Laura Teegarden
Daily Egyptian
In the near future, citizens of Southern Illinois could be watching minor league baseball in their own backyard.
Pending approval from the Midwest League of Professional Baseball and
Major League Baseball, the Silver Hawks may be moving to Marion.
Palisades Baseball owns the Silver Hawks. George Spelius, president of
the Midwest League of Professional Baseball, confirmed Chautauqua
Heights LLC has a buy-sell agreement with the managing general partner
of Palisades Baseball, Alan M. Levin.
The lead investor for Southern Illinois Baseball Group, John Simmons, is also a member of Chautauqua Heights LLC.
"We understand that the group has purchased the Silver Hawks in South
Bend," Butler said. "I suppose it would be logical to assume that will
be the team that will come play in Marion."
Spelius is unable to verify the future location of the team because
Simmons must submit paperwork to the Board of Directors of the Midwest
League for approval to move the team.
"Buying a team doesn't mean you can automatically pick up a team
and leave the community," Spelius said. "We've had teams bought and
sold that stayed right where they were."
Mikki Dobski, director of communications and special projects for the
City of South Bend, said if the application is approved, the city will
campaign to keep the Silver Hawks.
"It's all about location, location, location," said Dobski. "We feel
there's a whole plethora of reasons why this is the best place for the
team."
If moved, the Silver Hawks would play at the 4,000 seat stadium
scheduled to be built in a development called the "Hill" off I-57,
north of Route 13 in Marion.
With the help of a $3 million grant from the State of Illinois, the
Southern Illinois Baseball Group has partnered with Marion to fund the
$15 million project.
The stadium will have 10 to 14 luxury box seats, a children's play area, concessions and a corporate picnic area.
Dennis Poshard, of the Southern Illinois Baseball Group, said that the
group wants to start the season in April 2007, but hasn't ruled out
2006.
"I think people in Southern Illinois in general can't wait to go see a
minor league baseball team right here in Southern Illinois," Poshard
said.
He said the community response has been strong and supportive.
"Given the cost of going to a Cardinals game, this will provide good
baseball entertainment at a price a family can afford," Butler said.
Butler has received calls from people who live from 10 to 40 miles away offering support and inquiring about purchasing tickets.
"I've been frankly amazed at the breadth and depth of excitement this has stirred up," he said.
The ballpark is expected to create 120 full-time jobs during the
construction phase and 55 full-time and 150 part-time jobs to run the
park after it is built. In addition, it is expected to generate $4
million annually, which Butler said should boost the area economy.
"It will fill a niche that has long needed filling, and we're very excited about it," Butler said.
Reporter Laura Teegarden can be reached at
laura_teegarden@dailyegyptian.com
