After a summer of silence, baseball may return

By Ed Daniels, Clarion Herald Sports

As the first summer without professional baseball in New Orleans since 1992 approaches, here’s more than a hint of optimism: Minor league baseball could return, as early as 2021.

That, according to former Zephyrs minority owner Walter Leger, who is part of a group trying to bring baseball back to Zephyr Field.

And, here’s perhaps the best of news of all: When baseball returns, the name Baby Cakes won’t return with it.

Can we all, collectively, offer an “Amen” for that?

Leger said this about the prospects of a New Orleans team playing in the Double A Southern League: “Minor league baseball wants a team in New Orleans.”

Ownership doesn’t appear to be a stumbling block. Enough local money will apparently be cobbled together to make baseball happen. We are told that Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson will not be involved but has been apprised of the efforts to bring baseball back.

Leger said $3 million has been put aside in the capital outlay budget for improvements to the park. A renovation that will bring the park up to Southern League standards would likely require millions more.

The field needs to be replaced. Both clubhouses, home and visitor, need to be completely refurbished. Suites need an overhaul. And, the park needs more fan-friendly amenities.

In Birmingham, there are fewer seats, but more quality ones. And, for the kids, there is a playground down the left field line.

The Southern League is a logical pick for New Orleans. The league has teams in Birmingham; in Pearl and Biloxi, Mississippi; and in Pensacola, Florida.

Travel costs, a huge issue in the bloated Pacific Coast League, are mitigated by being in a bus league. Baseball is a tougher sell now than it was when attendance surged in the late ’90s at Zephyr Field. The Hornets (now Pelicans) arrived to take a very large slice of the local sponsorship pie.

Leger said the potential owners understand they will not make a lot of money owning a minor league baseball team.

As Leger spoke about the possible return of minor league baseball, the former Baby Cakes announced their new team in Wichita. They will be called the Wind Surge.

Good luck with that. Baby Cakes is a home run compared to Wind Surge.

KWCH-TV in Wichita quoted a local fan, Eric Pierce: “A lot of people think they kind of blew it on the name.”

You think?

He started an on-line petition to change to the name already. He told the TV station he has about 5,000 signatures.

Several hundred miles to the southeast, New Orleans has a chance for a baseball reset. With local ownership in place, wouldn’t it be great to see the Zephyrs once again playing at Zephyr Field?

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].