With the Toronto Blue Jays deciding to stay put in Dunedin, the Houston Astros will partner with the Washington Nationals on a new spring-training facility in Palm Beach County. The first proposal from the Astros met with resistance from Palm Beach Gardens residents because it was cited too closely to a school and protected wetlands. […]
Tag Archives | spring training
Any month with baseball is a good month
It’s been a good month here at Ballpark Digest: lots of site activity and page views, topped off by visits to Scottsdale Stadium, Cubs Park and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The last three days saw the beginning of our spring-training travels in Phoenix. Gorgeous days to see some great ballparks, and we’ll have […]
Yes, it’s spring: Part 2
Your second sign of spring today: the Chicago Cubs are preparing for the official opening of Cubs Park tomorrow. Here’s your teaser: a personalized marquee. We’ll have more on the new Mesa ballpark tomorrow. Let’s just say for now that it’s a great addition to the spring-training lineup in Mesa: with great food, lots of […]
Yes, it’s spring: Part 1
If it’s the end of February, it’s the real start of spring training, when Cactus and Grapefruit League games begin. Both circuits launched play today, so it’s time for a little reading from the late Ernie Harwell. Here’s the video, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press: The Tigers opened 2014 play today at historic Joker […]
A million more thanks to Ballpark Digest readers
Quick update on the next few weeks on Ballpark Digest, including a little information on our spring-training trips and once again hitting a monthly million-page mark. Posting on the site will be a little lessened this week, as we’re heading out to spring training later today. Yes, we’re abandoning the cold of the Upper Midwest […]
PSC, Peoria Stadium announce concessions deal
Professional Sports Catering and the City of Peoria announced a partnership today where PSC will manage all aspects of the food service at the Peoria Sports Complex, spring-training home of San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners, including the entire Cactus League season and any event taking place on the grounds. “This is a very important […]
Goldberg-Strassler: I am a sign of spring
If it’s the middle of February, it means two things: one, players are reporting to spring training, and two, seasonal employees are returning to the ballpark. Jesse Goldberg-Strassler is among the latter; here’s his story. I am a sign of spring. I work as a seasonal employee for the Lansing Lugnuts. I am away from […]
Yanks, Marlins add spring series at Panama’s Rod Carew Stadium
Bringing MLB to Panama for the first time since 1947, the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins have scheduled a two-game series at Panama City’s Rod Carew Stadium on March 15-16. Dubbed the “Legends Series,” the games were pushed by former Yankee great and Panama native Mariano Rivera, the game’s all-time saves leader. Rivera […]
Cubs, Mesa dedicate new spring-training ballpark
Nice milestone in Mesa, as the city and the Chicago Cubs this morning dedicated Cubs Park, a new spring-training complex and a rebuilt and enhanced Riverview Park on a 146-acre site. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cubs Park, Cubs board members Tom and Laura Ricketts, front office executives Crane Kenney and Theo Epstein and Hall […]
Movement to save Tinker Field emerges
A movement to save historic Tinker Field, the longtime home of spring training in Orlando, is afoot, as preservationists want to see it declared a landmark, with accompanying protections. The call to preserve Tinker Field comes from Orlando’s Historic Preservation Board, which oversees the management of historic properties for the city. Last week Mayor Buddy […]
Spring training begins as Diamondbacks pitchers, catchers report
If you’re staring out at a yard full of snow, take heart: spring training officially began yesterday, as Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers reported to camp yesterday. Yes, we’re dealing with snow and below-average temperatures here at Ballpark Digest headquarters, with no end in sight. (Well, technically, that’s not true: We’ll be in Phoenix at […]
Fort Myers mayor: We have little chance of landing Nats
With a proposed redevelopment of the City of Palms Park area almost dead, Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson says there is little chance a $36.6 million renovation plan will succeed, giving the city no shot to land the Washington Nationals for spring training. We have more of the details at our sister site, Spring Training […]
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, […]