Professional baseball could soon make a resurrection in the capital, as long as one Ottawa businessman gets his way.
David Butler, owner of the Bytown Trolley Company, is the driving force behind a new plan to bring a CanAm baseball team to the capital.
The bid is called Baseball Plus, which would transform the former Lynx Stadium into a sport and entertainment facility that would be open year-round.
"We have to put bums in seats; we have to fill that stadium come hell or high water. We have to integrate with the community more; we need to integrate with the school system -- all the kids, the people who really want to come out," said Butler.
"If we get creative with our marketing program, I think we can do a great job."
This marks the second time that Butler has tried to bring pro baseball to the capital. As part of a previous plan, he was able to raise $40 million for a baseball franchise.
"Some of those players and financiers are still on board," he told CTV Ottawa on Monday. His group has already allotted $4 million to back the new plan. They've also submitted an application to the CanAm league for a new team.
If Butler succeeds, he would be behind the fourth team to play in the capital in recent years. The Ottawa Lynx relocated after 15 seasons; the Rapidz lasted just one season before going bankrupt; and the Voyageurs never even played a game.
Butler is proposing to share revenue from the franchise with the City of Ottawa. He said that would mean if the team does well, so will the city. Taxpayers also wouldn't be put on the hook.
Coun. Bob Monette is expected to introduce the idea to council soon.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Jonathan Rotondo
