Article in the Star-Telegram sports page this morning:
FWST: Cats and LaGrave Field part ways
Sure doesn't sound great for the future of the team, but I have to wonder about the future of the stadium and the land.
Posted 05 November 2014 - 10:20 AM
Article in the Star-Telegram sports page this morning:
FWST: Cats and LaGrave Field part ways
Sure doesn't sound great for the future of the team, but I have to wonder about the future of the stadium and the land.
Posted 05 November 2014 - 10:58 AM
Posted 05 November 2014 - 05:23 PM
I believe the other minor league teams in the area all play in government built and owned stadiums. If the City of Fort Worth isn't willing to put up some money, the Cats won't be here long.
Posted 05 November 2014 - 10:36 PM
I don't think the city of Fort Worth is in any position to put up money for a baseball field given recent financial problems. I also don't think that it is the business of city governments to subsidize sports businesses, but that is going to continue until a statewide law prohibits the practice (good luck).
Posted 06 November 2014 - 09:22 AM
Posted 06 November 2014 - 11:57 AM
I believe the stadium in Grand Prairie is city-owned, but the one in Frisco is privately owned. Could be wrong.
Posted 16 November 2014 - 12:59 PM
Putting a minor league team in the middle of nothing was a terrible idea. There's no draw to that area and no local consumer base to draw from. I would venture a guess that the only reason most people in Tarrant County know where LaGrave Field is would be because it's the place to park for free for jury duty. The Cats would do far better moving into a thoroughly residential area in FW or a neighboring suburb where it could use a public field and draw consumers out of the nearby communities.
Posted 16 November 2014 - 04:27 PM
Putting a minor league team in the middle of nothing was a terrible idea. There's no draw to that area and no local consumer base to draw from. I would venture a guess that the only reason most people in Tarrant County know where LaGrave Field is would be because it's the place to park for free for jury duty. The Cats would do far better moving into a thoroughly residential area in FW or a neighboring suburb where it could use a public field and draw consumers out of the nearby communities.
One thing you have to understand about that particular site... there was a time when it wasn't "surrounded by nothing". It was a nice idea to try and bring it back, like the original Panthers/Cats, but the progress of building around the park was slow, much like a lot of other developments in this town, sad to say.
The Cats already played out by Forest Hill (Goldstein Field) and I don't remember too many good reviews from people who went there. The ballpark's location isn't the problem. It's the team's management who's been in the red for a while now.
Posted 16 November 2014 - 08:40 PM
Posted 19 January 2015 - 03:23 AM
http://fwbusinesspre...politics--.aspx
Owner of the field wants to sell the stadium, in particular to the City,but no one is taking the bait.
The Vaqueros are looking for a new home (Farrington?), the Cats sound likely to leave, and Wesleyan is playing games in Grand Prairie.
Posted 19 January 2015 - 10:58 AM
http://fwbusinesspre...politics--.aspx
Owner of the field wants to sell the stadium, in particular to the City,but no one is taking the bait.
The Vaqueros are looking for a new home (Farrington?), the Cats sound likely to leave, and Wesleyan is playing games in Grand Prairie.
Because of the historical value of the site, I'd really hate to see it go neglected...
If no one uses it again, I wonder how it would be used, especially with that section of Panther Island.
Posted 22 January 2015 - 08:26 AM
The only baseball I've ever gotten excited about is Boston based.
Other than that I'd not consider myself a baseball fan; if the Cats had a very large fan base, I'd think the city and the site owner would be more keen on discussing the situation.
Why not utilize the place as a big or BIGGER softball venue? Put up a few lesser fields around the stadium. There's that group of softball / soccer fields just off 30, I'd think a lot of softball junkies playing in between the stockyards and downtown sports bars would be a good mix, a good draw.
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Posted 11 May 2018 - 06:28 PM
Posted 12 May 2018 - 05:47 PM
Posted 13 May 2018 - 02:10 AM
Exciting News, but rebuild the park again? That would be quite an overhaul for next year.
Refurbish the field, repaint and replace graffiti, clean some seats... I don't think it would take that much.
Posted 13 May 2018 - 08:00 AM
I tend to agree with Jeriat. However, I have only seen photographs, and I have not walked through the facility.
Posted 13 May 2018 - 08:48 AM
Posted 13 May 2018 - 10:32 AM
Oh yeah, I forgot about the copper wire.
Posted 13 May 2018 - 06:06 PM
I'm skeptical on the timeline as well, but the fact there is progress is a great sign.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 09:43 AM
BREAKING: The @trwd_water Tarrant Water Board just OK'ed leasing the deteriorating LaGrave Field minor-league ballpark. Director Jim Lane mentioned Dallas' agreement for baseball in Reverchon Park
It looks like TRWD were able to approve a land swap with the owners of LaGrave. I can't find where the new land they own is, but this is a nice step!
Posted 17 July 2018 - 09:49 AM
Is this simply that Dallas will also have a team in a startup league?
Here's a reference: https://en.wikipedia...sional_Baseball
It shows teams for Waco, Royse City, Dallas, and Joplin, MO. Sounds like Fort Worth will soon be added. The league is supposed to start play next season.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 09:54 AM
Director Jim Lane mentioned Dallas' agreement for baseball in Reverchon Park
Help me unpack this? What does it mean?
https://www.nbcdfw.c...-487156051.html
Posted 17 July 2018 - 10:42 AM
I wish FW would join the league that Cleburne is associated with. I went to one of their games and it was pretty fun. Would be nice to develop a fun rivalry with them.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 11:51 AM
Is this simply that Dallas will also have a team in a startup league?
Here's a reference: https://en.wikipedia...sional_Baseball
It shows teams for Waco, Royse City, Dallas, and Joplin, MO. Sounds like Fort Worth will soon be added. The league is supposed to start play next season.
Heard about the future Dallas team a couple weeks ago on 105.3 the Fan. Good for them, but Riverchon has a lot of work to do... even more so than LaGrave.
Good step in the right direction for the Cats, but I'm really hoping we get an MLB affiliation at some point.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 01:06 PM
Gotta walk before you can run.
It would be interesting to get, say, the Astros AA affiliate- it would put a wrinkle in the Silver Boot Series and possibly spur (see what I did there?) a Double A series between Frisco and Fort Worth.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 02:40 PM
Posted 17 July 2018 - 02:45 PM
Gotta walk before you can run.
It would be interesting to get, say, the Astros AA affiliate- it would put a wrinkle in the Silver Boot Series and possibly spur (see what I did there?) a Double A series between Frisco and Fort Worth.
OMG YES!
Posted 17 July 2018 - 03:08 PM
If I can secure a franchise in, for instance, SWLPB, for the 2019 season, I would prioritize the renovations to the stadium. First would be getting the plumbing in the public restrooms repaired and in good working order, next would be to make perhaps 1/2 of the public seating areas clean, safe and functional (and possibly fencing off other areas). If necessary I'd bring in portables for the administrative offices, and use food trucks for concessions during the first season of operation. Ideally the scoreboard would be fixed, but if not I would think an app could be developed that would display pitch-by-pitch score info to people's phones in real time. (I bet something like that already exists; they would just need to feed it.)
I'm imagining some of the promotions you could do with a half-renovated zombie stadium. It could be a lot of fun.
Posted 17 July 2018 - 03:36 PM
We have couple expansion clubs coming to MLB, as well, sometime within the next 7 years.
Posted 18 July 2018 - 07:57 AM
We have couple expansion clubs coming to MLB, as well, sometime within the next 7 years.
Posted 18 July 2018 - 08:42 AM
I didn't see that Jeriat was saying an MLB team would land in Fort Worth; I took it to mean that if the Cats (or whatever name is chosen) can be established, they might be able to hook up with one of the expansion teams as part of their farm system (as opposed to being an independent team).
Posted 18 July 2018 - 08:49 AM
Posted 18 July 2018 - 10:01 AM
Why not reuse the stadium for a year round venue such as a tennis complex that could be used by the public and could be the site of a professional tennis tour. The stadium could also be refitted at times to stage cycling tournaments, volleyball tournaments, etc.
The better use of the stadium site, IMO, is for it to be a place where the public can be a participant in its use instead of a spectator of the traditional sport categories. I can't come up with all the possible uses, but something that is prep/collegiate that would draw teams and their supporters to the City in competition events.
Posted 18 July 2018 - 11:38 AM
We have couple expansion clubs coming to MLB, as well, sometime within the next 7 years.
I don’t think DFW and especially the FW part will ever get an MLB expansion team. No way the MLB will allow 2 teams in the same county, especially when the original team doesn’t even sell out. Sorry Jeriat.
I didn't see that Jeriat was saying an MLB team would land in Fort Worth; I took it to mean that if the Cats (or whatever name is chosen) can be established, they might be able to hook up with one of the expansion teams as part of their farm system (as opposed to being an independent team).
Yeah, I was saying that the MLB was focused on 2 expansion franchises within the next decade, which is what commissioner Manfred stated a few months back, preferably Portland and Montreal.
Fort Worth's shot at an MLB team came and went when the Rangers announced they were building their new park right across the street. IF DFW ever got another team, it would be on the Dallas side of the Metroplex for sure.
Posted 20 July 2018 - 04:44 PM
I'm happy to read that the TRWD is making deals such as this that aim to do more good in the heart of Fort Worth. There will certainly be naysayers "you're in the water business, stay out of city-building..." Ok, fine, however, if they can inject life into an otherwise dead, unproductive part of the city, and, over time improve the taxable value of the property (and drive sales taxes along the way), and support meaningful, broad-audience events such as sports, GREAT!!!
Now to the soccer opportunity in Fort Worth, and at LaGrave, specifically:
Seems there could be a good soccer opportunity at La Grave again too. I remember the Vaqueros used to play there. They are still playing at Farrington Field right?
Short term opportunity: allow minor soccer-specific adjustments to the field for Vaqueros.
Guessing would want an extra set of affordable/ easy-to-move bleachers that get pulled up to the soccer sidelines so not so far back as baseball seats - make it feel more complete.
Next 5 years opportunity:
Get a USL franchise to Fort Worth
Since USA Soccer is so fluid - teams coming/going, leagues changing constantly, it seems Fort Worth is in a good position to look to grow the Vaqueros into a higher tier team. Dont know if would have to be a "new" team or could use same name. And I'm clueless about requirements to get a franchise - capital investment, etc etc. Anyone know size of investment that's typical for USL, MLS? Seems the teams often partner with and use existing stadiums, and don't build soccer specific fields like they do in MLS.
Here's link to info on USA soccer where can read about the different tiers of leagues:
https://en.wikipedia...r_league_system
10 year opportunity:
MLS franchise. Would require a soccer-specific field or probably renovation of existing such as Farrington (if could avoid disrupting the original design).
Check out the LA Galaxy new stadium - is awesome - NOT suggesting we do that to a historic stadium, BTW.
Posted 20 July 2018 - 10:53 PM
Now to the soccer opportunity in Fort Worth, and at LaGrave, specifically:
Seems there could be a good soccer opportunity at La Grave again too. I remember the Vaqueros used to play there. They are still playing at Farrington Field right?
Short term opportunity: allow minor soccer-specific adjustments to the field for Vaqueros.
Guessing would want an extra set of affordable/ easy-to-move bleachers that get pulled up to the soccer sidelines so not so far back as baseball seats - make it feel more complete.
They're playing in Farrington with plans to move into their new facility on Texas Wesleyan's campus with the football team.
Next 5 years opportunity:
Get a USL franchise to Fort Worth
10 year opportunity:
MLS franchise. Would require a soccer-specific field or probably renovation of existing such as Farrington (if could avoid disrupting the original design).
Check out the LA Galaxy new stadium - is awesome - NOT suggesting we do that to a historic stadium, BTW.
Yeah... I highly doubt we get an MLS franchise.
USL would be right up this city's alley, and personally, I can see this current Vaqueros club growing into that. Also, I've always thought of converting Farrington into a Soccer Specific Stadium but doing exactly what TCU did:
Keep about 20% of the original and completely overhauling the rest.
I've mentioned that on a thread a loooooong time ago, but you get the point. I still just see USL being more likely than MLS for us.
Posted 21 July 2018 - 04:07 PM
On a side note the address that the owner/swapper (Panther Acquisitions) is based at is an absolute mansion.
Posted 21 July 2018 - 04:31 PM
On a side note the address that the owner/swapper (Panther Acquisitions) is based at is an absolute mansion.
The guy who owned LaGrave moved to Houston... so that might be his brand new McMansion.
Posted 26 July 2018 - 10:31 PM
Jeriat, thanks for posting. I couldn't remember where the proposed new field for the Vaqueros was.
I'm no expert on this but seems that for a city to get a franchise, it needs: 1) a well capitalized owner who wants to make it happen, 2) clearance from the league (Frisco is plenty far away) and 3) a facility, typically subsidized by the community in some way.
Posted 02 August 2018 - 09:16 AM
I continue to believe that the property could be used for something other than a minor baseball park; and that the Panther Island should cater to the GenX/X-game sports.
How about something like this from Frisco, Texas?
https://www.google.c...QoiowEnoECAoQCQ
Posted 02 August 2018 - 09:27 AM
You know that velodrome is being taken down, right? Some people bought the track (not the land) and are looking for a place to move it to.
Posted 02 August 2018 - 09:29 AM
You know that velodrome is being taken down, right? Some people bought the track (not the land) and are looking for a place to move it to.
Yes, I read that it is a victim of Frisco"s insatiable appetite for commercial development. P.I. could be an ideal place to relocate to, right?
Posted 02 August 2018 - 09:43 AM
PI should be a place for an insatiable appetite for development.
Posted 02 August 2018 - 10:46 AM
PI should be a place for an insatiable appetite for development.
So logically, there should not be parks in P.I., just offices and apartments.
Posted 02 August 2018 - 10:47 AM
You know that velodrome is being taken down, right? Some people bought the track (not the land) and are looking for a place to move it to.
Yes, I read that it is a victim of Frisco"s insatiable appetite for commercial development. P.I. could be an ideal place to relocate to, right?
It's basically a volunteer/non-profit group that's going to find a new location for the velodrome. They're more inclined to find some land in a non-desireable area (probably out in the country outside of town where acreage is cheaper) than to locate it in an area that's rapidly growing (and expensive to buy land). If a donor in PI wanted to host the velodrome that would be great, but I don't think the group looking to relocate the velodrome wants a high cost piece of land.
For some perspective, cyclists in Ft Worth who want to ride on the velodrome track have been driving to Frisco... so if it were located in, say, Justin, because the land is cheaper there, they'll drive there. If you build it, they will come.
PI should be a place for an insatiable appetite for development.
So logically, there should not be parks in P.I., just offices and apartments.
Well, you know, well-developed parks would be okay.
Posted 02 August 2018 - 10:58 AM
It's basically a volunteer/non-profit group that's going to find a new location for the velodrome. They're more inclined to find some land in a non-desireable area (probably out in the country outside of town where acreage is cheaper) than to locate it in an area that's rapidly growing (and expensive to buy land). If a donor in PI wanted to host the velodrome that would be great, but I don't think the group looking to relocate the velodrome wants a high cost piece of land.
For some perspective, cyclists in Ft Worth who want to ride on the velodrome track have been driving to Frisco... so if it were located in, say, Justin, because the land is cheaper there, they'll drive there. If you build it, they will come.
This is all predicated on thinking of other alternate ways to use LaGrave Field instead of the tried but unsuccessful minor baseball use. The facility could be design with the flexibility to host other events, (skating, extreme obstacle courses, etc.) From your comments, there does appear to be demand coming from local cyclists.
And well something like this -
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