Springfield's collegiate summer baseball franchise, the Champion City Kings, is starting its second season next week. The team's first year was a financial and entertainment success and they are looking to build on that.
An average attendance of 544 people per game last season, helped the Kings pump more than $2 million into the local economy. Former pro player and general manager Rick White, believes the franchise will perform even better this year.
"Last year, we only had about three-and-a- half to five months to get ready for the season," he said. "This year, we've had a whole year to get ready."
White has brought in a new coaching staff and added several promotional events. The team will play a 60 game schedule with 30 home games at Carleton Davidson Stadium.
"We've got a lot of stuff going on almost every night this year. I think 27 out of 30 nights we've got something going on." he said.
Sponsorships for the team are higher than last season and the Kings have unveiled a brand new $200,000 video scoreboard. The team's home opener is May 27 against the Richmond RiverRats at 7 p.m.