With only 2 weeks remaining in the season, there is still one spot left up for grabs in the CFL playoffs. The race for the top seed in the West Division remains tight after BC’s win last week, with the Blue Bombers and Lions tied at 12 wins each – Winnipeg has 2 games left while BC only has 1 remaining. Friday the 13th proved unlucky for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, as they fell to the BC Lions 33-30 on a last-second field goal – the clock had seemingly gone to zero and the home crowd was gearing up for overtime, but the refs determined there was 1 second left on the clock, allowing the Lions to attempt the go-ahead score. Fortunately for Hamilton fans, however, the Ti-Cats had already clinched a playoff berth weeks ago, leaving them still in the hunt for the Grey Cup despite Friday night’s loss. The Tiger-Cats are currently sitting third in the East Division, several games ahead of the hapless Redblacks, who lost to the top-seed-in-the-East Toronto Argonauts last week. The last playoff spot left is the third seed in the West – if the Roughriders can manage to beat the Argos this week the spot will be theirs, but a loss opens the door for either the Elks or Stampeders. Saskatchewan, Edmonton, and Calgary are all well below five hundred on the season, with the Roughriders having the best record of the three at 6 and 11.

Brett Chaves, the Director of Communication for the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and the new New England expansion team in the Frontier League, talks about the plans for two teams in Brockton for 2024. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv.

The Australian Baseball League has announced the 2023/24 season will see a return to a six- team league with 2018 expansion teams Auckland Tuatara and Geelong-Korea to cease operations. Auckland in particular had a strained relationship with the ABL over the past few years, however a myriad of lockdowns and border entry conditions heavily impacted both teams. Neither participated in the shortened 2020/21 season, and with the threat of further Covid restrictions, the ABL ultimately suspended the 2021/22 season. The 2022/23 season saw the Adelaide Giants win their first Championship in the ABL era, defeating perennial contenders Perth Heat 2-1 in the best-of-three series. However, the league struggled to get fans back to the ballpark. With the exception of Melbourne Aces, all teams experienced lower than usual attendance, particularly the beleaguered Sydney Blue Sox who struggled on and off the diamond under their new owners. Their tumultuous seasons has ultimately led to another change in ownership. Fans are cautiously optimistic that a return to baseball-centric owners will result in an improved fan experience for 2023/24. With the withdrawal of the Tuatara and Geelong-Korea, the league has discarded the short- lived conference system. All teams will play each other home and away in a 40-game season. Opening Day is set for November 17, with the regular season concluding on January 21. The top 4 teams will qualify for the post-season which starts on January 26. The top ranked team will host the fourth ranked team in a best-of-three, with the second ranked team hosting the third ranked team. The winner of each of these series will then vie for the Claxton Shield, scheduled for the weekend of February 2-4. 2023/24 Opening Round Brisbane @ Adelaide Perth @ Melbourne Canberra @ Sydney

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey I thought I was attending a regular season baseball game between the Thrillville Thrillbillies and the Jackson Rockabillies at Marion Stadium this past Wednesday night. However, I soon learned it was an exhibition game dubbed The inaugural Thrillbillies Tighty Bowl. The game featured a different setup for the 9-innings of play that resembled some of the unusual rules I saw at the Savannah Bananas game a few weeks ago in Indianapolis. Rather than 9-10 unique rules, each inning played differently. A few of them worked rather well and went along swiftly. An on-field MC was on the field to entertain the crowd while continuous music flowed through the speaker during the game. The Thrillbillies mascot having some fun with toilet paper with the crowd. The game featured a different setup for the 9-innings of play that resembled some of the rules I saw at the Savannah Bananas game a few weeks in Indianapolis; instead of 9-10 unique rules, each inning played a bit differently. A few rules worked well and went along swiftly for the crowd entertained by an MC and constant music played throughout the game. The first two winnings worked out very well. The team started off the game under The Wimbleton Inning. All hitting and throwing had to be completed by a tennis racquet. Players pitched from a serve, and batters could smack the tennis ball on the bounce. Outfielders then had to catch with one hand or throw to a base for an out. It included a lucky fan taking an at-bat. A Jackson Rockabillies player swings at a tennis ball with a racquet during the first inning of play The second inning had every member of the team on the field. While batters put the ball into play due to no pitcher on the mound, and a foul ball caught in the stands is out. The Thrillbillies mascot and Sud Mobile weaved in and out of the players in the outfield during the inning of play. A few other innings had the players swap baseball for kickball. They slid into each base on a Slip n Slide doused with foam from the Sud Mobile. It was a constant presence for most of the evening as the truck sprayed a gun full of foam onto the first few seats of the grandstand, dousing everyone (including myself). A few players had some solid boots, but sliding into a sea of foam and being soaked with a ball was thrilling to watch. Safe at home during the kickball game What didn't work were a few innings that took some time to set up and caused heavy delays. The Battle of the Sexes game was fun and exciting, but both teams had to bring in makeshift plastic walls when it was their time to play by the softball rules. The saving grace, and perhaps the most viewed by the fans, was a high school junior striking out three college players, although she gave up two home runs. However, her performance wowed the crowd to the future Western Illinois pitcher. The Giveaway Inning, where four business reps from the community would run for batters as they tried to win a lucky fan a prize grill or black diamond innings, also featured three pitchers on the mound. Let the Fans Hit inning was a great idea, but it took a bit longer to select fans from the stands and then get them to play. A local high school junior struck out three players, despite giving up two home runs in her one inning of work. I have to give the T-Billies management credit; they were creating something fun and exciting for the fan base, even though many probably did not know what to expect. Just like with anything new, there is bound to be some tinkering with the rules in the future. By the time the last inning was played, in complete darkness with players decked out in glow sticks, the gimmick had worn off a bit. The Thrillbillies management earns credit for pulling off such an elaborate display of baseball shenanigans. Throughout the game, the suds mobile blasted fans, the dance team entertained patrons between innings, and many walked onto the field during events to mingle with the players for access, unlike anytime else at a ballpark. The last inning was a total blackout and played in the dark; players worked reflective suites After the game, the Tighty Bowl trophy was awarded to the Thrillbillies, who hosted the underwear cup-shaped trophy up into the air. The two teams would play again tomorrow night under Prospect League rules. However, tonight might have been the start of something in Marion. A game that could take place annually or bi-annually that will no doubt look a little different the next time the Thrillbillies take the field. It was exciting and thrilling, and when it moved smoothly, it was a marvelous spectacle. I will look forward to the next go around. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

The “Fastest Short Track on the Planet” is finally set to be on the big stage. On Tuesday, it was announced that the Iowa Speedway will host a NASCAR Cup Series race for the very first time. The NASCAR-owned track is located in Newton, Iowa, about 35 miles east of Des Moines. The announcement, made by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, NASCAR Hall of Famer and track designer of the Iowa Speedway, Rusty Wallace, NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski, and many other luminaries was the culmination of a long wait by NASCAR fans in Iowa who had heard rumors of a Cup race since the speedway’s opening. The 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway opened in 2006 and has hosted numerous races over the years. Currently, the track is home to an ARCA Menards race (Calypso Lemonade 150) in June, and a two-race IndyCar weekend in July. The speedway had previously hosted NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 2009-2019, but the 2020 race was canceled due to Covid and the race league hasn’t returned since. The Cup race, expected to bring in about $100 million to the surrounding community, will be part of a three-day race weekend in June, 2024. The event will begin with an ARCA Menards race on Friday, June 14, followed by an Xfinity race on Saturday, June 15, and the Cup race on Sunday, June 16. Follow my sports journeys on Twitter and Instagram: @stadiumjwriter

Wrestlers, the new seven-part docuseries, is the best thing I’ve seen on Netflix. Director Greg Whiteley raised the bar with his stellar Last Chance U series, and he surpasses it with Wrestlers. As the title suggests, Whiteley chronicles the up and down, rough and tumble existence of professional wrestlers. In Wrestlers, indie wrestling promotion OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling), located in the Louisville area, takes center stage. It’s a no-frills, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation, a world away from the glamour of the WWE and the AEW. It’s a good night for OVW if the turnbuckles work, and the wrestlers receive gas money. They do it for the love of “the sport,” and the squared circle is the one place where they feel like they matter. And… if they kill it at OVW, there’s a chance they can make it to the big time. John Cena and Dave Bautista are OVW alums. As far as pro wrestling, it has all been documented before in one form or another, but not like this - with the Whiteley touch. Whiteley is a gifted storyteller with a nose for nuance. Whiteley gets the wrestlers to open up and go to some dark places on camera without feeling exploitative. When the wrestlers do grapple, it means so much, much more than a predetermined match. And Whiteley’s expert camera crew makes the action look terrifically cinematic. Lastly, there are some wonderful montages set to music. Styx’s Come Sail Away has never sounded so good. Ditto for Bowie’s Major Tom. Unlike other indie promotions, OVW produces a weekly television show, which is expensive. Indeed, at the start of Wrestlers, the television show is on the cusp of shutting down. As a Hail Mary, partners with means have been brought in. The most outspoken partner is Matt Jones, a popular sports radio talk show host. Jones means well, but he rubs some of the wrestlers, including OVW’s leader, Al Snow, the wrong way with his aggressive demeanor. Snow is a familiar name to wrestling fans. In his heyday, Snow was known for his schizophrenic character who communicated with a plastic mannequin head. Snow and Jones have their share of disagreements. Snow wants to wrestle with poignant storylines. Jones’ priority is getting eyeballs and butts in the seats. Amid all this, Jones is dealing with a serious health issue, and Snow is playing the stone-faced high school principal with OVW’s motley crew of grapplers. Hollywood Haley J and her mother, The Amazing Maria James, are two of the most compelling wrestlers featured. They’ve had their issues. Haley spent much of her youth couch surfing because her mother was locked up. Now, she has a boulder on her shoulder and a mission to make the WWE. When these two face off against each other in the ring, it’s art imitating life - or vice versa. Either way, it’s powerful stuff. I’m no fan of spoilers, so I won’t say how it all ends. However, Whiteley brings Wrestlers to a satisfying end, while still leaving viewers wanting more. Wrestlers is more than deserving of a Season 2. Jon Hart is @manversusball

Photos Courtesy of the Savannah Bananas Team owner Jesse Cole, who is at all games in a bright yellow tuxedo, believes this was the ideal time to play for the first time in front of a live audience. Due to COVID-19, the club had to become creative with things at the ballpark, even turning away 50,000 fans due to capacity restrictions at Grayson Stadium. “The first time the Bananas played the game with actual players was two years ago against a few different colleges. The college players said it was the most fun ever playing baseball; from that time, we began testing it, and tonight we tested it in front of our fans. When we put the game on sale in May, it shut down our servers and sold out in minutes. They are fired up to see what this game is all about.” Most of the rules would make baseball traditionalists blush with a game prohibiting mound visits and bunting (a player will be ejected), stealing of first base on a passed ball, and if a batter steps out of the box (a strike is called). There are also no walks allowed, which means that on a fourth ball, the player can sprint to as many bases, while the catcher throws the ball to every positioned player. When the last fielder catches it, he can fire it to the proper base to tag the runner out. The rules were developed to help speed up the game and add a little punch to the night’s proceedings. “We played this on Tuesday, and I have never seen the players more into it,” Cole added.” There was a strategy, and it turned into a bang, bang play at third. The catcher fires the ball to first, second, short, and third. The fielders are moving; the runner is rounding second and then throws the ball to the left field, right field, center field, and then to third for a play. It was wild and pretty crazy.” The first game of Banana Ball was an inter-squad game that pitted the Yellow Bananas versus the Green Bananas. The first inning witnessed many of these rules, including the sprint to first on ball four, resulting in a four-base score for the green team. After the inning, the score was 4-1 for the road team, but in this crazy game, a 1-point lead for the visitors. That is because of every inning counting (the first rule in the game). The objective is to be the first team to score five points. It is accomplished by scoring the most runs per inning. If the home team is behind heading into their half of the inning, they can end it with a walk-off victory. If no team reaches the five-point mark by the end of 9 innings or 2 hours of play, it goes into a 1-1 showdown tiebreaker. Cole describes the tiebreaker as similar to penalty kicks in soccer and came up with the idea after stories of Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige ordering his position players off the field in hopes of striking the batter out. “This is one of the wildest things, you have the pitcher versus the hitter, and nobody is in the field; the hitter has to score. The pitcher can strike him out, get him to pop up, or there can be a play at the plate. It’s unbelievably exciting; both teams are standing on top of the dugout going crazy.” Tonight’s game ended in such fashion, with the Green Bananas scoring 4 points heading into the tie-breaker. Needing only one point to secure victory, the green club smacked a liner (after the first batter walked) into the outfield for the walk-off win. Since they were all members of the home team, there was much celebration from everyone at the stadium. With only a few innings of the new rules being implemented, the rest of the game appeared to mirror a regular baseball game at the historic ballpark. The usual pre-game and in-between inning activities were on display from the baby banana ceremony, the Banana Nana's dance team, and the first pitch of a banana instead of a ball. This season, the club added a grandma coach who brings out a tray of tea and cookies, a luchador (professional wrestler) coach, fire breathers, stilt walkers, and a circus performer. Cole added that the club is still putting on a show and, despite the smaller crowd, the atmosphere looked and sounded just as boisterous as any other night where sell-out crowds are the norm. “I wouldn't be surprised if we play again sometime this summer based on the initial response and the buzz. There could be a demand to play the game in the fall or next year. When you tell guys that the game’s going to be fast-paced and within two hours, they're going to be out here. The idea of having an action-packed game with walk-offs and showmanship, the players are fired up about it.” Banana Ball may or may not take over the local ballpark, but it is the type of game that could make for a nice diversion from the national pastime. The Bananas organization is happy to be back playing ball this summer and adding a sense of normalcy to the community, no matter what type of baseball is played on the diamond. Baseball is back. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. You can also contact him at Marc.Viquez@StadiumJourney.com

Photo courtesy of Spurs Sports & Entertainment On Thursday, August 3 the five-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs announced a new naming rights partner in Frost Bank. Starting with the 2023-24 season, the formerly named AT&T Center will be known as the Frost Bank Center. “We believe in San Antonio – it’s our hometown,” said Frost Chairman and CEO Phil Green in a news release. “We want this relationship with the Spurs to demonstrate our unwavering sense of pride for San Antonio’s rich history and its bright future.” The change comes after the former naming rights partner, AT&T, sold their minority stake in the Spurs in 2021. They agreed to a one-year naming rights extension for the 2022-23 season while the ball club sought out a new partner. Frost Bank is the Spurs oldest business partner, with a relationship dating back 50 years. “The longevity and success of both the Spurs and Frost Bank are rooted in our shared values of integrity, caring, and excellence,” Green said. “These values ultimately help strengthen and shape our entire community. For 50 years, we have been proud to be a sponsor and a partner with the Spurs. Por Vida. Go Spurs Go!” The Spurs and Frost Bank first began their partnership in 1973 when the bank provided the necessary financing to move the then-Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA to the Alamo City. The unique partnership helped pave the way for the Spurs unprecedented run of success in San Antonio. Frost Bank has been a continued major corporate partner over the years, including being the Spurs first jersey patch partner from 2018-19 through the 2021-22 season (the Austin-based financial institution Self is the current partner) and serving as an integral component to Rock at La Cantera, the Spurs new state-of-the-art performance center and entertainment district. “We’re so excited to bring together two of San Antonio’s most treasured brands in a new and meaningful way to represent our community,” said R.C. Buford, Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO. “Fifty years ago, our two organizations envisioned the potential of what a professional sports team could mean for our community, and it is only fitting that we’re joining efforts to welcome fans into the home of the San Antonio Spurs.” Photo courtesy of Spurs Sports & Entertainment The 2023-24 season promises to be one of renewed excitement for the Spurs – having landed the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the team saw a surge in season-ticket purchases. The newly christened Frost Bank Center will add to the excitement with several new features in time for the new season, including the Frost Club complete with a “Puro Meter” corridor mural, as well as a game-day interactive light show that changes with the volume of fan noise inside the arena. “Aligning the Frost and Spurs names in such a major way celebrates both our enduring presence in Texas and our shared commitment to communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Buford.

After months of speculation, Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) has announced a double-header at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, will kick off the 2024 season. CEO of the NRL, Andrew Abdo, confirmed four clubs will make the trip to the US: Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney Rabbitohs, and Sydney Roosters, with the games scheduled to kick off on March 2, which coincides with a Sunday afternoon broadcast into Australia. The matches will be the first ever regular season games staged outside of Australia and New Zealand. Abdo stated that the 2024 Las Vegas season opener would form the centrepiece of an “Australia Week” showcasing Australia to the US. Allegiant Stadium, Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey He went on to say: “We are now working collaboratively with the four clubs to finalise arrangements for the proposed matches in Las Vegas and make this a blockbuster event for fans by maximising travel, attendance, and enjoyment of a unique rugby league experience. Rugby league will be on a stage which the sport has simply never been on before and we look forward to giving all clubs the opportunity in coming years.” Reports suggest the Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs were strategic inclusions given their high-profile supporters include the likes of Hugh Jackman (Manly) and Russell Crowe (South Sydney), which will assist in marketing the event. However, cynics are well aware that the NRL’s enthusiasm for Vegas is a bid to cash in on the explosion of legalised sports betting in America rather than to grow the sport of rugby league. Australians are among the biggest gamblers in the world, but recently there have been calls for the federal government to implement tougher regulations, particularly around advertising during live sport broadcasts. The last big-time rugby league match to be staged in North America was an international between New Zealand and England, held in 2018 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. However, the event was a financial disaster which resulted in the national bodies of NZ and England eventually writing off debts worth more than $300,000 each. Rugby league is a similar but separate sport to its better-known cousin, rugby union – however its popularity is largely limited to Australia, New Zealand, England, and the Pacific Islands.

On September 3, the city of Pawtucket held “The Final Inning” at McCoy Stadium, an event to give fans one last chance to visit the old ballpark before it is knocked down to make way for a new high school. The event featured food trucks, live music, and family activities throughout the day. As part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival, the day concluded with fireworks, which were a Labor Day tradition at the ballpark. About 3,000 people attended the party, reminiscing, sharing stories, and snapping photos. Sounds like a great way to say goodbye to a local institution, doesn’t it? But wait, there’s a twist in this tale. Billionaire real estate scion Stefan Soloviev has come forward to express his interest in buying and fixing McCoy Stadium. Soloviev is the chairman of the Soloviev Group and is worth $2.3 billion, per Forbes. He is the son of real estate tycoon Sheldon Solov, who passed away in 2020. Soloviev, who attended the University of Rhode Island, became interested in the property through his son Quentin. “I’m hopefully optimistic that I can pull this off,” he said. “It’s up to the people of Rhode Island at the end of the day, but on my end, I think I can take care of it.” Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has publicly stated that saving McCoy Stadium is “off the table” because city voters overwhelmingly approved a $300 million bond measure to demolish the stadium to make way for a new high school. Pawtucket’s two high schools, William E. Tolman and Charles E. Shea were built in 1926 and 1938, respectively. In this writer’s opinion, Mr. Soloviev would be better served spending his money elsewhere. This may be a surprising opinion from someone who wrote “I Never Got To Say Goodbye.” However, times change, attitudes change, and opinions change. McCoy Stadium has been sitting idle, with little to no maintenance or upkeep, since 2019. A study done while it was still a functional ballpark estimated it would take upwards of $68 million to modernize and renovate the facility. That price has only gone up since then. In addition, affiliated minor league baseball will not be coming back to Pawtucket. Under MiLB’s territorial rules, Pawtucket (and neighboring Providence) fall under the territory of the Worcester Red Sox, since Worcester County and Providence County abut. No new team could relocate to McCoy Stadium without WooSox’ approval. That’s just not going to happen. That leaves independent ball or summer college ball as the only viable options. The New England League and Futures League both operate in the area, but neither of them could adequately fill a 10,000-seat ballpark. Two Indy Leagues, the Atlantic and Frontier Leagues, have footprints that could easily reach Rhode Island, but again, a 10,000-seat dinosaur of a park is just too big for those circuits. Soloviev believes he could get an independent team to move to McCoy. Soloviev has reportedly offered the city $1 million more than the appraised value of McCoy Stadium. Local baseball fans, including the grandniece of former Pawtucket Mayor Thomas P. McCoy (the stadium’s namesake), have launched online petitions, one of which is approaching 3,000 signatures. McCoy made her latest plea before the city council on September 6. In this author’s opinion, if Mr. Soloviev wants to sink millions of dollars into a Rhode Island ballpark, he’d be better served to build a new 5,000-seat park in Providence with all the modern amenities teams ask for today. The price tag would be similar. Also, the city of Pawtucket could use a modern High School to replace its two century-old buildings. Renovating McCoy Stadium is unlikely to attract a new team, and even less likely to host one that is successful. As much as McCoy is beloved in Rhode Island, it’s time to let go.

The QMJHL has decided to take measures to eliminate fighting. Is this a good thing, and will other leagues follow suit? Could this be the end of fighting in hockey? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv.

Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC An Orlando group led by Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams is pushing for a Major League Baseball franchise in Orlando. First announced in 2019, the Orlando Dreamers would be either an MLB expansion franchise or a relocated Tampa Bay Rays team situated right in the heart of Orlando's tourism corridor. Williams unveiled plans for a 45,000-seat stadium complex, loaded on a 35+ acre tract of land across the street from SeaWorld Orlando, next to their Aquatica waterpark. Situated off International Drive near the intersection of I-4 and SR-528, the site would also include 6,700 parking spaces in garages as well as office spaces and a 1,000-room hotel. The stadium would also have a walkover bridge to connect to a proposed SunRail station at the adjacent Orange County Convention Center. Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC The timing of the announced proposal comes after the Oakland Athletics announced they would be moving to Las Vegas to a new stadium there. Tampa Bay continues to hang in the balance with several stadium proposals having fallen through over the past few years. "This market is growing rapidly and growing in all four directions. They tell us a thousand people a day are moving to Central Florida and that doesn't take into account that this year there'll be 80 million visitors," Williams said. "If we do this, [Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings] said, this ballpark has to be a tourist attraction unto itself. He said people from around the world are going to have to put this on their 'checklist.'" Williams' group filed an official motion with Orange County, Florida to request funding for the stadium. Funding would come from a mix of public and private money. The initial price tag for the project sits at $1.7 billion, with $700 million coming from private funding. The remaining $975 million would be funded by a 30-year municipal bond paid for by Orange County's Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. No additional funding for the stadium or its daily operation would be required or requested from government sources beyond this initial requested investment. "This stadium would make us the leading candidate for the next MLB franchise. Best media market, best stadium, best location...we have everything here in Orlando," said Williams. "You don't get many chances to add a professional sports franchise to your community. If we don't act now, we may never have this opportunity again." A report by JLL, a national professional services firm hired by the Williams group, states that construction would result in 20,000 jobs and boost the region's economy by $2.7 billion. Once finished, the stadium would increase jobs by 25,000 and generate an annual economic output of $1.16 billion per year to Orange County. Potential growth includes additional events at the stadium, including potential spring training games. “Orlando has proven in the years since the Magic began playing in 1989 that it is every bit a big league sports town,” said Williams. “The Orlando Magic is as popular as ever, soccer fans have embraced the Orlando City Lions, and now it’s time to step up to the plate and make baseball happen, too." Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC

Professional sports have been a part of life in Detroit dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons have brought both joy and agony to fans and residents of the Motor City. City of Champions, a new book by Stefan Szymanski and Silke-Maria Weineck, makes the case that sports have played a major role in many aspects of daily life in Detroit. They argue that in many ways, the city’s history with the four main major league teams is closely linked to political power, housing policy, race relations, economic development and financial stability. Each chapter of City of Champions uses a major sports event in the city’s history and links it to how it impacted the city in some way. The chapters are arranged in reverse chronological order, starting with the opening of Little Caesar’s Arena in 2020, and working back to the city’s founding in 1763. This is done to show how past sports events have built the city of Detroit as we know it today. First and foremost, City of Champions is wonderful sports read. The title refers to 1935-1936, when the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings all won the championship in their respective leagues. The authors point to this signature achievement as a force in bringing the city out of the Great Depression, and as an event where Detroit citizens forgot their racial differences, even if it was for a short period of time. The book also looks at the impact of the various team owners have had on the city’s development. Henry Ford was a pioneer in the automobile industry and created the concept of the production line in the mass production of cars. He also was the first business owner to provide healthcare coverage to his workers and to build parks and recreation centers for the city. Unfortunately, he was also antisemitic and a violent union buster who believed in keeping the races separate. The Ford family still owns the Detroit Lions today. Mike Illich made his fortune as the creator of Little Caesars pizza. He was responsible for building many of the sports palaces including Little Caesar’s Arena, as well owning both the Red Wings and the Tigers. As a result, he had a huge influence on zoning issues around the city. Obviously, Detroit is now a very unionized city. It hasn’t always been that way. Henry Ford hired thugs to break up and discourage union formation within the auto industry. In 1952 the Detroit Red Wings powered their way to win the Stanley Cup. Ted Lindsay, a left winger on the team, worked on starting a player’s association in order to have more orderly contracts and to provide medical coverage for players who were permanently injured and could no longer play. He was traded to another team as a result of these efforts. It was many years before the NHL had a player’s association in the NHL. Joe Louis was a sports icon in Detroit, a hometown fighter who went on to win several boxing titles. He also served honorably in the armed forces during World Wat II. He was celebrated in public for these achievements, yet he was shut out of any management positions with the major automakers due to the color of his skin. The Tigers were one of the last teams in the MLB to integrate their lineup. Another chapter of City of Champions investigates the loss of the Lions and the Pistons to stadiums and arenas in the suburbs as a precursor of white flight from Detroit. Detroit’s population has gone down dramatically as a result of both the downturn in the auto industry, as well as white flight. This left the city with greatly reduced tax revenues, resulting in Detroit’s government declaring bankruptcy. The earliest link between sports and the city of Detroit actually dates to 1762. At the time the British maintained a fort in the area. As a sign of friendship, the Iroquois Indians led by Chief Pontiac offered to play a game of lacrosse as a form of entertainment on the Queen’s Birthday Celebration for the British troops garrisoned at the fort. The ball used in the game suddenly was hit out of bounds towards the fort. This was a signal for the Indians to charge on the fort with weapons they had hidden away. In time, the Iroquois turned the fort over to their allies the French. As a result, Detroit became a French settlement. Today, French names on streets, in neighborhoods, and on car brands (think Chevrolet and Pontiac). Today, the city of Detroit’s flag still includes the fleur- de -lis, the symbol of Royal France. These are just a few samples of the links between sports and the city of Detroit. Sports lovers and history buffs will discover many more interesting stories of how Detroit’s history was shaped by sports. We heartily recommend that you add City of Champions to your reading list.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey For the second year in a row, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders in front of sold-out crowds on the east coast of Canada. Last year, the Canadian Football League (CFL) “Touchdown Atlantic” game was held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, which is a small and charming university town along the shores of the Minas Basin. The much anticipated and successful event saw over 10,000 football fans travel to Acadia University’s campus to experience the CFL in Atlantic Canada. This year, the Touchdown Atlantic game was held on the campus of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. It was clear this event was more than a regular season football game between two of the league’s better teams, it was a showcase event for the continued pursuit of an expansion franchise in the Maritime region. The game was featured on national television, current players and mascots made time to engage with the fans, and former CFL stars including Mike “Pinball” Clemons made the trip to help promote the league. As the CFL attempted to promote the league to the local fanbase, the city also made a huge effort in promoting the Maritimes to the CFL and its traveling fans. Huskies Stadium normally holds a capacity of around 2,000 football fans, far too few to host a professional football game that would be featured on national television. The stadium was expanded to seat over 11,000 people with the use of temporary bleachers. Replicas of a lighthouse and fishing boat put a maritime flare on the outskirts of the field. The lawns that surround the stadium were used for pregame tailgating events, featuring food trucks serving traditional local fare, live music, and family friendly activities (including riding a mechanical shark!). Even the beer that was served was from Church Brewery, a Nova Scotia craft brewery from Wolfville. For an unusually large event in a traditionally small venue, the organizers at Huskies Stadium did a fantastic job planning the event. The campus is situated in a low density neighbourhood, normally resulting in traffic delays. But vehicular traffic flowed with minimal disruption, even though parking was in limited supply. Buses shuttled fans to-and-from major transportation nodes around the city. Once you arrived on campus, several well visible signs and maps guided fans to their appropriate entrance into the stadium. After getting through security, certain fans were given wrist bands to signify the areas of the stadium they were allowed. Fans either had tickets to the temporary bleachers, club tickets, or standing room only tickets which were situated off the south endzone. The matter in which the CFL and the city of Halifax proceed with a potential expansion franchise will be interesting to follow. Prior to the pandemic, citizens of Halifax have been debating whether they want a CFL franchise. Halifax already has a supportive fanbase for its local sports. The Halifax Wanderers currently lead the Canadian Premier Soccer League in attendance by a wide margin, and although the Halifax Thunderbirds of the National Lacrosse League play in the smallest venue in the league, they ranked 8th out of 15 franchises in attendance in 2023. Back in 2018, the ownership group heading the expansion team already named the team the Atlantic Schooners, which was the same name as the defunct CFL franchise in the 1980’s that never played a game. During the Touchdown Atlantic’s halftime show, CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie used a football analogy, saying Halifax is “in the red-zone” regarding gaining an expansion franchise. The CFL currently has nine teams, four of them in the eastern conference. It makes sense for a league with weekly games to have an even number of teams to balance the schedule. The biggest obstacle appears to be a lack of a suitable stadium. Two possible existing stadiums have been discussed for expansion. One is Huskies Stadium, the other is Wanderers Field with a current capacity of around 6,500. Currently the smallest CFL venue is the 20,025-seat Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, home of the Montreal Alouettes. The prospect of a new stadium in Halifax has been discussed prior to the pandemic, but a sparingly used stadium does not appear to be financially viable without other tenants. By the end of the fourth quarter, it was clear Touchdown Atlantic showcased the best in professional football to an area that is - almost - ready for their own team. The game sold out quickly, drew fans locally and attracted visitors to the city. Stay tuned for what comes next for the Atlantic Schooners.

The podcast crew discusses some reasons for baseball's decline, as well as some ways to improve the product on the field. Also, have the new rules had the desired effect? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

In this episode we put the "Journey" back in "Stadium Journey." Dan, Marc, Dave and Paul recap their best road trips from the past few months. Our travels take us far off the beaten path. Join us, will you? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

We put the journey back in Stadium Journey. The gang is all here to talk about their most recent travels across the US and Canada! Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

We're joined by Stadium Journey correspondent and longtime security staff person Michael Davis to discuss security issues at our favorite stadiums. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Is there a better pilgrimage in sports than the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum? Quite possibly the best of all of the Halls of Fame, baseball's version is simply referred to as Cooperstown. Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they return to the Obstructed Views set to discuss an must-see spot for all baseball fans.! ⚾⚾

There's been some big news in professional women's hockey recently, as the Premier Hockey Federation was bought out by a group associated with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. The PWHPA group announced the immediate dissolution of the PHF and plans to begin a new professional women's hockey league for January of 2024. Stadium Journey's Kelly Levy, Dan Colacicco and Paul Baker are joined by Melissa Burgess of the Victory Press and Ryan Burgess of the Buffalo Beauts to discuss what happened, why it happened and what to expect next. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Tonight we are joined by Tim Parks, the founder of the Major League Baseball Ballpark Passport Program, a product which helps fans chronicle their ballpark travels. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Philadelphia features all of their major sports facilities in the same complex, a practice that is unique for major cities. Does this make sense? Should other cities consider the same plan? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. 🏒🏒 You can find Stadium Journey's review of Wells Fargo Center and the Philadelphia Flyers game day experience here.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Waldron Family Stadium College Ln Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers website Waldron Family Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 1,000 Mount Soccer In between Washington, DC and Gettysburg, PA sits the second oldest Catholic university in America. Mount St. Mary’s sits on 1,400 acres at the base of the Catoctin Mountains. Shockingly the sports teams at university use the Mountaineers moniker. The soccer team had been around from 1988 through 2012, when it was discontinued for financial reasons. In 2018, the team came back to the campus. Basketball is one of the biggest sports at the college in terms of success. Mount St. Mary’s has had some success in other sports, most notably track. In the 1988 Olympic Games, Mount St. Mary’s athlete Peter Rono won gold in the 1500 meters run. Waldron Family Stadium was opened in 2006 and is named in honor of Trustee Emeritus Eugene Waldron, and his family. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small, but nice concession stand at Waldron Family Stadium. You will not want to have your entire meal at this stand, but if you are in the mood for $2 sodas and $2 hot dogs, then this is the right place. There are some nice table seating options right in front of the concession stand where you can still watch the game action. Atmosphere 3 The Waldron Family Stadium is a pretty simple facility with a few sets of grandstands on one side of the field. It offers a nice view at a nice level off of the field. There are seat backs in a few of the sections closest to the press box. The field is an all-weather synthetic field turf that also is the home to women’s lacrosse and the university’s soccer programs. The stadium also offers great views west towards the rest of campus and the sloping mountains of western Maryland. To be fair, the game I attended was a rainy, cold, messy affair. I have been to other soccer games at the stadium and they draw better than the one I attended, although not as well as the more popular lacrosse program. Please note that some of the images in the gallery are of the stadium during a lacrosse game. Neighborhood 3 There is nothing within walking distance to the campus. You will need to make a short drive into town to find any food or drink options. Emmitsburg is a pretty small town, but does have some interesting places that draw people to the area, besides just the university. The town is the home of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, National Emergency Training Center, and Emergency Management Institute. Also in the immediate area are some very notable Catholic attractions. It is a Catholic pilgrimage site and is the location of the Basilica and National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as the site of the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. A trip to the area demands a visit to the grotto even if you are not religious. It would be hard not to be impressed with the quiet awesomeness found here. Nearby Thurmont also has some attractions of its own, including Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, which contains the presidential retreat of Camp David. Just note if you are hiking in the woods and see signs to turn around or be shot, these are not jokes. Frederick is about 30 miles away, while Baltimore (60 miles) and Washington, DC (70 miles) are the closest large cities. Back in Emmitsburg, the best food option is the The Ott House Pub in downtown. This bar and restaurant is a great mix of locals, firefighters, and university students. The food menu will not blow you away but their wings, as well as their hot roast beef sandwich, will certainly hit the spot. Check to see if they have a local beer from Flying Dog Brewery on tap. Gettysburg is 13 miles north. If you have time to visit the massive amounts of memorials and battlegrounds you should do so. Just plan ahead as crowds are huge at many times of the year. Fans 3 The fans here at the Mount tend to be knowledgeable, smart and respectful. Access 4 Sure, Emmitsburg can feel like it is in the middle of nowhere, but it really is not. There is a major highway, Route 15, which divides the campus. This route runs from Frederick in the south, northwards towards Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Waldron Family Stadium and the rest of the PNC Sports Complex is located on the east side of Route 15, while the main part of the university campus is located on the west side. A well lit and secured tunnel connects the two parts of campus. There is also plenty of free parking. Return on Investment 4 Prices are fairly cheap with $8 for general admission. Those are bargain prices, especially for a Division I level sports team. Tickets are available at the gate on game day only. Extras 3 Check to see if there are any other games in the PNC Sports Complex while you are at a game. Check out the massive field of solar panel arrays that the university has installed near the athletic complex. The solar farm produces more than 22,000,000 kilowatt hours of emissions-free electricity per year. The view is another extra. Although not large mountains, more like large hills, the mountains that the university sits along are very nice and offer great views. Final Thoughts Mount St. Mary’s Waldron Family Stadium is a simple, but well-appointed venue to watch a good level of soccer action. With extremely fair prices and good concession offerings this stadium is a must visit.

The Team welcomes Jamie Tozer, who has completed the mammoth quest of visiting all 60 CHL venues. The best; The Worst; The Most Unique … Jamie gives his take on all 60 CHL rinks on the latest episode of the Stadium Journey Podcast. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Rumors are in the air about Major League Baseball adding a pair of teams in the near future. The gang discussed their thoughts about who is in line to get a team, ponders if there be any surprises, and where will these new teams play before a ballpark is built? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

The ongoing saga that is the takeover of Manchester United shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon, and with that, the future of United’s home, Old Trafford, is still up in the air. The stadium is regularly criticized for being in a state of disrepair and in desperate need of an upgrade in facilities. The team seems to be improving on the pitch, and the general consensus seems to be that progress also needs to be made off the pitch, or the club will get left behind. United contending on the pitch again Such is the progress made under Erik ten Hag this season, United are one of the betting favorites to win the league title next season. In the latest Premier League winner odds, United are 9/1 to win their first title since 2013. But such is the strength of their cross-town rivals, most punters making Premier League predictions won’t be putting the red half of Manchester down as their champions tip for next season. That said, a place in the top four is well within United’s capabilities. But with other clubs such as Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea, not to mention Manchester City, in the mix. The thorny issue of the quality of stadiums comes into the equation. Those other clubs mentioned above can all offer state-of-the-art facilities for the corporate sector, which generates huge sums of money for Premier League football clubs in the 21st century. Put simply, a football club's ambition on the pitch needs to be matched off it. And in the case of Manchester United, the quality of their stadium isn't keeping up with the team. To the average football fan, Old Trafford looks as good or bad as any other stadium in the country. There’s a seat to sit in, toilets, bars, and program sellers. But football fans rarely look beyond what is in front of them in their seats. They are only there to watch the football, after all. But even though Old Trafford might be okay in the eyes of football fans, it’s far from okay in the corporate world. The ground hasn’t been invested in since 2006, and if any indication of how far down the pecking order Old Trafford has fallen is needed, then look at the bid to host the European Championships in 2028. Old Trafford not shortlisted to be a Euro 2028 venue Old Trafford currently has a capacity of over 74,000, that’s far more than the five Premier League stadiums shortlisted to host matches at Euro 2028. So the question has to be asked, why has the City of Manchester Stadium (Man City’s Etihad), Everton’s not even yet built stadium, St James’ Park in Newcastle, Villa Park, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium been selected ahead of Old Trafford? The locations of the stadiums do play a part. But with two stadiums selected in the northwest of England, and Old Trafford not one of them, questions need to be asked why? One conclusion that can be drawn is facilities. The facilities at Old Trafford are way behind those at the Etihad, and they will be behind those available at Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore. As things stand, there are no immediate plans to modernise Old Trafford. The bidding parties looking to purchase the club have pledged to invest in the ground. But until a takeover is completed, there can be no upgrades. And while all this carries on in the background, Old Trafford is simply falling further behind.

Tasmania to get New Stadium and AFL Team...maybe Earlier this month, outgoing league CEO, Gill McLachlan, confirmed that Tasmania would be granted the 19th AFL license. The decision was contingent upon the federal government agreeing to kick in the last $240m required to build a new 23,000-seat multi-purpose, enclosed stadium at Macquarie Point on Hobart’s waterfront. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese duly announced that the feds would come to the party and stump up the required amount. The total cost of the stadium is projected to be $715m. The new team, likely to be called the Tasmania Devils, is slated to join the league for the 2028 season, although the stadium may not be completed until 2029. In the interim, Blundstone Arena would be the most likely base for the club. Given the geography of Tasmania, upgrades to University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston will ensure home games are also played in the north of the state – even after the new venue in Hobart is opened. Australian rules football in Tasmania dates back to the 1860s. As the VFL began to expand into a national competition through the 1990s, the state was naturally a potential market for the league. Several AFL clubs, including North Melbourne, Hawthorn, and St Kilda, have taken home games to the “Apple Isle”, underwritten by the Tasmanian state government over the ensuing decades. While the AFL sought out non-traditional markets for expansion, momentum has gradually coalesced behind the island state finally being granted its team. However, government support, including for a new stadium, was set as a pre-requisites by the league. The additional federal government support was seemingly the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. However, a political storm over the use of state government funds for the proposed stadium threatens to derail the project – and possibly the hope of Tassie’s AFL dream. A groundswell of public support against the stadium has seen two MPs resign from the ruling Liberals, which has plunged the party into a minority government. The state budget is due to be handed down this coming week, which is likely to include funding for the stadium. The parliament will also need to vote in support of designating the project to be one of state significance to kick-start the approval process. Publicly, Gill McLachlan remains confident that the binding agreement between the AFL and Tasmanian government would hold. Nevertheless, there appears to be real doubt as to whether the deal will move forward after all.

Accessibility is something that many fans take for granted, but which is an important consideration for many fans. We are joined by Heather Schey from the Ocean State Center for Independent Living to discuss accessibility issues faced by sports fans with visual impairments. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.

Harford Community College is located in Bel Air, MD, roughly in between Baltimore and the Delaware state line. It has been announced that Harford will host the 2023 NJCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship, May 12-14 at Harford Stadium inside of Harford’s Sports Complex. The tournament has been held in Maryland 15 times since its inception in 1970, most recently in 2015 at Community College of Baltimore County Essex. The past two national championships have been held in Garden City, NY, home of the two-time reigning National Champions, Nassau Community College. The Harford Fighting Owls men’s lacrosse team has made the final four in the last three seasons, but have not won the championship. According to the NJCAA and Harford Community College Athletics: "The three-day event is expected to welcome over 1,200 visitors to the Harford Community College campus. The economic impact of the event is estimated at upwards of $125,000 with the potential for multiple teams traveling to Bel Air from outside the state. Harford has made several updates to its facilities in preparation for the championship, including a new stadium press box, scoreboard, and other renovations to the complex. Day one of the tournament, May 12, includes a banquet honoring the four teams participating, as well as the 2023 USA Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame Inductees. Day two will showcase the semi-final contests between the #2 and #3 seeds and the #1 and #4 seeds. Day three is reserved for the National Championship game and awards ceremony to be held immediately after." Tickets will be $10 per day and can be bought in advance and at the gate.

This week's episode counts down the Stadium Journey NHL Rankings. Will there be any surprises in our annual list of venues? Audio on HIACTalkRadio.com #ApplePodcasts, #GooglePodcasts, #Spotify, and #AmazonMusic Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page. Join us live as we record every other Tuesday night at 7PM eastern at danlaw.tv.