Outlaws lose money! Will team be dismantled? October 9, 1999
The Deadwood Outlaws, one of the best teams in the league, will lose money
for the third straight year, and the Outlaw's owner, Hooters of America, is
tired of it. Speculation has begun to run wild in Deadwood, that General
Manager Philip Raisor has been ordered to "make money next year, or else!".
Ticket prices have already been raised for next season over 200%. The
average seat at Hitchcock Stadium will be over $100, by far the most
expensive in the league.
"The fans want a winning club, and the owners want a money maker. We're
going to try to do both." said Raisor in a recent interview.
HOA currently has no plans to leave the city, but that could change if
attendence falls.
Raisor has not been ordered to cut sallery directly, but he knows a couple
hig priced players will have to go if the team is to turn a profit in the
year 2000. RHP Todd Stottlemyre, already on the outs with Raisor, is
expected to be shipped out, or allowed to leave as a restricted free agent,
almost immediatly following the playoffs. DH Cecil Fielder is also probably
going to be available.
The Outlaw's farm system is in shambles after years of neglect, so Raisor
will probably be looking for draft picks and prospects to help rebuild for
the future.
The good news for the Outlaws is that the core one of the best lineups in
the game are all under long term deals, well below the market value.
SPRING TRAINING SITE SELECTED
The Outlaws have chosen Peachtree City, Georgia as it's new spring training
home. The Outlaws signed a ten year lease with the small Atlanta suburb,
and will play at the local highschool in 2000. The new Spring Training
complex should be ready by 2001.
