Virginia Beach group seeking land, infrastructure for new ballpark
A proposed privately financed Virginia Beach ballpark for an independent Atlantic League team could move closer to reality under a plan to be considered by the city council tomorrow. The plan from Virginia Beach Professional Baseball LLC calls for a $50-million, 5,000-seat ballpark and sports complex ($21 million for the ballpark, $7.7 million for commercial development, […]
Nats, Levy Restaurants extend Nationals Park concessions deal
More of the same at Nationals Park, as the Washington Nationals and Levy Restaurants have extended their concessions contract with a new multiyear deal. Levy has been the exclusive restaurant partner at the ballpark since 2009. “For the last five years, our collaboration with Levy Restaurants has resulted in a diverse selection of fantastic food […]
Freier: I may acquire new team for Columbia
We hinted at this, but now veteran MiLB operator Jason Freier has made it explicit: acquiring another team is very likely if a new Columbia ballpark is built, rather than moving the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League) to the city. Besides negotiating for a new Columbia ballpark, Freier has also been talking […]
Personnel moves in Frisco, Lincoln and Wisconsin Rapids
We have personnel news to report from the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League), Lincoln SaltDogs (independent; American Association) and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). New on the RoughRiders broadcast team this season: Chris Vosters, joining Alex Vispoli, the Voice of the RoughRiders, in delivering the play-by-play of Frisco games throughout the season, […]
Pelicans: We want Wilson — for a single game
Nice promo: the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League) are offering to donate $10,000 to a charity of his choice if Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson plays a single game at TicketReturn.Com Field. Now, as you’ll recall, Wilson played in the Colorado Rockies farm system, making it as high as Low Class A […]
Sun Devils prep for final season at Packard Stadium
With the Arizona State University Sun Devils planning for a move to Phoenix Muni next season, players are prepping for one final bittersweet season at Packard Stadium and Bobby Winkles Field. Sun Devil Baseball has launched the official “Tip Your Cap To Packard” logo to commemorate the 40th and final season at historic Packard Stadium, […]
LeLacheur Park to host America East Baseball Championship
The Lowell Spinners (short season A; NY-Penn League) and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell will host the America East Baseball Championship at LeLacheur Park for the next four years, from 2014-2107. The ballpark first hosted the 2013 championship, which led to Binghamton University capturing the title. “We are thrilled to have received a long-term commitment from […]
Personnel moves in Winston-Salem
Some personnel news to report: The Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) and their sister company Rhino Sports & Entertainment Services have announced four moves within their front-office teams. Within the club’s sales department, Darren Hill is now the Director of Business Development, and Russell Parmele has become the Director of Group Sales. Corey […]
Omaha! Storm Chasers play promotion off Super Bowl
Natural promo here: The Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are offering 1,800 complimentary ticket vouchers to their July 6th game with Colorado Springs if the Broncos win the Super Bowl. Why natural? The last two weeks the national media has been heavily covering Denver QB Peyton Manning‘s use of Omaha as an […]
Richmond ballpark revenues could be used for other purposes
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones says some of the revenues generated by economic development at the Boulevard and Shockoe Bottom could be devoted to other uses, such as schools and parks. The offer comes at a time when Jones is pushing hard for a plan that would tear down The Diamond, the current home of the […]
MLB: How intrusive can ballpark technology be?
With almost two-dozen teams implementing Apple’s iBeacon technology for personalized product pitches, MLB and BAM will find out how intrusive message alerts can be at the ballpark. Personalized, targeted messaging is the Holy Grail of marketing these days: why waste time on a generalized message when you can target a potential buyer? Though it’s a […]
Growlers, Bell’s Brewery strike ballpark deal
Well, this certainly is a natural: the Kalamazoo Growlers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and local brewery Bell’s have struck a deal to offer the high-end suds at Stryker Field. There’s also a pun involved with the natural partnership: besides being a bear, a growler is also a beer container. “We are thrilled to partner with […]
Don’t look now, but Truck Day is coming up
Another clear sign of spring: Major League Baseball teams are preparing to ship gear and equipment to Florida and Arizona, as the annual rite of Truck Day approaches. Sister site Spring Training Online has all the details, but there are two thing to note. First, the Tampa Bay Rays are already prepped to ship equipment, […]