Baseball story for the ages - Kevin Costner, Jose Conseco, Todd Rundgren's son, 32 day road trip

[underpants]

I am trying to piece this together from news articles


Lake County Fielders manager quits — via email

The Lake County Fielders say manager Tim Johnson quit the team just before Saturday's home game, but didn't inform the front office until after he had already left the baseball diamond.

Fielders spokesman Bernie DiMeo said Johnson told his players before the game he was leaving because he hadn't been paid since the season began in late May with a 31-game road trip to Hawaii, Canada, Arizona and California.


Fielders hitting coach Pete LaCock served as interim manager and used pitchers as position players. After an 8-3 Scorpions victory he too resigned the team.
Read more: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110712/news/707129839/#ixzz1SG9tXsUf



Controversy rages among players and management of Lake County Fielders


The Lake County Fielders are in the midst of only their second season in the Chicago area. They came into the area with much fanfare last year, as the latest professional, independent minor league baseball team in the area. It was set to bring professional baseball that has not had a professional team in some time. It was also huge because one of the owners was actor Kevin Costner. Now, however, managers have quit and players have walked out.


This past Saturday the Fielders put a team on the baseball diamond that had pitchers in player positions. Many thought it was a promotional gimmick by LaCock, but it turns out that was not the case. It happened because the team missed payroll and 11 players decided not to show up in protest over it. The players are upset over the way the team is being run, including the management stylings of Costner.

http://www.examiner.com/minor-league-baseball-in-chicago/controversy-rages-among-players-and-management-of-lake-county-fielders#ixzz1SGAQXk00




Jose Canseco, the manager for the opposing Yuma Scorpions, followed suit with his lineup—and took things a step further. Canseco, 47, pitched six innings in Scorpions' 8-3 win, after which LaCock resigned.

And that was just the start of the circus.

On Monday, the Fielders traded nine players and released 14 others, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"We want to start fresh," Fielders general manager Mike Kardamis told the Chicago Sun-Times. "It's a privilege to play professional baseball. If these guys don't want to play here, we will find guys who want to play here. We could have put them on the suspended list, but we don't want to ruin their careers. The players weren't happy, and it wasn't going to be good to make them stay. They can cash their checks tomorrow once the Bank of Waukegan opens. I've been in this business 15 years and never gone through anything like this."

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-07-13/monetary-dispute-creates-nightmare-for-costner-owned-team#ixzz1SGB8Fsqn


Then, Monday afternoon, the Fielders traded nine players and released 14 others they couldn’t trade. The only survivor from Saturday’s game was 27-year-old catcher Alan Rick. The former Cubs prospect only arrived in Lake County on Thursday.

Regular shortstop Rex Rundgren pitched in relief Saturday. He was released Monday. He’s the son of rock ’n’ roller Todd Rundgren. Appropriately, “Something/Anything?” is his best-selling album.

Former Cubs outfielder Joey Gathright entered Saturday’s game as a mop-up catcher for the Scorpions.

“It was bizarre,” said NABL CEO/commissioner Kevin Outcalt. “Jose Canseco’s reaction was interesting. Instead of playing his regulars and trying to pound them 30-0, he said, ‘We need to have a fair ballgame,’ so he moved his lineup around. I’ve never heard of an opposing manager doing something like that.

“Certainly, there are financial issues Lake County is working out. The team started on the road with 32 games. They didn’t have any revenue until July 3. They’ve had great crowds, and they’re trying to catch up. But I do not know all the details. All I saw from Tim Johnson’s resignation was that he was leaving for ‘issues that were not resolved.’ ’’

As of Monday, the Fielders were leading the 10-team league in average attendance at 2,546. With some order restored, Yuma also won Sunday’s game 10-4. Fielders pitching coach Chris Thompson managed the game. He was released Monday. A new manager will be named before the Fielders open a seven-game homestand tonight against the Chico Outlaws.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/6466649-419/fielders-trade-nine-players-release-14-others.html

[ProfessorGAC]

1. That's A Weird Story

The Kane County and Joliet teams aren't having these issues, so something is going wrong in Lake County.
GAC

[Bluzmann57]

3. Kane County Cougars are MLB affiliated

They are in the Midwest League and supported by a Major League team, although I don't remember which one at this time. Anyway, if they have financial difficulties, the MLB team will help them out, at least a little bit. So will the Midwest League. I've seen teams get in trouble before and they either folded at season's end or got help from the aforementioned parties.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Not Joliet

They've been idenpendent since the park opened.

They changes owners, but they still draw very good crowds. And, i've been to a couple of games. It's a REALLY nice park.
GAC

[Bluzmann57]

6. But I didn't say Joliet

I said Kane County Cougars.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. I'm Not Arguing With You

I thought we were pals. This was about Lake County's screw up. All i said was that these things aren't happening in the other two cities.

I don't get your obstinance on this.
GAC

[Bluzmann57]

8. Sorry

I guess the heat and the lack of sleep is getting to me. It may be time to loosen up the wallet and have central air installed. The window ACs aren't getting it done.

[Iggo]

2. It's a pro league. Pay your people, Kev. (n/t)

[abq e streeter]

5. Pretty crazy

I've seen Rex play during his brief time in Triple A (Albuquerque Isotopes). Played second base and made maybe the greatest catch I've ever seen here. Leaping (and I mean HIGH off the ground) backhand grab of a line drive heading for the right filed gap, but also didn't get a ball out of the infield in 4 at bats. Guess that's the story of his career. Major league glove; little league bat. Too bad; looks like maybe the end of the line finally for Rex. Interesting that Pete LaCock is involved. Another son of a celebrity (TV's Peter Marshall).