In the always exciting and never boring North American League, the Yuma Scorpions have been sold by Diamond Sports & Entertainment, Inc. and purchased by Godfather Media, Inc. 

Yuma has an unbelievably rich history that many might not be aware of. Since 2005 they have been apart of the Golden Baseball League and North American League. You can say they are one of the founding franchises. In today’s game, an Indy team sticking around for more than a couple years is quite an accomplishment. 

According to oursportcentral.com, “They are the longest running professional team in any sport in Yuma and the third professional minor league baseball team (Yuma Panthers 1950 - 1952, Yuma Sun Sox 1955 - 1956, and Yuma Bullfrogs 2000 - 2002).” 

As a big advocate of the Indy baseball, this route is an opportunity to continue playing the game with a chance to be seen. And the proof is literally in the numbers. 

In just seven years Yuma has seen 17 of its players sign MLB contracts; 

Robby Scott, LHP, Boston Red Sox (2011) 

JJ Leaper, RHP, Oakland Athletics (2011) 

Lee Cruz, OF, Houston Astros (2010) 

Gilbert De La Vara, LHP, Detroit Tigers (2010) 

Brandon Fowler, C, San Diego Padres (2010) 

Rylan Sandoval, SS, New York Mets (2010) 

Reynaldo Rodriguez, 1B, Boston Red Sox (2009) 

Ryan Barba, SS, Atlanta Braves (2008) 

Donald Brandt, P Milwaukee Brewers (2008) 

Derrick Hale, SS, Cincinnati Reds (2008) 

Kenard Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles (2007) 

Charles Merricks, P, Philadelphia Phillies (2007) 

Scott Richmond, P, Toronto Blue Jays (2007) 

Sergio Romo, P, San Francisco Giants (2007) 

Cardoza Tucker, P, Houston Astros (2006) 

Dane De La Rosa, P, Tampa Bay Rays (2005) 

Jason Dewui, C, Colorado Rockies, (2005)  

It is unclear why Yuma sold the club to Godfather Media but according to Diamond Sports and Entertainment CEO Brian MacInnes, this venture will hopefully bring more corporate sponsorship and resources to the city and franchise. 

Godfather Media is a holding company that takes 100% control in multiple subsidiaries. Their primary investment is usually in the range between $1 million and $5 million. There motto states “The Company’s principal focus is to invest in growth opportunities in sports, entertainment, and mobile and social media industries. Godfather Media generally seeks to target companies that generate free cash flow, have experienced management teams and possess strong competitive positions within their respective industries”. 

An additional bonus is that the new owners plan to make shares of the Scorpions ownership available to investors. 

Whether or not Yuma will turn the corner with their new owner, the NAL continues to evolve and try new things. From former Major Leaguer’s like Jose Canseco and Mike Marshall taking the reigns as non-players to new companies stepping in to take control of the teams, the NAL continues to push the boundaries striving for success.
 

Devon is the Founder and Executive Director of The GM's Perspective

Devon and is an Associate member of The Professional Writers Association of Canada, is a featured writer on Examiner.com and member of the Yarbarker Network,

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.

He is also and author for the Business of Sports Network, which includes the Biz of Baseball, the Biz of Football, the Biz of Basketball and the Biz of Hockey. He is also a contributor to the Canadian Baseball Network. He has continued to further his knowledge by completing Sports Management Worldwide's Baseball General Manager Class and interning with The Football Outsiders.

Currently, Devon is a Manager at a financial institution in Northern Ontario Canada, and can be reached at devon@thegmsperspective.com. You can follow The GM's Perspective on Twitter and Facebook

As a lifelong fan of the game, it’s difficult to fathom a school with a history over more than 60 years to change conferences, ultimately forfeiting their baseball program. 

 In my recent article about the Southern University Thunderbirds, it was announced by the NCAA, as well as Southern Utah University, that the school was discontinuing the baseball program following the completion of the 2012 baseball season.                 
With a lengthy history and with over 13 players drafted since 1974, a move like this doesn’t make much sense, especially to those looking from the outside. 

I did reach out to Mr. Ken Beazer, SUU’s Athletic Director who took the time to answer some of my questions. 

First was to obviously ask “why would the school move to the Big Sky Conference when they are not a sponsor of baseball as a sport?” 

Ken Beazer: “Southern Utah University's baseball program did move to NCAA Division I status in 1988; however, its baseball history is more robust, dating back to its junior college days in the 60's. 

Our current conference affiliation, The Summit League, is a midwestern conference, making travel extremely difficult and expensive.  Within the Summit League, our closest conference opponent is Oral Roberts located in Tulsa, OK, which is nearly 1,300 miles away from Cedar City, UT. 

The Big Sky Conference provides a much better fit geographically for our programs, which greatly reduces the rigor of travel on our student-athletes and lowers travel costs.  Furthermore, SUU now has geographic rivals within Utah and bordering states, substantially increases fan interest amongst our community. Admission into the Big Sky Conference has been the focus of the University for nearly 20 years.” 

It was mentioned in NCAA press release that this move, “puts the University in a better position to advance its intercollegiate athletics programs” With the basketball and football programs not really outshining the baseball program in any way, how would this move benefit the school?” 

KB: “Redirecting the funding resources from baseball into other programs allows the University to bolster current structural weaknesses within the Athletics Department and definitely provides a stronger financial foundation for academic and athletic success.” 

Finally, when it comes to collegiate athletics, did the change have anything to with finances or the baseball program losing too much money? 

KB: “The decision to discontinue baseball had nothing to do with the "baseball program losing too much money."  The decision was weighed extensively over the past year with regards to many factors, such as: conference affiliation, facilities, support staff and limited financial resources.” 

When it comes down to it sports is business and sometimes these decisions are very difficult. I greatly appreciate the assistance of Mr. Beazer in understanding this process. It must have been an extremely arduous decision, but one that ultimately had to be made. 

I wish all the best to the Thunderbirds in their final season and wish all the best to Southern Utah and the future of their Athletics Department in their new journey.
 

Devon is the Founder and Executive Director of The GM's Perspective

Devon and is an Associate member of The Professional Writers Association of Canada, is a featured writer on Examiner.com and member of the Yarbarker Network,

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.

He is also and author for the Business of Sports Network, which includes the Biz of Baseball, the Biz of Football, the Biz of Basketball and the Biz of Hockey. He is also a contributor to the Canadian Baseball Network. He has continued to further his knowledge by completing Sports Management Worldwide's Baseball General Manager Class and interning with The Football Outsiders.

Currently, Devon is a Manager at a financial institution in Northern Ontario Canada, and can be reached at devon@thegmsperspective.com. You can follow The GM's Perspective on Twitter and Facebook

World Children’s Baseball Fair now spans 20 years

Los Angeles – Canada’s Tom Valcke was presented a special recognition award on Sunday at the World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) 20th Anniversary Commemorative Award Gala at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. The head table at the event also featured a virtual Who’s Who of baseball, including WCBF founders and world homerun kings Hank Aaron and Japan’s Sadaharu Oh, accompanied by Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, and hall-of-famers Lou Brock and Frank Robinson.

USA Baseball CEO Paul Seiler was the presenter of the prestigious award, and noted that Valcke was honoured due to his long-time dedication to coaching and his outstanding support of the WCBF.

Valcke, the outgoing president & CEO of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, has taught baseball in 17 different countries, and was the Technical Commissioner at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as well as the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

“Tom is recognized around the world as not only an experienced, knowledgeable and winning coach, but as a coach of coaches,” said Seiler.

“Tom’s passion for baseball, his tireless work ethic, and his ongoing commitment to youth is second to none. He’s a great motivator who is contagious, and having seen him in action abroad, he is separated from the pack because of his ability to keep things light and positive regardless of the inevitable curve balls thrown our way when we undertake these endeavours.”

“It is nice to see Tom receive this honour, but, quite frankly, I am confident that his best days lie ahead of him.”

In Valcke’s acceptance speech, he praised the founders, staff, his fellow coaches, volunteers and sponsors of the WCBF, where baseball serves as the medium for breaking down perceived cultural barriers, noting that 4,730 boys and girls have now participated in the event representing 85 different countries.

Valcke closed by saying he has always been inspired by hall-of-famer Jackie Robinson, who preached that: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

It’s very difficult to write about baseball teams that discontinue their program but unfortunately that’s the nature of the beast. 

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds will be cancelling their program before the move to the Big Sky Conference in 2012/2013 academic year. 

According to a report by the NCAA, “the University's pending move to the Big Sky Conference, coupled with the need to redirect resources to add men's tennis, precipitated the decision to eliminate baseball, SUU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer said”. 

It should be mentioned that baseball is not a sponsored sport by the Big Sky Conference, but does require men’s tennis “as a core sport for the 2012-13 academic year.” 

This is not the first team to lose its programs within recent years; 

• Cleveland State
• Duquesne
• Northern Iowa
• Vermont 

It’s not as if this is a stumbling first year program. The program which grew from its Junior College days has been in the NCAA since 1988. Despite never advancing past the Conference tournament, having above-average seasons for the past five years and having had 13 players drafted since 1974, a move to a new conference following the end of this season blows my mind. 

Obviously higher powers are involved, and many factors, no doubt, went in to the decision, but for the moment the program is still alive. Let’s hope the Thunderbirds go out on a high note and give their fans something to remember.

Devon is the Founder and Executive Director of The GM's Perspective

Devon and is an Associate member of The Professional Writers Association of Canada, is a featured writer on Examiner.com and member of the Yarbarker Network,

Devon is a former professional baseball player with the River City Rascals & Gateway Grizzlies, and is now an independent scout.

He is also and author for the Business of Sports Network, which includes the Biz of Baseball, the Biz of Football, the Biz of Basketball and the Biz of Hockey. He is also a contributor to the Canadian Baseball Network. He has continued to further his knowledge by completing Sports Management Worldwide's Baseball General Manager Class and interning with The Football Outsiders.

Currently, Devon is a Manager at a financial institution in Northern Ontario Canada, and can be reached at devon@thegmsperspective.com. You can follow The GM's Perspective on Twitter and Facebook