A difficult day
Posted by Carl on March 30, 2009
Attending a Voyageurs press conference was not something that many people had on their agenda for today. It was unfortunate that the news leaked out the way it did, but my understanding is that most, if not all of the Voyageurs employees had already been given the news.
For fans of baseball – local baseball, today was a tough day; we got knocked on our ass. The question is, what do we do now? And the League will be monitoring the response – will people still care, or will today’s news be met with a yawn? If it’s the latter, then the Can-Am League and (perhaps more importantly) the Corporation of the City of Ottawa will move on too.
Some important things to keep in mind on this otherwise gloomy March afternoon. First, the League holds the lease for the duration of 2009. Second, while I would have preferred to have had the luxury of enjoying games at the Stadium this summer while we were looking for new owners – we remain committed to finding new owners.
The principal players here – the fans, the Voyageurs front office staff, the players, Bruce and Miles have all faced a very difficult, disappointing day. For me personally, and for my son, it has left us deeply saddened. We will have to find other things to do with our time this summer – we all will. It’s not what any of us had anticipated or contemplated just a few short days ago, and we’ll have to adjust to this new “reality”. We’ll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and recover.
What Bruce and I will not do is “move on”. Not yet. The Voyageurs aren’t operating in 2009 – but not because of anything they did or failed to do. Without an owner this team simply and perhaps, fatally, did not control its own destiny. Wholly reliant upon the League for its financial support, any bump in the road could potentially upset the apple cart. The failure of Atlantic City was a pretty big “bump”, one that ultimately proved catastrophic for the 2009 Voyageurs. There is a sense among those same principal players, especially for the GM Barry Robinson, that there is a lot being left on the table – there was great potential for this team. Too much for some of us to simply walk away from.
Today, in the vernacular of my 12 year old son, sucks. But it’s how we deal with it tomorrow that matters.
Robin Collins said
Hi Carl,
I gather the other piece of troublesome news is that there need to be TWO teams that come to life, not just one (the Voyageurs) because the League needs an even number of teams.
R.
Marc M said
Where is Donald Trump and where is any Ottawa-raised Millionnaire/hockey player to buy these teams?
I forgot, The Donald has filed for bankrupcy protection and hockey players don’t care aboutbasebal.They’d rather skate all summer at the Sensplex.
I guess we can kiss the stadium goodbye too. Eugene will have his choice to convert it or build his own place in Kanata.
Eugene! there’s another guy who could’ve stepped in right?
How about Jeff (of the 67′s).
Oh well, so be it.
Will this bird turn out to be a pheonix? Time will tell.
Hopefully, it will.
Marc R said
Terrible news, indeed.
I don’t know how pro ball can leave town for a year and then come back a year later. An empty stadium will set other plans in motion pretty quickly.
Personally, I don’t know how many BB teams departures I can bear. Expos, Lynx and now this. Three times is enough for me.
Ottawa may well be a one-sport city after all.
Dave B said
I must admit, I would have guessed one of the other teams with lower attendance, AC was not one
I figured would be troubled, but who knows, maybe one of those teams will look our way.
My son didn’t quite believe what I was saying to him. After which, he says, “we should start another team.” Yes, son, we should.
Dave B said
We need to organize a couple top-flite tournaments, bar-b-q’s at the stadium and a bus trip to visit the “baseball owners of Ottawa” in Quebec City (Miles Wolff) and Burlington VT (Ray Pecor)for a 3 or 4 game set. Let’s bring the local politicians (even the ones we don’t like) along and show ‘em why we need baseball and how great it is done properly. Who’s in?
Glenn said
Dave… I’m in.
Ian said
I’m in for anything frankly. What else am I gonna do this summer?
Pierre L said
Dave, I was thinking the same about tournaments over the summer. No sense letting the stadium go empty for the summer. The rent is paid for no matter what happens.
The reason AC is the other team suspending operations is because they also don’t have an owner. The league just couldn’t ask the other six teams to support two teams. Potential new owners for AC dropped out at last minute. A shame for them and us.
Another thing I thought about is a 24-hour baseball marathon to raise money for cancer or other good cause. Shouldnt’ be a problem getting 50 or so players.
I’m all for a trip to Quebec.
But for the Voyageurs to come back in 2010, we need to find an owner and so does Atlantic City. I figure we have until October.
Marcelo said
Folks,
This idea may be very naive, but what is the possibility of another league, let’s say for example the Atlantic League, become interested in having a franchise in Ottawa? if not for 2009, perhaps for 2010?
Wayne said
No words for my disappointment. What a city we live in – people care only for hockey and, if you listen to Melnyk, soccer. I can’t even plan to offset with trips to CFL games as we don’t have that either, courtesy of the laggards at City Hall. My only summer outdoor option now it seems, is to go to loud drunken outdoor music festivals where I can fight with people who want to stand up, when I want to sit in my lawnchair, or vice versa! Great…..
I’d love to hold out hope for another go around, but I won’t hold my breath.
Carol and I bought 10 games to the Jays this year, and going to TO for live ball seems to be all the more feasible.
Maybe in a few years someone will say, “hey, we need a MLB presence in Montreal” (again) – I grew up on the Expos – I could learn to love a Montreal team again.
Au Revoir, Voyageurs!
Pierre L said
> but what is the possibility of another league, let’s say for example the Atlantic League
Nice thought but I see a few problems there. First, Ottawa is too far away. I believe the northern-most city in the AL is Bridgeport, CT, although Lancaster PA might actually be closer to us. Bridgeport is one of those teams that was rumoured to move to the Can-Am as it has the lowest attendance in that league at 2370. So Ottawa would have to prove that it can reach a reasonable attendance for the AL to accept a team.
We have to remember that the Voyageurs only suspended operations. And that is in part because of Atlantic City, like us, not having owners. Nothing to do with the city of Ottawa or Ottawa baseball fans.
I’m very hopeful that the Voyageurs come back in 2010. The definition of suspended implies a return to business later. It has happened in sports before, whole leagues suspended operations during war time. Granted, not all returned to continue operations. So the only options for Ottawa baseball really is the Can-Am.
> people care only for hockey
It seems that way sometimes. But I decided to do some checking. Not scientific mind you but a bit eye opening.
There are a couple of Voyageurs groups on Facebook. One has 195 members, the other 100. There are a couple other groups too I believe with some members.
The Senators have a few dozen groups but most with only a handful of members. There are two with around 1500 members, two more with 400 and one with 194. Let’s say a total of 4000 members, and many are likely members of more than one.
I say 300 members in two groups, less than one year old, compares to 4000 in five groups.
Oh, by the way, one Senators group has not had a new posting in over a month, the biggest one in over a week and the other big one in two weeks.
This blog, Facebook groups and Voyageurs forums hardly have a day go by when someone doesn’t post a comment. And this during the off-season! During last season, they were a beehive of activity.
That alone tells me there are passionate baseball fans in this city and we can’t just give up. So instead of au revoir I say, Long Live the Voyageurs!
Alan said
If the city is collecting rent for 2009, then they can’t start doing anything else with it. Is the rent being payed by the Can-Am league?
fwiw, how much does a Can-Am franchise cost? I can’t believe that there is not somebody in Ottawa who could afford the team. Was anybody close to getting the team?
Was zip the only suitor last year?
Maybe we need some sort of co-op model – sell shares in the team.
this truly does suck.
Dave B said
Anyone know how many season ticket holders the team has (or had last year)? I’m betting those folks would like to show up for some events, though I wouldn’t want to limit it to just them. Summer collegiate wood bat leagues have taken up many former minor league locations, there are scant few back that way (Prairies and Pacific North West inlcluding BC have them, New York State Collegiate League), but it’d be too late to get into that. (By the way, I noticed last night that a “Hoffman Wolff” is GM for the Elmira Pioneers of this league…..) Intercounty in western Ontario is similar, and goes as far as Oshawa (or did a few years back). Cape Cod league teams operate on $300,000. a season, but the travel is not like it would be here.
I don’t see Can-Am as dead here yet, you have to consider that indy leagues are a little more transient at times, and if attendance got low somewhere else and a team dropped out, with a lease in place, I think Ottawa would be the choice, 100,000 fans last year is a great start.
Not that no baseball is ever a positive, but if the economy really does hammer attendance, perhaps a new owner is better off starting next year (oh, that DOES sound hollow, doesn’t it?).
Atlantic City was certainly a tipping point. Need to get something happening out at the park though. Who wants to buy a ballclub? Ottawa – Montreal 2010.
Dave said
I had a gut feeling something like this was about to happen. Especially when the team didn’t announce the new Logo & there was no web page published. I wonder if the only reason we are not fielding a team this year is because of the Atlantic City situation and the League wanting 6 teams instead of 7, or is there some other reason that is being kept from us?
The simple truth here is that if the people of Ottawa had continued to support the Lynx, we would still have them. And we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in now.
I think the level and brand of baseball that the Can Am League, and other Independent League provides, has the best chance of having long term success in the Ottawa market. I am convinced of that.
It’s a shame that last years owner’s bailed out on us. I think the chance of finding committed owners in the future for this team is very, very slim to say the least. That is why, I predict that we will not have a team in the league next year or for any year to come.
I think it takes more than this blog and other internet groups etc. to generate a large amount of support for baseball in Ottawa. We (those that frequent this blog) seem to be a select few & I mean “few” that love baseball and want to see a profesional team thrive in this city. That, I think is the unfortunate reality.
I have also thought that the Atlantic League might be a better fit for us. I think it is a better brand of baseball with more than a few players that have had Major League experience.
However, without serious & committed owners we are dead. That is just my opinion, but what’s that old saying, “everyone is entitled to one”.
Kenneth Throop said
Hi Carl:
I found out about this yesterday after work & I too was “knocked on my ass” with the news. As probably one of the most passionate baseball fans that you could find, I was deeply saddened by this.
As for some comments about getting into the Atlantic League, that won’t happen. It is probably the top independent league right now because there are a good number of ex-major league players playing there. They apparently have teams wanting to get in already, & the average attendance for most teams are 4,000 or 5,000, so there is no way we could do that. The last time the Lynx averaged over 5,000 fans a game was 1996 (5,377). If the Lynx were still drawing that, we wouldn’t be talking about this.
I remember talking with Jeff Hunt one day at the ballpark about buying the team to turn it around like he did with the 67′s, but all he said was that the current owners would do a good job. (yeah right). Jeff Hunt has his hands full trying to get those idiots on city council to do something with Lansdowne. I don’t think they could decide where to build an outhouse without a “feasability study”. Lets hope they don’t do anything really stupid because maybe something will come up in the Can-Am league for 2010, but it makes you wonder if the city wanted the team to fail so they could sell the land. They already sold most of the parking spaces to Canadian Tire & Hampton Inn.
I guess i will be going down to New York state to see baseball in Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, Auburn & maybe Buffalo.
What is the next step Carl? What CAN we do?
Pierre L said
> Is the rent being payed by the Can-Am league?
My understanding is yes, the Can-Am holds the lease for 2009. So basically, it’s spent money at this point with no returns as there is no team to generate revenue. I assume the stadium could still be used and potentially generate a bit of revenue to offset the $108,000 cost.
> how much does a Can-Am franchise cost?
$750,000 as I recall.
> I can’t believe that there is not somebody in Ottawa
> who could afford the team.
The point is that someone has to WANT to buy the team.
> Was zip the only suitor last year?
No. But I don’t think any of the other groups, whoever they were, are interested anymore.
> Maybe we need some sort of co-op model
> sell shares in the team.
I talked to Miles Wolff about this in December. He’s all for that if someone can/wants to put it together with solid management.
> Hoffman Wolff
If memory serves correctly, he’s Miles’ son. I think he was in Atlantic City’s front office in some capacity.
> What CAN we do?
Simple. Continue showing to the league (although I don’t think we need to convince Miles) and potential owners there are people in this town who want to have baseball and make it work.
Dave B said
$2.5-3 million is how I would want to capitalize it. I believe that would get us through the first year or two in a strong position to get to profitability. I believe you could be creative and try it for less and these leagues have occasionally waived the franchise fee for a couple years, but that’s my best guess. Who’s in?
Dave said
If I had the money I would be Dave B. In a heartbeat.
I finally read what Miles Wolff was quoted as saying in the Citizen. I think if you read between the lines, he is saying that the Can Am League is dead in Ottawa. I think its a shame but its time we baseball fans accept the inevitable. I wish I could be more positive, but I can’t.
Anthony said
It’s time for a Canadian Baseball League, subsidised by Heritage Canada with profits going to local municipal governments. A federal Ministry of Sport running a series of Canadian sports leagues (baseball, hockey, football, basketball, soccer, etc.) along that model with teams in cities across the country is good for local governments and for the national identity.
Ryan said
The timing of this decision is absolutely terrible. I have a hard time believing that Mr.Melnyk wouldn’t have at least considered searching his left pocket, and put up the neccessary capital for the Voyageurs. Seeing as he is trying to secure an MLS franchise, the loss of CanAm baseball in Ottawa will certainly play a part in the decision. I’m sure that Mr.Hunt’s CFL group shuttered too, when they heard the news.
Anytime a city loses a sports franchise, it loses a piece of it’s identity. I think everyone should take a moment to thank Mr.Wolff for all his hard work and dedication. I guess I’ll have to take a few road trips this summer, to enjoy the crack of the bat, and the smell of mustard on a hot dog.
Marc R. said
Anyone knows what are the chances that the stadium stays as it is (without the land being sold) for another eight months? If nothing is done, perhaps there is one more (very) small chance for pro ball here (if, naturally, the CanAm is still up for it.)
If the ballpark goes, we can forget about baseball here for generations. Look at what’s happening in Montreal. For four years, a group has trying to have a stadium built in or around Montreal. They are meeting obstacles at every corner – and now it doesn’t look like this thing will fly at all.
I am afraid baseball in Canada is going the way of lacrosse.
Hoffman said
Hey guys –
So sorry that it didn’t work out in Ottawa. Francois and the Rapidz’ staffers were always a pleasure to work with. Having been in AC last year, we’re pretty upset about everything there as well…it shouldn’t have had to happen like this.
(shameless plug time…) If you’re looking for your baseball fix this summer, definitely consider checking out the New York Collegiate League – our team in Watertown, N.Y., is not too far from Ottawa and management there runs a solid operation in a former New York-Penn League park (last year, they had over 1,000 fans/game, which is very good for summer college ball). It’s also pretty good quality baseball – about 125 league alumni played professionally last year, including 12 major leaguers (Tim Hudson, Brad Lidge, Hunter Pence and Jeremy Accardo among them).
Or, come see us here in Elmira, at the southern end of the Finger Lakes region…we play at Dunn Field, a classic, old-school minor league park built in 1940 that hosted professional baseball through 2005. Wear your Rapidz’ gear, and if it’s not being used that night, we’ll open up our skybox for you…
Pierre L said
Some city counsellors are already talking about tearing down the stadium and use the money from the sale of the land for Landsdowne or a new stadium in Kanata. The vultures sure came out quickly.
Over on Moxie’s Voyageurs forum (ottawavoyageursfans.com), a poster named TechTroll claims another league is inquiring about the stadium’s availability. According to this guy, he’s beating the bushes himself and claims a US businessman, well-known in baseball circles, could get a team here within days. That would be great but I highly doubt the veracity of this claim, especially from a poster using a nickname with the word troll in it.
A Canadian Baseball League did not work in 2003. Low attendance, especially in easter cities. Not saying it could not work. Part of problem with CBL was, in my opinion, Tony Rivera, the league’s founder. He had a Montreal team with no stadium and it was forced to play all its games on the road! He even said publicly that “I’m putting a team in Montreal because the CBL will still be here long after the Expos are gone”. Riiight.
I do like your idea however Anthony.
Robin Collins said
Yah, I don’t like what I’m hearing from councilor Bob Monette, as he has been quite a supporter over the years. Former mayor Jim Durrell was sounding pretty good though on CBC radio this morning though.
Robin Collins said
I couldn’t agree more with Dave, above. A big thanks should go to Miles. Send him an email to keep him in the loop. Some of the news reports take a sidelong slap at the CanAm League for “dropping” Ottawa and I think that is inappropriate. No question everything has been done, and it might come out in the wash after the current economic situation improves. Worse thing is for city council to rip the stadium down instead of waiting out to see what happens AFTER the recession. These are tough times to start up a new franchise.
Give Miles a nod: mwolff@baseballoffice.com
Robin Collins said
April 1, 2009
Dear Mayor and City Council,
It is very disappointing to hear of the recent setback for CanAm baseball in Ottawa. There seemed to be good momentum and support from Council for this new effort, but the economics of carrying two teams while new owners were found was too much for the league. Miles Wolff did an incredible job trying to keep things going, and I think the citizens of Ottawa owe him a lot of gratitude.
These are terrible economic times all round, especially for developing a new baseball franchise in Ottawa. But I hope Council will not take any action or make a decision that would jeopardize the retention of Ottawa Stadium. It is too early to make a radical decision at this point. We must wait out the recession and see what options exist when times improve. Ripping down the stadium, or converting it such that baseball cannot return, would be the wrong approach.
Let’s find interim uses, sure, but let’s keep our stadium intact.
Robin Collins
Ottawa
Robin Collins said
Come on folks, put your pens to paper, it’s time…
April 1, 2009
The Editor, The Citizen
The worst thing City Council could do in these recessionary times, is to assume that the recent failure of the CanAm League to host a baseball franchise in Ottawa means the stadium should be torn down. The current economic downturn will not last forever. CanAm baseball may yet be the most likely option in a couple of years. The League and commissioner Miles Wolff, let’s not forget, were very close to fielding eight teams this year. Unfortunately they could not financially float two marginal franchises, including one in Ottawa, while they waited for new owners to step forward.
There was CanAm baseball in Ottawa in 1936, and professional baseball here as far back as the late 1800s. Let’s find interim uses for the ballpark, sure. But ripping it down or making it unusable for baseball are the wrong options. There’s both a long history and a future for pro baseball in Ottawa.
Robin Collins
Dave B said
Hate to see the vultures already circling the stadium. As I say, indy leagues by their nature can be a little transient. Miles W. HAD to make this decision, I can’t imagine he suddenly thinks it can’t thrive here, attendance last year was well above a number of Can-Am & American Assoc. teams. Hoffman, I was hoping to convince the club to do a promo where we could trade our Rapidz gear in for V’s to erase the bad karma of Zip (though I was conflicted on that, my kids bought it for me on my birthday last year), but I’ll be sure to bring it if I’m down that way, GREAT ballpark you’ve got!
Try to stay positive guys, nothing comes out of “can’t”. As the patron saint of lost causes (2 years ago, I bought a drive-in theatre near Ottawa – here’s my own shameless plug – check out our website http://www.portelmsleydrivein.com – we open May 8), we’re only a couple crackpots like me away (and a couple more with money to burn) from Can-Am 2010. “It can’t work” leads to nothing. “How can we make it work?” leads to discussion, creativity, and a fighting chance.
Robin Collins said
a funny thing, the Lynx website is still active!
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t501
grab a couple of screenshots before someone figures it out.
Noel Baca said
First and formost I would like to thank all of the great people and baseball fans in Ottawa that supported and fought to bring baseball back. Ottawa was a great city that had so much potential. As one of many players I won’t be first to admit that the stadium is one of the best that I’ve had the pleasure playing in. Now that we have all got the news that there will no longer be a team returning that the possibility of tearing down the stadium is a sad thought. I loved the city and all the fans that came out to support us. The city of Ottawa will always have a special place in my heart for more reasons than just baseball. So with that, again thank you all for your support!
May God Bless,
Noel
Dave said
What a class individual Noel is. Its a shame we won’t be seeing him pitch for Ottawa this year.
Thank you Noel & good luck in your future plans.
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