The absence of negatives is a positive for Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey as he accesses the success of the new 16-team league in its inaugural season.
It has had its growing pains, but so far the pluses have outweighed the minuses."We are hearing back from players, managers and farm directors and it's all positive," Rickey said. "Ordinarily at this time of the season when you get into what we call `the dogs days of summer,' I'm accustomed, over the last seven years, to hearing more negative feedback about trips and scheduling."
The new-and-improved PCL went from 10 teams in 1997 to 16 teams in 1998, with the disbanded Triple-A American Association teams being split between the Pacific Coast League and the International League, setting up a Triple-A World Series instead of crowning three league champions.
The glaring problem in a league that spans two countries, 12 states and three times zones is the need for efficient travel through effective scheduling. And that's been a problem for Rickey - especially with the three teams from Canada.
One year ago each of the 10 teams played each other 16 times - eight games at home and eight on the road. In 1998, however, the teams in each division face each other 16 times (eight home, eight away) and play every other team outside the division eight times (four and four).
The Buzz made only one flight to Canada as opposed to five in 1997. They played Edmonton and Calgary on the same trip, and they bused to Vancouver after their Tacoma series to complete their trips to Canada. Buzz owner Joe Buzas said that fewer trips to Canada has offset the increased number of trips to the East Coast.
"The Canadian teams are a particular anomaly in and of themselves," Rickey said, pointing out that they have to deal with the exchange rate of $1.50 Canadian dollar for one U.S. dollar. "They are a big concern for me in a format like this. Right now, that's our greatest concern with the Pacific Coast League."
Despite the scheduling kinks that will be discussed and worked out during the offseason, the dramatic attendance increase at the Triple-A level has been a huge positive.
"There's been a revitalization in terms of curiosity and interest," Rickey said. "It's injected . . . a new vitality, I think, into Triple-A baseball."
The Salt Lake Buzz, who are setting their sights on the fifth consecutive attendance crown, currently lead the league with an average paid attendance of 7,792. New Orleans, which opened a new ball park last year, is a close second at 7,628. And Oklahoma, which opened a new park this year, is third at 7,031.
"League attendance is up," Buzas said. "If it's new stadiums or alignment, I don't know."
"We have a couple of attendance (figures) in particular that really stand out," said Rickey, identifying Oklahoma, New Orleans, Nashville and Edmonton. "We have some real leaders, and that's not even mentioning Salt Lake. It's the leader in our league but isn't necessarily ahead of the year before."
He also pointed out that Colorado Springs (3,201, league's worst), Calgary (4,371, fourth-worst) and Vancouver (4,250, third-worst) all had bad weather in the early part of the year, which hurt attendance.
"Where the concern comes is in the teams that are struggling with poor attendance," Rickey said. "Is the increased cost (of operations) a major negative? It does not seem to be at this time."
All of the new teams in the league have been through Salt Lake except the Iowa Cubs, who come Sept. 4-7 for the Buzz's final regular season games of the season.
Have the new teams been the reason for attendance increase? "I'm sure there is a pocket of fans that want to see Albuquerque because they are the Dodgers (farm team) and Omaha because they've been a Royals fan," Rickey said.
As for Salt Lake? "We don't do anything different (in terms of advertising) to focus on new teams," Buzz media relations director Kent Haslam said. He said it's still the Dodgers, Rangers and Cardinals that bring the crowds, not the Dukes, Redhawks and Redbirds.
"The most recognizable team is Albuquerque," he said. "We have more people say, `I'm a Dodgers fan, when is Albuquerque coming to town?' "
Still, as in years past, the teams that have struggled are still struggling, and that's Rickey's focus - make the league productive for all 16 teams.
"There has been a very, very, very positive reaction. We will take a closer look once the season is finalized," he said. "We are looking for ways to further streamline to make scheduling more efficient and to make for more efficient travel next year."
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Old PCL teams
Salt Lake Buzz
Calgary Cannons
Vancouver Canadians
Edmonton Trappers
Tacoma Rainiers
Phoenix Firebirds (now Fresno)
Tucson Toros (now New Orleans)
Albuquerque Dukes
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Las Vegas Stars
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New PCL teams and divisions
American Conference
Midwest Division
Iowa Cubs (Cubs)
Omaha Royals (Royals)
Albuquerque Dukes (Dodgers)
Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Rockies)
Eastern Division
Oklahoma Redhawks (Rangers)
New Orleans Zephyrs (Astros)
Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals)
Nashville Sounds (Pirates)
Pacific Conference
Southern Division
Salt Lake Buzz (Twins)
Fresno Grizzlies (Giants)
Las Vegas Stars (Padres)
Tucson Sidewinders (Diamondbacks)
Western Division
Calgary Cannons (White Sox)
Edmonton Trappers (Athletics)
Tacoma Rainiers (Mariners)
Vancouver Canadians (Angels)