We've confirmed with several sources that Art Solomon, the owner of the New Hampshire and Bowling Green teams, is making a play for the Carolina League's Frederick Keys. We've confirmed with several sources that Art Solomon, owner of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; […]
Archive | Features
Ballpark Visit: Metro Bank Park, the renovated home of the Harrisburg Senators
We visit Metro Bank Park, the renovated home of the Harrisburg Senators. With a new wraparound concourse and suite level, the ballpark is a virtually new facility. It is also a ballpark where the small things are done very well, where the emphasis is on the fan experience under some fairly constricting circumstances: a small […]
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, […]
The burden of history: Today’s Rickwood Classic
This year's Rickwood Classic is in the books, as one of the largest crowds ever to see the new Barons in the old ballpark was on hand. Rickwood Field is 100 years old this summer. Carrying the weight of 100 years of baseball history — never mind the 100 years of social and civil-rights history […]
Thoughts on the Rickwood Classic and baseball in America / 3
This year's Rickwood Classic is now in the books, as the 100th anniversary of the opening of Rickwood Field is commemorated by a Birmingham Barons game. Page 3: Rickwood Field history, conclusions. HISTORY Rickwood Field opened on August 18, 1910, as the home of the original Birmingham Barons Team owner Rick Woodward wanted an opulent […]
Ballpark Visit: Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons
We visit Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons. This is a big, big place lacking many of the amenities found in more modern ballparks. But it's also a very busy place — over 400,000 fans attend Barons games and the SEC baseball tourney — and one gets the sense it's built more to […]
Mandalay buying Oklahoma City, selling Hagerstown
The minor-league giant is reportedly making some changes in its portfolio, returning to the Pacific Coast League via the Oklahoma City RedHawks, a transaction partially funded by an inpending sale of the Sally League Suns. Mandalay Sports Entertainment is in the process of buying the Oklahoma City Redhawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and is […]
Wilmington working on plan to being back affiliated ball
City officials, a team owner and a developer in Wilmington, N.C. are working on a plan to bring affiliated pro back to the city in a new ballpark. The biggest issue: Finding funding for the project. Officials, a team owner and a developer in Wilmington, N.C. are working on a plan to bring affiliated pro […]
Ballpark Visit: Alliant Energy Field, the home of the Clinton LumberKings
It doesn't get any more classic than Alliant Energy Field, the home of the Clinton LumberKings: Dating back to 1937, the WPA-funded ballpark combines a virtually unchanged grandstand with an inspired renovation that added things like party decks and modern office facilities to the mix. For anyone wanting a great ballpark experience, a pilgrimage to […]
Bandits, NY-Penn League step up for charity
The New York-Penn League and the Quad Cities River Bandits stepped up for charitable causes this week. The New York-Penn League and the Quad Cities River Bandits stepped up for charitable causes this week. The River Bandits awarded the first the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship — a full scholarship to the University of Iowa and […]
Could bidding war erupt for Bevos?
After months of being on the market with little interest from buyers, there's increased activity surrounding a potential buyer for the Portland Beavers — whose 2011 home is still unsettled. After months of being on the market with little interest from buyers, there's increased activity surrounding a potential buyer for the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; […]
Ballpark Visit: Community Field, the home of the Burlington Bees
We visit Community Field, the home of the Burlington Bees (Low Class A; Midwest League). Dating back to 1973, with some serious renovations in 2005, Community Field combines the old and the new in a classic heartland baseball experience. With a nifty canopy protecting fans from the elements and cheap cans of Pabst and Old […]
Portland Bevos update: Tucson-bound?
With PGE Park slated for a conversion to an MLS soccer facility after this baseball season, the Portland Beavers will be homeless. There's still no game plan on the books, but here's the latest talk about the possible future of the team. With PGE Park slated for a conversion to an MLS soccer facility after […]