Hagerstown Suns relocating to Winchester?

Interesting... I for one would love to see a team out this way!

It'd be nice. Just a feasibility study though. No stadium, no team agreement. How long is it taking to build that stadium in Loudoun for the HoundDogs? Not holding breath.

IMHO, the Loudoun Hounds are much, much different than the Hagerstown Suns.

The Loudoun Hounds ownership are most likely not getting the sponsorship dollars like they probably thought would roll in.

I think folks understand there is a huge different between "independent" and "minor" league baseball.

The Loudoun Hounds has no MLB connection, that is why its called independent.

If the Hagerstown decide to relocate wherever, it would not surprise me to see a new stadium constructed with 18 months.

Why, because everyone wants to be associated with a professional team/organization.

A blogger from Hagerstown, MD posted this yesterday:

quote:

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012

http://thoughtsofrs.blogspot.c...aning-out-inbox.html

Time to clean the inbox a bit and we will start with what I have found out about the recent chatter on the Hagerstown/Winchester Suns (makes me think of the old Kansas City-Omaha Kings from the 1970's).

My source is a very reliable one and tells me that the city of Hagerstown will make a charge to keep the Suns in the Hub City and that the last swing will be a strong one.

I cannot say more than that, but allow me to say this - if this turns out to be what I have been told, the Suns will be the guilty party.

The hangup thus far with the Suns and Winchester appears to be over revenue sharing or lack thereof.

Currently, the Winchester offer that would not include revenue sharing is one that the Suns are not thrilled with.

My concern is this - If Winchester comes up with a revenue sharing offer that the team likes - is that the end game? My source says - very likely .....

The source adds this and this is a surprise to me - there is an Atlantic League team following the Hagerstown Suns situation very closely and is ready to pounce on the Hub City if the Suns are destined to leave.

Of course, affiliated baseball is much preferable to me and I am sure most fans, but that does say something about the market, if an Atlantic League (The Atlantic League is the Cadillac of Indy ball) owner thinks that highly of the potential here.

Still rather have the Suns, mind you, but this is an acceptable backup plan for me, if not others....

http://thoughtsofrs.blogspot.c...aning-out-inbox.html

For all reg'l media related stories:
http://winchestersuns.blogspot.com/

BREAKING NEWS: COUNCIL TO DISCUSS MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
January 19, 2012
By Vic Bradshaw
The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER- The prospect of minor league baseball coming to Winchester will be discussed at Tuesday's City Council work session.

No supporting documents are included to provide any details about what plans are in the works. But the simple agenda line - "Discussion regarding Minor League Baseball" - is the first public acknowledgement that city leaders are considering bringing minor league baseball to Winchester.

Strong hints that something was in the works arose in December.

Click here to read the rest of the story and read friday's Winchester Star:
http://winchesterstar.com/arti...inor_league_baseball

Key phrase from this article:
"There isn't a very compelling economic argument to moving a team to Winchester; it's more probable the city is more suited to host a summer-collegiate team in terms of population and the city's ability to fund a facility."

http://www.ballparkdigest.com/...erstown-suns-in-play

quote:

Originally posted by joemktg:
Key phrase from this article:
"There isn't a very compelling economic argument to moving a team to Winchester; it's more probable the city is more suited to host a summer-collegiate team in terms of population and the city's ability to fund a facility."

http://www.ballparkdigest.com/...erstown-suns-in-play

Kevin Reichard (BallParkDigest) is doing his homework from afar and drawing conclusions without really knowing the territory.

Here is what I can share about the population base around Winchester:

The Winchester Baseball little league serves up to 4 local counties representing up to 156,117 population and then when you throw in the two WV counties that bumps up the population to 194,016.

Population figures that the local little league program draws from:
City of Winchester – 26,203.
Frederick County – 78,305.
Clarke County – 14,034.
Warren County – 37,575.
Hardy County, WV – 14,205.
Hampshire County, WV – 23,964.

And if Shenandoah County (approx 25-30 min drive) would be in the mix, then that’s another 41,993 which puts a potential fan base of approx 236,000.

Also, Valley Health Systems is a reg’l hospital system that is headquartered in Winchester and serves 18 counties of a population base of approx 1.1 million.

Note other area of interests:

The town of Leesburg (42,616) is just 35 miles to Winchester as compared to 47 miles to Hagerstown. The entire county of Loudoun has a approx population of 312,000. Just north of Winchester, Berkeley County, WV has a total population of 102,044. About 45-60 minute drive of Winchester, Rockingham County has population of 76,314 with the addition of 48,914 for the City of Harrisonburg. Page County is also with 60 minute drive with population of 24,164.


For ALL reg'l media stories, visit this blog:
winchestersuns.blogspot.com to stay informed as this is on everyone's radar for the final outcome of where the Hagerstown Suns will call home after the 2012 season.

Special meeting today about location of proposed Minor League stadium in Winchester.

winchestersuns.blogspot.com

Is the controlled tsunami coming Feb. 14th?

Chk it ... winchestersuns.blogspot.com

Folks,

Feb. 14, 2012 will be an historic day in Winchester as a lot of love will be flying around and look for our city council to approve a land transfer of 12 acres over to our EDA which will open up the door for MiLB to move into Winchester!

winchestersuns.blogspot.com

Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II Bruchey has said Bruce Quinn, majority owner of the Hagerstown Suns, has told him he is considering moving the team to Winchester.

winchestersuns.blogspot.com

Would like to get input from baseball minded folks for a team nickname if Winchester lands a MiLB team, as from all indications it's going to take place on the vote on February 14th with the land transfer of 12 acres over the EDA.

Please visit take less than 20 secs to click on this link to cast a vote ... http://winchestersuns.blogspot.com/#pd_a_5887412

Many Thanks!

You need an apple-related name on that list!

I do notice that you have both Rifles and Riflemen. Neither is in first place but they would be if you viewed them as variations on one theme.

If only Chuck Connors were still alive, you could have had him throw out the first pitch! And he was not only THE Rifleman, he also played in MLB (as well as in the NBA!).