Washington Nationals front-office personnel told Lee County reps the team was interested in moving spring-training operations to City of Palms Park — if the ballpark was upgraded, to the tune of $45 million or more. With the Nats unwilling to commit to Viera’s Space Coast Stadium and openly seeking a new spring home, a move […]
Tag Archives | minnesota twins
It’s official: Target Field to host 2014 All-Star Game
The Minnesota Twins, Major League Baseball and Bud Selig made it official today: the 2014 MLB All-Star Game will be played July 15 at Target Field. “It is my great honor to name the Minnesota Twins as the hosts of the 2014 All-Star Game,” Selig said in announcing the game today. “This is especially meaningful to […]
Big announcement tomorrow means one thing: Twins land 2014 All-Star Game
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will be at Target Field tomorrow for a big announcement, which can mean only one thing: the Minnesota Twins have landed the 2014 All-Star Game. It’s been a foregone conclusion among MLB types in recent weeks that the Twins would land the event at Target Field: we’ve been told the only […]
Rochester, Twins renew PDC
The Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) and the Minnesota Twins renewed their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years. Red Wings President/CEO Naomi Silver and Twins General Manager Terry Ryan made the joint announcement. The working agreement began in 2003 following the Red Wings’ 42-year affiliation with the Baltimore Orioles from 1961- 2002 and […]
Election loss could impact future of Twins, Nats in Fort Myers
The defeat of Ray Judah, a big supporter of spring training in Fort Myers, could impact the future of Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals spring training in Lee County. Judah was running for reelection on the Lee County Board of Commissioners, but came in third in Tuesday’s Republican primary behind a candidate who strongly criticized […]
Twins shift broadcasting to team-affiliated station
As many predicted, the Minnesota Twins are shifting team broadcasts from ESPN 1500 to FM 96.3 K-TWIN, a radio station also owned by the Pohlad family, beginning with the 2013 season. The agreement calls for FM 96.3 K-TWIN, part of Northern Lights Broadcasting, to broadcast all regular and post-season games and at least 25 spring-training games. […]
Rock Cats, Twins extend affiliation
The New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Minnesota Twins extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “The Twins are an outstanding partner and a true pleasure to work with,” Rock Cats President John Willi said via a press release. “They consistently provide talented players, and individuals of great character […]
Twins, Lee County negotiating over player dorms, naming rights at spring-training complex
A renovation of Hammond Stadium and the Lee County Sports Complex, spring home of the Minnesota Twins, may or may not feature player dorms and naming rights, as the two sides negotiate a new lease covering some $30 million in improvements. It’s an unusual situation. In order to qualify for $15 million in state funds […]
Twins waiting for word on 2014 All-Star Game
With the 2012 All-Star Game in the books and the 2013 game slated for Citi Field, the fate of the 2014 match — eyed by the Minnesota Twins for Target Field — will be a continuing font of discussion. We won’t see MLB Commissioner Bud Selig make a decision about 2014 for several months, though […]
Target Field generated $170M in economic activity in 2010: study
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, generated at least $169.3 million in economic activity in its first year of operation and contributed to a 40 percent rise in liquor-tax revenues. That’s just a part of the economic impact of the $555-million facility, which also includes $4.8 million in payroll taxes on Twins players in […]
The Week That Was: June 24
New-ballpark renderings, new affiliation deals and new life for old ballparks. The most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Life on the bottom indy league: $50 a week ASU-Cubs spat may have unexpected beneficiary: new life for Phoenix Muni West Virginia ballpark renderings released Boulders, we hardly […]
Twins sign 30-year spring-training lease extension
The Minnesota Twins and Lee County agreed on a 30-year lease extension to keep the team in Fort Myers, but the rest of the agreement — covering improvements and funding — is not yet public. It’s an unusual situation, to be sure. And there are plenty of contingencies at play, so it’s not nearly important […]
Lee County: Twins spring-training improvements hinge on state grant
Any improvements to spring-training facilities for the Minnesota Twins will need to be funded largely by state funds and the Twins, as Lee County officials say they won’t raise taxes to cover new funding. After spending months saying they’d take care of the Twins after spending $80 million on a new spring facility for the […]