Atlantic League Looking to Build in Loudoun County, VA?
By Joe McDonald on May 30, 2009
The group behind three Altlantic League teams is apparently looking for a fourth with the formation of the Kincora Baseball Advisory Board, looking to build a stadium in Loudoun County, VA.
The board – which consists of Harmon Killebrew, Peter Kirk, Brooks Robinson, Dr. Tom Songster and John Horshok, who has been named chairman of the board – will explore building a 5,500 seat stadium by 2011.
“This is a significant opportunity for all Loudoun County residents. Minor league baseball is unique in offering family affordable fun,” Horshok said in a press release. “To be able to offer it to the community without using any public funds distinguishes this project as a wonderful chance to promote the community in a very special way-minor league baseball is a lightning rod for fun.”
Despite the economy, the Atlantic League is still drawing fans with a Long Island Ducks enjoying its 4 millionth fan at last night’s game. According to league CEO Frank Boulton, the league attendance is only down because of the poor weather in the Northeast and not the economy.
“The casual fan will go to a baseball game and we have a lot of casual baseball fans,” Boulton said. “Part of it is that the fans are close to the action and if you are not a baseball fan, you will always have fun. Minor league baseball has a license to have a little bit more fun.”
Actually the economy may have enhanced minor league baseball with families looking for cheaper alternatives, which the Atlantic League affords fans.
If a team is put into Virginia, the Atlantic League will go back to the Road Warrior format, unless it either expands to 10 teams or drops a franchise. In the past, Atlantic City and Nashua were moved to the Can-Am League, while Newark almost folded this past winter.
Yet, the league has explored expansion into markets such as Nassau County, the Meadowlands, and Yonkers.
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