Long Term Deals Reached, Owner Blasts Fans

The Bombers are committed to their players and the city of Columbia, South Carolina, and showed this by locking up a pair of the Young Guns to long term deals.

Dave Nicholson, 26, was signed to a 5 year, $8 Million dollar contract
Rodgers, 26, was signed to a 6 year, $11 Million dollar contract.

These two signings, along with the signing of Stephen Jackson last year keeps three young home grown talented pieces of the Bomber roster together thru at least the 2018 season.

On a side note, the South Carolina budget went up by just $500,000.  GM Altman, showed obvious signs of displeasure based on some of the holes in the lineup.  However, in a mutual press conference with the the GM and Owner, the owner hinted at a possible relocation in the Bombers future.  When pressed for more specific reasons, the Owner's response was this, "We brought in Alfonso with the expectation of increasing fan interest and excitement about the team, as well as winning more games. 

"We also won 8 more games than our inaugural season, we did see attendance rise to over 3,000,000 fans, and exceeded the pundits best guesses of what our record would be at the end of the season.  We've exceed these expectations two years running.

"We also have developed 3 very good young players that will be with us for a very long time.  Our pitching staff is maturing, our hitters are getting better.  We moved up in the standings. 

"Now for the things we can't understand.  While I noted our attendance is up, we are still at the bottom of attendance in the league.  Our budget, based on finances are last in the league, and the only one that is under $100M, but our payroll is 14th.  We're doing more with less, but there are limits.  Fan interest is at a league low of 57.  I know I care, I know Altman cares.  I know Ritchie cares.  I know the players care.  Why do the fans NOT care?"

When pressed for what the plans are for this season, in regards to the ballpark, "we're undecided on moving the fences in or adding seats.  We might just stand pat and put the capital money away to see what transpires."

One thing is apparent, if fan support remains at the level it's at now, South Carolina will not have an ABL franchise much longer.