The ballpark amusement area at Modern Woodmen Park — which already includes an awesome Ferris wheel — expanded last night with the addition of a “Space Camp” ride by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League). “Space Camp” is an electrically-powered four-seat gyroscope manufactured by Amusements International. “Space Camp” will spin its […]
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Storm Chasers, CWS both thriving in Omaha
The Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the College World Series are both doing fine, bucking the conventional wisdom that competition would hurt the pro team. When the then-Omaha Royals and College World Series shared Rosenblatt Stadium, the pro team went on an extended 16-game road trip to allow the collegians use […]
Columbia approves new-ballpark project
As expected, the Columbia (S.C.) City Council approved a development deal for a new Bull Street ballpark, with the team to be supplied by Hardball Capital’s Jason Freier. Freier, who owns the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League) and the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), is obliged to supply a […]
Grand dame Engel Stadium shines at Southern League gathering
One of the great old ballparks in Minor League Baseball saw action last night, as the Class AA Southern League Home-Run Derby was held at Chattanooga’s Engel Stadium. Engel Stadium, built by Joe Engel for his Chattanooga Lookouts, opened in 1929 and was one of the great ballparks in Minor League Baseball. Engel was a […]
Greenberg, Sonju close on purchase of Frisco RoughRiders
The first part of the Mandalay Baseball Properties selloff has been announced, with veteran baseball operator Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju buying the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League). Terms of the deal were not announced. A new corporation, Frisco RoughRiders LP, will include Greenberg, Sonju and local investors. Greenberg will be Chairman, CEO and […]
Chihuahuas owners: We want El Paso MLS team
The owners of the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), MountainStar Sports Group, wants to expand their operations with the addition of a new MLS team. We have all the details at Soccer Stadium Digest, but the basic news is this: Alan Ledford and crew have already met with MLS officials, including commissioner […]
Biloxi’s name-the-team contest extended
With over 30,000 votes already on hand and more on the way, the name-the-team contest for Biloxi’s Class AA Southern League team, set to begin play in 2015, has been extended. The team is slated to begin play at MGM Park net season. The six finalists — as chosen by the fans during the name […]
Burlington Athletic Stadium due for upgrades
Burlington Athletic Stadium, home of the Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League), will see some upgrades this season and next. The ballpark is historic: it was originally built in Danville and then transformed piece by piece to Burlington, opening in 1960. It sat unused for many years while Miles Wolff worked to bring in pro baseball; […]
Beer returns to Bluefield’s Bowen Field
The Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League) are once again selling ballpark beer at Bowen Field, but some residents are unhappy with the decision. Beer is a major revenue source for any Minor League Baseball team, and the decision by the Blue Jays to stop selling it certainly impacted the bottom line. And, even in […]
Why are Rock Cats moving to Hartford? Follow the money
A potential rise in revenues to $8.1 million annually is a big reason why the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) are moving to a new downtown Hartford ballpark. A study from Brailsford & Dunlavey, submitted to the team and city in February, estimated that a move to the larger Hartford could boost […]
AquaSox, Mariners extend player-development contract
The Everett AquaSox (short season A; Northwest League) and the Seattle Mariners have extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. The agreement was finalized Friday morning. The AquaSox play their home games at Everett Memorial Stadium, located in Everett, Wash. Seattle and Everett are fewer than 30 miles apart. “We are pleased to […]
Shockoe Bottom businesses: Bring back ballpark plan
A group of Richmond Shockoe Bottom businesses are asking the city to reconsider a development plan that includes a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark. Their reasoning is simple: they see the plan as a way to bring development investment into Shockoe Bottom while at the same time moving forward a memorial […]
Smokies, Cubs extend PDC through 2018
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) and the Chicago Cubs will remain partners through 2018 as a result of a four-year extension to their player-development contract (PDC). “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of this partnership between the Cubs and Smokies,” said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer. “It is exciting to continue to work […]