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This Wyndham deal in NLR looks exciting

The news that Frank Fletcher would be finally building his "tower" at his Wyndham Hotel in North Little Rock hit the front page of the D-G (good story, David Smith), and the tie-in with the new Travelers stadium, Dickey-Stephens Park, with the tower looking over the left field fence, is an exciting announcement. Travelerocity, the blog that covers the Travs and minor-league baseball, takes a look at the Wyndham expansion plans.

Also, a recent item on Travelerocity notes that Dickey-Stephens will be among the smallest parks in seating in the Texas League. When the Little Rock-North Little Rock area starts turning out for the Travs like fans show up for Frisco and Springdale Springfield, we'll start worrying that the seating might not be enough. I think it's reasonable to predict that Springdale will draw better than the Travs when the Wranglers move there next year. I hope Travs fans prove me wrong; actually, Travs fans support the team, there are just not enough of them. The Travs new NEW regular fans. I think they're trying, and have at Ray Winder. Maybe the new stadium is what's needed to add 2,000 or so regular fans a night on average. At least 2,000. If Springfield can draw 6,000 a night, certainly LR-NLR can.

Posted by on January 24, 2007 05:01 PM |

Comments

I think you mean "Frisco and SpringFIELD"? No one is showing up for games in Springdale, yet.

I'm not certain that the Wranglers will be able to overcome the draw of the Razorback baseball team. The Hogs have national title hopes in that sport this year. Of course, the excitment around Hog baseball could spill over and create some synergy for the Springdale club.

Posted by: Arkansas Student [TypeKey Profile Page] | January 25, 2007 09:32 AM

Argenta is going to be the new River Market, actually, the real River Market because it will attract larger crowds for more of the day and year than that dribble at the River Market. The new bars, restaurants, and homes are going to make an exciting venue. I hope they have room for more seating that they can add after 5 years. We need to look at more trolley routes for that area so development doesn't get ahead of necessary infrastructure.

Posted by: Fletch [TypeKey Profile Page] | January 25, 2007 03:36 PM

It's not about "Travs fans" vs other fans, its' about the venue. The same is true in Wichita, which is losing their team to Springdale. A nice, posh new stadium in a great location will have a major impact on attendance next season here just as it has in other AA and AAA franchises who have built new stadia?

Don't believe me? Just look at what Autozone Park did for minor league baseball in Memphis. Of course, I don't think we're getting the kind of product they did.

Posted by: Aporkalypse [TypeKey Profile Page] | January 27, 2007 11:06 AM

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