An aggressive construction schedule and quick city approval of a financing plan could lead to an April 2015 opening of a new Columbia (S.C.) ballpark, according to veteran MiLB operator Jason Freier. Freier, who owns the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League) and […]
Tag Archives | 2015
New GreenJackets ballpark project hit with lawsuit
A ballpark opponent has filed suit against North Augusta’s Project Jackson development, saying tax-increment financing (TIF) has been inappropriately implemented in the funding plan. Project Jackson is a $144-million development in North Augusta that includes retail, hotel, convention center and a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League). The ballpark itself […]
Fredericksburg ballpark groundbreaking set for March
Things are moving quickly on a new Fredericksburg ballpark for the relocating Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League), with a new GM in place and a groundbreaking set for March. The ownership group, which includes the current Suns owners, the Diamond Nation training firm and local Rosner Automotive Group principal Ron Rosner, are planning […]
Public hearing planned on Joplin ballpark funding
Proposed public funding of Joplin’s Joe Becker Stadium renovations for an independent American Association team will be debated at a public hearing next Monday. The proposal calls for $9.3 million in upgrades to the surrounding area and the historic ballpark, which once hosted Minor League Baseball. The city would pay for $4 million in improvements, […]
Levy lands Saints ballpark concessions deal
When the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) open a new Lowertown ballpark in 2015, they’ll have a new dining and hospitality partner: Levy Restaurants. “Providing a wonderful experience for our fans and sponsors is our number one priority,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer. “The partnership with Levy Restaurants will enhance the […]
New Hamptons team will buck tradition: No nickname
The new Hamptons team in the startup Independent Professional Baseball League will be unique: it won’t have a nickname, in the manner of professional soccer teams here and abroad. Hamptons Professional Baseball Club is the name of the team, according to team president Dan Malley. As you can see by the logo, he’s taking a […]
New Nashville Sounds ballpark receives final approval
It’s official: Nashville’s Metro Council approved a $65 million financing plan today for a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark at the site of the former home to baseball in the city, Sulphur Dell. Today’s vote was the third needed to approve the deal, which calls for the city to spend $37 […]
New P-Nats ballpark delayed to 2016
It’s official: opening of a new Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark will be pushed back to 2016 after a naming-rights deal took longer than anticipated to close. Owner Art Silber was hoping to wrap up the naming-rights deal in time for a 2015 opening, but negotiation delays for the $15-million deal caused […]
Nashville: We want to make sure there’s development with new Sounds ballpark
A Metro Council committee threw the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) a serious curveball today, debating whether to require the team to cover debt should associated development next to a new ballpark not happen. The funding plan for the new Sounds ballpark calls for the city to pay $37 million in construction costs, […]
A’s sign two-year lease to stay at Coliseum
The Oakland A’s and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority agreed on a two-year lease extension for O.co Coliseum, giving the team control of concessions and flexibility for the future. The two sides had suffered through some contentious negotiations: the authority, believing it had the upper hand, sought a lease extension between five and eight years […]
Nashville acquires land for new Sounds ballpark
The city of Nashville will officially acquire a key parcel of land from the state for construction of a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark on the old Sulphur Dell site. As far as historic locations go, this is a biggie: baseball was played on the Sulphur Dell site from the Civil […]
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 […]
Nashville contribution to new Sounds ballpark development: $65M
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean unveiled the public contribution toward a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark and associated development: $65 million. The Sounds would contribute $50 million toward the development and developer San Antonio-based Embrey Development Corp. would fund $37 million for a 250-unit residential development. The ballpark’s price tag would be […]