Will Fresno ever host a Triple-A All-Star Game?

Top players from the highest level of minor league baseball gather each season to one lucky city.

The Triple-A All-Star week — a four-day event comprised of a fan fest, home run derby, evening gala and the game — often is the most celebrated occasion during the minor-league season, featuring the top prospects and rising stars from the Pacific Coast and International leagues.

This year, executives from all 30 Triple-A clubs and fans from around the country trekked to Werner Park in Omaha, Nebraska, for the All-Star Game on Wednesday.

“It’s a special time for minor league baseball,” PCL President Branch B. Rickey III said. “Many are eager to take part.”

So why haven’t the Fresno Grizzlies hosted an All-Star Game?

Perhaps the more burning question is: Will the Grizzlies ever host one?

Managing General Partner Chris Cummings and General Manager Derek Franks said the Grizzlies will make a push to host one in the future — possibly in four years.

“I would love to see Fresno host,” Franks said. “I think Fresno would embrace it.

“If we’re saying 2019 is our next chance to host, I’d say our interest is definitely there to not let that opportunity pass.”

Sharing the game

The two Triple-A leagues prefer to alternate as hosts.

This season, it was at the home of the PCL’s Omaha Storm Chasers. Next year, it’ll be at BB&T Ballpark, the venue for the IL’s Charlotte Knights.

The 2017 PCL site already has been determined, though not announced. And the 2018 IL site still is being discussed.

That makes 2019 the first availability.

Rickey said late last week he’s spoken with two PCL franchises about hosting in 2019 — but not with Fresno.

“Is there a line? Yes, we’re several years out,” Rickey said. “Is it a long line? No I wouldn’t say it’s a long line. A long line would probably be 5, 6 years out.

“People are very desirous of having it, but it’s a game that’s become more expensive to host.”

The Grizzlies’ financial situation has prevented the ownership group from even considering hosting the marquee Triple-A event and the search for new ownership could hinder Fresno’s chances down the line.

Meanwhile, the downtown ballpark initially called Grizzlies Stadium continues to age — known as Chukchansi Park since 2007, it turned 13 years old in May.

And since having a new ballpark or one that’s undergoing major renovations is a key component to hosting, the question remains: Has Fresno missed its window?

Among the 16 PCL franchises, the Grizzlies have the sixth-newest venue.

And of the five stadiums younger than Chukchansi Park, three have hosted the All-Star Game.

“We never got to benefit from having a new ballpark, so I think we’re still near the front of the line,” said Cummings, whose ownership group, Fresno Baseball Club LLC, took over the Grizzlies in late 2005. “We might have been pushed back a little since newer stadiums have been built, but we should still be up there for consideration.”

Risks of hosting

The Grizzlies, who have played in Fresno since 1998 and at their downtown location since 2002, never have felt comfortable taking on the duties of hosting a Triple-A All-Star Game. Cummings thought of hosting the 2009 game, but that idea faded after evaluating the expenses entailed in a then-depressed economy.

Cummings and the Grizzlies have yet to re-enter the discussions since.

For starters, there’s a $100,000 hosting fee along with the required manpower a franchise must devote to handle such the undertaking.

That’s quite a risk for the Grizzlies. The Fresno Baseball Club LLC reported losses of $623,687 in 2014, though that was considered somewhat of a success after losing $1.3 million in 2013 and $1.6 million in 2012.

Cummings has openly discussed the desire of the Fresno Baseball Club LLC to sell the franchise (the Triple-A club would remain in Fresno regardless who owns the franchise, with 27 years still on the Chukchansi Park lease).

Cumming, nonetheless, believes the possibility of a sale would not prevent the organization from pursing an All-Star Game.

“I work under the impression that until a sale happens, we’re going to operate in the best interest in the team,” Cummings said. “If we were lucky to get a successful big game like the Triple-A All-Star Game and sold the team before the event, any prospective owners would be shown the contract.”

There are other hurdles outside of the front office’s control that the club would have to sort out: particularly, finding enough quality full-service hotels to room the players, coaches, executives, plus their families, friends and other fans, in addition to having conference rooms for league meetings.

The Grizzlies also would have to identify entertainment options for fans, players and executives in Fresno, including finding a venue to host an upscale gala, as well as travel and transportation logistics.

“If you’re going to host, you got to do it right,” said Reno Aces president Eric Edelstein, whose ballclub hosted the 2013 game four years after the downtown Reno ballpark opened. “You want to create a lasting memory for every event — not just a three-day absence from the regular season.”

Making money?

Rickey admits the Triple-A All-Star Game typically doesn’t generate a significant economic boost to the hosting city through “outside dollars.”

Most of the expenses are paid by the hosting franchises, and the majority of fans who attend the events come from the local fan base.

That puts the onus on the hosting franchise to drum up enough interest locally to generate a sellout crowd.

Of the past seven games hosted by a PCL team since Fresno’s downtown stadium opened, four were sold out and the other three had announced crowds that met at least 80% capacity. Chukchansi Park has a capacity of 12,500.

Hosting the game typically drives the hosting team’s regular-season sales, since they gives fans better access to all-star events and tickets.

But with a mandatory start time between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. locally to meet the 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time start for the MLB Network broadcast of the game, teams from the West Coast face the added challenge of filling a stadium with an early start time.

Despite the numerous challenges, hosting the game is considered a major coup since it allows a franchise to showcase its stadium, staff and city.

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Cummings said. “There’s a lot of work and coordination involved. But in the baseball world, it’s a big deal to host and a point of pride.”

Franks said he’s noticed more people asking him this year when the Grizzlies will host the Triple-A All-Star Game and Cummings expressed excitement to host the event, as well.

“We’re a little early to put a bid in for 2019,” Cummings said. “But I think we should put on an all-out blitz by this time next year.”

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Will Fresno ever host a Triple-A All-Star Game?."