International League has plan for Red Wings to play 2018 home games elsewhere if no lease

The International League has an arrangement in place for the Rochester Red Wings to play their home games in another city in 2018 if a new lease at Frontier Field isn’t finalized.

League president Randy Mobley said Friday he will establish deadlines next week for Monroe County, which owns the stadium, and the ballclub to get a deal done. The parties agreed in principle to a new 10-year lease last August but haven’t been able to finalize the agreement.

“We do have arrangements that we can implement if we need to,’’ Mobley said in regards to the Red Wings moving their games. “It’s not a threat, it’s just a matter of fact for the position we’re in at this time. We can’t go into the season at Frontier Field with no agreement when the rug could be pulled out from under us at any point. That’s a situation we can’t expose ourselves to.’’

Mobley would not reveal what the league’s contingency plan for the Red Wings is, but it’s possible that dates could be secured in Syracuse or Buffalo, the two closest IL members, and make it easy for Rochester fans to attend. The Red Wings are presently occupying Frontier Field on a month-to-month arrangement.

On Wednesday, the county delivered an updated draft lease to the Red Wings that did not move the needle on any of the main issues, team CEO/president Naomi Silver said.

“The issues ... that the county needs to address have not been addressed,’’ she said.

Spokesman Jesse Sleezer said the county is committed to keeping the Red Wings in Rochester.

“On Wednesday, Monroe County sent an updated draft of a new long-term lease for the team’s review,’’ Sleezer said. “The proposed lease is the product of ongoing negotiations and reflects feedback from the team on several outstanding issues. The county has offered to meet with the team’s representatives at any time in order to facilitate a final agreement. The county has not yet received a counter-proposal from the team.’’

Mobley has traveled to Rochester on a few occasions to help facilitate negotiations. And while he said he remains positive, “the clock is ticking.’’ He said the time has arrived to set deadlines to help move talks along and convey the sense of urgency.

“I regret the need to do that," he said. "We’d like not to get into the business of those two parties, but from a league standpoint, we’ve got 13 other league members we have to make sure they’re protected and their teams have a place to play. We can’t allow things to sneak up to Opening Day and still not know what they’re doing.’’

The stalemate has forced state Assembly Major Leader Joe Morelle of Irondequoit to wade in. Thursday, he sent a letter to County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo and Silver asking for an update on lease negotiations and offered his assistance. He alluded to the Aug. 29 news conference at Frontier Field when it appeared months of contentiousness had come to an end and the Red Wings future had been secured.

“Our community, myself included, was led to believe that the finalizing of this long-term lease was merely a formality and that Rochester could look forward to enjoying our nation’s pastime for many years to come,’’ Morelle wrote. “It is unsettling that five months later, and only 33 days (March 4) until players report to spring training, no long-term lease has been signed.’’

While the agreement in principle did address major elements of the deal, some of those items have changed and other issues once believed to be minor have been more complicated to resolve, Silver said.

Among the major issues for the Red Wings are assurances that stadium upgrades will be made.

Morelle said Rochester Community Baseball Inc., (Red Wings) submitted an application through the Finger Lakes Economic Development Council last July seeking $6 million in state funding for capital improvements at Frontier.

It is the county’s responsibility for major stadium upkeep and to advocate for the necessary funding, Silver noted.

Morelle said he supported RCB’s application for state assistance, but that it is contingent “upon the successful execution of a long-term lease’’ that safeguards taxpayers.

He urged the parties to come to an agreement as opportunities for funds could become available in the governor’s 2018-19 budget. Silver said she would welcome Morelle's assistance in dealing with Dinolfo.

Pro baseball in Rochester dates to 1877. Sixty years ago, Silver’s late father, Morrie, led a community stock drive that saved the franchise from relocation then.

“I go back to we can’t settle for a lease that financially endangers our future, can’t sign a lease for a facility that isn’t having appropriate upgrades,’’ Silver said. “And if we can’t come to that understanding, what are we supposed to do? It leaves us with little to no choice and that’s very disheartening.’’

Mobley's comments came nine weeks before the Red Wings' scheduled season opener at 6:05 p.m. April 6 against the Buffalo Bisons at Frontier Field.

LROTH@Gannett.com

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