NEW: Can-Am League Terminates Tornadoes’ Membership

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Friday, August 31, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

After weeks of uncertainty surrounding Worcester's minor league baseball team's financial situation, the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball has decided to terminate the Worcester Tornadoes' membership in the league.

"We have taken this action because the league wants strong, financially viable ownership in the Worcester market," Can-Am League commissioner Miles Wolff said. "We will begin immediately looking for ownership for a team in Worcester that will be a positive influence in the community for many years to come."

The Tornadoes, who have been members of the Can-Am league since 2005, were terminated largely because of the many lawsuits facing the franchise's ownership group, Streamlined Sports Inc. led by Todd Breighner. Attorney Margaret Melican is representing multiple vendors around the City in suit against the Tornadoes, and former Tornadoes DH Jose Canseco has recently filed suit against the franchise as well.

Melican's suit led to a constable locking the Tornadoes' staff out of their corporate offices at the beginning of this week, and movers removing the contents of the office on Tuesday.

GoLocalWorcester learned earlier this week that more vendors may join suit against the Tornadoes soon, including Print Resource, a small printing company centered in Maynard that produced the club's posters and pocket schedules. The company claims the franchise never paid any of the $7,000 owed to them. The Tornadoes also owe over $50,000 to the College of the Holy Cross, who owns the club's home ballpark, Hanover Insurance Park.

The Tornadoes are expected to finish their season on the road against the Newark Bears Monday.