The 2010 class for induction into the Florida State League Hall of Fame has been announced. Among the 11 players, scouts, owners and umpires to be inducted: Sid Fernandez, Marv Goldklang and Felipe Alou. The Florida State League has announced the names of its 2010 Hall of Fame class of inductees. The installation of the […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Is improving economy leading to talk of new ballparks?
Is a perceived uptick in the economy leading to more discussions of new ballparks? Those in the baseball industry know times are tough out there, as teams focus more on incremental upgrades rather than new facilities. Now, we're not going to get into a philosophical discussion of the best time to tackle a public project, […]
Exclusive! Kansas City to host 2012 All-Star Game!
It's funny to watch newspapers trip over themselves to report an "exclusive" that's been known since last summer: Kauffman Stadium will host the 2012 All-Star Game. It's not exactly a secret that the Kansas City Royals would be hosting an All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium: Bud Selig promised the city a game if voters approved […]
Omaha still pushing indy ball in new CWS ballpark, says Northern League is interested
Clark Griffith says he's ready to put money down on a lease for an independent Northern League team at the 24,000-seat TD Ameritrade Park. But whether the numbers work remains to be seen, especially when the going rate for rent is $10K a game. Clark Griffith says he's ready to put money down on a […]
Cubs, White Sox battle for “coveted” BP Cup
The Chicago Blackhawks electrified the Windy City by bringing home a Stanley Cup. This weekend the Cubs and the White Sox are playing for the coveted BP Crosstown Cup, sponsored by you-know-who. All of a sudden baseball is irrelevant in Chitown. The Chicago Blackhawks electrified the Windy City by bringing home a Stanley Cup. This […]
St. Pete officials now say Trop is replaceable — at a price
With Rays officials quietly floating the names of future homes outside Tampa Bay to the media, St. Petersburg officials now say they would be interested in working on a replacement to Tropicana Field — one not necessarily located in downtown St. Pete. Let the horse trading begin. As a proxy for business and political leaders, […]
New Marlins ballpark to feature aquariums in backstop
The new home of the Florida Marlins, slated to open in 2012, will feature a backstop with two aquariums clad with Lexan: bulletproof glass. Boy, here's something you don't see every day: The new home of the Florida Marlins, slated to open in 2012, will feature a backstop with two aquariums clad with Lexan: bulletproof […]
Did Cristian Guerrero set an amazing HR record — and no one knows?
Christian Guerrero hit five home runs in five consecutive at-bats for the Gary SouthShore RailCats during a Wednesday doubleheader. As far as we can tell this is a record in professional baseball — but no one seems to have noticed. UPDATED: Yes, it ties a record. Which also was largely forgotten. Christian Guerrero hit five […]
Twins to add more SRO tickets, drink rails to Target Field
The Minnesota Twins will cram more fans into Target Field by selling more standing-room-only seats and installing more drink rails. The actual capacity at Target Field is more of a moving target than you'd think — the Twins officially list it as 39,504, but we're told by insiders it's actually a little north of 40,000. […]
The week that was: June 12
Here are the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest for the past week, as measured by page views. Here are the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest for the past week, as measured by page views. O-Royals unveil ballpark models, details Redesigned Arena Digest now online Sarasota approves Ed Smith Stadium renovation contracts Future of […]
Rascals improve warning track at T.R. Hughes Ballpark
The city of O’Fallon and St. Louis Ballfields and Turf have installed a new warning track composed of crushed granite stones at T.R. Hughes Ballpark, the home of the River City Rascals.The city of O’Fallon and St. Louis Ballfields and Turf have installed a new warning track composed of crushed granite stones at T.R. Hughes […]
Alice Cooper to rock Lake County
With no big ballpark concert tour this summer, teams scrambled to put together their own concerts. The Lake County Captains appear to have scored with Alice Cooper, hot after an American Idol appearance this month. With no big ballpark concert tour this summer, teams scrambled to put together their own concerts. The Lake County Captains […]
Lucky fan improbably wins car in CPL contest
Thank heavens for insurance! A fan at a Fayetteville SwampDogs game won a free car when a player stole home. Thank heavens for insurance! A fan at a Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) game won a free car when a player stole home. With Nick Natoli (Towson) on third base in the seventh […]