Batavia's seaon pulled from the muck

By Michael Thayer
Staff Writer

At the conclusion of the 2007 season, longtime fans of the Batavia Muckdogs had concerns about the future of their team. Until recently, they might have had a legitimate reason for worry.

The Batavia Muckdogs became financially troubled, and have lost $150,000 over the past two seasons. Officials from the New York Penn League, the league Batavia plays in, told the team that they had to raise $250,000 before the season, or they would risk being shutdown. Help from the Rochester Red Wings and Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. may be the help the Muckdogs needed.

Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. and the Genesee County Baseball Club announced that the Rochester Red Wings organization will run day-to-day operations for the Batavia short-season team for the 2008 season. Brian Paris, President of the Genesee County Baseball Club, knows that this is the best possible solution.

“The entire Batavia Muckdogs organization is overjoyed to be partnering with the Rochester Red Wings who are justly regarded as one of the greatest organizations in all of professional baseball,” Paris said.

Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. will most likely create a new company to oversee the operations, where they run the risk of either making money, or simply follow the team through continued financial failure. With the agreement, the Red Wings will not only be responsible for the $150,000 that the Muckdogs defaulted on, but also $1.5 million debt owed for Dwyer Stadium.

The breakdown of the partnership is simple; the Red Wings will oversee every phase of the organization. This includes media and community relations, team promotions and even vending and concessions. Dave Wellenzohn will remain the team’s general manager, but the Red Wings will hire additional staff. In return, the short-season team has been in discussions to have some playing time at Frontier Field, the Red Wings’ facility in Rochester.

Although the act of a minor-league team helping out another has happened in the past, it does not mean that the two teams will become affiliates. The Muckdogs are currently a farm team to 2006 World Series Champions, the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are a Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Regulations prevent the teams from publicly discussing any plans or thoughts of Batavia becoming a Twins affiliate in the future.

The agreement is a one-year contract. However, the deal has multiple one-year extensions, upon agreement from both teams. As of now, the Red Wings have obtained financial documents and bills, in the long process of settling team debts.

The Batavia Muckdogs will begin their season June 17, with their first home game in Dwyer Stadium June 18 against Auburn. The Red Wings will begin their 2008 schedule April 3. The team will host their first game in Frontier Field, and an 8-game homestand beginning April 11.

Gymnasts takes silver at nationals

Outdoor track season starts

Jim DeBell, former baseball coach, dies at 79

Men's Lacrosse: Eagles aggressive in big wins

Indoor Track: O'Keeffe wins triple-jump title at nationals

Football: "Maciejewski jumps at the chance of a lifetime"

Women's Lacrosse: "Brockport sparks comeback win"

Spring seasons slowed by snows

Coller: "Boston bandwagoners need to get real about their Red Sox"

Rochester Red Wings ready to take flight in 2008

Batavia's season saved from the muck

NL teams could flip baseball's power balance

Winkler: The Final Four we've all been waiting for

Montgomery: The best things about Davidson's run? There could easily be a sequel