At Last, the Opportunity to See the San Angelo Colts and Harlingen WhiteWings Up Close!

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Apr. 23 2009 at 8:28 AM

Categories: Biz

So, apparently, the citizenry of Dallas had best get acquainted with United League Baseball, which, if I read my Dallas Morning News right this morning, will throw out the first pitch on the banks of the Trinity River this time next year. So, let's see: Just last month in Dallas federal court, league co-founders John Bryant (you remember him) and business partner Byron Pierce won the right to buy back the ULB from their former partners, who'd filed for bankruptcy. There are six teams at present: the Amarillo 'Dillas, the San Angelo Colts, Edinburg Coyotes, the Harlingen WhiteWings, the Laredo Broncos and the newly minted Coastal Bend Thunder.

Which just about covers it, assuming Oak Cliff developer Richard Seib and Bryant and Pierce's Reunion Sports Group manage to cover the 50-plus acres along the Trinity with the ballpark and an attendant development -- including apartments, a water park, retail ... and a hotel! Course, this is the land the city had counted on Irving-based JPI to develop as a "pedestrian-friendly" retail, residential and office development, until JPI fouled off the pitch into foreclosure territory earlier this year. The new guys are promising: "We will build the stadium in downtown Dallas independently, and everything else in the project will follow." That sounds so ... familiar, maybe?

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I used to work as Media Relations director for the Amarillo Dillas back in the Texas-Louisiana League days (when Pierce was running the show). Lowest-paid job I've ever had (below-minimum wage during the season), but I sucked at it so bad, I was probably overpaid.
This will make, what, the 4th minor league team in the metroplex (Cats, Airhogs, Roughriders, and whatever will play in the new park)? One might say 5th if you want to add the Rangers to the list. Just can't get enough minor league ball in your town.
"White trash version of Victory" actually sounds pretty appealing. And frankly, this will probably be a decent way to drink beer outside, without having to drive to Arlington, drop a hundo, and incur the overall beatdown of that experience.
They've got no financing, just some pretty pictures and the DMN swoons. Desperate for good news? Looks like a white trash version of Victory to me and should just a good, assuming it ever gets built. The development team has no money, no experience, and no clue. In this economy? But I love the idea of waterpark, when did the 1980's come back? We all know that what people attending a convention in Dallas want to do is go to a waterpark or maybe attend a third rate pro baseball game. (Now a waterpark or baseball game with strippers, that might just work.)
At last a minor league baseball stadium! Now my brother in Oklahoma City won't be able to use that to bigtime me. Of course the article makes no mention of a minor league baseball <u>team</u>, but still just having a stadium will be nice. Looks like the development would be around the site of the Sportatorium but wouldn't include the Sportatorium site itself.
...I remember that one spring in high school when I worked at the WhiteWings' concessions bunker... To this day, I have an aversion to Rico's Nacho Cheeze... Maybe I can get a gig at the new privately-funded ballpark with my nacho-pie-making experience... Go 'Wings!
Absolutely, Jean -- all funded privately. Just the thing about development around a ballpark sounded familiar. Swear I've heard it before. That said, if the Rangers played downtown ... aw, see, now you're gonna make me cry.
You know, I never went to a Wings game when I was in the Valley. Maybe I'll go see one here. Strange how the world turns. Oh, and Robert, if I'm reading correctly, there's one minor difference that makes all the difference: The builders are putting their own money on the line, not mine.
Dude! I'll finally get to cheer for my hometown team right in my own backyard! Go 'Wings! (...not really)