The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) have embarked on a major field renovation at Smokies Park for the upcoming 2014 season. “The new field will enhance the natural beauty of Smokies Park for our fans and provide an outstanding playing surface for the Cubs’ top prospects,” said Smokies General Manager Brian Cox. “The goal […]
Tag Archives | class aa
Arkansas Travelers unveil new logos, branding
The Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) unveiled new logos and branding, drawing on the design of the state flag and other state icons, paying tribute to the Travelers’ 112 year-old storied history. The centerpiece of the identity is a new horse head chiseled from Arkansas State Capitol Building limestone. Several logos feature elements from […]
Activists: Ballpark not best use for Shockoe Bottom
Efforts to bring a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA: Eastern League) in Shockoe Bottom must be balanced with an awareness of the sad history of the slave trade in the area, according to activists opposing the project. Though there’s no proposal formally on the table, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones has been […]
Curve announces staff changes
The Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) announced several staff changes for the upcoming season, including the promotion of Mike Passanisi to assistant GM. Director of Community Relations Elsie Gibney and Director of Creative Services John Foreman have both retired from baseball following long, successful tenures with the club. In addition, the Curve have promoted […]
Opposition to Shockoe Bottom ballpark intensifies
The very idea of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark in the city’s Shockoe Bottom district is causing protests today because of the site’s past as a slave-trading area. The coalition of activists and academics oppose putting a ballpark in an area that was once the second-most-busy area for slave trading […]
Ottawa City Council approves Can-Am League deal
By a wide margin, the Ottawa City Council approved a lease with the independent Can-Am League to place a team in Ottawa Stadium for the 2015 season and beyond. After issuing requests for proposals for an Ottawa Stadium lease, two serious contenders emerged: an affiliated bid from Mandalay Baseball Properties with a Class AA Eastern […]
Aeros announce staff promotions
The Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League) announced several front office changes in its ticketing department, including two promotions and three full-time staff additions. The two promotions are group sales representative Jeremy Heit, who was promoted to Assistant Director of Ticketing, and group sales representative Mitch Cromes, who was promoted to Senior Manager, Group Sales. […]
Biloxi approves new-ballpark funding; team set to play in 2015
The Biloxi City Council today moved forward with a bonding plan for a new $36-million ballpark, paving the way for Ken Young to move a Class AA Southern League team there in 2015. The $36-million financing plan for the 6,000-seat ballpark is pretty simple: the city will use $15 million from a state grant stemming […]
Poll: Squirrels home should be built next to current home
In a nearly worthless poll, the Richmond Times-Dispatch discovered suburban voters love the idea of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark be built for maximum suburban access. The poll of 694 people in Richmond (which, under Virginia law, isn’t within a county) and the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover showed […]
Did MiLB dodge a bullet in Ottawa?
After reviewing the Ottawa City Council deliberations over a lease at Ottawa Stadium — with the decision to go with the indy Can-Am League over an affiliated bid — it’s pretty clear there was little commitment to spend money on serious ballpark upgrades. You can view the Ottawa Sun story about the ballpark deliberations here, […]
Parney named Eastern League Executive of the Year
Todd “Parney” Parnell, VP/COO of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, has been named the 2013 Class AA Eastern League Executive of the Year. The 2013 season marked Todd’s fourth with the Flying Squirrels. Parnell, who previously won the award in 2004 while with the Altoona Curve, will be presented with the award at the Baseball Winter […]
Tulsa Drillers, Hoppel score Texas League awards
The Tulsa Drillers were named the Class AA Texas League Organization of the Year for 2013, while Midland RockHounds GM Monty Hoppel was named executive of the year. “To be awarded the 2013 Texas League Organization of the Year is a tremendous honor for the entire Tulsa Drillers organization,” said general manager Mike Melega. “It […]
Biloxi ballpark vote set for Tuesday
A final vote on a new Biloxi ballpark for a Class AA Southern League team is set for Tuesday morning, following a public hearing on the financing plan. The $36-million financing plan is pretty simple: the city will use $15 million from a state grant stemming from BP monies, and the remaining $21 million will […]