Having followed this story closely for the last few months and admitingly having some inside knowledge into the organization, the return of the Rapids have significantly reinstated my belief in humanity...overstatement? However, Ottawans will understand my sentiments especially with the recent struggles they have had with sports teams in Ottawa - Senators, Rough Riders, Renegades, Lynx and Rapidz - and the horrendous ownership groups which have ruled them (minus Melynk). The citizens of Ottawa deserve an ownership group who is dedicated to the great fans of this wonderful city. I have seen first hand how Ottawa fans respond to a team whom they feel truely represent the values and pride of this great city.
The Rapidz began the season with such promise and Ottawans responded in-kind, dispite poor play on the field (attendance hovered around second to third in the league). However, Rapidz ownership proceeded to shatter the confidence afforded to them by trusting baseball fanatics - such as the ill-timed firing of Manager Ed Nottle and giving up on the team as soon as the "going got tough".
Having being raised as a blue birds supporter and admittingly being a Toronto-centric sports fan for the first 20 years of my life, I was touched by the genuine love of baseball by Ottawans. I have experience firsthand the supreme disappointment of losing the Expos and the affect this has had on Eastern-Canadian baseball fans. The Rapidz management had the privaledge of restoring this belief in baseball but instead failed to even try and understand how to run this fragile franchise.
Miles Wolff, the Commissioner of the CAN-AM League, has truely seen the potential that baseball has in the nations capital. Neate Seager has documented this in his well informed "Out of Left Field" blog. I can only hope that Miles will conduct a significant examination of all future owners for our beloved Rapids (rubber glove time!)
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