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Florence Freedom Safe At Home

uc health stadium
Courtesy of Florence Freedom
UC Health stadium

The Florence Freedom are staying in Florence. The team has been purchased by a consortium of four business partners, who say the Freedom will continue to play at UC Health Stadium.

David DelBello, Brian Bortz, Danny Heilbrunn and Matt Kappers formed Freedom Baseball Club, LLC, and acquired the team from Canterbury Baseball.

DelBello is the CEO, and says it was an opportunity they could not pass up. "We're all lovers of baseball. All four have children who are totally in love with baseball. We felt it was an opportunity we couldn't pass by, not only for our own enjoyment of owning a baseball team but to keep it here in the community so the community can continue to benefit from what we think is great baseball."

The Freedom was purchased by Canterbury Baseball in 2004. Kim Brown led that company since her husband died in January 2018. She will assist with the transition to the Freedom Baseball Club.

Florence Mayor Diane Whalen says in a press release the community is excited by the new ownership. “Their love and passion for the game is apparent, and we are looking forward to a long-term partnership with them as we learn more about what the future holds for our team and UC Health Stadium.” 

The team will stay at UC Health Stadium, which is owned by the city, and has a capacity of 4,500 fans.

DelBello says it's too early to talk about any changes. "We want to continue to make this a great destination for families; a place where people want to come out and spend their evenings."

The Freedom is in first place in the West Division of the Frontier League. The next home game is July 31, against the Illinois-based Gateway Grizzlies.

This story was edited to correct the date of the next home game.

Bill Rinehart started his radio career as a disc jockey in 1990. In 1994, he made the jump into journalism and has been reporting and delivering news on the radio ever since.