UPDATED 11:59 a.m.
With recent reports that the Rochester Red Wings are not likely to operate the Batavia Muckdogs for a fourth, reportedly money-losing season, the local owners of the storied franchise announced today they are seeking a buyer for the ball club.
Presumably, the owners, Genesee County Baseball Club, will seek an owner willing to keep the team in Batavia, though that's not yet confirmed.
Club President Brian Paris said ideally, the Genesee County Baseball Club will be able to find a buyer willing to keep the team in Batavia.
"Obviously, that's our first preference," Paris said.
But he's also hopeful that just like the miracle of the Red Wings rescuing the team at the last minute three years ago, perhaps another miracle will keep the team in GCBC hands. What the club needs, he said, is three or four deep-pocket Western New York companies to step forward with sponsorships of $25,000 to $50,000 each.
It happens in other small markets, he said.
"That's a very realistic thought because other teams have those kinds of sponsorships," he said.
Paris said he doesn't blame the community.
"The tragic portion of this, is that we are on brink of losing the team and I think I’ve tried to be very frank with people and the media that this is what could happen if we don’t have a greater amount of support in ticket sales and sponsorship," Paris said. "I love Batavia and this is something we're just going to have to work through one way or another."
One of the team's most valuable assets is its name, Batavia Muckdogs. Little League teams across the nation have licensed the logo and name. It the team moves, it will no longer be the Batavia Muckdogs.
Paris said it's too soon to talk about scenarios involving no buyer being found, or a buyer being found and the team being moved to another city.
"I hate to be Pollyanna, a small town tree hugger, but something good is going to come of this," Paris said. "It’s going to work out. We just don’t know what it is yet."
Full press release after the jump:
BATAVIA, NY—The Genesee County Baseball Club, the not-for-profit organization that owns the Batavia Muckdogs of the New York-Pennsylvania Baseball League, announced today that it is soliciting offers from potential buyers of the team.
For the past three years, Rochester Community Baseball, owner of the Rochester Red Wings, has operated the Muckdogs under an agreement with the GCBC. The Red Wings have informed the GCBC that it is unlikely that the relationship will continue for a fourth year.
“We thank the Red Wings for these last three years, which included the memorable 2008 championship season,” Paris said. “They have indicated that they are probably going to move on, and we respect their decision.”
Paris said that the GCBC will give “strong preference” to potential buyers who pledge to keep the team in Batavia.
“Batavia has had a team in this league since 1939,” said Paris, “and we are very hopeful that we can find a buyer who appreciates the rich history, family atmosphere, great ballpark, and wonderful community spirit of Batavia.”
The NYP League, then called the PONY League, was founded in 1939 at a meeting at the Hotel Richmond in downtown Batavia. Batavia and Jamestown are the only two original PONY League cities that are still in the league.
Any buyer is going to look at
Any buyer is going to look at attendance. The question is still what keeps people from coming to the games?
Perhaps that could be a survey question in the future, Howard.
Posted by Bea McManis on
Posted by Bea McManis on August 11, 2010 - 10:01pm
"I'll be at the Muckdog game tonight. As much as I loved going to the weekend games, my schedule has changed and I can't get to them".
"Even Wed. night games are a rare treat. The last game I could attend was the 11am game"!
I think many people have the same problem, and with the way the economy has been people choose to stay home more often.
I dare say that some people just don't enjoy Baseball or sports in general. It would be interesting to see what attendance would need to be per game to make the team profitable.
It would be good to know how
It would be good to know how many tickets need to be sold to open the gates every time there is a baseball game?
What is the contingency if a team can't be woo'd here?
What other uses are there for the stadium?
I would hate not to see baseball in Batavia, but there has to be a proactive movement to think ahead, and maybe out of the box, to see that the stadium doesn't become a white elephant.
Bea, The stadium would
Bea,
The stadium would become another Genesee Country Mall. It would be used for a variety of events, never taken care of the way it needed to be as it will be a tax payer expense and eventually will become a serious eyesore that represents the lack of vision that plagues this town.
Some people like always will try to do something with it, but those who do nothing more then complain and groan with fight tooth and nail to prevent progress.
That's what I see coming from it if we don't keep professional baseball going.
I understand that the economy is bad, but going to a Muckdogs game is incredibly inexpensive. I would go with Gabor's other theory more of lack of sports interests in town.
What Batavia has got to get better at is bringing people in more. There is very little done to create a lot of promotions to make Batavia a weekend destination. With all of the day spa's, restaurants, hotels, Muckdogs and Darien Lake...you could really make an interesting 2 day package that you promote to Buffalo/Rochester/Southern Teir residents.
I wish more folks had decided
I wish more folks had decided to go just once this year. I went for the first time in years just a few weeks ago and I had a great time. I'm no huge fan of baseball, but I enjoyed watching that game so much that I decided to go back a few more times. Every game I've been to since then has been enjoyable.
It's too bad this community won't support the team they way they could. The Muckdogs are a cheap date and certainly worth it.
Tell you guys what, I'll buy a couple lottery tickets tonight and if I win, I'll buy the team. I won't even make them change their name to the Charvellas :)
Phil, I totally agree. We,
Phil, I totally agree.
We, like most, have the vision but not the means.
Too bad those with vision can't combine with those with means and make the best out of what is going to end up another mall situation.
Chris, I tell people that
Chris,
I tell people that attending a Muckdog game is experiencing a fading slice of Americana. The stadium is small, intimate and brings fans and players up close and personal.
You can spot and wave to someone sitting at the first base section and have them wave back.
It is what baseball was like years ago.
The cheers and jeers are part and parcel of the game. There are folks, in all parts of the stadium, well rehearsed in both. It is fun to listen to them.
As I sat there watching the game the other night, I found myself looking at the field and seeing other events unfolding in front of me. I could see the stands filled with spectators who came from far and near to witness their favorite (whatever it will be)sporting activity.
As I stated before, the vision is there but not the means. Now, if you win the lottery, that may be a different story. :)
"I hate to be Pollyanna, a
"I hate to be Pollyanna, a small town tree hugger, but something good is going to come of this," Paris said. "It’s going to work out. We just don’t know what it is yet."
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yop62wQH498?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Yop62wQH498?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Just joking, by the way. I
Just joking, by the way. I too hope it works out
Come on out to Dwyer and show
Come on out to Dwyer and show your support! 12 home games left this season, the team is doing well and very entertaining! Fireworks tonight after the game. Home both Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 1pm. Hope to see the stands packed!
(No subject)
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6vQpW9XRiyM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></par… name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6vQpW9XRiyM?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Please!!!! Let's not compare
Please!!!! Let's not compare our beautiful and very professional stadium to the look alikes of the mall. Because it is cared for by a private corporation, leaves no bickering as to who is responsible for what repair.
The Muckdogs are truly a significant asset to the GLOW Region and even Erie and Monroe counties. Nancy and I have friends from Akron who attend many games and some are season ticket holders.
Great parking, refreshments to please anybodys palet and full handicap access. A crowd of serious fans and jokesters. True family "G" rated for "GREAT" FUN.
Wer're gonna miss it if we lose this wonderful entertainment.
Did anyone go the double
Did anyone go the double header Wednesday night? If so, were you bothered by those flying insects? They were unbearable until the first rain, then seemed to run for cover.
There was a fun bit with a praying mantis for about 15 minutes in the section where I sat. It wanted to be social and did more visiting the fans than all of the mascots put together.
Speaking of the mascots. They had fun, and it was fun interacting with them.
Great night at Dwyer.
We left when the rain picked
We left when the rain picked up in the second game. First game was a nice come from behind victory with a HR from Nick Longmire.
Biserta's base clearing double put the dogs on top in the second game.
Quality wins the team really needed.
They are now in sole possesion of the wildcard spot and one game out of first in the division.
I was there. The bugs weren't
I was there. The bugs weren't bad where I was.
That was an awesome shot by Longmire!
Oh and by the way:
Posted by Ronald Konieczny on August 14, 2010 - 1:19am
Please!!!! Let's not compare our beautiful and very professional stadium to the look alikes of the mall. Because it is cared for by a private corporation, leaves no bickering as to who is responsible for what repair.
I wasn't comparing them. I said that if the team leaves then the stadium will become like the mall.
That second rain made a lot
That second rain made a lot of people head for the hills.
Phil, you were lucky to be in a spot where the flying bugs weren't too bad. They didn't stop the enthusiasm of the fans.
Someone joked that the helicopter that was circling around was dropping them for additional entertainment.
CIA!!! :-)
CIA!!!
:-)
Taco!
Taco!