The El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) could relocate to Joplin, Mo. if the city council goes ahead with improvements to Joe Becker Stadium for 2015. The Diablos shut down operations in El Paso’s Cohen Stadium at the end of the 2013 season due to the impending move of the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; […]
Tag Archives | 2015
Clemson unveils Doug Kingsmore Baseball Stadium upgrades
Clemson University unveiled upgrade plans and renderings for a makeover of Doug Kingsmore Baseball Stadium, scheduled to be completed for the 2015 Tigers season. The addition is envisioned to be a three-level facility with player amenities located adjacent to the current locker room area on the ballpark’s north side, directly behind the first-base stands. Included […]
It’s official: Groundbreaking at new WVU ballpark
The ceremony is final: West Virginia University, Monongalia County and Morgantown officials were on hand for the groundbreaking of a new ballpark to house Mountaineers and NY-Penn League baseball. The ballpark, slated to open in 2015, will cost $16.2 million and is part of a larger $96-million development. With West Virginia University moving to the […]
Ottawa City Council approves Can-Am League deal
By a wide margin, the Ottawa City Council approved a lease with the independent Can-Am League to place a team in Ottawa Stadium for the 2015 season and beyond. After issuing requests for proposals for an Ottawa Stadium lease, two serious contenders emerged: an affiliated bid from Mandalay Baseball Properties with a Class AA Eastern […]
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 […]
Selig to retire in January 2015
One more season: Bud Selig announced he would be stepping down as MLB Commissioner in January 2015, ending a run that begin with the interim tag in 1992. Selig, who bought the Seattle Pilots out of bankruptcy in 1970 and moved them to Milwaukee to begin a career in baseball, oversaw a period of unprecedented […]
Hounds: New ballpark won’t be ready for 2014 opener
A new Loudoun (Va.) ballpark for the Loudoun Hounds won’t be ready for the 2014 season opener, meaning the team will either play elsewhere while construction work is completed. According to the Hounds, work is being done on the facility, which is also designed to house professional soccer. The VIP Sports & Entertainment schedule has […]
Arizona State to close out Packard Stadium history in 2014
The Arizona State University Sun Devils will close out their Packard Stadium history next season, opening the campaign on Feb. 14-16 by hosting Baylor University. The team’s final game at Packard Stadium — not counting any potential postseason games — is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, with Abilene Christian in town. This is the final […]
Design deadlines slip on new Saints ballpark
A hard deadline of Aug. 23 for design work on a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark has slipped and isn’t expected to be met for months. The contract with Ryan Companies called for design work and a firm estimate of the maximum construction cost to be met on Aug. 23. That deadline, […]
Consultant: Biloxi ballpark site would be a winner
This is quite the endorsement: Charles Johnson IV of Johnson Consulting calls a proposed Biloxi ballpark a sure winner, with average baseball attendance and above-average event attendance. The recipient of a $25,000 contract from the city, Johnson pegs the ballpark’s economic impact at $34 million annually (with the average game/event attendee spending $70 during each […]
Startup Diamond League postponed to 2015
The startup independent Diamond League won’t launch until the 2015 season, as finding six open ballparks for next season proved to be a difficult task for founder Frank Boulton. Here’s the statement issued by Boulton today: The Diamond League of Professional Baseball will not start in 2014 with the contemplated 60-game schedule. Although I am […]
Biloxi: Let’s slow down new-ballpark plan
The Biloxi City Council took a step back from funding a new Class AA Southern League ballpark and decided to analyze whether the investment makes economic sense. The Council had previously agreed to spend $21 million on the new $35-million ballpark for a relocated Southern League team, to be owned by veteran MiLB operator Ken […]
2015 ASG good for Cincy, bad for county taxpayers
It will cost Hamilton County taxpayers $5 million to spiff up Great American Ball Park for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game, as routine repairs to the home of the Cincinnati Reds are accelerated. From the Cincinnati Enquirer: A separate “2015 All-Star Game Ball Park Preparation” memo shows just what the $5 million will pay for. […]