseball [officials], which we did,'' said Power general manager Andy Milovich. "We notified them we wanted to explore our options. Then, on the 12th, they'll send out notifications to all the major and minor league teams as to who's looking.

 

"Between the 12th and 16th, we'll correspond. On the 16th, you can sit down and negotiate with clubs. Right now, as I understand it, there are five clubs available: the Brewers, [Washington] Nationals, [seattle] Mariners, [Pittsburgh] Pirates and [New York] Mets.''

 

He was asked if Milwaukee's divorce from Charleston is a done deal.

 

"I think it's a done deal,'' Milovich said. "Sometimes silence says a lot.''

 

Leaving the Mariners (now in Appleton), Nationals, Mets and local favorite Pirates.

 

The Mets, of course, have the marquee name. The Pirates and Cincinnati Reds split the fans in this area. Either the Mets or Bucs would be nice.

 

Anyway, Milovich said the minor league clubs will try to figure out who will draw. The major league clubs check out the facilities and community.

 

The best fit wins.

 

"[The decision is] upon us in the next several days,'' O'Brien said.

[Brily0204]

That chart isn't 100% correct. It lists Beloit as a team that hasn't re-signed yet when they extended with the Twins thru 2010 last summer.

Here's another one BA missed:

 

Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets and San Francisco Giants have announced they are extending their Player Development Contract. The extension is a two year deal that will extend through the 2010 season.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Power set to begin talks in affiliate search

By Tommy R. Atkinson

Charleston Gazette Staff writer

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Power will begin finding out which major league baseball teams are willing to play ball.

 

Today is the first day minor league teams can begin contacting and negotiating player-development contracts with major league affiliates for the 2009 season.

 

The Power's player-development contract with the Milwaukee Brewers expired this month. The Brewers told Power management earlier in the year they didn't want to hold any discussions about a renewal until after the season. The Brewers have signed a pair of two-year agreements with the Power since Appalachian Power Park opened in 2005.

 

There have been published reports that the Brewers may be moving to Appleton, Wis., to replace the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Brewers are one of 17 major league teams whose player-development contracts with low Class A affiliates run out this fall.

 

"The speculation is the Brewers are bound for Appleton, which leaves us three options,'' said Power general manager Andy Milovich. "The speculation is that's been a done deal for a long time. We'll see.

 

"With the Brewers you can extend at any time. We could have done that weeks ago, months ago, today. Either their minds are made up or they haven't gotten around to the point where they're ready to talk.''

 

Since the Power never received a commitment from the Brewers one way or another, Power management notified minor league baseball officials after the regular season ended that they wanted to explore their options.

 

Milovich said there are three teams available for next season: the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.

 

"I have no idea which way it's leaning,'' he said. "We'll hit the phones and see how it plays out. We'll contact the farm directors from the three teams that are available and see what their thoughts are.

 

"It might be something that comes together very quickly. You have people that haven't seen our facilities that might want to take time and meet and talk. It shouldn't take very long because there's not that many teams. I think we've got three weeks to meet, talk and wrap things up.

 

"It could be something we talk with somebody [today] and it's the right fit and it's the direction we want to go. Initially, I would say we have a preference. I think the trend in major league baseball and minor league baseball is to partner with somebody that's a close major league affiliate.''

 

It's hard to figure why the Brewers would want to end the affiliation with the Power.

 

The Power played in the South Atlantic League championship game for the second straight season. And the Power has drawn fans, setting attendance records three out of four seasons.

 

"The baseball people I talked to would love to stay,'' Milovich said. "They love the climate, the fans [and] they've enjoyed the front office staff.

 

"All you have to do is listen to the crowd when the team's down ... it's an exciting place. You have baseball guys that want to do what's right for development.

Traditionally, when you have that debate, the business guys win out.''

 

The Brewers have always sent their best prospects to the Power, including Ryan Braun, who was last year's National League rookie of the year, and Yovani Gallardo, who has been in the Brewers' starting rotation the past two seasons.

 

The Brewers also sent last year's first-round draft pick Matt LaPorta to Charleston, and Evan Frederickson, one of this year's first-round draft choices, was on the Power's roster this season.

 

"It's pretty remarkable the talent we've seen,'' Milovich said. "I think [the Brewers have] been great from a fans' perspective, seeing quality baseball.''

 

Milovich, however, can also see why the Brewers would want to head to Appleton, which is in the same state as the major league club.

 

"They'll develop fans [who] get attached to the players when they're coming through the Midwest League and hopefully lead to future ticket sales, television viewers [and] radio sales [for the major league club],'' he said.

 

Milovich said no matter what happens, Charleston will have baseball next spring and beyond.

 

"I'm sure we'll land on our feet with somebody the community can be happy about,'' he said.

 

"I think the fear [and] panic from a lot of fans that don't understand the process is we won't have baseball in 2009. We're guaranteed a major league affiliate.

 

There's nothing for the fans to worry about. We'll always do what's in their best interests.''

[jason21nl]

pleeeease please please please let them come to Appleton!