Just can't wait for T-Bones baseball? The T-Bones will be playing a preseason game vs. the Canaries at Sioux Falls on Friday, May 16th according to their exhibition schedule. For those of you thinking road trip, Sioux Falls is about 360 miles from KCK.

Gary finally at home in Northern League
A report from the Northern League's winter meeting in Gary, Indiana.

From Lee Sinins' Around The Majors Reports: "Rickey Henderson's agent called the Padres, but the team says they don't have any room for him. Meanwhile, GM Kevin Towers says Henderson's agent says he's going to sign with the St. Paul Saints, an independent league team that has had a reputation for signing old players."

The T-Bones could get a little national exposure as they open the season against the Saints in St. Paul on May 23rd. If Rickey were to sign with the Saints, I doubt he'd still be with the team when they make their first trip to KC on July 4th. In 2001, I had the pleasure of seeing Rickey's first game in the minors in over fifteen years in Pasco, Washington. Rickey had just signed with San Diego and spent a couple of weeks with their AAA ballclub, the Portland Beavers, before joining the Padres. Say what you will about the man's arrogance and distaste of the first person singular, Rickey truly loves the game of baseball and isn't just playing for a paycheck.

Tax breaks once again are brewing
Kansas City Star - 19 Feb 2003
"Olathe, which used TIF to develop a large retail development at 119th Street and Strang Line Road, is being asked by Springfield hotelier John Q. Hammons to expand another TIF district at 119th Street and Renner Road to help develop green space for an arena, hotel and conference center. The kicker is Hammons' request to use the additional TIF land to build a baseball stadium and big-box retailer -- presumed to be Bass Pro Shops -- on green space."

"Olathe, which turned down a previous request to TIF the green-space land where the baseball stadium and Bass Pro would sit, views the entire arena project as its chance to land a Sprint-like big fish. Despite its reputation as a free spender when it comes to incentives, Olathe is playing this presumed "keeper" carefully. An upcoming public hearing may have some effect on how much bait Olathe will use to land its whopper."

Check out ten new construction photos from February 18th on the T-Bones' site.

T-BONES ACQUIRE MORE LOCAL TALENT
T-Bones Press Release - 17 Feb 2003
According to a Bangor Lumberjacks press release, the T-Bones traded outfielder David Jefferson to the Lumberjacks for D.J. Johnson.

"D.J. Johnson is a 6’3” right handed pitcher who resides in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Jonathan Krysa is another right-hander, who lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and is a recent graduate of Rockhurst University. Johnson, 28, was selected by the Rockies in the 9th round of the 1997 draft. After several years in that organization, he moved to independent ball, playing in the Western League with Chico and Yuma. For the 2002 season, he moved to another independent league, playing for the Adirondack Lumberjacks of the Northeastern League."

On an unrelated note, the T-Bones will hold their first-ever “choose-your-seat” event this Saturday, February 22, at the CommunityAmerica Credit Union’s corporate headquarters.

Northern League Transactions
2/17/2003 - Kansas City- Signed RHP Jonathan Krysa (LS-1).

FLYERS SIGN SON OF LATE HALL OF FAMER TED WILLIAMS
Northern League Press Release - 17 Feb 2003
"John Henry Williams, the son of deceased baseball legend Ted Williams, has signed a 2003 contract with the Schaumburg Flyers. The younger Williams will continue his pursuit of a baseball career this May when the Northern League club opens spring training in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago."

While I doubt he will be on the Flyers roster when they come to town August 18th, it might be fun to throw popsicles at him.

New construction photos from February 12th are up on the T-Bones' site, including aerial views.