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Medford targeted for pro baseball franchise By GREG STILES The owners of a dormant Western League baseball franchise have targeted Medford as the site of operation for the 2002 season. James A. Goldsmith and James E. Ryan, partners of Liberty Baseball Holdings in Henniker, N.H., detailed via e-mail on Saturday their desire to meet with Medford and Jackson County public officials about using Miles Field next summer. The Western League is an independent minor league with six teams in Arizona, California and Utah. It plans to expand to eight clubs in 2002 and add two more in 2003. The closest current franchise is in Chico, Calif. "Medford had terrific fans that really supported the local team and Miles Field was a fine location for minor league play in a great city in a great state," says club president Goldsmith. Goldsmith, 45, played several seasons in the minor leagues. "The idea of bringing minor league ball back to Medford by next season is truly exciting," says Ryan. Goldsmith purchased the Scottsdale, Ariz., Valley Vipers in 1998 and operated the club one year. Fan support from the Phoenix suburb was minimal, leading the partners to pull out of the league for this season, while they looked for a new location. Medford's history of fan support during the 21 seasons (1979-1999) for the Medford/Southern Oregon A's/Timberjacks was solid enough to convince Goldsmith and Ryan, its general counsel, that a Western League franchise would prosper here. "What intrigues us about Medford is that there has been the hope the baseball would return," Ryan says. "You look at the statistics while the (Northwest League) team was here and there was a good basis of support. Plus, Southern Oregon is a nice place period." Ryan, 43, says Prescott and Flagstaff, Ariz., and Reno and Carson City, Nev., were considered before Medford was selected, "We'd like to visit Medford the third week of June," Ryan says. "It's T-minus 300 days to when we need to be up and running. It's crucial that we come to a public-private partnership, make sure the facility continues to be available for the (Southern Oregon RiverDogs) and American Legion teams, re-label our uniforms and getting our marketing activities underway. "Jim and I tend to be very, very focused when we want to get something done." Ryan says that the partners would like to have everything in place by Sept. 1. "Aside from other concerns, I would want my (three) kids out there in time for school if we're going to do this." Jackson County commissioner Jack Walker says a minor league team would be beneficial for local residents, but wonders if there is sufficient population to make any team a financial success. "What I've heard is that it takes about 250,000 people in an area before you can make money," Walker says. He says he will review the request for a meeting this week along with county staff members. Goldsmith runs a company that provides after school activities for public and private schools in the greater New York area. Ryan's firm is Yankee Book Publisher, which serves academic libraries throughout the country. The partners have also been involved in the summer-time New England College Baseball League. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.