1/1/2012-November 9th is judgement day for the Pecos League in Santa Fe. Although the Prelimary Schedule is out, 4 managers are hired, teams are beginning to sign players. The final pieces of the league will be answered at a city council meeting in Santa Fe at 7 PM at Santa Fe City Hall. The issue up for debate is selling beer at historic Fort Marcy Park where currently there is an ordinance that prohibits the sale of beer at this park. The people that will be making the decision will be the 8 city councilors. Currently the unofficial vote is 3-3 with two unknowns. To get this resolution changed the Pecos League needs a 5-3 vote or a 4-4 vote. In the event of a 4-4 vote the Mayor would be the one called upon to break the tie. This is not the first time the Pecos League has fought this same issue or the 2nd. Due to strict New Mexico alcohol laws, Las Cruces (January 2010), Alamogordo (2011), and Roswell (2011) had to pass beer through their city council. Roswell process was very tough.
Although there was opposition to the process in these other New Mexico Cities, it is nothing like the Pecos League is experiencing in Santa Fe. There is a group of citizens that are rallying boycotts against Alcohol, "Not in Backyard" is their slogan. This group is an experienced group of debators that constantly fight alcohol events in Santa Fe. The group is not opposed to the Pecos League and actually supports the Pecos League idea in Santa Fe. Just preferably without beer. The AABC team that occupies Fort Marcy Park in the Summer has no problem with scheduling conflicts at Fort Marcy.
Ronald Trujillo is the city councilor that has requested this ordinance change be put on docket. He has been a baseball coach for 20 years and does not want to let this opportunity go by. The cities legal council has remained neutral, the city manager Robert Romero is a huge baseball fan, his nephew Thomas Romero lead the Las Cruces Vaqueros in apperences in the 2012 season as a left handed reliever.
The Pecos League already has a manager set in place if alcohol passes. The Team would be named the Mountain Lions and occupy historic Fort Marcy Park. If alcohol is not passed on November 9th then the Pecos League has several backup options. Where will the 6th team go?
  • Durango Colorado-Although this would expand the league's footprint and would make things further, the schedule already has teams making Northern Swings to Trinidad. Great Fans, great ballpark and a quality market for baseball.
  • Taos New Mexico-currently has no lights, no beer in process of getting both. Has a sports alliance that is interested in bringing events in.
  • Bisbee Arizona-Warren Ballpark quite possibly one of finest ballparks in terrority, many College Teams are fighting over field, Copperkings might collapse
  • Raton New Mexico (adjoins Trinidad would save the league huge travel money), city is very small, would be tough to support a team.
  • Pecos Texas (Alpine's choice, wants in the league)-despite small size they have a very good ballpark with potential. Wouldn't have to fight New Mexico alcohol laws to sell beer in county facility.
  • Bring back the Carlsbad Bats Travel Team, the bats played very well in the 2nd half of the year, manager Ryan Powell thinks he could go .500 if he managed the entire season. The Bats were a fan favorite throughout SouthEast New Mexico from the day the Powell took over.