Tap runs dry

Here's a story from the London Community News about the London Rippers not being able to acquire a liquor license to sell beer at Labatt Park. Yes, there's no beer available during Rippers games at Labatt (the beer company) Park.

The Rippers can't get a beer license because only one can be issued per address and the London Majors, an amateur team (in other words, a beer league team) holds the license. The Majors have been playing at Labatt Park since the 1920s.

If you've followed the Rippers' story in London, the Majors weren't happy about the Frontier League moving in on their territory. An attorney for the Majors said the Rippers can use their liquor license, but it will cost the Frontier League team a mere $500 per game. That's $24,000 for the remainder of the season.

 “(Our liquor licence) is something we don’t want to lose just for the sake of playing nice with another team that’s here in the city with us," Majors owner Scott Dart said.

There comes a time, when the Rippers and the Frontier League have to ask themselves, "Is it really worth playing baseball in London, Ontario?"

The legaue has had one franchise (the Werewolves) fail in the city. The ballpark is old. Judging by the attendance and what we've been reading out of London, the majority of the people in the city don't care about the Rippers or want them out of town. Traveling across the border is a pain. Getting passports for players on short notice, is troublesome.

“They said London was open for business. I brought mine down and all I’ve found is doors closed,” said Rippers manager David Martin, who also runs the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Sometimes, you need to admit you've made a mistake and move on, in this case, to another city.

http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/2012/06/rippers-come-out-swinging-against-city-london-majors/