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glenn · 08-21-2006, 10:51 PM

Spring Training is underway as teams being to prepare for the kickoff of the inaugural American Baseball League season. This month we sat down with American Baseball League Commissioners Joe Foss, Lee McPhail, and Chub Feeney, to discuss the upcoming season, and the challenges the upstart league will face.

ABL-“First, we’d like to take the time to thank you for agreeing to take the time out of your busy schedules, and agreeing to come in for today’s interview. Let’s start off with the tough questions first. Why should fans care about the American Baseball League?”

Joe Foss-“Baseball fans aren’t stupid. We know they are upset with what has happened over the past couple years. As a baseball fan, I’m upset with what has happened. All we can ask for is a chance, because we will put the best baseball players in the world on the field, and give fans a chance to watch a great game.”

Lee McPhail-“We have also worked hard to form between the players and owners that never existed in Major League Baseball. The players and owners will be able to share in our success. Our league will grant players free agency, and players will no longer be trapped on a roster, and they will be paid top salary. The owners recognize the players are an important asset, and plan to treat them fairly.”

Chub Feeney-“I’d also like to add that we recognize fans are our greatest asset. We’ve lowered ticket prices, have some special promotions planned, and will do everything in our power to get them to come out to the park.”

ABL-“What are your plans if the fans don’t come out to the park and support you?”

Joe Foss-“We know that winning back fans will be a process. We don’t expect sell-outs from day one. Our league has a long-term plan, and our owners expect the next three to five years will be difficult. We are in this for the long run.”

ABL-“Long-term, do you have any plans for expansion?”

Lee McPhail-“We would like to expand, but there is no blue print we are following. When the time is right, we will add a couple of teams to the league, but only when the time is right. As you know, we created an affiliation with the Continental Baseball League, which will be a proving ground for teams. They are expected to build the best possible teams, and if things work out, we would add the top Continental Baseball League teams, players and all, and they would then compete in the ABL. This gives fans in those cities some hope, because the teams that are well run, both financially and on the field, stand the best chance of joining.”

ABL-“Will poorly performing teams be cast off to the Continental Baseball League?”

Lee McPhail-“That is a possibility we have discussed, but there are no guarantees. We carefully selected our owners, and they are committed to fielding competitive teams. We have to be careful though, because teams will need to rebuild at some point, and we don’t want teams to feel they can’t rebuild without fear they will be removed from the league. It wouldn’t be fair to the team, or the fans in that city.”

ABL-“One of the special things about Major League Baseball was their record book. Babe Ruth’s 708 career home runs, Cy Young’s 511 wins, Joe Dimmagio’s 56 game hit streak, Ty Cobb’s 4189 hits, Hack Wilson’s 190 RBI in a season. How do you address starting from scratch, from a record standpoint?”

Chub Feeney-“We are a different league, and we will have different records. After a few years, our record books will begin to shape up. There are players that will be hurt because their career records may be split between two leagues. Hank Aaron hit 683 home runs in Major League Baseball. If he hits 26 more home runs in the American Baseball League, would that be less of an accomplishment? There are league records, and then there are universal records. If that encourages a healthy debate on which league is better, or which record is better, than that is great?”

ABL-“Do you think playing 168 games will have an impact on records, and if someone hits 62 home runs, that will make a difference because he played more games?”

Chub Feeney-“Of course to some people, it will make a difference. It will be the sole reason behind the player breaking the record. We chose 168 games because it made sense to our league. We wanted to have our teams play four game series, so that meant either going with 160, 164, or a 168 game season. That meant our teams would play 40,41, or 42 series. We made the decision that it was the right number for us.”

ABL-“Many people are surprised with the decision to implement the designate hitter in both league, and free agency after three years. And with the wild card winners, 8 of the 20 teams will make the playoffs. The rosters will consist of 32 players instead of the standard 25. Why so many changes?”

Joe Foss-“Obviously, we felt it was important to differentiate ourselves from Major League Baseball. We don’t want to be clones, and we wanted to put our own spin on the league. We feel the designated hitter will improve offenses, and lead to more action on the field. Who wants to pay money to see a pitcher hit? We also believe it is important for a player to choose where he wants to play. When the player signs a contract, the are expected to honor it. After the contract is up, they should be allowed to choose their best option. It isn’t fair to keep someone on the bench, when they would have an opportunity to start for another team.”

Chub Feeney-“We felt it would be good to give more teams a chance to make the playoffs. Pennant races are good for the game, and rather than have the teams fighting for two spots, fighting for four spots in each league will give more teams something to play for. We picked 32 because most of the players haven’t played on a regular basis in a year and a half. We want to minimize injury risk, and give teams plenty of options, at least during the first year. We plan to re-evaluate roster size on an annual basis, for the first few years, until we come to a consensus on what the best number is.”

ABL-“We are running out of time. I wanted to thank you all for taking the time to speak with us. Do any of you have any final thoughts you would like to share?”

Chub Feeney-“I would just like to say to the fans that we hope you will give us a chance, because we know in the end, our success depends on the fans.”

Joe Foss-“We are looking forward to a wonderful inaugural season in the American Baseball League. We feel we have the best players, coaches, and owners possible. This should be an exciting year.”

Transactions

The San Diego Sea Wolves traded LF George Foster to the Chicago Storm, getting a pair of minor leaguers in return.

Edge: San Diego

New York Skyliners traded 1B Boog Powell to the Dallas Mavericks for SP Rudy May.

Edge: New York

Chicago Colts traded 3B Bob Bailey to the St. Louis Redbirds for catcher Doug Rader.

Edge: St. Louis

08-21-2006, 10:51 PM	#53 (permalink)
glenn Major Leagues Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 407 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	March 3, 1974 Spring Training is underway as teams being to prepare for the kickoff of the inaugural American Baseball League season. This month we sat down with American Baseball League Commissioners Joe Foss, Lee McPhail, and Chub Feeney, to discuss the upcoming season, and the challenges the upstart league will face. ABL-“First, we’d like to take the time to thank you for agreeing to take the time out of your busy schedules, and agreeing to come in for today’s interview. Let’s start off with the tough questions first. Why should fans care about the American Baseball League?” Joe Foss-“Baseball fans aren’t stupid. We know they are upset with what has happened over the past couple years. As a baseball fan, I’m upset with what has happened. All we can ask for is a chance, because we will put the best baseball players in the world on the field, and give fans a chance to watch a great game.” Lee McPhail-“We have also worked hard to form between the players and owners that never existed in Major League Baseball. The players and owners will be able to share in our success. Our league will grant players free agency, and players will no longer be trapped on a roster, and they will be paid top salary. The owners recognize the players are an important asset, and plan to treat them fairly.” Chub Feeney-“I’d also like to add that we recognize fans are our greatest asset. We’ve lowered ticket prices, have some special promotions planned, and will do everything in our power to get them to come out to the park.” ABL-“What are your plans if the fans don’t come out to the park and support you?” Joe Foss-“We know that winning back fans will be a process. We don’t expect sell-outs from day one. Our league has a long-term plan, and our owners expect the next three to five years will be difficult. We are in this for the long run.” ABL-“Long-term, do you have any plans for expansion?” Lee McPhail-“We would like to expand, but there is no blue print we are following. When the time is right, we will add a couple of teams to the league, but only when the time is right. As you know, we created an affiliation with the Continental Baseball League, which will be a proving ground for teams. They are expected to build the best possible teams, and if things work out, we would add the top Continental Baseball League teams, players and all, and they would then compete in the ABL. This gives fans in those cities some hope, because the teams that are well run, both financially and on the field, stand the best chance of joining.” ABL-“Will poorly performing teams be cast off to the Continental Baseball League?” Lee McPhail-“That is a possibility we have discussed, but there are no guarantees. We carefully selected our owners, and they are committed to fielding competitive teams. We have to be careful though, because teams will need to rebuild at some point, and we don’t want teams to feel they can’t rebuild without fear they will be removed from the league. It wouldn’t be fair to the team, or the fans in that city.” ABL-“One of the special things about Major League Baseball was their record book. Babe Ruth’s 708 career home runs, Cy Young’s 511 wins, Joe Dimmagio’s 56 game hit streak, Ty Cobb’s 4189 hits, Hack Wilson’s 190 RBI in a season. How do you address starting from scratch, from a record standpoint?” Chub Feeney-“We are a different league, and we will have different records. After a few years, our record books will begin to shape up. There are players that will be hurt because their career records may be split between two leagues. Hank Aaron hit 683 home runs in Major League Baseball. If he hits 26 more home runs in the American Baseball League, would that be less of an accomplishment? There are league records, and then there are universal records. If that encourages a healthy debate on which league is better, or which record is better, than that is great?” ABL-“Do you think playing 168 games will have an impact on records, and if someone hits 62 home runs, that will make a difference because he played more games?” Chub Feeney-“Of course to some people, it will make a difference. It will be the sole reason behind the player breaking the record. We chose 168 games because it made sense to our league. We wanted to have our teams play four game series, so that meant either going with 160, 164, or a 168 game season. That meant our teams would play 40,41, or 42 series. We made the decision that it was the right number for us.” ABL-“Many people are surprised with the decision to implement the designate hitter in both league, and free agency after three years. And with the wild card winners, 8 of the 20 teams will make the playoffs. The rosters will consist of 32 players instead of the standard 25. Why so many changes?” Joe Foss-“Obviously, we felt it was important to differentiate ourselves from Major League Baseball. We don’t want to be clones, and we wanted to put our own spin on the league. We feel the designated hitter will improve offenses, and lead to more action on the field. Who wants to pay money to see a pitcher hit? We also believe it is important for a player to choose where he wants to play. When the player signs a contract, the are expected to honor it. After the contract is up, they should be allowed to choose their best option. It isn’t fair to keep someone on the bench, when they would have an opportunity to start for another team.” Chub Feeney-“We felt it would be good to give more teams a chance to make the playoffs. Pennant races are good for the game, and rather than have the teams fighting for two spots, fighting for four spots in each league will give more teams something to play for. We picked 32 because most of the players haven’t played on a regular basis in a year and a half. We want to minimize injury risk, and give teams plenty of options, at least during the first year. We plan to re-evaluate roster size on an annual basis, for the first few years, until we come to a consensus on what the best number is.” ABL-“We are running out of time. I wanted to thank you all for taking the time to speak with us. Do any of you have any final thoughts you would like to share?” Chub Feeney-“I would just like to say to the fans that we hope you will give us a chance, because we know in the end, our success depends on the fans.” Joe Foss-“We are looking forward to a wonderful inaugural season in the American Baseball League. We feel we have the best players, coaches, and owners possible. This should be an exciting year.” Transactions The San Diego Sea Wolves traded LF George Foster to the Chicago Storm, getting a pair of minor leaguers in return. Edge: San Diego New York Skyliners traded 1B Boog Powell to the Dallas Mavericks for SP Rudy May. Edge: New York Chicago Colts traded 3B Bob Bailey to the St. Louis Redbirds for catcher Doug Rader. Edge: St. Louis Last edited by glenn; 08-23-2006 at 11:45 PM.