So what about Huntsville/Biloxi? Latest: Rain isn't helping

[Mass Haas]

Looks like lively discussion will accompany the Biloxi vote this AM.

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi City Council says 'Play ball'

 

By a 5-2 vote, it's a "GO!" in Biloxi. New stadium in 2015.

 

No word yet on when the new ownership group will announce which existing Southern League franchise is expected to be sold to them. If you read through this thread, many indications point strongly to that being the Huntsville Stars, but it's important to note it still could be another team, perhaps the Jackson (TN) Generals.

 

And as we've indicated before, if the Huntsville franchise does get sold and relocates, the Brewers' affiliation with the Stars currently only extends through 2014. The new ownership group could choose to test free agent waters, so to speak, to lure a different major league franchise affiliation beginning in 2015.

 

The best situation for the Brewers and their farmhands would be to be playing in a spanking new facility in front of an enthused base beginning in April 2015 via a renewed affiliation agreement through at least 2016 (player development contracts are renewed in either two- or four-year intervals. We'll see...

[Mass Haas]

Photos at link --

 

Huntsville, Mobile minor league baseball teams possible targets to relocate to Biloxi after stadium deal approved

by Paul Gattis, al.com

 

With a vote of the Biloxi city council this morning approving $21 million bond issue to build a minor league baseball stadium, did the Huntsville Stars just take their first step out of the Rocket City?

 

Or could it possibly be the Mobile BayBears that will be relocating to Biloxi or the Jackson, Tenn., Generals?

 

The intrigue in the Southern League just got ramped up when Biloxi approved a stadium deal. The total package is $36 million for the project, including $15 million from the BP settlement pledged by Gov. Phil Bryant.

 

The Stars and the Generals have reportedly been mentioned as the most likely targets of the Biloxi ownership group. There is also a growing sentiment that the BayBears could be vulnerable to a sale and move down Interstate 10 to Biloxi, though team officials have repeatedly said the team is secure.

 

Biloxi officials have not identified the Southern League team it will bring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tim Bennett, who is part of the ownership group to bring a team to Biloxi, told GulfLive.com that luring a Southern League team to town "is a done deal."

 

Huntsville (1,877 per game), Jackson (1,954) and Mobile (2,339) were the worst in average attendance in the 10-team Southern League in 2013.

 

In Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars play in the league's oldest stadium.

 

The Biloxi city council voted 5-2 to approve the $21 million bond issue, which will help finance construction of the stadium at the interchange of U.S. 90 and I-110. The stadium will be built on land being leased to the city by the Beau Rivage casino for $1 a year.

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi stadium next step: Acquiring loan, league approval

 

“A couple of other things have to happen before we can move forward, and those things will happen before we actually borrow the money,” David Nichols, Biloxi’s chief administrative officer, said in the release. “First, the team must be purchased, and Minor League Baseball must approve of everything. We expect to see those things happen very shortly.”

[Mass Haas]

Photos at link --

 

Huntsville, Mobile minor league baseball teams possible targets to relocate to Biloxi after stadium deal approved

by Paul Gattis, al.com

 

With a vote of the Biloxi city council this morning approving $21 million bond issue to build a minor league baseball stadium, did the Huntsville Stars just take their first step out of the Rocket City?

 

Or could it possibly be the Mobile BayBears that will be relocating to Biloxi or the Jackson, Tenn., Generals?

 

The Stars and the Generals have reportedly been mentioned as the most likely targets of the Biloxi ownership group. There is also a growing sentiment that the BayBears could be vulnerable to a sale and move down Interstate 10 to Biloxi, though team officials have repeatedly said the team is secure.

 

Biloxi officials have not identified the Southern League team it will bring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tim Bennett, who is part of the ownership group to bring a team to Biloxi, told GulfLive.com that luring a Southern League team to town "is a done deal."

 

Huntsville (1,877 per game), Jackson (1,954) and Mobile (2,339) were the worst in average attendance in the 10-team Southern League in 2013.

 

In Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars play in the league's oldest stadium.

 

Mobile was awarded the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game today. Their inclusion in this conversation was very peripheral at best. With this announcement, Mobile is staying put.

[TooLiveBrew]

Photos at link --

 

Huntsville, Mobile minor league baseball teams possible targets to relocate to Biloxi after stadium deal approved

by Paul Gattis, al.com

 

With a vote of the Biloxi city council this morning approving $21 million bond issue to build a minor league baseball stadium, did the Huntsville Stars just take their first step out of the Rocket City?

 

Or could it possibly be the Mobile BayBears that will be relocating to Biloxi or the Jackson, Tenn., Generals?

 

The Stars and the Generals have reportedly been mentioned as the most likely targets of the Biloxi ownership group. There is also a growing sentiment that the BayBears could be vulnerable to a sale and move down Interstate 10 to Biloxi, though team officials have repeatedly said the team is secure.

 

Biloxi officials have not identified the Southern League team it will bring to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tim Bennett, who is part of the ownership group to bring a team to Biloxi, told GulfLive.com that luring a Southern League team to town "is a done deal."

 

Huntsville (1,877 per game), Jackson (1,954) and Mobile (2,339) were the worst in average attendance in the 10-team Southern League in 2013.

 

In Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars play in the league's oldest stadium.

Mobile was awarded the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game today. Their inclusion in this conversation was very peripheral at best. With this announcement, Mobile is staying put.

So is that... that? Aside from contract-related items, what keeps Huntsville from moving to Biloxi at this point?

[Mass Haas]

So is that... that? Aside from contract-related items, what keeps Huntsville from moving to Biloxi at this point?

 

At some point (don't know when), the sale of an existing Southern League franchise to the new Biloxi ownership team will be announced formally. When that sale is announced, it will include the news that the sold club will play in Biloxi in 2015.

[brewmann04]

I was curious if the Stars move to Biloxi would the Brewers entend their deal or could the new team refuse to sign a new deal with the Brewers.

[Mass Haas]

I was curious if the Stars move to Biloxi would the Brewers entend their deal or could the new team refuse to sign a new deal with the Brewers.

 

From earlier in this thread, it's been stated a few ways, but --

 

And as we've indicated before, if the Huntsville franchise does get sold and relocates, the Brewers' affiliation with the Stars currently only extends through 2014. The new ownership group could choose to test free agent waters, so to speak, to lure a different major league franchise affiliation beginning in 2015.

[brewmann04]

thnak you for the help

[TracyThom]

This is all great news for Biloxi, but I still want to know whether or not they will get that coveted Bass Pro Shop. THAT would be huge!

 

 

Consultant: Biloxi baseball stadium project a home run

By Warren Kulo, GulfLive.com

 

BILOXI, Mississippi -- Consultant Charles Johnson told a standing room only audience and the Biloxi City Council Tuesday that the city's proposed baseball stadium project is a home run.

 

Councilman George Lawrence, who has indicated he would prefer the stadium be built in east Biloxi, asked Johnson if his firm considered any other potential sites in Biloxi. Johnson said no, the focus of the report was the Beau Rivage property.

 

Councilman Kenny Glavan also asked if anything was left out of the report, given that it was completed in less than two weeks. Again, Johnson replied no, saying he simply put additional staff on the project to complete it more quickly.

 

Lawrence noted the study only estimated about 104 events at the stadium each year, meaning it would sit unused many nights "unlike a Bass Pro Shop. It's open 365 days. If we could get a Bass Pro Shop, that would be huge."

[Mass Haas]

Via today's brief note:

 

BILOXI, Miss. — The Biloxi City Council has set up a $1 million budget in advance of any spending for a baseball stadium.

 

David Nichols, city administrator, says no expenditures will be made until a team is purchased and all the documents are signed.

 

The Sun Herald reports the vote was 5-2 Tuesday creating the new capital project to track the expenses of the stadium. The action prepares to combine funding sources of $1 million in general fund money, $15 million in grant money from the state and $21 million in bond money to build the stadium.

 

Councilman Robert Deming III said the city has to be ready for the opening of the baseball season in 2015 and faces penalties if the deadline isn't met.

 

***

 

In other words, we should know relatively soon if the Huntsville franchise is moving.

[Southern Leaguer]

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/12/huntsville_stars_move_to_bilox.html

 

http://whnt.com/2013/12/10/developing-huntsville-stars-move-to-biloxi-to-be-discussed-at-baseball-winter-meetings-wednesday/

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers' biggest friend in convincing the Biloxi ownership group to stay with Milwaukee in 2015 may be Stars' GM Buck Rogers. Hopefully they consult with Buck before that affiliation decicion is made:

 

Via Twitter:

 

Excellent reception by the Brewers tonight, always 1st class! No better organization in baseball when it comes to people! Bar none!

 

If baseball fans could see behind the scenes they would love the Brewers even more. Their commitment and word is golden! Like family.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Southern League owners voice concern over Stars' move approval still likely, though

[Mass Haas]

Losing these Stars can be best hope for Huntsville's baseball future (Mark McCarter column)

[Southern Leaguer]

http://whnt.com/2013/12/18/breaking-owners-approve-move-of-huntsville-stars-to-mississippi/

[Mass Haas]

Report: Huntsville Stars will relocate to Biloxi, Miss., starting with 2015 season

By Steve Doyle, al.com

 

The 10 owners of the Southern League reportedly voted Wednesday to allow the Huntsville Stars to be moved to Biloxi, Miss.

 

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said Stars owner Miles Prentice apparently has been given "initial permission" to relocate to Stars to Biloxi starting in 2015. The upcoming 2014 season would be the minor league club's last at Joe Davis Stadium, although Battle said the city has not been officially notified.

 

"We have talked to baseball officials and are confident the city will have opportunities to bring in a new minor league baseball team to Huntsville," Battle said Wednesday afternoon. "Our conversations with baseball leadership have been positive. They tell us Huntsville is an important market because of its demographics, location, and tradition.

 

"With the right ownership and community partnership," said Battle, "we know baseball will thrive in Huntsville."

 

The Stars arrived in Huntsville in 1985 to play in what was then brand-new Joe Davis Stadium. They were the Double A affiliate of the Oakland A's before aligning with the Milwaukee Brewers 15 years ago.

 

Prentice, who lives in New York City, has been a mostly absentee owner of the Stars. He did not attend a single Stars home game last season.

 

Team officials stress that the Stars will be in operation in Huntsville in 2014 no matter the outcome of a sale. Sources throughout the Southern League have said they want Huntsville as a member because of its geography and tradition, recognizing the potential for success.

 

But the team has drawn poorly in recent years, and the club's lease with the stadium expires after next season.

 

The Biloxi City Council last week tabled a vote on a conditional use permit to build a new stadium north of the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. The proposed stadium would cost $36 million -- $21 million in bonds, and $15 million from a BP grant pledged by Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant.

[Mass Haas]

Reminder -- Brewers AAA & AA affiliates could both be in new ballparks in '15, but only if partnerships are renewed w/Nashville & Biloxi by this fall.

[Mass Haas]

So, as announced Friday, and no surprise if you've been with this thead since the beginning --

 

Southern League makes it official: Huntsville Stars' sale and move to Biloxi approved

 

Now we wait for the real news, which will hopefully be an extension of a Player Development Contract with the Brewers, which could be announced at any time, but no later than this fall, shortly after the regular season ends.

 

(The same goes for Nashville.)

 

So there will be multiple stories on ground-breakings and a contest to name the Biloxi team, etc., but until we learn the state of the Brewers' future relationship with the AAA and AA ownership groups, future stadium-related stories will mean little.

[brewmann04]

What is everyone opinion will the Brewers see these new stadiums in 15?

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Hunter Morris discusses his hometown Huntsville Stars moving to Biloxi in 2015

[Mass Haas]

Buck Rogers said this is a devastating blow to the staff. It has left a lot of them wondering what is going to happen next, but they will use this last season to make Huntsville shine and try to bring in a new team.

 

You do feel for the Stars small but hard-working staff. The comment above is part of a video news report that includes brief on-air comments from Buck. We wish all our friends in Huntsville well.

[Mass Haas]

Via BrewCrewBall -- a lot of words, but worth the read considering all the effort put into it.

 

One Way or Another, the Brewers Will Have a New Double-A Team Next Year

 

Really not sure why the author considers Nashville and Milwaukee a secure renewal on the AAA level, though.

[brewmann04]

You're right good read long though and i was curious why he believes Nashville is going to get Renewed.