In Phoenix, Ronald Hansen notes both the Giants and Royals play Spring Training in the Cactus League and "could see a boost at the turnstiles next spring -- especially for the Royals." There "have been nine Cactus League teams in the World Series" since '00, not counting the '14 iteration. Teams that made it to the World Series in most cases "did notably better at the gate the next spring." The Royals "already had a big jump in attendance" at their '14 spring training games, up 33% over '13, which was the "second-biggest jump in the league" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/28).
START YOUR ENGINES: A Verizon IndyCar Series spokesperson said that the series "will announce" its '15 schedule on Thursday. In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin notes IndyCar "will have its first street race in Brasilia, Brazil, on March 8, but it's still unclear" if that will be the season opener. The series "recently confirmed a new event at NOLA Motorsports Park," which will take place April 12. The North American portion of the schedule "will open March 29 in St. Petersburg" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/28).
WE KNOW DRAMA: In Ft. Worth, Drew Davison writes there is "no question" NASCAR's new Chase for the Sprint Cup format "is lacking star power." But what the Chase "lacks in that department, it makes up for in the drama department." This format "is aimed at producing 'Game 7 moments' and that’s exactly what it’s done" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/28).
IF I RULED THE WORLD: ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun offered a list of NHL "changes" he would enact if he had the "singular power to do so." First, he would create an "earlier schedule," beginning the regular season "no later than Sept. 20." He would also "change the date of the start of free agency from July 1 to the day after the NHL draft." The NHL also could create "trade deadline buzz" by "assembling all 30 front offices in the same place for three days." In addition, he would "stage a 'play-in' game for the final playoff wild-card spot in each conference" and "cancel the All-Star Game." Finally, LeBrun suggests expanding "to Seattle and Quebec City over the next five years" (ESPN.com, 10/27).
