Developers are looking at new ventures near a new Biloxi ballpark set to open in 2015, as long-ignored properties are in play. With the Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) on the way to a move to a new Biloxi ballpark in 2015, there’s been interest in investments in the ballpark area, reports Jerry Creel, […]
Tag Archives | southern league
It’s official: Huntsville Stars sold, expected to move to Biloxi in 2015
The worst-kept secret in Minor League Baseball is now out in the open: the Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) have been sold and presumably will be moving to Biloxi and a new ballpark in 2015. The move is no surprise: it’s been rumored for months that veteran operator Ken Young would be buying the […]
New for 2014 from August Publications
With nine book titles set for release in the beginning of 2014 and a host of new publishing outlets, we have lots of August Publications news for the new year. First, we have NY-Penn League and Southern League histories planned for the spring, as well as second editions of Cradle of the Game, The Baseball Thesaurus […]
Biloxi sets up ballpark spending, contingent on team purchase
The Biloxi City Council approved a $1 million fund for a new Class AA Southern League ballpark, to be used until a team is purchased for a move, at which point bonds can be sold. The ballpark deal between minor-league operator Ken Young and the city calls for Young to close on the purchase of […]
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. […]
Personnel moves in Tennessee, Reading, Charleston
We have some changes in the front offices of the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League), the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) and the West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally League). First: the Power announced the hiring of Ken Fogel as executive vice president. Fogel most recently served as assistant general manager […]
Field renovations underway at Smokies Park
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) have embarked on a major field renovation at Smokies Park for the upcoming 2014 season. “The new field will enhance the natural beauty of Smokies Park for our fans and provide an outstanding playing surface for the Cubs’ top prospects,” said Smokies General Manager Brian Cox. “The goal […]
Upcoming books, millions of page views and more
Coming attractions at Ballpark Digest: several new baseball books in coming weeks, including a Southern League history, as we look to the second million-page-view month in a row. Site updates this week have been slow for one simple reason: we’re prepping a whole slew of new-book titles for the winter and spring, and there are […]
Biloxi approves new-ballpark funding; team set to play in 2015
The Biloxi City Council today moved forward with a bonding plan for a new $36-million ballpark, paving the way for Ken Young to move a Class AA Southern League team there in 2015. The $36-million financing plan for the 6,000-seat ballpark is pretty simple: the city will use $15 million from a state grant stemming […]
Biloxi ballpark vote set for Tuesday
A final vote on a new Biloxi ballpark for a Class AA Southern League team is set for Tuesday morning, following a public hearing on the financing plan. The $36-million financing plan is pretty simple: the city will use $15 million from a state grant stemming from BP monies, and the remaining $21 million will […]
Young: New ballpark will spark downtown Biloxi growth
Experienced MiLB operator Ken Young is meeting tomorrow with the Biloxi City Council about his plans to bring a Class AA Southern League team to a new downtown ballpark. Young, with ownership stakes in the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League), Bowie BaySox (Class AA; Eastern League) and […]
2013 Affiliated Attendance by League
With the 2013 Minor League Baseball regular season over, we’ll begin looking at what happened this season on the attendance front. We’ll start with a look at teams by league, ranked by average attendance. We’ll follow this up with listings of affiliated attendance by average and attendance by total. Summer-collegiate attendance has already been posted, […]
Birmingham reveals plans for new Negro Leagues museum
As promised, Birmingham is moving forward with a Negro Leagues museum adjoining Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), according to city officials. The $2 million project, which has already received $400,000 in city funding, is slated to open in 2014. Organizers will need to privately raise the remainder of the […]