Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium | Malden

[statler]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

This falls into 'better than an industrial lot' for me.

There are so many better uses but evidently none of them are profitable. :\

 

[vanshnookenraggen]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

A lot of ink has been spilled about the pros and cons of cities trying to inject some life into themselves by building sports complexes. The danger comes from the public-private partnerships which many times ends up giving the profit to the private interests while having the public shoulder the risk.

This I think is a different beast and could very well kick start a Malden rebirth. It has the potential anyway, we'll see.

 

[statler]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

I don't mind having a ballpark in Malden, I just hate having such a large site so close to a T stop having such a singular, part-time use.

 

[HenryAlan]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

I think this is just the right place for this sort of thing. Only big cities have the ability to draw large crowds to sporting events. A lot of people who like baseball like it enough to see a product that is lower grade than MLB if the priced right and convenient. This is why it will work in Malden, whereas it didn't in Brockton. The price for Rocks games was right, but who wants to go to Brockton? Only greater Boston has the population to support this, and support it we will.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

I think this is just the right place for this sort of thing. Only big cities have the ability to draw large crowds to sporting events. A lot of people who like baseball like it enough to see a product that is lower grade than MLB if the priced right and convenient. This is why it will work in Malden, whereas it didn't in Brockton. The price for Rocks games was right, but who wants to go to Brockton? Only greater Boston has the population to support this, and support it we will.

Henry -- Malden is too close to Lowell -- you can't possibly expect two teams to survive that close to each other -- unless of course you could get the Yankees to take on an affiliation with one of the two minor league sites and the Red Sox keep a connection to the other

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Henry -- Malden is too close to Lowell -- you can't possibly expect two teams to survive that close to each other -- unless of course you could get the Yankees to take on an affiliation with one of the two minor league sites and the Red Sox keep a connection to the other

Assuming the teams have equally good standings, who would rather go to Lowell from Metro Boston? Malden would be closer for most people if driving, and Lowell forces you to take the commuter rail only, for rapid transit. I don't think we'd starve off the Spinners, though, I'm sure they get a good pull from the Merrimac Valley and perhaps southern NH.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Awesome. I hope this works out.

No -- Stupid -- I agree with the piece in the Globe except no minor league park is busy for 70 days per year -- a lot closer to 40 days a year

If we needed any proof of the stupidity of the idea -- I present exhibits

#1
"Congressman Edward J. Markey, a Malden Democrat, was on hand to lend his support for the proposed Malden Park...." "This is such an exciting night," said Markey, who said he lives about six blocks from the proposed ballpark...""

Here is a Congressman who doesn't actually live in the district - supporting something with which he is totally uninitiated -- ie the private sector

#2
as someone on this thread pointed out -- Malden Center screwed itself -- with bunkerization -- now its trying to depend on people pourig in from outside coming in to save it -- Not going to happen

#3
the comparison to Sommerville and Davis Sq is specious -- Davis Sq. has prospered sie the T mostly because it benefited from the overflow of people with money from Cambridge combined with the Tufts campus to the North -- Malden so far has none of the above

#4
Malden is a residential mostly lower middle income suburb which heard the same kind of glowing siren statements with the same kind of endoresement from the Cong. about Telecom City about 15 years ago

They initially wanted Telecom technology companies with "Blue collar jobs" for Malden Medford and Everett -- But with all the micro managing and rejection of housing -- they didn't then want people from Lexington to move in to compete with the locals -- they missed the window to develop before the telcom/Dotcom crash -- and nothing happened until finally they just sold off the development to the Rivers Edge developer who is now finally getting somethings built -- a lot had to do with cleaning-up past waste

#5
The clean-up will not be simple -- nothing will be built until the site is clean enough to drop a hotdog on the pavement -- this is far cleaner than was needed for the clean-up in Woburn

Conclusion:

If MaMalden Center re-do should focus on the T taking commuters to places such as Assembly Sq. and Rivers Edge

If the City council is smart -- they will wait until Rivers Edge gets developed and also Assembly Sq and they prosper -- then 10 t 15 yeats from now they can think about a major re-do of Malden Center -- mean time they should start small on the edges with housing and small shops and if they want get going on cleaning

 

[whighlander]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Assuming the teams have equally good standings, who would rather go to Lowell from Metro Boston? Malden would be closer for most people if driving, and Lowell forces you to take the commuter rail only, for rapid transit. I don't think we'd starve off the Spinners, though, I'm sure they get a good pull from the Merrimac Valley and perhaps southern NH.

Urb -- minor leagues are all about promotion -- free bats, hats, bobble heads, etc.

You've got to have something to attract the big crowds

why would someone go to Malden
Future Red Sox are in Lowell or Pawtucket as well as some rehab major leaguers

The best of the college stars are on the Cape

There is no history of minor league ball in Malden as opposed to Lynn

Almost certain that it wont work

 

[mass88]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

This seems to be a waste. How successful will they really be in luring a minor league team? The region already has plenty of them between Portland, Pawtucket and Lowell.

The Revolution badly need their own, much smaller stadium and this area would be a great place to build a nice 18-25,000 seat stadium. It could also double as a concert venue, host high school and college football, soccer and lacrosse games as well.

Red Bull Arena down in New Jersey should be the model.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

This seems to be a waste. How successful will they really be in luring a minor league team? The region already has plenty of them between Portland, Pawtucket and Lowell.

The Revolution badly need their own, much smaller stadium and this area would be a great place to build a nice 18-25,000 seat stadium. It could also double as a concert venue, host high school and college football, soccer and lacrosse games as well.

Red Bull Arena down in New Jersey should be the model.

Mass -- if you are going to build a stadium that makes more sense -- consider:

12,000 seats for soccer, high school football, lacrosse
with concerts in the summer on Friday nights
and the piece de resistance:
ice in the winter for outdoor hockey and other skating
surround it with some restaurants and sporting stores and you've got a year round use venue

 

[Equilibria]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Mass -- if you are going to build a stadium that makes more sense -- consider:

12,000 seats for soccer, high school football, lacrosse
with concerts in the summer on Friday nights
and the piece de resistance:
ice in the winter for outdoor hockey and other skating
surround it with some restaurants and sporting stores and you've got a year round use venue

Maybe, but who will play soccer here, high schoolers? That probably won't fill 12,000 seats. In fact, the only soccer team that can do that in the Boston Area plays in Foxboro and needs their own stadium, as mass88 said.

Unfortunately, MLS policy requires that all of their stadiums be soccer-specific, which limits alternative uses. I'd rather have 70 baseball games all summer, with the chance for the other stuff.

 

[mass88]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

12,000 seats won't do it. Make it in the 18-25,000 range. The Revs averaged over 13,000 last season and I would bet being closer to Boston, transit options and the Latin population would help those numbers increase.

Plus, they could also host other soccer events such as international matches. Foxborough is one of the most used national teams stadiums, then there is also the Summer tours by the big European clubs that could also use the stadium.

I have a hard time seeing another minor league baseball team be lured to the region.

Red Bull Arena where the Red Bulls play has been host to several concerts, and other sporting events.

 

[Ron Newman]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

The Malden proposal is for an independent league team, which is different from a true minor league (MLB-affiliated) team. Brockton's team was independent and seemingly successful, yet still failed (at least for now). Lowell and Pawtucket are Red Sox-affiliated minor league teams.

The one place I've heard of with a really successful independent-league team is St. Paul, Minnesota -- despite the presence of the nearby major league Twins.

 

[HenryAlan]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

The one place I've heard of with a really successful independent-league team is St. Paul, Minnesota -- despite the presence of the nearby major league Twins.

I think there are some semi successful indies in California. But St. Paul demonstrates the point I was arguing in favor of Malden. It's in the middle of a large population center that is a demonstrated successful baseball market. There is enough demand for it to work.

 

[ant8904]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Despite the size of the population, it doesn't mean people will patronize it enough. Still, I am hopeful if someone is willing to throw $50 mil at such a project, he's done his homework.

At the very least, I think it is reasonable to hope for its success. What good to root for its failure. And we here know Malden could use a break.

 

[El Guapo]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

I think an independent team can be successful in Malden with the right group behind it. I don't think Lynn is a far comparison as Fraser Field sits in the middle of the neighborhood with limited parking and was a WPA project. The architectural firm that is going to build this ballpark has built many minor and pro ballparks and is one of the best at what they do. This is going to be a major league stadium just without as many seats.

Independent baseball has some success in areas where there are major league as well as other minor league teams - Long Island Ducks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Camden Rivershark etc.. The Atlantic League (the league which Malden is trying to get in) has a habit of going into densely populated suburbs and doing pretty well. Pawtucket, Portland and Lowell (I've been to all those parks and they're nothing special) all do well because they're affliated with the Red Sox. That being said, I think the Boston area can support a professional team not affliated with the Red Sox.

There are a lot of things in place that are in this group's favor - large diverse population, access to public transportation, ample off street parking, etc.. The success of the Red Sox has ruined the casual Red Sox fan - going to Fenway today is a place to be seen, socialize and sing Sweet Caroline between innings. True baseball fans and families on a budget looking for an affordable evening will make a ballpark in Malden a success. Taking a family of four to Fenway will cost $200, $250 or even $300 today? I'm sure that same family of four can get it done at a new ballpark in Malden for less than $100. The dogs are just as hot, the sausages just as sweet and the drinks are just as cold.

Let's face it, Malden's downtown needs SOMETHING to revitalize it. A new ballpark could very well be the centerpiece. Give people a reason to go to downtown Malden at night and hopefully it'll attract small business owners to come too - cafes, restuarants, etc.. I don't expect Malden Center to be the next Davis Square but with what a new ballpark could potentially bring, I think Malden Center could possibly be the New Malden Center.

 

[whighlander]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

I think an independent team can be successful in Malden with the right group behind it. I don't think Lynn is a far comparison as Fraser Field sits in the middle of the neighborhood with limited parking and was a WPA project. The architectural firm that is going to build this ballpark has built many minor and pro ballparks and is one of the best at what they do. This is going to be a major league stadium just without as many seats.

Independent baseball has some success in areas where there are major league as well as other minor league teams - Long Island Ducks, Lancaster Barnstormers, Camden Rivershark etc.. The Atlantic League (the league which Malden is trying to get in) has a habit of going into densely populated suburbs and doing pretty well. Pawtucket, Portland and Lowell (I've been to all those parks and they're nothing special) all do well because they're affliated with the Red Sox. That being said, I think the Boston area can support a professional team not affliated with the Red Sox.

There are a lot of things in place that are in this group's favor - large diverse population, access to public transportation, ample off street parking, etc.. The success of the Red Sox has ruined the casual Red Sox fan - going to Fenway today is a place to be seen, socialize and sing Sweet Caroline between innings. True baseball fans and families on a budget looking for an affordable evening will make a ballpark in Malden a success. Taking a family of four to Fenway will cost $200, $250 or even $300 today? I'm sure that same family of four can get it done at a new ballpark in Malden for less than $100. The dogs are just as hot, the sausages just as sweet and the drinks are just as cold.

Let's face it, Malden's downtown needs SOMETHING to revitalize it. A new ballpark could very well be the centerpiece. Give people a reason to go to downtown Malden at night and hopefully it'll attract small business owners to come too - cafes, restuarants, etc.. I don't expect Malden Center to be the next Davis Square but with what a new ballpark could potentially bring, I think Malden Center could possibly be the New Malden Center.

Guapo -- Louisville, KY has an excellent minor league stadium which is busy most of the year. Of course they have somethings going for them:
1) the nearest major league team is in Cincinnati Ohio
2) they have a giant bat in front of the stadium associated with the Louisville Slugger bat manufactury
3) they have a museum and hall of fame including future Major League Hall of Famers who played in Louisville including Carlton Fisk
4) Half of the complex is an indoor function hall and restaurant

What beside the baseball itself is going to attract people to Malden -- if it is just the baseball then the place will be empty for 320+ days per year -- that's like a fair ground -- you just don't put such a dead spot downtown

 

[El Guapo]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Guapo -- Louisville, KY has an excellent minor league stadium which is busy most of the year. Of course they have somethings going for them:
1) the nearest major league team is in Cincinnati Ohio
2) they have a giant bat in front of the stadium associated with the Louisville Slugger bat manufactury
3) they have a museum and hall of fame including future Major League Hall of Famers who played in Louisville including Carlton Fisk
4) Half of the complex is an indoor function hall and restaurant

What beside the baseball itself is going to attract people to Malden -- if it is just the baseball then the place will be empty for 320+ days per year -- that's like a fair ground -- you just don't put such a dead spot downtown

Atlantic League basebal actually has about 70 home dates. One would think the development group is looking into other uses - concerts, Malden High baseball, perhaps state HS baseball tournaments(Lowell has them), outdoor hockey seems to be in vogue these days...just talkin out loud. Cambell Field in Camden, NJ is also the home field for St. Joe's baseball - perhaps there is a major university further down on the Orange Line, which currently plays it's home games at a playground in Brookline could also be a tenant? Wasn't this the same university that years ago was looking partner with Bob Kraft to build a soccer-specific stadium somewhere in Boston/Somerville to house their since deceased football program?

My point, I'm sure the group looking to build a state of the art baseball facility is looking to have it occupied more than just 70 days out of the year.

 

[statler]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

Boston.com - April 22, 2012

Parcels targeted for new ballpark
Negotiations to begin with current owners
By Matt Byrne
Globe Correspondent / April 22, 2012


The developer of a proposed minor league baseball stadium told the Malden Redevelopment Authority last Tuesday that his group is planning to make offers by the end of April to buy three plots of land required to move forward on the $50 million project.

The properties are home to three businesses: L&L Services, a trucking and landscaping company at 11 Canal St.; Spadafora’s Auto Parts, 129 Charles St.; and Collex auto body repair, 124 Centre St. Together, they make up roughly a quarter of the 7-acre site primarily owned by National Grid, which is expected to lease its site on Commercial Street across from the MBTA Orange Line station long-term to the stadium developers.

“We’ll make an offer [on the smaller properties] by the end of April; then we’ll see if they’re in a negotiating mode,’’ said Alex Bok, the Boston lawyer and president of the Boston Baseball Field of Dreams LLC, which has been seeking a Boston-area ballpark for several years. “We’re looking to get a deal done to purchase their land by next March or April.’’

If all goes according to plan, workers could break ground by this time next year, Bok said.

Although negotiations will not truly begin until offers are on the table, lurking in the background is the possibility that the Malden Redevelopment Authority may take the properties by eminent domain, said George McLaughlin, an attorney representing L&L Services and Spadafora’s Auto Parts.

“I have a wait-and-see attitude,’’ said McLaughlin. “These are businesses that have been here a long time. If [the developers] want to step up to the plate and pay us fair-market money, I think a deal could be struck, as long as we get the whole pie.’’

At issue will be the compensation levels not just for the land, but for the costs associated with relocating the businesses. If Bok low-balls the owners and the redevelopment authority steps in to take the properties by eminent domain, McLaughlin said he has no qualms about taking the matter to court.

“Give me a jury trial any day of the week; that’s my ‘field of dreams,’ that’s my ballpark,’’ McLaughlin said.

At the Tuesday meeting, Bok said he plans to make above-market offers on the property and has consulted an appraiser to help formulate his bids.

For the redevelopment authority to exercise its right to take the property, it would first have to designate the area an urban renewal zone, which would trigger a public hearing process, said Deborah Burke, the authority’s assistant executive director. Then the state Department of Housing and Community Development would have to sign off on the renewal plan, she said.

“The hope is that any acquisitions that are made are done privately between Bok’s team and the three private parcel owners,’’ Burke said.

In the meantime, the Baseball Field of Dreams group has grown to include roughly 20 consultants, architects, and planners who are working to hammer out the details that accompany the $50 million stadium. Before the group can complete a deal with National Grid, a two-month, $85,000 study by a baseball economics consultant will help the utility understand the intricacies of the baseball business.

“They’re a big institution,’’ Bok said of the utility. “They’re a company headquartered in London. It will take time to get a transaction done with them.’’

The stadium team has roughly a year to draw up detailed architectural plans, complete environmental and traffic studies, and apply for zoning and permitting changes. The zoning and permitting process will eventually spark a round of public hearings on the stadium.

The National Grid site is 10 feet narrower than previously believed, forcing the field to be shifted slightly north, said Mark J. Rosenhein, project manager for the Chelsea architectural firm that is collaborating on the plans.

A large gas pipe that runs beneath the property would have to be relocated, although a brick pumping station owned by National Grid will remain, he said.

Rosenhein said that once the large pieces of the park are locked in, planners can shift focus to the details. Because the Malden River once flowed at the site, planners said a possible theme could incorporate elements of the river’s history, and of Malden’s past.

“We’ll have failed if you come to the park and not learn something about the history of Malden,’’ Rosenhein said.

Matt Byrne can be reached at mbyrne.globe@gmail.com.
© Copyright 2012 Globe Newspaper Company.

Well, there goes the daylighting the Malden River idea.

 

[Semass]

Re: Malden Minor League Baseball Stadium

76 trombones in a big parade...
This proposal, like Plymouth Rock Studios is b.s. Bunch of crap to try to sucker a down on its luck municipality into a bait and switch. Malden, just walk away.