Minor League Baseball has officially approved the move of the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) to a new Madison, AL ballpark for the 2020 season, according to team owner BallCorps, LLC. (more…)
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New Madison Ballpark Approved; 2020 Opening Planned
Funding for a new Madison ballpark was approved last night by the City Council, as the Huntsville (AL) suburb plans on opening the facility in 2020 for the relocating Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League). (more…)
City commits additional spending on Hoover Met; concerts now target
Seeking to diversify the offerings at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, the local city council pledged $352,000 in additional facility improvements, including a big electrical-system upgraded needed to attract big-time musical tours. All in all, the city has authorized $1.5 million in ballpark upgrades since the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) moved to a new downtown […]
Despite blowout, a good night for Salvis
Notre Dame was blown out in the BCS Championship Game last night, but it still was a great night for Pat Salvi, the owner of several independent and summer-collegiate teams: two sons were in uniform for the Fighting Irish. Salvi owns the Gary-SouthShore RailCats, Schaumburg Boomers (both independent; Frontier League) and the North Shore Navigators […]
Birmingham reviewing alternate ballpark sites
Though Mayor William Bell says a proposed downtown Birmingham ballpark site is still in Railroad Park, city officials will begin reviewing other potential ballpark sites, including some city-owned parcels that could bring down the cost of the project. One such parcel is land near the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Indeed, city officials have already asked […]
Birmingham ballpark situation more complicated than anticipated
The Birmingham City Council has agreed on a funding plan for a new downtown ballpark to house the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), but they can’t agree on the location — a situation complicated by balky ballpark-area landowners. Mayor William Bell has been upfront about where he wanted to see a new downtown ballpark: […]
Mobile, BayBears in spat over ballpark rent, upkeep
The Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) haven’t paid rent at Henry Aaron Stadium since 2008 and owe the city $800,000, but a lease amendment that addresses physical problems at the ballpark should also clear the debt. The issue: the roof at the ballpark is in pretty bad shape, forcing the BayBears to withhold rent […]
Birmingham: We want Hoover to keep SEC tourney
Birmingham (Al.) officials say they will support nearby Hoover’s bid to keep the Southeastern Conference baseball tourney in Regions Park, avoiding an intraregional spat for the rights to the well-attended event. Things are already tense between Birmingham and Hoover officials over Birmingham’s plans to build a new downtown ballpark and the subsequent agreement by the […]
Barons reach deal to play at new ballpark
The last piece in a new downtown Birmingham ballpark is in place, as the owners of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) confirm they’ve reached initial agreement with the city on a lease, clearing the way for construction to begin. A letter of intent was signed yesterday. The participation of the Barons was key: […]
Birmingham formally approves downtown ballpark; next up, the Barons
A vote by the Birmingham City Council approving a new downtown ballpark may have been an important step in the process, but the real work is just beginning: finalizing the financials and coming to a lease agreement with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The Barons are key to the ballpark actually being built; […]
Cook joins revamped Barons front office
Big changes in the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) front office this offseason, as John Cook leaves Minor League Baseball to join the staff as Director of Sales. Cook previouslt was Senior Vice President of Business Ops at St. Pete; previously he was general manager of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State […]
Birmingham approves new downtown ballpark, but second vote needed
The Birmingham City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed downtown ballpark funded by a hike in hotel taxes, but because the vote was not unanimous, the measure must again be approved by the council next week. The plan calls for the city to raise the hotel tax rate by 3.5 percentage points, with the […]
New Birmingham ballpark could create $3.8 billion in economic activity: study
A new downtown Birmingham ballpark could generate $3.8 billion in direct and indirect spending, according to a study created by a research professional and local economics professor, presented to the Birmingham City Council yesterday. The study, created by Conventions Sports & Leisure and economist Keivan Deravi of Auburn University at Montgomery, concluded that the city […]