Twins unveil self-service beer taps at Target Field
This is a first, as far as we know: the Minnesota Twins unveiled a self-service beer station at Target FIeld yesterday and will have another in place for next week’s All-Star Game. Not everyone can belly up to the beer station and buy a beer. First, a fan must go to a concession stand and, […]
Today’s brilliant baseball marketing: #VoteKluber
MLB is doing some brilliant marketing these days, but the Cleveland Indians unleashed the creative hounds in pushing Corey Kluber for the All-Star team. The Indians took to social media to promote Kluber: Ever wonder what @CKluber does the morning of an off day? http://t.co/e84yU9epqd #VoteKluber #ClevelandRox pic.twitter.com/5CDzrZKT8t — #VoteKluber (@Indians) July 7, 2014 Scary […]
Bird meets baseball at Parkview Field
Shades of Randy Johnson and Dave Winfield! A small bird had an unfortunate experience after being struck by a pitch during Saturday’s Fort Wayne TinCaps-West Michigan Whitecaps game at Parkview Field. To set the scene: West Michigan’s Jon Maciel was throwing a 1-1 pitch to Fort Wayne’s Josh VanMeter, when a small bird flying across […]
Niagara seeks operator for Sal Maglie Stadium
With the local school district walking away from operating Sal Maglie Stadium, the city is looking for a private firm to manage the home of the Niagara Power (summer collegiate; NYCBL). The ballpark, once home to minor-league baseball (including a short stint hosting the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons), is also home to Niagara University’s baseball program. […]
TinCaps, Hot Rods, Growlers set attendance marks
More attendance records fell by the wayside this weekend, as the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Kalamazoo Growlers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) all set new marks. First: a record crowd of 9,182 fans was on hand at Parkview Field Friday night for the […]
New ballpark on Dubuque’s radar
A long-term development plan for Dubuque’s Chaplain Schmitt Island includes a new ballpark on city-owned land, but city officials say there are no firm plans for a new facility or team at this time. Dubuque (Iowa) has been mentioned frequently in the last decade as a potential home for a Class A Midwest League team […]
Rooftop owners offer Wrigley Field compromise; city to discuss issue this week
With rooftop bleacher owners saying they’ll compromise on the amount of signage to be installed at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs will be presenting a plan for seven new signs to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday. The Cubs ownership want to install seven new signs, including a new videoboard and several smaller signs, […]
Scenes from a ballpark flood in Davenport
We have some stunning shots of the island known as Modern Woodmen Park, as the home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) was largely unaffected by Mississippi River flooding over the Independence Day weekend. The images are by Rich Guill, the official photographer for the River Bandits. RELATED STORIES: Spring […]
The Week That Was: July 6
The Dayton Dragons sale, remembering Lou Gehrig’s riveting “Luckiest Man” speech, and a tarp accident in Cedar Rapids were the top stories this week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Here are the top stories of this week, in order of popularity: Dayton Dragons sale announcedMLB to honor Lou Gehrig this weekendSeveral Kernels […]
Knights poised to break all-time attendance record tonight
Well, this is certainly an accomplishment: The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) should break their all-time attendance mark for a single season — in just 45 games at BB&T Ballpark. When the record is reached, the Knights will reward one lucky fan with a special prize pack at tonight’s game. The record of 429,132 fans […]
Great ballpark crowds greet Independence Day games
Record crowds in Albuquerque and Winston-Salem, a record-setting homestand in Colorado Springs, over 6,000 fans braving the cresting Mississippi River in Davenport, and sellouts in Omaha, Richmond and Birmingham were among the attendance highlights on the Fourth of July. Really, there’s nothing more American than a night at the ballpark, followed by fireworks. (We spent […]
Spring rains bring July flooding to Modern Woodmen Park
This has been one of the wettest seasons on record, and all that rain is causing some serious Mississippi River flooding — with Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League), prepped for the water. In and of itself, Modern Woodmen Park is very protected from the rising […]
San Angelo Colts file for bankruptcy protection against creditors
The San Angelo Colts (independent; United League Baseball) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday, preventing a bank from foreclosing on the Foster Field mortgage. 1st Community Federal Credit Union had initiated foreclosure on Foster Field, with the team missing payments on a $384,000 mortgage. The ballpark was privately financed 14 years ago. From the […]