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October 31, 2007

Caution in order on Atlantic Coast League

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Wed Oct 31, 2007, 01:03 PM EDT

We hope members of Johnstown City Council don’t dismiss too hastily the notion of bringing another professional baseball team to Point Stadium.

Yes, Johnstown had some problems with independent teams in the past.

But that certainly doesn’t mean the right team can’t make things work in the future.

Looking at pro teams would fit nicely with the city’s pledge to find ways to bring in revenue through events at the stadium.

In a recent poll on The Tribune-Democrat’s Web site, 310 people answered this question: “Given a Tribune-Democrat report of interest in Johnstown from the North Carolina-based Atlantic Coast League, would you favor bringing another independent minor-league baseball team to Point Stadium?”

Their responses: Yes: 64.52 percent; No: 31.61 percent; I don’t know: 3.87 percent.

This nonscientific poll proves nothing. But it supports the notion that there are some people out there who would like to see another pro team playing at the Point.

“We’re always open to talk,” City Manager Curt Davis said of the Atlantic Coast League possibility.

The independent Johnstown Steal/Johnnies played at the Point from 1995-2002.

The team was part of the Frontier League, and – unlike the Pirates-connected Altoona Curve – was not affiliated with any Major League Baseball team.

Frontier League administrators have shown some interest in locating another team in Johnstown, and a natural rivalry would exist with a successful team in nearby Washington County.

But city officials have expressed concern about relinquishing any control over advertising, concessions or scheduling at the Point, which boasts an extensive $11 million makeover.

And the city leaders are rightly fearful of another franchise coming to town and stumbling around on shaky financial footing, as the Steal/Johnnies reportedly did.

Councilman Anthony “Red” Pinizzotto told The Tribune-Democrat that he would demand that a team coming here sign a contract protecting the city from financial responsibility should the team have difficulties. We have no problem with such a pact.

Officials say they will proceed cautiously with the Atlantic Coast League, which hopes to have franchises playing by 2009.

We agree that caution is in order.

Once bitten, twice shy, the old saying goes.

But we hope the city earnestly explores this possibility – and any that would keep the stadium busy and help validate the taxpayer dollars spent to rebuild it.

Michael Harden, the president and chief executive officer of the new league, seems to understand that coming to Johnstown would not be a one-way relationship.

“In order for the community and the city to be responsive to the team, the team has to do its part,” Harden said. “And that’s the goal of the Atlantic Coast League.”

That sounds like a good place to start.

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