Season 11 Franchise Changes

The off-season brings about change as we head into season 11 of Hardball Central.
Some franchises were sold off to new owners, others were simply moved to a new town.
With every new season and new change to a franchise brings about a new hope for it's fans.
For some this will mean seeing a team broken down and rebuilt. For others this will see some Pat Riley magic worked to bring in the premier talent to contend.

The one thing that remains true of all franchises under a new season... Expectations of improvement from the season before.
Let's take a look at the new franchises for season 11 of HC.

American League
Philadelphia phukheads(formerly San Juan Clementes)
Baseball is back in Philly. The Clementes packed up their bags and moved from San Juan to the friendly confines of Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
The former fanatics are now type of heads not to be confused with cheese.
New owner dblaine has come in with a enthusiasm that is infectious for the entire city. Armed with a low payroll and the #6 pick in the draft, the fans of Philly expect a home run in the off-season and the draft.
As Donovan McNabb and Santa Claus can tell you. You don't want to disappoint Philadelphia fans.

Kansas City wizard of oz(formerly Atlanta Huskers)
Yes Dorothy, you're in Kansas. But it's the city and not the state.
The wonderful wizard is bring his home to KC. The franchise will try to reclaim it's former glory(3 time WS champion) under new owner smartazz1120.
The fans are starved more success and demand a return to their past WS winning ways.
Excitement abounds as the new regime seeks to put it's stamp on the franchise for the better.

Salt Lake City Silly Nannies(former Salt Lake City Peppers)
Under new ownership but not moved. A rare owner who takes owner and decides to leave the franchise in place. The only change, the nickname of the team.
The mormon coalition of Utah is excited to continue to have the team in place.
The city is re-energized with the franchise still in SLC.
Ownership was said to have specifically targeted SLC and their fan base when they began talks to buy the team. New owner jetsetoo7 has preached a quiet confidence that the team will see glory days in the near future.

Oakland Gangsters(formerly Colorado Rockies)
Hey, hey, the gangs all here. The newly minted Oakland franchise has departed from Colorado faster than a fly ball leaves Coors field.
The new 510 Crew hopes to ignite the memory of the bash bothers as the fans begin to identify with their new team.
One can only assume that the potential future of the franchise and new owner commiepig's approval rating with the fans will rest on the shoulders of their #9 draft pick this upcoming season.
"If we don't win soon, i'll show dem boys how the 510 does thangs 'round here." One fan was quoted as saying.

National League
Chicago Harpies(formerly Detroit Tigers)
Detroit fans were stunned when the Tigers were sold off and shipped out of town to Chicago.
Chicago fans were stunned that they acquired a franchise with the talent to win a world series title.
The expectations will be huge for this team and the fans will demand that they live up to their name and provide some magic moments for the windy city.

Fargo Disaster(formerly Boise Broncos)
On the move from Idaho to their new home in the center of the Fargo-Moorhead Metro area.
The newly dubbed Disaster will look to raze all that come before them.
Incoming owner andyr104 looks to cultivate an atmosphere of winning and hopes to bring a championship flair to the team over the long run.

Boston Red Sawx(formerly Boston Bravehearts)
They're William Wallace no more. The Bravehearts have a new nickname and  a new attitude to go along with it. The same ole city but not the same franchise.
The fans hope that the future holds more Theo Epstein than curse of the bambino moments.
New owner Tomhighway is looking to clean house while ensuring that the guys who truly want to win will be in Boston.
With a top 5 pick in their back pocket and ownership who is known for shaping the downtrodden into the elite. It should be a fun journey for this team.

Charleston RiverDogs(formerly Philadelphia Marquette Butchers)
Chased out of town after the worst season in franchise history by the fanatics in Philly.
The franchise has resurfaced in Charleston as the RiverDogs.
There is great hope that the new town, new name and new owner can turn this franchise around.
rootgargle has promised the fans that they will never again see 100+ in the right side of the column ever again.
"We don't want to be the lovable losers or the Pirates. We want to win big games, division titles and world championships." said root at the introductory press conference for the team.
Of course, having the #1 pick in the draft to select a top player doesn't hurt either.

Charlotte Wolves(formerly New Orleans Sharks)
WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! No it's not the nature boy.
No more voodoo nor bourbon street for this franchise.
But the fans are indeed excited about their new franchise in largest city in North Cackalacky .
New Orleans loss is Charlotte's gain.
New owner tiskingmoon comes in as a proven commodity that has the fans, the city and the franchise feeling as if success is only a few seasons away.

Montgomery Bells(formerly Kansas City Royals)
How the might have fallen. Once the premier franchise in hardball central(failed to capture a world title though). Now coming off the worst season in franchise history and holding the #3 pick in the draft.
Moving to Montgomery from the show me state. This new beginning brings new hope for the franchise and it's fans.
With new ownership in place and the plan laid out to build into a contender.
vhoward415 looks to transfer his success from the gridiron over the the diamond.

Arizona Cards(formerly St. Louis Cards)
Not much to really say about this move. Same owner, same team, same nick, just a different city .
Instead of the king of beers now they will be faced with scorpions and desert.
Should be the same type of team as before, ever improving.

Boise spudwackers(formerly Los Angeles Beachcombers)
From the land of McCourt, the spudwackers rise from the ashes of Los Angeles.
This is a franchise looking to take the next step. To go from solid to being a contender.
Which is what makes this franchise perfect for the folks of Idaho.
Meat and potatoes franchise for a meat and potatoes city. Appropriate nickname to boot.