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Post by brandon on Mar 25, 2022 8:05:53 GMT -6
I overheard some talking last night that the City of Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia are thinking about going together and purchasing a class A minor league team and having it in the Shoals...
The league would be the South Atlantic League. We would be in the South Division. Same as the Rome Braves.
If so, they would have to build a Stadium, seems like if that happens, UNA would not have to build a baseball stadium...
I don't see it happening, but there was talking...
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Post by unafied on Mar 25, 2022 9:59:32 GMT -6
I overheard some talking last night that the City of Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals and Tuscumbia are thinking about going together and purchasing a class A minor league team and having it in the Shoals... The league would be the South Atlantic League. We would be in the South Division. Same as the Rome Braves. If so, they would have to build a Stadium, seems like if that happens, UNA would not have to build a baseball stadium... I don't see it happening, but there was talking... Man, you just brought back memories for me. I remember, what, 20 years ago now, when the RTJ courses were being built, there was supposed to be a “tourist attraction” at Veterans Park to compliment the courses. I think it was part of the whole thing David Bronner had planned, but I’m forgetting the specifics. Anyway, the San Francisco Giants stadium had been built around that time, and my idea was to attract a minor league team and build a stadium down by the waterfront at Veterans. Basically you’d have the dam as the backdrop in right field, and could maybe attract boaters to come up and gather in the River like they do in San Francisco Bay. It was probably far-fetched then, and still is now, but it was one of my “if I were emperor” thoughts. Are there any college teams that share a minor league stadium? I’d still love to see that happen for the Shoals area. Minor league games are really great entertainment for families. We love going. There’s no reason why UNA baseball couldn’t be the same kind of attraction, if the right effort is put into marketing them as such. |
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Post by unalions on Mar 25, 2022 11:06:05 GMT -6
Sounds fun! Which is likely why it won’t happen in the Shoals. Lol.
In my opinion, there are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in the Shoals area. Four city governments in that small of an area is overkill. It’s hard to coordinate so many different ideas and egos.
On the flip side, the minor league stadium here in Pensacola has really added to the quality of life here. Although, many fought VERY hard against and still call it a failure because of sour grapes.
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Post by unafied on Mar 25, 2022 14:22:18 GMT -6
Sounds fun! Which is likely why it won’t happen in the Shoals. Lol. In my opinion, there are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in the Shoals area. Four city governments in that small of an area is overkill. It’s hard to coordinate so many different ideas and egos. On the flip side, the minor league stadium here in Pensacola has really added to the quality of life here. Although, many fought VERY hard against and still call it a failure because of sour grapes. Agree completely on Chiefs and Indians. A metro government would probably be great for the area, but there are likely too many petty rivalries for that to ever happen. Chattanooga is currently trying to acquire state funding for a new stadium for the Lookouts, but we’re seeing some pushback from our state representatives. Which is strange, because our local mayors point to Knoxville getting the same kind of funding for a downtown stadium for the Smokies just a few years ago. Something like this always brings out the anti-sports crowd. Basically they argue that THEY will never use it, so why should THEIR taxes be used to fund it? I mean, in a vacuum I can understand that I guess, but still. MLB has basically told the Lookouts that they need a new stadium, or run the risk of being moved/folded. So I really hope we find a way to build a new one. I do think the Shoals could support a A-level team. I’d love to see it. |
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Post by brandon on Mar 25, 2022 15:10:53 GMT -6
Sounds fun! Which is likely why it won’t happen in the Shoals. Lol. In my opinion, there are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in the Shoals area. Four city governments in that small of an area is overkill. It’s hard to coordinate so many different ideas and egos. On the flip side, the minor league stadium here in Pensacola has really added to the quality of life here. Although, many fought VERY hard against and still call it a failure because of sour grapes. Agree completely on Chiefs and Indians. A metro government would probably be great for the area, but there are likely too many petty rivalries for that to ever happen. Chattanooga is currently trying to acquire state funding for a new stadium for the Lookouts, but we’re seeing some pushback from our state representatives. Which is strange, because our local mayors point to Knoxville getting the same kind of funding for a downtown stadium for the Smokies just a few years ago. Something like this always brings out the anti-sports crowd. Basically they argue that THEY will never use it, so why should THEIR taxes be used to fund it? I mean, in a vacuum I can understand that I guess, but still. MLB has basically told the Lookouts that they need a new stadium, or run the risk of being moved/folded. So I really hope we find a way to build a new one. I do think the Shoals could support a A-level team. I’d love to see it. I agree, most high A level teams are in Cities roughly the size of Florence. |
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Post by unalions on Mar 25, 2022 16:40:56 GMT -6
Sounds fun! Which is likely why it won’t happen in the Shoals. Lol. In my opinion, there are too many Chiefs and not enough Indians in the Shoals area. Four city governments in that small of an area is overkill. It’s hard to coordinate so many different ideas and egos. On the flip side, the minor league stadium here in Pensacola has really added to the quality of life here. Although, many fought VERY hard against and still call it a failure because of sour grapes. Agree completely on Chiefs and Indians. A metro government would probably be great for the area, but there are likely too many petty rivalries for that to ever happen. Chattanooga is currently trying to acquire state funding for a new stadium for the Lookouts, but we’re seeing some pushback from our state representatives. Which is strange, because our local mayors point to Knoxville getting the same kind of funding for a downtown stadium for the Smokies just a few years ago. Something like this always brings out the anti-sports crowd. Basically they argue that THEY will never use it, so why should THEIR taxes be used to fund it? I mean, in a vacuum I can understand that I guess, but still. MLB has basically told the Lookouts that they need a new stadium, or run the risk of being moved/folded. So I really hope we find a way to build a new one. I do think the Shoals could support a A-level team. I’d love to see it. That doesn't surprise me. It got pretty contentious here. The stadium here was just part of a much bigger development when it was proposed back about 15 years or more ago now. Wow, time is flying. Here's a recent article about the possible next phase of the larger complex. But, it's fascinating to click through those photos and see what it used to look like there. When I first moved to Pensacola, I lived in a neighboring neighborhood and drove through here. It was an overgrown homeless encampment and across from the city's waster water facility! To say it stunk is, I'm gagging typing this and recalling it! I'd almost forgotten how horrible it was! And on a summer day....(gags). www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/downtown/2022/02/09/pensacola-city-council-raises-questions-community-maritime-park-proposal/6702903001/Anyway, baseball is just one of dozens of events at the stadium and the amphitheater area right beside it along the water. Of course, it was also UWF football for the past few years. It's been used for concerts, food truck festivals, the local symphony and fireworks on the 4th, charity events, etc. It's well-booked as is our local civic center. You see in this article a great photo of the current site and also some strong local opinions. ricksblog.biz/maritime-albatross/In my opinion, the Shoals could really use a multi-use stadium like the Community Maritime Park in Pensacola. |
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