Tired of the lack of progress on development of a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, an influential Hillsborough County commissioner says he’s ready to get the county directly involved in discussions. The Rays have been talking for years with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, local business leaders and regional politicians about a replacement for Tropicana […]
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Ricketts: Time to talk Wrigley Field public funding again
If it’s spring, it’s time for Tom Ricketts to once again call for public funding of renovations to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. It’s been a constant theme for Ricketts since buying the Cubs and the historic ballpark: that Wrigley Field needs work, and the public should pick up at least $200 million […]
Mets settle Madoff clawback case
New York Mets ownership will enter the 2012 season without some huge financial uncertainty, settling for $162 million a lawsuit alleging they had willfully ignored signs of fraud committed by Bernie Madoff. The lawsuit, brought by trustee Irving Picard, called for Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz — owners of the Mets — to pay $300 […]
Seattle, San Diego extend Peoria Stadium lease
The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres will train at Peoria Sports Complex through 2034 under the terms of a new lease, which calls for ballpark and clubhouse improvements. The lease extension wasn’t a surprise — all three players had indicated a willingness to commit to a deal for months — and neither is the […]
Turf wars rage again in Bay Area: A’s say San Jose move doesn’t infringe on Giants
A move to San Jose wouldn’t really infringe on any territorial rights held by the San Francisco Giants, according to A’s officials who continue working on a new-ballpark plan. Last week saw a lot of speculation about whether or not the A’s would be allowed to build a new ballpark in downtown San Jose, which […]
Cactus League facing uncertainty, financial issues
With Oakland and Milwaukee potentially relocating and tourism taxes coming up short, Cactus League officials are working to identify new sources of revenue to pay down spring-training-ballpark debt. While it’s highly unlikely either team will leave the greater Phoenix area — Oakland is negotiating a move to HoHoKam Park once the Cubbies depart and the […]
Gammons: Nats present spring-training wish list to Lee County
The Washington Nationals reportedly have given Lee County officials a wish list for a renovation of City of Palms Park and could move spring operations there in 2014, according to Peter Gammons. Here’s Gammons’ tweet: “Nats gave Lee County their plans to reconstruct Boston’s former downtown Fort Myers park, likely there in 2014 if county […]
Parking-ramp collapse leads to safety concerns at Olympic Stadium
The collapse of a section of underground parking at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium has some wondering about the historic facility’s stability. Olympic Stadium, the groundbreaking home of the 1976 Summer Olympics and then home to the Montreal Expos before that team’s exodus to Washington, has always had issues with its physical plant: the groundbreaking retractable fabric […]
Tigers upgrading Comerica Park videoboard for 2012
The Detroit Tigers are spending a lot of money this offseason: Besides signing Prince Fielder, the team is also spending millions on one of the largest high-definition LED video displays in Major League Baseball. Incorporated into the existing left-field structure, Daktronics will install a new state-of-the-art light emitting diode (LED) video display. Measuring approximately 48 […]
Blue Jays considering grass field at Rogers Centre
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering a major change to Rogers Centre: replacing the artificial turf with grass. It’s not uncommon anymore to find grass at a retractable-roof ballpark — it’s been done for years in Seattle, Houston and Arizona — but it’s a challenge to add grass to a facility built for artificial turf. […]
Lee County pitches Nats on spring-training move
Lee County officials are once again pitching Washington Nationals brass on a move to the vacant City of Palms Park, but there are no plans yet for the team to shift from Viera’s Space Coast Stadium. The information comes from Lee County Commissioners pursuing another MLB team for spring training. How much serious interest there […]
Solar power on agenda for Kauffman Stadium
A solar array — the largest in the major leagues — has been installed at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, with the capacity to generate 36,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. That’s enough electricity to power four average houses in a year. The ballpark uses much more electricity than that, of […]
Baltimore announces Oriole Park improvements for 2012
Twenty years after the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles today announced a series of enhancements dedicated to improving the fan experience at one of baseball’s best facilities. The biggest change: the center-field picnic area is being revamped. The emphasis won’t be on groups; it will shift to Oriole team history, […]