Looking for answers: Second baseball team puts El Paso Diablos' future in doubt

?? Photos: El Paso Diablos baseball

The possible arrival of a Triple-A baseball team and a new city-sponsored ballpark could jeopardize the future of El Paso's lone baseball team for the past 30 years -- the Diablos.

In the proposed contract that will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting, a non-compete clause states the city will not extend its agreement with the current tenant of Cohen Stadium, which is the Diablos, past April 16, 2016.

That means the Diablos must find a new home after the 2015 season. And it probably can't be in El Paso because the non-compete clause also prohibits the city, or others, from operating Cohen Stadium or any other facility that "would accommodate affiliated or independent professional baseball, in competition with the new ballpark."

"It was always our intention that when we recruited a minor league team that it would replace the other one," City Manager Joyce Wilson said.

The Tigua tribe purchased the Diablos last summer for $500,000 to become the first local owner of the team in 12 years, said Karl Maahs, general manager of Speaking Rock and Socorro Entertainment Centers. In the Tiguas' first season as owners, they spent an additional $750,000 on upgrades, which included restrooms, skyboxes, a marquee and a swimming pool.

No city official contacted

the Tiguas about the non-compete clauses, Maahs said.

"We're disappointed that no one, not the mayor or City Council members, warned us," Maahs said.

"I just found out (on Friday) that we're going to get thrown out. We bought the Diablos -- and took on a lot of debt -- not to make money but as a quality-of-life issue, to make sure we had baseball in El Paso owned by locals that preserved the Diablos name. We poured $1.25 million into this stadium, which is owned by the city, and no one bothered to tell us."

The Diablos' front office would not comment.

"I think that the Tiguas have been in tune with what we've been doing all along," Mayor John Cook said. "We've been talking about trying to attract a Triple-A baseball team for well over a year. I think you have to think more about El Paso's future than the other team. For us to go from the what the Diablos are to a Triple-A team is a huge step for this city."

City Rep. Carl Robinson, who represents the Cohen Stadium area, disagreed with Cook.

"I'm not against the stadium, but I have questions," Robinson said.

"It's not so much what you do, but how you do it. We didn't include the Tiguas at the table and I have not had questions answered about the ability to support two professional teams and the future of Cohen Stadium, which the taxpayers own."

Wilson said that at the last discussions to renew the Diablos' contract, the city's intention to pursue a minor league team was clear. The Tiguas did not own the team at the time, Maahs said.

Maahs insists the Diablos will continue to exist and the Tiguas will operate the team. Maahs suggested the Lower Valley, the Socorro Entertainment Center and even Las Cruces as possible places to play. He said the organization might offer free tickets to see baseball in conjunction to see the free concerts.

That may be necessary as the Diablos try to compete. Attendance has been scattered, at best. The club has not had a winning season since 2007, including back-to-back last-place finishes and a 7-25 record as of Friday.

"The reality is that the product the Diablos have offered is not high quality, especially since they're not affiliated," said city Rep. Steve Ortega.

The Triple-A team -- which does not have a name and could not be called the Diablos, because the Tiguas own that name -- would pose further challenges. The state-of-the-art stadium would boast 7,000 to 9,000 seats, 20 to 30 luxury suites and 250 to 500 club seats.

The team would also showcase professional players, one step away from Major League Baseball, with an affiliated professional team. The Diablos belong to the American Association, an independent league whose players rarely get to the major leagues.

"There's a big difference between independent baseball and affiliated baseball," said Jim Paul, former owner of the Diablos when they were a Double-A team. "In minor league baseball, the players are owned and signed and cared for by a Major League team. On any given night, you can probably see 16 to 18 players who will play or have played at the highest level. Outside of a professional team, there's nothing that can beat that."

Perhaps not even a UTEP game, Paul said.

And that has the Diablos -- despite Paul's and Maahs' feelings that the club can overcome several big obstacles -- scrambling and asking questions.

"Our future is up in the air," Maahs said. "And, despite our efforts to do good things in this community, we didn't get any warning about it."

Evan Mohl may be reached at emohl@elpasotimes.com; 546-6381. Follow him on Twitter @EvanMohl.

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