Skip to main content

Baseball in West Chester far from a done deal

Yesterday, I mentioned that it appeared West Chester was on the verge of announcing it would soon be home to a new baseball team. Today, it seems this was a bit of an overstatement by the group trying to bring the team into the area. 6 ABC reports:
It was expected on Monday that stadium backers would announce they had a "gentleman's agreement" with the Phillies to put a minor league franchise here. However, a Phillies spokesperson threw cold water on that today saying that was "An overstatement about what was discussed."

Howie Bedell, a consultant for the stadium group, backed off the agreement claim, instead saying "If we are able to put all of the elements together they would be interested in putting a ball club here."

Bedell, a former major leaguer with ties to the Phils farm league, admits there are still many unfinished elements to turn this acreage into a stadium - not the least of which is $20 million in taxpayer money from Harrisburg. Also, they still need actual control of the land. Still, he remains upbeat.

Today's Daily Local has this to say:
“It is my understanding that if we are able to put all of the elements together, (the Phillies) would be interested in putting a ballclub here,” said Bedell, who stressed that the incoming club would be responsible for maintenance of the new facility.

“There was a statement made, directly, that if indeed we are ready now, that they would be there. And the Phillies would be a good fit. It would be good for them and good for us.”

Bedell called the Wyeth site, now owned by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, “the last 30 acres in West Chester.” He also said that the Turk’s Head Alliance has had meetings with Pfizer and that they are cooperating 100 percent.

“We have until the end of December to get this done,” he said.

The fate of this project may be known in about three months, but everything is very much up in the air right now.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Several Local Businesses Closing Up Shop

Over the next couple of months, three local businesses will be closing their doors. On Saturday, February 16th, Polka Dots will be closing their store at 246 Bridge Street. The shop, a women's clothing boutique, opened nearly two and a half years ago but has recently found business slow. --- Originally, (owner Susan) Randels said that the store was doing well, but that the momentum could not keep up. "The things that sold in Paoli didn't sell in Phoenixville," she said, adding that some customers thought that the store was too expensive or the sizing did not go high enough (size 12 being the highest size sold). "We tried everything." Randels also said that parking was an issue for many of her customers who could either not find spaces or did not feel safe parking behind the store. --- Polka Dots remains open until the 16th, with hours on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 610-935-5914. Clothing and shoes a...
46 comments
Read more

Barry Cassidy Addresses Downtown Rumors

Today's Phoenix ran an article written by Barry Cassidy in which he addressed the various rumors that have been circulating regarding the immediate futures of several local businesses. He paints a much rosier picture than some of the comments here would have you believe. From the article: --- On Monday someone came in and told me Molly Maguire's was closing. I knew that was not correct because they are expanding, not closing. Then about 20 minutes after than I heard from someone else that 101 was closing and the building was going to become a McDonalds. I knew that was not correct either. Marietu' Fanny from the crepe joint at Bridge and Gay called me and was upset that she heard someone at the business association meeting say she was closing... She went on to tell me that they were doing well... Then I heard probably the most outrageous rumor of all... Ellie's Choice is closing. Now think about this one, folks. Here, Ellie has been here for a long time, she was here ...
51 comments
Read more