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Eugene Church · 12-09-2016, 05:02 PM

The Islandian Times
Friday, November 9, 2001

IPA Commissioner Summons Owners: Will the IPA Expand?
Commissioner John Banford of the Islandian Pro Alliance held a press conference today at the league headquarters in Forest City and announced he is calling a special meeting of all the current 24 owners to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal presented yesterday to him by Gates Billingham and his expansion group. Billingham's group wants the IPA to consider adding teams for the coming 2002 season. His expansion group has lined up 40 towns in all that want to join the new professional baseball league.

Commenting on the meeting with the commissioner Billingham told reporters, "Commissioner Banford listened intently to our expansion proposals over a three-hour period, pinned us down on the details and finances and said he would call a special meeting of the current owners and share with them our plans. Banford gave no indication of his approval or disapproval of league expansion, but indicated it is a subject that will have to be studied soon as the public at-large has strongly indicated a preference for every town in the Islands to have its very own pro team."

Banford would not answer questions about his meeting with Billingham's group, saying only a special owners meeting would be called to discuss it. Banford hoped to schedule the meeting within two weeks.

Unofficial sources close to the commissioner said Banford was favorably impressed with Billingham and the expansion council. One source paraphrased the commissioner's and said he felt that they have a fine group of good baseball men. That he had dealt with them over the years in the amateur and company leagues and had nothing but good things to say about all of them."

Present at the expansion meeting were Rickey Branch of Mahaska, Ryan Noland of Rocky Rapids, Mack Connery of Red Bluff, Griff Clark of East Point and Bob Catlin of Beechwood.

12-09-2016, 05:02 PM	#5313
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,940	The Islandian Times Friday, November 9, 2001 IPA Commissioner Summons Owners: Will the IPA Expand? Commissioner John Banford of the Islandian Pro Alliance held a press conference today at the league headquarters in Forest City and announced he is calling a special meeting of all the current 24 owners to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal presented yesterday to him by Gates Billingham and his expansion group. Billingham's group wants the IPA to consider adding teams for the coming 2002 season. His expansion group has lined up 40 towns in all that want to join the new professional baseball league. Commenting on the meeting with the commissioner Billingham told reporters, "Commissioner Banford listened intently to our expansion proposals over a three-hour period, pinned us down on the details and finances and said he would call a special meeting of the current owners and share with them our plans. Banford gave no indication of his approval or disapproval of league expansion, but indicated it is a subject that will have to be studied soon as the public at-large has strongly indicated a preference for every town in the Islands to have its very own pro team." Banford would not answer questions about his meeting with Billingham's group, saying only a special owners meeting would be called to discuss it. Banford hoped to schedule the meeting within two weeks. Unofficial sources close to the commissioner said Banford was favorably impressed with Billingham and the expansion council. One source paraphrased the commissioner's and said he felt that they have a fine group of good baseball men. That he had dealt with them over the years in the amateur and company leagues and had nothing but good things to say about all of them." Present at the expansion meeting were Rickey Branch of Mahaska, Ryan Noland of Rocky Rapids, Mack Connery of Red Bluff, Griff Clark of East Point and Bob Catlin of Beechwood.