It is the ballpark that put independent baseball on the map, the place where Mike Veeck and crew honed their skills at turning a minor-league baseball game into a three-ring circus. Oh, and some pretty good baseball has been played here over the years as well. Here’s a look at Midway Stadium, the home of […]
Tag Archives | american association
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium / Wichita Wingnuts
You will take a step back in baseball history when you visit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, located on the southwest edge of downtown Wichita. Home to the American Association’s Wichita Wingnuts and the National Baseball Congress (NBC), the 1934-built ballpark features a treasure trove of baseball history. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1934 Capacity: 6,400 (3,000 chairback seats, […]
Indy realignment in the discussion phase
Multiple sources confirm that recent discussions between reps of the independent American Association, Northern League and Frontier League could yield a dramatic realignment of the independent scene for the 2011 or 2012 seasons, as old grudges and bitter rivalries are giving way to a new sense of economic reality. The discussions directly between American Association/Northern […]
Laredo finalizes lease with Ventura Sports for new 2012 ballpark
The city of Laredo and Ventura Sports, the owner of two independent American Association teams and another on the way, finalized their lease for a new $18 million ballpark set to open in 2012. The Laredo City Council approved the Lease and Operations Agreement with Ventura Sports Group for the ballpark planned for construction […]
Laredo reviews ballpark plan, reaffirms decision to go with Ventura Sports
Despite a final plea from the ULB’s Laredo Broncos, the city reaffirmed a decision to go with Ventura Sports for a new team at a new $18 million ballpark. Officials from Ventura Sports and HKS were on hand last night as the City Council approved a budget of $18 million for a 7,000-seat ballpark that […]
City approves new Pensacola Pelicans ballpark
The long-awaited new downtown ballpark for the Pensacola Pelicans — approved by voters in 2006 — received final approval from the city.The long-awaited new downtown ballpark for the Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association) — approved by voters in 2006 — received final approval from the city. The Community Maritime Park, located on 30 acres along Main […]
AirHogs Stadium / Texas AirHogs
At first glance, the empty seats in the grandstand in the midst of the first game in Grand Prairie AirHogs history didn’t seem like a good sign for the expansion American Association franchise, despite the match being a sellout. But the fans were still in the ballpark, as they certainly hadn’t bailed: they were all […]
LaGrave Field / Fort Worth Cats
It is one of the most unusual ballparks in minor-league baseball, as Fort Worth’s LaGrave Field is a new ballpark set on the grounds of a former affiliated classic. As such, it’s the best of both worlds. FAST FACTS Year Opened: Current incarnation, 2002 Capacity: 5,200 Dimensions: 320L, 370LC, 400C, 366RC, 330R Playing Surface: Grass […]
American Association (current)
The current American Association was formed by independent teams leaving the Northern League and Central League, augmented by former United League Baseball markets. Independent / 2006-present Teams (in alphabetical order) Amarillo Sox, 2011-presentCoastal Bend Aviators, 2006-2007El Paso Diablos, 2006-presentFargo-Moorhead Redhawks, 2011-presentFort Worth Cats, 2006-presentGary Southshore Railcats, 2011-presentGrand Prairie Airhogs, 2008-presentKansas City T-Bones, 2011-presentLincoln Saltdogs, 2006-presentPensacola […]