IBL officially announces Ottawa

The IBL finally made official it's worse kept secret Ottawa is joining the IBL.

Below is a cut and past of the league's release :

The League today announced that the application from Ottawa Stadium Group Ltd. (OSG) has been ratified and OSG has been awarded an expansion franchise.

OSG was successful in meeting the IBL's conditions including securing a stadium lease and becomes the League's ninth member for the 2010 season. The IBL has been in continuous operation since 1919 which one of the oldest League's in Canada.

OSG will play out of Ottawa Stadium, a 10,300 seat state-of-the-art facility formerly known as Lynx Stadium when it was playing host to Triple-A baseball and most recently, independent professional baseball.

Joe O'Neill, IBL Commissioner stated, "Canada's oldest baseball League applauds the efforts and tenacity of the Ottawa Stadium Group in their quest and perseverance in obtaining a stadium lease for one of North America's state-of-the-art facilities."

"The IBL wishes to thank Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien and city councillors who saw the need to utilize the stadium for the multiple uses that the community will receive," said O'Neill.

The fledgling franchise will announce its team name and head coach next week. Work has already begun in assembling an Ottawa roster which will compete for the IBL title against eight other teams in the League – Barrie Baycats, Brantford Red Sox, Guelph Royals, Hamilton Thunderbirds, Kitchener Panthers, London Majors, Mississauga Twins and Toronto Maple Leafs.

OSG will also be announcing details on some of the unique ticketing packages and "Double-Play" season ticket packages that deliver a double dose of value to purchasers.

The IBL has seen many quality players pass through the League either prior to their big league careers such as Pete Orr, Rob Ducey, Chris Speier and Jesse Orosco or after their playing careers ended with such names as Paul Spoljaric, Fergie Jenkins, Mike Kilkenny and Denny McLain to name a few.

Rosters are also stocked with top local area players and talented Canadian and U.S. players from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) colleges and universities.

I'm all for the IBL expanding, but at what cost?

The Ottawa group is apparently spending upwards of 100K to the City of Ottawa and are also apparently on the hook for hotels and transportation for all the visiting teams. That's a large chunk of change out of anyone's wallet.

I just hope it doesn't turn into a situation like the CBL did. What happens if they fold mid way through the season? or get a number of rain outs? Teams can't go up there mid week for a rain out. Its a good six hour drive by bus for most teams. Not my idea of a fun trip.

Is this just a one year stunt to convince the CAN-AM league to return? I hope not.

If its going to be successful which I hope it is the IBL is going to need to expand to the north ie the Belleville's or Kingston's and form a 2nd division. Just my two cents.

Curious to see what they are going to be called as well.