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

[Mass Haas]

POWER ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION

PIRATES MOVE HOME TO CHARLESTON

 

Andy Milovich, Executive Vice President of West Virginia Baseball, LLC., announced today that the West Virginia Power will enter a Player Development Contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

"We are very excited about our new affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Charleston's proximity to Pittsburgh, combined with the new and exciting leadership of Neal Huntington, Pittsburgh's Senior Vice President and General Manager, makes the Pirates Affiliation a homerun," said Milovich. "Our relationship with Neal dates back to our launch of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Class A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) in 1999 when he was the Indians' Farm Director. He understands the challenges of building a championship team and the emphasis that must be placed on player development to succeed. Neal is a great fit for the Pirates and the baseball fans throughout West Virginia will benefit from that focus and his leadership."

 

"Our move to affiliate with the Pirates will allow fans to follow former West Virginia Power players in person at PNC Park or via local cable television on Fox Sports Pittsburgh. Charleston is a National League City and we think it's important that our fans have the opportunity to follow our players after they reach the big leagues. We have enjoyed working with the Brewers and wish them well. They're a good organization that has built a successful player development system", continued Milovich.

 

"We are very pleased to move our affiliation to Charleston, WV and re-establish Pirates' roots in a great community," said Neal Huntington. "It is an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates to have another of our affiliates close to Pittsburgh, be associated with a quality ownership group, a quality front office group, and to develop players in a beautiful facility. We are very pleased with this new affiliation"

 

The Power will hold a formal press conference with Neal Huntington at noon on Friday, September 19th, at The Clubhouse banquet facility located at Appalachian Power Park. For more information contact the Power Office at (304) 344-2287 or the Pittsburgh Pirates at (412) 323-5000.

[sbrylski]

Ho, I read the headline initially and thought the Pirates took the T-Rats. Whew.

[Mass Haas]

Everyone here at Brewerfan absolutely wishes the entire West Virginia family well.

We had a heck of a lot of fun listening to Andy Barch, and had the benefit of two local newspapers, the Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail, providing with us with Link Report coverage loaded with feature articles and photos.

Personally, I can't say enough about Andy, and the cooperation we received from the Daily Mail in particular, especially Jack Bogaczyk and Jacob Messer.

And we mustn't forget our own reader and poster, John Blackwell, for his first-hand insights and amazing photo galleries.

Gentlemen, take care, enjoy the Pirates' kids, and thanks, thanks, thanks.

[bball123h]

Charleston is to the Pirates as Appleton is to us. That's a really good fit for them.

[JJHardy7]

What was the West Virginia attendance compared to the capacity? I guess it'll get all those West Virginia Pirates fans excited, but to be honest I think having a low A team close to a MLB team makes little sense if it's one of the main reasons. I think having a AAA team close to the MLB would be pretty cool and makes more sense IMO.

 

I grew up a handful of miles from the T Ratts and one summer I think I missed 15 home games (grass seats were $3) one year and collected over 150 baseballs. I met some guys that I still talk to (Brian Fuentes, Ryan Anderson, Quincy Carter, etc) and I have to say it's a great facility. I just don't know if it makes a ton of sense to have a team in Appleton due to the crappy weather in the spring. As a fan, I think it'd be great that the Brewers would be in Appleton (even thought I'm about 700 miles from there), but if I were a member of management I don't see why it makes sense.

 

As many know here, I live close to Nashville and go to a ton of Sounds and Stars games so I'm a big fan of both. I say that because I think it would be awesome if the Brewers somehow went to Appleton and made it their AAA team. I know it sounds crazy (no pun intended), but it makes a ton of sense in my mind. I also think this would allow the Brewers scouts and management to see the AAA guys a lot more and next year there could be a pretty talented team for the AAA team. I know it's not likely and I believe the Brewers have a year or two left in Nashville, but that stadium is a joke. I wish everyone here could go to one game and then compare it to the T Ratts place. The T Ratts have a nice stadium, but compared to Greer Field it's a mecca.

[colbyjack]

You've been pounding the drum about how bad Nashville's stadium is over the last week JJHardy, and I'm with you. I was there last year and I could not believe how a city the size of Milwaukee could have such a poor AAA stadium.

 

Allow me to echo Mass' thoughts regarding the Power. I'm going to miss John's regular comments, and pictures, and as successful as that relationship seemed to be given how well the team played, how nice that stadium was and how many nice things you seemed to here from both sides about the other, it never seemed like a natural fit. I can't really recall more than a handful of random first-hand observations on the Power (outside of John's) from Brewerfan.net users from the Power's home park. So many people here have been to both Nashville and Huntsville more than just a couple of times, it often made me wonder why more didn't make the trip to Charleston.

 

Looking at a map and trying to figure out a way to get there, I do know there is no straight shot, from almost anywhere outside of Pittsburgh and Baltimore, so that may play into it, but it is still curious that so few people that frequent Brewerfan.net had much to offer. I do think their quick agreement with the Pirates means the Brewers hooking up with the T-Rats is a matter of when and not if, and that means a heck of a lot more first-hand observations, when everyone will be given the chance to be a prospect expert http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

 

Back to the WV folks, John in particular, good luck with the Pirates. They haven't exactly been churning out prospects in recent years, and hopefully they can resolve their signing issues with Pedro Alvarez (for you, not Brewers fans).

[wvpowerblkwel]

Guys, it is with great sadness that I read the headline here. I have been spoiled with what has been some of the best low A baseball talent I imagine I will ever see the last 4 years! My plan on following "my guys" always involved planning trips to Pittsburgh to see them against the Pirates, but now I'll guess they will be Pirates. The hardest part is meeting guys like Mike Vass and Erik Komatsu that due to old habits I found myself telling them "see ya next year", and now I guess I won't, not even as the opposition. I wish you guys all the best! Mass, the link report is a fantastic thing! I'll miss that most. On the positive side, my family and I made road trips to Lexington, Lake County, Carolina to see the Stars, and BC to see the manatees, so maybe you'll see a few pics and posts next year as I follow our former players that we did host duty for....Zach Braddock, Bobby Bramhall, Rob Bryson, Caleb Gindl, and Michael Vass. Our other Brewer player was Steve Palazzolo, the 6 10" pitcher from a few years back who spent this year as high as AAA with the Giants system. Of course as I have made known, one of my favorite Power guys to watch has been Angel Salome, so I'm sure you'll still see me around posting some on the major league side! Thanks again, it's been loads of fun, and you guys have a 1st class operation here!

[OglivieHomePerm]

Per this article in the Appleton Post Crescent, there are 3 sets of teams left without a player agreement at low-A.

 

Brewers

Mariners

Rangers

 

Wisconsin TimberRattlers

Hickory Crawdads

Clinton Lumberkings

 

Sure seems as though Brewers/TimberRattlers will be a reality. I can't see the Brewers leaving West Virginia for either Hickory or Clinton. That would be a downgrade in facilities, I believe.

[zelouswheeler4prez]

i would be so down with komatsu in a power uni it would make my season

[trwi7]

Wisconsin TimberRattlers

Hickory Crawdads

Clinton Lumberkings

Well, if for some reason we don't get the T'Rats then from the fans perspective they would want Clinton as they play in the Midwest League so while they're not playing in Wisconsin, they would still have games in Beloit and Appleton. The problem is that Clinton's stadium was built in 1937. Hickory has a semi-new facility (1993) but is in the South Atlantic League and if they wanted to stay in the South Atlantic League they would've just re-upped with West Virginia.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

Clinton was remodeled a few years ago. I checked out that park this summer a handful of times and it seems like a nice facility. Very comfortable/cozy. Has a nice indoor batting cages facility which is also connected to the clubhouse. I agree that if they wanted to remain in the SAL they'd have just re-signed with WV. They're definitely coming to the MWL, it's just a matter of Wisconsin or Clinton.

[trwi7]

Either it's premature or someone who edited the Timber Rattlers wikipedia page knows something. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers is a minor league baseball team of the Midwest League, and is the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...Wisconsin_Timber_Rattlers

[colbyjack]

They're definitely coming to the MWL, it's just a matter of Wisconsin or Clinton.

 

I think it's safe to say the Brewers are definitely going to Wisconsin. If they don't I will be absolutely shocked.

[giffted1]

So if/when this happens is it a possibility that Lawrie, Frederickson, and Odorizzi would all start out in Appleton next year? Just thinking about it makes me giddy.

[sausage racer]

thats 15 minutes from my house, I would be estatic! The Brewers used to send all their studs to beloit back in the day, it would make sense to me

[bretsky07]

Not to mention Efrain Nieves, Wily Peralta, Cody Adams, Cutter Dykstra, Eric Komatsu, and Shawn Zarraga to name a few. It should be a solid team, at least prospect-wise.

[billyhallfan]

this would be awesome, as a huge mwl fan, watching prospects like beltre, feliz, aumont, moustakas, revere, frazier, waring, etc...last year, the brewers next season would be awesome!

[dadofandrew]

Heck, I'd be happy with Clinton, as they play in Appleton each year.

[jason21nl]

I'm holding on from not jumping around like a little kid on christmas just in case...but being 5 min. from there is freakin great

[powermom]

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gifI ECHO THE FEELINGS OF JOHN BLACKWELL HERE IN CHARLESTON. I MAY NOT HAVE POSTED MUCH BUT I WAS A READER ALOT.

 

WE ARE SAD TO SEE THE BREWERS LEAVE CHARLESTON. HAVING GOTTEN TO KNOW AND HOST MANY OF THE PLAYERS. AS JOHN SAID WE WILL FOLLOW THEM ON THE ROAD TO THE MAJORS. AND CINCY & PITTSBURGH PLAY THE CREW WE CAN VISIT THERE.

 

THESE BALL PLAYERS WERE A SPECIAL BUNCH. SO WE WISH THEM AND THE CREW AT BREWERFAN.NET WELL AND AS JOHN SAID HE WILL BE CHECKING IN FROM TIME TO TIME. SO WILL I WHEN THE SEASON STARTS NEXT YEAR AND I WANT TO SEE HOW MY BOYS ARE DOING.

 

THANKS AGAIN BREWERFAN FOR KEEPING US INFORMED. SORRY WE DID NOT DO THE HOST PARENT INTERVIEW BUT SUMMER CAME AND WENT BEFORE I KNEW IT.

 

POWERMOM HOST TO GRANT RICHARDSON(WHO WON A CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SOUIX FALL CANARIES THIS SEASON), NED YOST IV, DJ LIDYARD, JOSH BRADY, ALEX PERIARD, EVAN ANDUNSEN & RJ SIEDEL.

[logan82]

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

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

I don't think it is hard to figure at all. They may have had a good relationship with West Virginia, but having a MiLB affiliated team in the state seems like a no brainer to me. From what I have heard it is a really nice field as well. If they move to Appleton I look forward to meeting BF.net people at a few games as I plan on attending 2-3.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Just for someone who came along post Beloit, why did the Brewers leave there to start with anyhow?

[Thurston Fluff]

The stated reason I think was they wanted a warmer climate and they liked the location relative to som eof thier other minor league teams. most people seem to believe the real reason was the stadium was a dump. The t-rat stadium is very nice and the fan base is pretty good. As an Appleton resident I was sad to see them mover from Beloit because they were in the same league as the t-rats. It was the first time I got to see prince live. This is far better than occasionally seeing them. We'll have to have BF tailgate parties no doubt about it.

[BrewCrewForever]

If the T-Rats do indeed become the Brewers A affiliate I will for sure be making the 50 minute drive up to Appleton numerous times next summer for games. I already go to a few games a year because it's baseball, cheap, nice stadium, and good cheap food. Now being able to see future Brewers will make it that much sweeter.

[Thurston Fluff]

We could start the minor league drunk thread with $1 beer Tuesday reports. Awesome I'm getting excited already. Something to take the sting away for a while.