Not that they were going anywhere, but the Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) extended their Durham Bulls Athletic Park lease through 2033, with two five-year options as well. The lease was not set to expire until 2015, but by coming to a lease agreement it allows the city and the Bulls to address one […]
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New ballpark pays off: Barons pace Southern League in attendance
A month into the season and the Birmingham Barons are pacing the Class AA Southern League in attendance, drawing 5,219 fans a game at their new home, Regions Field. Last season the Barons drew 204,269 fans to Regions Park, the team’s former home in Hoover, for an average of 3,847 fans per game. This year’s […]
Seats, turf going in at new Hops ballpark
More milestones reached at the new home of the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League): seating and synthetic turf are being installed this week and beyond. The photo above was taken last week and shows the beginning of seat installation on the third-base side of the seating bowl. Also started: installation of the synthetic […]
South Atlantic League announces 2013 Hall of Fame class
This may be the most unusual Hall of Fame class for the Low Class A South Atlantic League: N.J. State Sen. Robert Singer, key to the formation of the Lakewood BlueClaws, and Lena Blackburne, creator of the famous baseball rubbing mud. Both inductees have ties to New Jersey; the baseball rubbing mud is taken from […]
Peoria approves Chiefs debt restructuring
The Peoria City Council easily approved a $1.2-million debt-reduction package for the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League), clearing the way for the team to restructure some $7.35 million in debt. The proposal, which passed 9-1, wipes out debt owed to the city on Peoria Chiefs Stadium. With city approval, private lenders will move […]
Peoria set to discuss Chiefs bailout plan tonight
A proposal to restructure debt on Peoria Chiefs Stadium, home of the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League), will be discussed by the Peoria City Council tonight. The city is being asked to forgive $1.2 million on Chiefs ballpark debt as part of a larger debt-restructuring deal, with private lenders retiring and restructuring much […]
Millionth fan at BB&T Ballpark expected in May
It seems like only yesterday we were there for the opening: the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) are set to welcome the millionth fan to BB&T Ballpark sometime in May. Unless something goes terribly wrong, the Dash will be fastest High Class A team to attract a million fans. On the historic night […]
Isotopes fans go through 17,071 hot dogs on promotional night
We’re always a little amazed when the tally is sent to us, and this year is no different; Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) fans chowed through 17,071 hot dogs during last night’s 50¢ Hot Dog Night promotion. The Isotopes hold this promotion three times a year at Isotopes Park. —- Share your news […]
Success rolls on in Tulsa
As the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) open their fourth season at ONEOK Field, things have never been better for the Hubbards, as the team may once again set an attendance record. Attendance records are made to be broken, and it’s no coincidence that the three previous best seasons for the Drillers have been […]
Hagerstown officials review three potential ballpark sites
Hagerstown officials are reviewing three site evaluations, including two sites near Municipal Stadium, for a new Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) ballpark. The evaluations, prepared by Ripken Design, looked at the former Washington County Hospital site, a location close to Municipal Stadium, and a site at Hager Park, also close to Municipal Stadium. […]
Springtime showers bring River Bandits flooding UPDATED!
With the Mississippi River cresting in Davenport, the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) are bringing out their bridge system for fan access to Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night. UPDATED! The River Bandits have been on the road this week; good thing, because the Mississippi River hit flood levels — 18 feet […]
MiLB strikes sponsorship deal to push Animal Crackers
The big news at the Winter Meetings was the decision to push Minor League Baseball in big sponsorship deals, and here’s a first result: the D. F. Stauffer Biscuit Company will promote Animal Crackers with select MiLB clubs. As part of the two-year agreement beginning this season, the snack cracker for kids and adults, as […]
Study: Warner Robins can support Single-A baseball
After a brief delay over data disclosure, businessman John Hughes has shared the contents of a commissioned ballpark feasibility study for Warner Robins, but city officials came down against any public funding. Warner Robins is part of the greater Macon area, which formerly hosted pro baseball at Luther Williams Field. No one is proposing a […]