Archives: June 17-23, 2007
Chukars open new ballpark with SRO crowd
Posted June 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Idaho Falls Chukars (rookie; Pioneer League) opened Melaleuca Field tonight with a standing-room-only crowd and a host of dignitaries — including Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney (shown below), who expressed his great affection for Idaho Falls in pregame comments — on hand for the festivities. We’ll have a full look at the new ballpark this weekend, but let’s just say the team and its architects have created a great, great ballpark on a shoestring.
Dodgers near agreement on Arizona spring-training facility
Posted June 22, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are just a few steps away from a groundbreaking for a new spring-training facility in Glendale, Arizona. The Glendale City Council is expected to vote at a 9 p.m. meeting Tuesday on agreements concerning the two-team facility, which will most likely be shared with the Chicago White Sox depending on the resolution of the team’s lease at Tucson Electric Park. The Dodgers have been training in Vero Beach since 1948. After the council votes — a mere formality — the process moves to the state level, and after that the groundbreaking can begin, likely by the end of summer or early fall, with opening planned for 2009.
Sally League selects Krupa as next president
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Low Class A South Atlantic League Board of Directors voted today to approve Eric Krupa as the next president of the league. Krupa will succeed John Henry Moss, the longest-tenured league president in Minor League Baseball, effective January 1, 2008. "We were fortunate to have had so many qualified applicants interested in serving the South Atlantic League," said Alan Stein, Chairman of the South Atlantic League Personnel Committee. "As a result of a thorough search process, we were pleased to endorse Eric as the candidate of choice for ‘The League of Choice.’" Krupa, a native of Wyomissing, PA, has spent the past 10 years as the Director of Business and Finance at the headquarter office for the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues in St. Petersburg, Florida. A 1992 graduate of Lafayette College, he began his career in baseball in 1995 as the visiting clubhouse manager for the Reading Phillies (Class A; Eastern League). He left baseball to pursue a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University, and upon completion in 1996, he moved to Florida to work as an intern for Disney as they were opening their Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando. In 1997, he was hired by the Minor League Baseball office and moved to St. Petersburg.
New for 2008: Grand Prairie AirHogs
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Grand Prairie Professional Baseball announced the Grand Prairie AirHogs as the name of the future independent American Association baseball team. The team will play its first home game in May 2008. AirHogs was chosen because it complemented the ballpark’s aviation inspired architecture and the local aeronautical industry. Mark Schuster, the Managing Partner of Ventura Sports Group who made the announcement, said. "In the same manner that air squadrons have unique recognizable nicknames, AirHogs will represent our team, organization and community.” AirHogs is a slang term by which military pilots sometimes refer to themselves. More from the Dallas News.
Swing sale passes crucial point as it gains Midwest League approval
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
In the marathon process involved in purchasing a professional baseball team, the proposed sale of the Swing of the Quad Cities (Low Class A; Midwest League) cleared a major hurdle when Midwest League directors approved the sale of the club owned by Kevin Krause-led Seventh Inning Stretch to Mainstreet Iowa, a company headed by Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt. The transaction will not be complete until the governing body of minor-league baseball and the major-league commissioner’s office sign off on it, but league approval is considered the critical step in the process.
Ballpark redesign receives approval
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Jackson County Sports Complex Authority gave its nod Tuesday to the redesign of Kauffman Stadium. Unveiled to the public last month, the $250-million renovation will include larger concourses, more food outlets and restrooms, a new video scoreboard, a children’s play area, and places for fans to picnic and mingle. The authority, which oversees the county-owned ballpark, passed a resolution Tuesday approving the design. Jackson County taxpayers approved a 3/8 -cent sales tax in April 2006 to cover most of the Kauffman project and the $425 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium.
Boog-A-Dee Boo’s selling beer until league obtains new license
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Cold beer’s flowing again at minor league baseball parks in Harlingen and Edinburg, as the independent United League Baseball’s agreement with a Harlingen caterer allows the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings and the Edinburg Coyotes to temporarily sell beer and liquor, said Lt. Arthur Munsell of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in McAllen. The agreement with Kevin Dyer, owner of Boog-A-Dee Boo’s Burgers and Brews, allows the the catering company to sell beer and liquor at the ballpark until the league obtains a new license to sell alcohol, Munsell said.
Marshall planning new ballpark
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Local television station WOWK-TV is reporting on an agreement between CSX and Marshall University for land to build a proposed new ballpark. Sources say CSX will donate a seven-acre tract of land to Marshall University to build a new ballpark. Under the agreement, Marshall will have to take responsibility for remediation of the property under the supervision of CSX. The final work must be approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sources say if construction goes as planned, the new ballpark could be ready for baseball in two years.
UVSC, Owlz playing ballpark name games
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
After years of uncertainty as to what to call the ballpark on the campus of Utah Valley State College, it was thought that the matter was put to rest with the renaming of the facility to Brent Brown Ballpark last week. However, the management and owners of the Orem Owlz, the minor-league tenant at the field since 2005, do not feel the same way about the issue. The Owlz have decided to continue referring to the field as the "Home of the Owlz," the same designation they have used since the Parkway Crossing deal fell through with UVSC two years ago. Owlz general manager Zachary Fraser said that there was an agreement between the team and UVSC concerning future naming rights; since the university did not, the team feels it has the right to ignore the new name.
New MTSU ballpark over budget
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The cost of building MTSU’s new ballpark was underestimated by more than $1.4 million, according to construction bids received last week. The lowest of four base bids received by MTSU was $5.4 million — far more than the $4 million the university allocated for construction as part of $5 million raised for the project. The remaining $1 million is for designer fees and contingencies.
Cyclones to recreate final Ebbets Field pitch
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Prior to Sunday’s 5 p.m. game at Keyspan Park, the Cyclones will help recreate the final pitch ever thrown at Ebbets Field when former Brooklyn Dodgers Danny McDevitt and Joe Pignatano take the field for the ceremonial first pitch (as well as sign autographs during the game).
Ripken baseball has new Ace in hole
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
For the second year in a row, the Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has decided to expand. Just a week after the Herndon (Va.) Braves made their debut as the wood-bat summer league’s seventh team, the Ripken League announced it will add a second Virginia-based franchise, the Alexandria Aces, for the summer of 2008. Though a new franchise, the Aces will boast experience in the front office when they take the field for their inaugural season. Pat Malone, who has worked in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Baseball League (also wood-bat) for the past six years with three different teams, will serve as the team’s president and general manager. The team chairman will be Don Dinan, part-owner and general counsel of the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League).
Baseball comes to Wal-Mart country
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
With the Wichita Wranglers (Class AA; Texas League) moving to Springdale and playing as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the geography of the Texas League will change a little. Looking forward to the change is Arkansas Travelers head honcho Bill Valentine, who expects a great rivalry between his boys and the cross-state team. We’d be surprised if one doesn’t develop: there’s already a rivalry of sorts between regions in the state, and the Naturals should help amplify that.
Hope for UW baseball’s return?
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Doug Moe offers a way for the University of Wisconsin to bring back baseball as a varsity sport: follow the example of the University of California-Irvine. In 1999, the university put a referendum on the ballot during the student elections asking whether students wanted to pay an extra $99 a year each to bring back baseball. Significantly, it wasn’t just baseball. The referendum also said the money would be used to establish women’s programs in water polo and golf. It was called the "spirit fee" referendum, and it needed 60 percent of the student vote to pass. It got 62 percent.
Today’s video: Why opera will never be America’s Pastime
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
There are no beer vendors for opera, which is why opera will never be America’s Pastime. This commercial from the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) compares baseball to opera and, not surprisingly, comes down in favor of baseball. We’ve been really pleased with the response to our call for videos: we’ve already heard from several teams and vendors, so we’ll continue bringing them to you. If you want to share your videos with the baseball community, drop us a line at editors@augustpublications.com.
Blair Field more than just a ballpark
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Blair Field was originally pushed by Long Beach Press-Telegram sports editor Frank Blair as a way for the city to attract a Pacific Coast League team, but that effort ended when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles and displaced the PCL from the area. When Long Beach State made Blair its home in 1993, it opened a new door for the facility that would eventually include the scheduling of national college powers like Texas and Miami and the rise of the only true rivalry in the Big West, between the Dirtbags and Cal State Fullerton.
Ballpark Notes
Posted June 21, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Baltimore Orioles announced that Andy MacPhail has been named President of Baseball Operations for the organization. In his new position, MacPhail will oversee all baseball operations of the ballclub. A member of one of baseball’s most honored and respected families, MacPhail most recently has assisted Major League Baseball with a variety of projects after spending 12 years as president and chief executive officer of the Chicago Cubs. Prior to joining the Cubs, he served as executive vice president and general manager of the Minnesota Twins for nine seasons. His first move as grand pooh-bah already fell short: Joe Girardi turned down an offer to manage the club….The Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) expect to welcome their 10 millionth fan to The Diamond during their upcoming homestand starting Friday. The Braves need 13,889 more fans to reach 10 million at The Diamond since the park opened in 1985. There are seven minor league parks now in use that have hosted 10 million fans. Of those, only Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo (opened in 1988) is newer than The Diamond.
Clippers ballpark plans unveiled
Posted June 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The design for Huntington Park, the new home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), was unveiled by the team and Franklin County yesterday. The design from 360 Architecture is set to revitalize the city’s urban core with its innovative design that accommodates the disabled and features various family-friendly facilities. The 200,000 square-foot, three-level building constructed from brick and steel will be green, utilizing an extroverted design approach that leads to a significant reduction in spaces requiring air conditioning. Huntington Park, set to open in the 2009 season. reclaims the blighted urban Brownfield site that is in desperate need of a cleanup. The design protects farmland and open green spaces surrounding the city. It also utilizes existing parking facilities serving the daytime workforce population resulting in a significant reduction in land-use. We’ll have a full preview of the replacement for Cooper Stadium tomorrow; in the meantime here’s more from the Columbus Dispatch.
Twins announce date for new-ballpark groundbreaking
Posted June 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota Ballpark Authority and Hennepin County, announced that the official groundbreaking for the new downtown Minneapolis ballpark will be held Thursday, Aug. 2. The official ceremony and other commemorative events will take place at the downtown Minneapolis ballpark site, following the Twins-Royals game scheduled for 12:10 p.m. on Aug. 2 at the Metrodome. The ballpark site will open to the public at 5 p.m., with a free concert and other activities scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. The official groundbreaking ceremony will start at 7 p.m., with the event expected to conclude at approximately 8 p.m.
Today’s video: Binghamton Mets promo
Posted June 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
This promotional video from the Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League) was done to promote a local community’s night at the ballpark. It was shown during the game and has been shown since; it’s a great example of how a team can do outreach with a local partner.. We’ve been really pleased with the response to our call for videos: we’ve already heard from several teams and vendors, so we’ll continue bringing them to you. If you want to share your videos with the baseball community, drop us a line at editors@augustpublications.com.
Astros announcer Hamilton calls game in 54th ballpark
Posted June 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
Houston Astros broadcaster Milo Hamilton thought back 42 years as he walked into Angel Stadium on Monday afternoon. There was a stake at home plate and little else around the field when Hamilton, then 38, visited on a tour with some folks from the Chicago White Sox in 1965. Since that visit, the Astros have played in two home ballparks — the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park. Hamilton, a Hall of Fame broadcaster who has been calling games in the majors since 1953, stopped traveling full-time last season. He makes select trips to ballparks he has not visited, which is why he traveled with the Astros for the start of a three-game interleague series against the Angels on Monday night. Detroit’s Comerica Park, Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field and Toronto’s Rogers Centre are the only current big-league ballparks he has yet to visit.
Board seeks feedback on land swap for Charlotte ballpark
Posted June 19, 2007 (feedback) (submit story) (discuss)
The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners is expected today to set a public hearing for July 10 for residents to weigh in on an $8 million economic development grant for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League). Under a proposed agreement, the baseball team would build a $35 million ballpark uptown in exchange for an annual grant from the county of about $700,000 based on revenues, probably for 20 years. The grant would go toward public projects such as relocating Third Street, lighting and sidewalks.