Baseball league makes pitch to Johnstown

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October 19, 2007

BY MIKE FAHER The Tribune-Democrat Fri Oct 19, 2007, 10:53 PM EDT

Johnstown’s Point Stadium once again is attracting interest from a professional baseball organization.

But any potential deal appears to be a long shot, in part because the North Carolina-based Atlantic Coast League has not played a game.

Organizers still are lobbying cities that may be interested in fielding teams.

Also, city officials repeatedly have expressed reservations about bringing professional baseball back to Johnstown.

But City Manager Curt Davis is not yet calling “strike three,” and is offering to meet with Atlantic Coast League administrators.

“We’re always open to talk,” Davis said.

The city’s last pro team, first called the Steal and later dubbed the Johnnies, played at the Point from 1995-2002. Perennial financial problems soured the organization’s later years here.

The Johnnies were part of the Frontier League, which was not affiliated with any major-league baseball team.

Since the team’s demise, Frontier League administrators have expressed interest in locating another team in Johnstown. Talks have gone nowhere.

Officials have said they are concerned about relinquishing any control over advertising, concessions or scheduling at Point Stadium, which has undergone an extensive, $11 million renovation.

Those same concerns likely will play into any negotiations with the Atlantic Coast League – especially since that organization has not yet established itself.

The independent league first started in 1995 but folded after only three weeks.

But Michael Harden, Atlantic Coast’s new president and chief executive officer, said he has worked for years to pull together a new league. He now projects an opening day in May 2009.

“It gives us one full year to try to secure as many teams as possible,” Harden said, adding that he contacted Johnstown after learning through Internet research that the city has a refurbished stadium but no baseball team.

Harden believes there are many potential markets for minor-league baseball in eastern states. So far, possible team locations are in Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky, he said.

He also has talked to officials in Allentown.

While acknowledging that “there’s a lot of groundwork that needs to be laid,” Harden said he is committed to building a viable league with teams that foster a strong connection with their host communities.

“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.”

Johnstown officials are proceeding cautiously. Councilman Anthony “Red” Pinizzotto said he would demand that any team sign a contract protecting the city from financial harm.

He also wonders whether residents would support a new franchise.

“Attendance is what keeps these teams in town,” Pinizzotto said.

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