City leaders hope Miners game is next step to landing professional baseball

Cape Girardeau city leaders hope Saturday's exhibition game between the Southern Illinois Miners and Florence Freedom is another step to bringing minor-league baseball to Cape Girardeau.

Scheduled for 7 p.m., the two teams from the independent Frontier League will square off at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. It will be the first time the city has hosted the Miners.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson said the economic effect the Miners have had on Marion, Ill., and the exposure the team has given the city since the team began playing there in 2007 give hope to Cape Girardeau residents that the same could happen here.

"One would have to literally be living under a rock if they haven't noticed the success and buzz that the Southern Illinois Miners have created across the river in many ways," Knudtson said. "I am both jealous and envious of this excitement."

The team drew a league record 259,392 people over the course of its inaugural year and a league-leading 218,191 spectators in 2008 at Rent One Park.

Built in 2007 at a cost of $15 million, the ball park is named after a rent-to-own business that has naming rights to the stadium through 2016. The city of Marion is dedicating one-eighth of a cent in sales tax dollars generated each year to help retire the bank loan secured by the team owner, according to the Southern Illinoisan. The stadium has 3,700 chair seats, lawn seating with room for more than 2,000 spectators, 14 suites, two picnic gardens, a children's play area, banquet facility and color video board.

Miners spokesman Scott Gierman said 500 season tickets have been sold this year, matching last year's pace. Individual ticket prices range from $4 for general admission and lawn seating to $8 for box seats.

In addition to ticket revenue, the team also relies on concessions sales and advertising from sponsors. Gierman would not comment on the exact 2008 sales figures.

To increase attendance, the Miners, who employ 15 full-time and 200 part-time workers, offer promotional nights for most games. These include theme nights, postgame concerts and fireworks. Gierman said the most well-attended promotion was during its fireworks night Aug. 10, 2007, when 6,718 people came to the ball park.

When it's not being used for Miners games, Rent One Park is used for other events such as college baseball games, music concerts and high school football.

"People come here to be entertained, and Rent One Park has a great atmosphere for a fun night at the ballpark," Gierman said. "When the stadium was built in its location there wasn't another one close in proximity in this part of Illinois.

"The park has brought in extra money to the area with hotels and restaurants nearby," Gierman said. "To continue in the future we have to not take anything for granted and try to provide quality baseball and amazing entertainment at an affordable price."

Marion city administrator Gail West said that since Rent One Park was constructed restaurants, three hotels and an interstate interchange have been built near the stadium, off Interstate 57. She said future hotels and restaurants are planned in the ballpark area.

She said a majority of those who attend the games are from out of town, bringing in revenue to the city's restaurant and hotel industry.

"The Miners have brought a whole new spirit of summer into the community," West said. "They've done a lot for this economy and for the people here in Marion, such as appearances in our city parades and schools."

Cape Girardeau prospects

Since he was elected in 2002, Knudtson has been vocal about his desire to bring professional baseball to Cape Girardeau, though the city does not have a stadium that a professional baseball team could use. Knudtson said that while Capaha Field has been a great home to the nation's oldest amateur team, the Capahas, he believes a professional team would need another stadium to relieve Capaha Field from pressure it already faces.

"I do believe that it is very realistic that Cape Girardeau will be home to a minor-league ball club one day," Knudtson said. "I have had some interesting and intriguing discussions with various groups that leave me feeling extremely optimistic about this coming to fruition."

While he would not reveal their identities, Knudtson confirmed discussions have taken place with representatives of teams with Major League Baseball affiliations as well as independent league clubs. He said representatives have all identified Cape Girardeau as a solid baseball town in a good location.

Other cities have landed independent baseball teams, only to have teams and leagues fold because of financial troubles and low attendance.

Knudtson said that because long-term viability of such teams has always been an issue, the city has declined invitations to play in such leagues. He said long-term sustainability is better assured when the minor league team is directly affiliated with a Major League team.

"Unfortunately there are not a lot of these teams available, so they are much more difficult to land," Knudtson said. "In addition, the scope and expense of the ball park changes pretty dramatically when one is associated with a major league organization. There are minimum requirements that must be met."

Tickets may be purchased at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce at 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road, Arena Building at 410 Kiwanis Drive or Capaha Field near the corner of Normal Avenue and Legion Drive. Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Chuck Martin said about 200 tickets have been sold and will benefit the Capaha Field Improvement Project and Cape Youth Baseball League. Martin said fans will be able to sit in the grandstand, the grassy area along the first base line and on Cherry Hill.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

400 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

1267 N. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

1000 Miners Drive, Marion, IL