Isotopes’ Olivo goes Mike Tyson on teammate
This should be one of the most unusual MiLB stories of the year: Alex Guerrero had part of his ear bitten off by Miguel Olivo when the two Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) scuffled in a dugout dispute. Shortstop Alex Guerrero, a 27-year-old Cuban defector who signed a big contract with the Dodgers […]
New inductees to SL Hall of Fame include Bragan, Burke, Sandberg, Jackson
Peter Bragan, Sr., Frank Burke and Ryne Sandberg are part of the ten inductees to the Class AA Southern League Hall of Fame, as chosen by each of the ten clubs in the league. They will join the previously announced three initial inductees, former League Presidents Billy Hitchcock, Jimmy Bragan and Don Mincher, all of […]
ValleyCats to unveil new videoboard in 2014
There will be a huge upgrade to Bruno Stadium this season, as the Tri-City ValleyCats (short season A; NY-Penn League) are unveiling a new state-of-the- art LED videoboard. The board will be the largest main video display in the NY-Penn League. Following a bid process, LSI Industries was selected for the project, and will install […]
City of Palms Park has new tenant: Edison State College
In a move that will keep the ballpark open for at least a decade but likely precludes a return of spring training, Edison State College is bringing back baseball and playing at Fort Myers’ City of Palms Park. Edison State College officials decided a year ago to bring back baseball, and the entire school is […]
Physicians to IronPigs: Don’t bring home the bacon
In the midst of National Barbeque Month, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) are under criticism from a physicians group objecting to the team’s emphasis on that greatest of food groups: bacon. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is taking out a billboard near Coca-Cola Park, home of the IronPigs, advising teams to […]
Storm Chasers set to welcome 13-millionth fan in franchise history
Big milestone for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) this weekend: the team will welcome the 13-millionth fan in franchise history. In the 45-plus years of Triple-A baseball in Omaha, there has been a total of 12,996,582 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium and Werner Park to see the Omaha Royals, Golden Spikes and […]
Braves: Risk for new ballpark is all ours
Atlanta Braves officials seem pretty comfortable with the idea of taking on almost all the financial risk for a new Cobb County ballpark — an amount in the hundreds of millions. As a combo private development/ballpark, we’re talking about more than a half-billion dollars needed to finance construction and development: $300 million for the mixed-use […]
Japanese plan: boost economy with more baseball
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to boost the Japanese economy using a variety of tools, which may include the addition of four teams to the country’s major leagues. There are currently 12 teams in the Pacific League and the Central League, and a report to be considered by Abe calls for the addition of four […]
A thousand more fans per game approved for Kingfish
Capacity at Simmons Field is now a thousand more than planned after ballpark and parking-lot improvements were implemented by the Kenosha Kingfish (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). The Kenosha City Council voted 12-1 Monday night to approve a Simmons Field capacity of 3,218 after presentation of a new parking plan. Ballpark capacity is determined by the […]
Saints go for 1,000th win in franchise history today
The next win notched by the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) will be a historic one: it will be the 1,000th win in franchise history. Only four independent teams reached that mark: the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (American Association) and the Bridgeport Bluefish and Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League). The Saints play the Sioux […]
Salt Lake, Angels extend player-development contract
The Salt Lake Bees (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. “We have enjoyed our longstanding relationship with Salt Lake and are thrilled to announce an extension through 2016,” said Scott Servais, Angels assistant general manager and head of scouting and […]
River Cats, Grizzlies affiliations in play?
Another potential affiliate shift to pass along: there are reports the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are looking to the San Francisco Giants as a new parent. The report quotes sources as saying the River Cats ownership is openly talking about switching to the Giants as a parent. Now, technically, no future […]
Silverdome contents to be auctioned
It was once envisioned as a home for independent baseball once the NFL and NBA moved out, but today the Silverdome is in sad shape, with its contents to be auctioned. The Silverdome opened in 1975 with a ten-acre Teflon roof supported by forced air, a model also used in the Metrodome and B.C. Place. […]