By Brian Vernellis/The Times
Posted on December 16, 2002

The departure of the Shreveport Swamp Dragons may have caused some derision among local baseball fans, but they will soon have another chance to catch professional baseball at Fair Grounds Field.

The independent Central Baseball League officially announced the arrival of a team in Shreveport at a Monday press conference at the stadium. The league is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Texas Independent Baseball and its owner Carl Bell, who knows Central League franchises in Alexandria, Fort Worth, Texas, and Jackson, Miss., will operate the Shreveport team. The team’s lease is for five years lease with three five-year options.

The team’s Opening Day is May 8 vs. the Edinburg Roadrunners at Fair Grounds.

‘‘The purpose of farm teams is to produce players for the major leagues,’’ league commissioner Miles Wolff said. ‘‘Our only purpose is to win for the community so we can be responsive to cities we are in.

‘‘You can tailor teams to your community, you can make it something special. For many of these players it’s their last chance. They still love the game and hope a major league club will pick them up. They know they’ve got to put everything out on the field.’’

The greatest challenge awaiting the team’s General Manager Brian Viselli and his staff is rebuilding a fan base in Shreveport after many fans were disgruntled by the Shreveport Swamp Dragons’ departure to Frisco, Texas.

‘‘I can assure you we will build a front office staff that will be aggressive in corporate sponsorships and getting the credibility back with fans,’’ Viselli said. ‘‘At this level, it’s all about the fans.’’