Business Pulse
Volume 29 • Number 1
January 2002

 

Bells Return to Local Ownership

Magazine Publisher Exercises Option to Buy Team

A trial run has convinced Business Pulse publisher Tony Larson to buy the Bellingham Bells.

Larson, who operated the semi-pro baseball team during its 2001 season, has exercised his option to buy the Pacific International League franchise from George Daniel, a Pennsylvania sports attorney. Daniel was granted the Bellingham franchise for its initial PIL season in 1999 but placed it for sale in 2000.

The Bells, with roots going back to 1941, finished second last summer in the PIL’s Northern Division to advance to the league playoffs and finished with a 21-19 record overall. The PIL features some of the country’s best collegiate players who hone their skills during the summer before returning to college. Many of them have professional aspirations and have been drafted by major-league teams but elected to stay in college for another year.

Larson, owner of Bellingham-based Pulse Publications since 1990, formed Grand Slam Management Group LLC and signed an agreement with Daniel in late January to operate the team in 2001 with an option to buy it after the season.

“We got a substantially late start in every aspect of the operation,” Larson recalls. “We were essentially seven months behind every team in the league.”

Despite the late start, Larson says he was encouraged by growing attendance for games at Joe Martin Field and positive feedback from team sponsors. Aided by the suggestions of a community advisory board, which also is returning this season, the Bells drew 1,500 fans for their last home game and exceeded 1,000 a number of times. Larson says a team goal this year is to average 1,000 fans per game.

“Our intent is to begin where we left off last season,” he states.

Dan Newell remains with the Bells as director of baseball operations but is relinquishing his duties as head coach to son Brandon Newell, who was an assistant coach last year. Sean Linville and Anthony Newell also are returning as assistant coaches. The staff already has been recruiting players for the upcoming season and is receiving positive feedback.

“We’re developing a reputation through our players that Bellingham is a great place to play baseball in the summer,” Larson says.

Larson, a Bellingham native, emphasizes that Grand Slam Management Group will continue to focus on providing affordable entertainment for families. A variety of entertainment, including popular mascot Cluck, will be presented before games and between innings. Special ticket packages for families also will be offered and youths will be given a chance to meet players before games.

“The people who attended the games really enjoyed themselves,” he remarks.

Larson isn’t afraid that the current economic slowdown will adversely affect the Bells because minor-league attendance has increased during tough times.

“That’s something that gets us more excited because we’re providing affordable family entertainment.

General admission tickets will cost $3 for adults and $2 for children — the same as last year. Season tickets for the upcoming season will be available Feb. 1 by calling 527-1035. Also, the team’s Web site, www.bellinghambells.com, will be updated by then with the season schedule and ticket prices.

Larson expects the Bells will play 30 league games and about 10 non-league games with at least 20 contests at Joe Martin Field. He adds that the team is aggressively pursuing the rights to hold the league playoffs, “which would showcase some of the best college players in the country, many of whom have already been drafted by professional baseball.”

The PIL regular season runs from late May through July. The league champion advances to the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan. The Bells placed 11th in the NBC World Series in 1999.

The PIL has teams in Washington, British Columbia and Oregon. The Aloha (Ore.) Knights are owned by Phil Knight, chairman of Nike.

After operating a team in the PIL last season, Larson says it wasn’t hard to exercise the option to buy the team.

“I believe in the long-term future of baseball in Whatcom County,” he declares.