State Mutual Stadium / Rome Braves
You don’t just happen to stop by Rome, Georgia on your way somewhere. It’s just an hour and half from Atlanta, but it is not served by any major interstate highway. For the ballpark fan, there’s one big attraction: State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Braves, as Mark Cryan explains. FAST FACTS Opened: April […]
Gone too soon, or good riddance? Thoughts on Turner Field’s future demolition
Reaction to the news that Turner Field would be torn down in 2017 came in two forms: goodbye to a mediocre ballpark, versus disbelief that such a young facility is doomed. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler looks at the decision. A cell phone, we are told by the service providers, can be upgraded every two years — although […]
Atlantic League announces new divisional alignment
The independent Atlantic League will have a new divisional structure for 2014, with the eight teams split into the Liberty and Freedom divisions. The Somerset Patriots, Long Island Ducks, Camden Riversharks and Bridgeport Bluefish are in the Liberty Division; the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Sugar Land Skeeters, Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution are in the […]
Big week for new Flying Squirrels ballpark
A week after Mayor Dwight Jones unveiled a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark plan for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League), the City Council will debate its merits. It’s an ambitious plan, calling for a new ballpark and flood control to Shockoe Bottom — over the objections of activists calling for a strong commemoration […]
Comerica Park stripped down for December hockey
The entire turf is out at Comerica Park, as the Detroit Tigers prep for the installation of a hockey rink as part of the NHL’s Winter Classic and the Hockeytown Winter Festival. The actual Winter Classic will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, where the Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs […]
Jacksonville to explore Baseball Grounds naming rights
Jacksonville officials may make another run at selling naming rights to the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, home of the Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League). Now approaching a decade old, the Baseball Grounds has been some improvements in recent years, and the city wants to explore other revenue sources past rent to pay down debt. […]
The Week That Was: Nov. 11-16, 2013
A surprise decision on a new Atlanta Braves ballpark, the debut of a Richmond ballpark plan, and the sale of the Memphis Redbirds made headlines. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views. Braves to leave Turner Field, will build new Cobb County ballparkTurner Field to be torn down […]
New for 2014: Kalamazoo Growlers
The newest team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League has a name: the Kalamazoo Growlers, playing out of Homer Stryker Field beginning in 2014. The new name and logos were released at an opening event at Homer Stryker Field; along with introductions of the team manager, coaching staff, two players for the 2014 season, and a […]
Expanded instant replay approved for 2014
We’ll see expanded instant replay in Major League Baseball next season, as officials approved a plan to allow reviews of virtually every play, save balls and strikes, check swings and foul tips, out of New York City. It’s not a groundbreaking setup — it’s basically the same system used to review contested calls in the […]
Flying Squirrels lease: $1.7M annually; naming rights could lower than number
A proposed Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) new-ballpark lease payment of $1.7 million could be lowered with the sale of naming rights. The Richmond Economic Development Authority is taking the lead on the development of a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark, and the lease would be between the EDA and the Squirrels. The Squirrels […]
Selig: I’ll let Rays ballpark talks unfold on their own
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig won’t participate in any Tampa Bay Rays ballpark talks at this time, saying new Mayor Rick Kriseman and Stuart Sternberg will take the lead. Kriseman, who defeated incumbent Bill Foster earlier this month in the St. Petersburg mayoral race, is considered to be more open-minded about a move of the Rays […]
Cardinals to buy Redbirds, city to buy AutoZone Park
The St. Louis Cardinals will buy the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Memphis will acquire AutoZone Park, with the two sides signing a long-term lease. The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation, beset with financial issues in recent years, was seeking to shed both assets and met seriously with several parties, including at least […]
Knights games on ESPN Radio 730 AM in 2014
We have a new home for Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) broadcasts: ESPN Radio 730 AM is the flagship home of Knights baseball beginning with Opening Day, April 11, 2014. All 144 games of the team’s inaugural season at BB&T Ballpark in Uptown Charlotte will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 730 AM, espn730.com, […]