Реферат: Minor League Baseball- Boom Or Bust To

the anchor for an economic development project that would be highly visible and would

help attract large crowds of people to the island. This would lead in making other events

on the island more feasible. Reeds dream became a reality in1986, when they began

construction of Riverside Stadium on City Island. In March 1987, the Pittsburgh Pirates

class AA team began play in Harrisburg. Harrisburg’s inaugural season was nothing short

of spectacular as the Senators won the Eastern League championship and attracted

223,000 fans their first year. Their success continued throughout the 80’s and into the 90’s

with attendance of 216,940 in 1988; 200,196 in 1989; 223,533 in 1990; and 233,423 in

1991. Their attendance in 1988 and 1990 was the highest in the Eastern League. The

success of the Senator’s made the revitalization of City Island possible. The city has

constructed another sports field, where a minor league football team and community

soccer team play. Concerts also are held on this second field. Riverside Village provides

a number of food stands that attract downtown workers and residents and city visitors to

the island. A marina and a riverboat, which presents an hour-long

cruise, have been established off the island. City officials estimate more than 600,000

people visit the island annually. The most activity, however, takes place from April to

December. The Harrisburg Senators remain the principal attraction, but other features and

activities on the island are becoming established in their own right.

Minor league baseball also brings tourists and visitors to the community.

In addition to the game itself, many travelers will visit local attractions as well as stay in

nearby hotels. The visiting teams brings a strong following with them to many road

games. These are tourists that would not be visiting the area if minor league baseball did

not exist. These baseball fans would not be supporting local restaurants, stores, gas

stations, if minor league baseball did not exist.

Although minor league baseball has been a dream come true for cities like

Harrisburg, it has been a nightmare for other communities. In Hudson Valley, New York,

the community found its case of baseball fever has turned into a ?financial jam and it may

not find the way out for a long time.? Hudson Valley was a community that was still

suffering from a 8,000 job losses from a recent IBM downsizing effort. The prospect of