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Subject: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Lar [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 06:10:27 10/19/02 Sat I had heard through the grapevine that the Cheetahs might be moving to Columbia, Missouri, and that the official announcement would be made on October 28th. Then I saw the following article, and it made me more convinced it could be true. http://digmo.com:8080/digmo.nsf/slugs/1018team Annoucement Expected Later this Month JEFF SONDERMAN, reporter@digmo.com October 18, 2002 Frontier League Expanding Westward The investors who leased Simmons Field earlier this month expect to make "a very exciting announcement" later this month that a Frontier League baseball team is coming to Columbia. "We are feverishly trying to acquire a professional team from the Frontier League to begin play in 2003," said Gary Wendt, president of the leasing company, Columbia Professional Baseball. Wendt said his group on Oct. 28 plans to announce the purchase of a Western Division Frontier League team, as well as league approval to relocate it to Columbia. Wendt also said Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee has told him that league approval, in this case, was "no more than a formality." Lee was not available for comment Thursday afternoon. There are six teams in the league's Western Division: the Cook County Cheetahs, the Gateway Grizzlies of Sauget and the Rockford RiverHawks, all in Illinois; the Dubois County Dragons and Evansville Otters in Indiana; and the River City Rascals of O'Fallon in eastern Missouri. Simmons Field Leased For Five Years The city of Columbia , MU, and Columbia Professional Baseball signed the lease of Simmons Field earlier this month. The contract runs five years -- from Jan. 1, 2003, through Dec. 31, 2007 -- but Columbia Professional Baseball may terminate the lease after two years if the operation is not "economically viable," the document says. The agreement will also bring a guaranteed profit to the university. Columbia Professional Baseball will pay MU between $32,800 and $72,800 for use of Simmons Field in 2003. The actual amount depends on attendance [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Debbie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 05:05:57 10/21/02 Mon Hello Lar, I highly doubt that the Cheetahs are moving. For one, I just received a "Cheetah Update" in the mail, which will be going out to all season ticket holders, and it includes information about things forthcoming for the new season. From what I have heard, I believe the team that will be moving will be DuBois County. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Oak Lawn Guy [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:52:07 10/21/02 Mon I heard also that Johnstown folded up the tent at the end of last season. I know CC attendance was not what was desired, but there is still a lease and still a great big ball park that the Mayor wants to fill with something other than American Legion and charity outings. If average attendance dips to the 3-digit mark, then maybe we can start worrying. I hope CC posts the finalized plans for the 2003 season on the oft-out of date website. There are a few of us who still check that and want to make summer plans early. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Debbie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:01:12 10/21/02 Mon Hello OL Guy: Here's a few excerpts from the First Edition of the "Cheetah Update", this should give you some info on what's in store for 2003. Attendance UP in 2002! Cheetah Fans came out in droves this summer. Attendance for this season broke 66,000 fans beating last years 62,774. An extra special thanks to you, the Cheetah Faithful, who made each and every game an outstanding event!! Season ticket prices Lowered! The 2003 Season ticket plan reflects a reduced per seat ticket price from 2002. Also the additional 3 game homestand as the league was expanded to a 90 game season. Hawkinson Ford Field gets Greener Pastures! The Cheetah field is getting a face-lift. Brand new sod is being laid this month to replace the damage done by this summer's dry conditions. Cheetah Birthday parties and group outings continued to be an amazing success in 2002. To make sure you get your preferred date and not miss any of the best Cheetah Baseball has to offer, call the Cheetah Office early. The 2003 schedule will be announced by the beginning of November and dates will be available to book your next picnic or party. QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? The Cheetahs are available to answer any questions or to address any concerns you may have regarding the 2003 seaon. Call the Cheetahs at (708) 489-BALL or reach them by email: CheetahsBaseball@Aol.com Questions and comments can also be mailed to the Cheetahs at: Cook County Cheetahs 13152 S. Cicero Avenue, #281 Crestwood, Illinois 60445 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Lucky Chucky [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:14:50 10/21/02 Mon I hate to burst your bubble, but once again the Cheetahs are fudging the attendance figures for this past season. Attendance was actually down again for the fourth straight year. 70,831 was reported to the league office in 2001. So the figure of 66,000 they are qouting for 2002 is 4,000 fans less than the previous year. That is a fact. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Debbie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:49:26 10/21/02 Mon In 2001 there were a lot of seats that were Given away, by the GM that year, and I believe they are going with "Paid attendance", which I believe the paid attendance was higher in 2002 than it was in 2001. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Lucky Chucky [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 05:59:39 10/22/02 Tue Don't forget the thousands of complimentary ticket vouchers that were circulated all over the south suburbs for 2002. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Lucky Chucky [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 05:45:04 10/22/02 Tue I believe you are wrong. 70,831 WAS the paid attendance in 2001. Plenty of seats were given away in 2002 also. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Chuck [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 01:45:31 10/22/02 Tue Folks, The attendance is the Howe Sportsdata official attendance, that's what we go by. That's what is listed in the league records, that's what we use. Unless someone has some really big news for us, the Cheetahs will be in Crestwood for the 2003 season. While there may be some franchise movement announced soon, the Cheetahs won't be a part of that movement. Sorry I haven't been updating much, but we're getting into the swing for 2003. The schedule should be here soon and we'll get our promotions lined up shortly thereafter. There's not all that much Cheetahs news to report, we're just doing what we do behind the scenes to make 2003 better than 2002. The Web site should be much improved very soon, as always, we're working on it. If anyone has any questions about the League, the Cheetahs and 2003, it's always a good idea to call me at the office, 708-489-2255. I can probably give you more reliable information than the grapevine. What we do isn't top secret - if I can tell you what's going on, I will. If things aren't for me to tell, I won't. Chuck [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Any Truth to the rumor the Cheetahs are moving? Author: Debbie [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:34:55 10/23/02 Wed I was wrong about Dubois moving to Columbia, the team that is moving to Columbia is Canton. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]