New ownership group takes over Lancaster Barnstormers
Photo by Courtesy Lancaster Barnstormers
(Left to right) Ian Ruzow, Rob Liss, Steve Zuckerman, Bob Zuckerman
(Lancaster) — The Lancaster Barnstormers have new owners.
The Atlantic League says midstate-based Dakota Baseball, LLC has acquired the franchise from Opening Day Partners.
The move puts control of the 2014 league champions in the hands of the Lancaster County group — led by Ian Ruzow, Rob Liss, Steve Zuckerman and Bob Zuckerman.
“We are delighted to complete the transition to local ownership and operations,” Ruzow said in a statement released by the team. “As residents of Lancaster we feel a special bond to the community and look forward to providing the joy of affordable baseball and family entertainment to our friends and neighbors for years to come.”
“This transition will serve to make the Barnstormers even stronger ambassadors of Lancaster County and reflects the Atlantic League’s ongoing commitment to local ownership,” said Zuckerman. “No one knows communities better than its citizens and no one is more committed to Lancaster than the Dakota Baseball group. We have lived here for over 30 years and will make the Barnstormers stronger and enhance the League as a whole.”
The four men were all previous founders and executives of Clipper Magazine and have had a minority share of the Barnstormers since the team’s debut in 2005.
The deal mirrors similar league transactions in York and Sugar Land, Texas.
The new owners have been working improve marketing non-game day activities at Clipper Magazine Stadium, providing new experiences at the ballpark and other initiatives slated to be unveiled next year. Renovation of the skybox suites will also be completed by the start of the upcoming season.
“This transition will serve to make the Barnstormers even stronger ambassadors of Lancaster County and reflects the Atlantic League’s ongoing commitment to local ownership,” said Zuckerman. “No one knows communities better than its citizens and no one is more committed to Lancaster than the Dakota Baseball group. We have lived here for over 30 years and will make the Barnstormers stronger and enhance the League as a whole.”
The Lancaster Barnstormers acquisition mirrors similar ODP developments in the Atlantic League markets of York County, Pa. and Sugar Land, Texas.
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