Continental Baseball League Offers Emerging Communities a Chance to Play Ball.

DALLAS -- Ron Baron remembers growing up in New York City and attending a big league game when he and his father could buy a ticket for $5 or less, a hot dog for 50 cents and watch a doubleheader at Shea Stadium.

Which is why one day, not too long ago, he closed his eyes at his Dallas office and wondered, "let's do it again."

That's where his vision for the Continental Baseball League began.

Today, that vision is another step closer to reality as Baron and two former members of the Chicago Cubs organization announced the launch of a new independent professional baseball league. The Continental Baseball League will open play in late May, 2007, targeting emerging mid-sized communities in eight southwest states. The independent league plans to field 6 to 10 teams minimum during its first season of operation, and then expand in future years.

Cities under consideration will come from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Colorado, and range from 85,000 to 185,000 in population. Baron, along with former major league veteran outfielder Jay Johnstone, former Chicago Cubs executive Bob Ibach, and league marketing director Laura Kath, will be meeting with potential groups to identify cities for the initial CBL season.

Baron brings more than 20 years of experience in sports law and counseling, and founded the Center for Sports Law and Risk Management, Inc. in Dallas in 1988. The 48-year-old Dallas businessman has counseled numerous clients on sports law and team-related operational strategies, including Major League Baseball and National Football League teams, key collegiate athletic programs and operators of stadiums and arenas.

The CBL is of particular interest to President/CEO Baron because "it brings me back to my youth, to the way baseball used to be played. I wanted to start a professional baseball league that was affordable for families looking for an entertainment opportunity in the summer."

The CBL's first season will begin around Memorial Day, 2007, an 80-game season, 13 weeks in length, with six games played a week, including Sunday doubleheaders, a throwback to yesteryear. Suggested ticket prices will range from $5 to $12, with most concession items considerably lower than at most ballparks. The CBL plans selected Kids Free days and players will sign autographs on the field after each game.

Fans will want to stay longer at the ballpark, too, as the CBL plans a revolutionary way of scoring runs in the 7th inning. In that one inning only, the FIRST home run hit by the trailing team will count double. Thus, a 2-run homer will account for 4 runs, and a grand slam will mean 8 runs. "So even if your team is behind, say 7-1, there is still hope to hang around and cheer on your team," noted Baron.

Ibach, 57, spent 10 seasons as the Chicago Cubs director of public relations and publications. He has authored four baseball books, including recently released "Making Airwaves" about Houston Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton. "We could have used a few 6-run homers at Wrigley Field in the 1980s," laughed Ibach, the CBL's director of operations and communications.

"Imagine the look on Tommy Lasorda's face after an 8-run homer?" added Johnstone, who played for Lasorda's Dodgers and earned two World Series rings during his 21-year career. Johnstone will direct the league's team relations and community outreach.

Baron's marketing research has uncovered many similarities in the potential cities. "Each has strong youth baseball, strong college or junior college programs," said Baron. "They share a similar passion for baseball--and have a void during the summer months. We want to be their affordable choice for summer entertainment."

Franchises will be affordable, costing $100,000; player payrolls won't exceed $120,000 per season (no player will make more than $10,000 or less than $4,000).

"This price structure makes it possible for a few individuals to own the pro baseball team in their community," said Baron, "and it will keep the dream of baseball alive in the summer for many kids, moms and dads."