One of the biggest ballpark deals to come down the pike in recent months has been announced, as Populous landed the contract to design the new Chicago Cubs spring-training facility in Mesa, Arizona, while Hunt Construction will build it. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith made the announcement today. About $84 million is budgeted for the spring […]
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After spring training, the baseball continues
With the departure of MLB and MiLB squads from spring-training complex, most folks assume there’s no baseball in the likes of Peoria Stadium and Tempe Diablo Stadium. But the complexes are still buzzing, as extended spring will keep them busy for months. During discussions of spring training, many fans focus on the main ballpark and […]
Surprise Stadium / Kansas City Royals / Texas Rangers
It’s a little off the beaten track, but Billy Parker Field at Surprise Stadium, the spring home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, is a top-notch place to see a spring-training ballgame: The sightlines are gorgeous, the concourses are wide, and the ballpark design is striking. FAST FACTS Capacity: 10,714Architect: PopulousYear Opened: 2003Dimensions: […]
Ricketts: Not so fast on Wrigleyville West
Despite telling Mesa voters that development would be part of the mix at new Chicago Cubs spring-training complex, owner Tom Ricketts now says Wrigleyville West will need to wait until the new ballpark opens — if it happens at all. The issue is pretty simple: early feedback indicates there’s little demand from retailers and restauranteurs […]
Tempe Diablo Stadium / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
It is the most scenic ballpark in the Cactus League, bar none. With buttes beyond the left-field fence, a striking Spanish-style exterior and a relatively remote location that paradoxically offers easy freeway access, Tempe Diablo Stadium is a gem, a must-visit for anyone hitting Phoenix in March. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1968; renovated several times […]
A guide to spring-training practices
Die-hard spring-training fans aren’t content with just sitting in the stands and watching a game: they want to watch a practice and get close to the players. It’s a great experience, as long as you know what you’re in for: most teams train on practice fields, not the ballparks, and so the creature comforts are […]
T-Padres unveil investors
The Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced the 11 investors in the team, joining Mike Feder in Tucson AAA Baseball LLC. “When I finalized a management agreement with North County Baseball LLC and formed Tucson AAA Baseball LLC for the business operation of the Tucson franchise, I knew we needed local people with […]
Feeding frenzy expected for Cubs spring facility work
When the city of Mesa releases a “request for qualifications” notice in coming weeks, we’ll see a feeding frenzy as architectural and construction firms jockey for position — and we hear the process is expected to be wide open. Discussions of the new facility were fast and frequent at the Winter Meetings, as lots of […]
Moorad closes on Beavers sale, Tucson lease
Yesterday was a big day for Jeff Moorad and his purchase of the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): He closed on a purchase of the franchise and a lease for Tucson’s KinKo Stadium was finalized, clearing the way for the 2011 season. The new team, the Tucson Padres, will play at the former […]
D-Backs spiffing up Chase Field for 2011
The Arizona Diamondbacks are making further improvements to Chase Field for a 2011 season that will see Phoenix hosting the MLB All-Star Game. For starters: the team has repainted the retractable roof, likely to be closed during the All-Star Game and much of the season. Second, the team is installing new high-def two large new […]
New for 2011: Tucson Padres
Things certainly are being thrown together in Tucson for the 2011 season, as the former Portland Beavers will be playing as the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) at Kino Stadium after negotiations to place the team in Hi Corbett Field fell through. The name selection was made without the selection of the promised […]
Escondido approves Triple-A ballpark — with reservations
The Escondido (Cal.) City Council gave initial approval to city funding of a new $50-million Triple-A ballpark project, but warned that any final agreement would be subject to further negotiations over potential revenues from team concessions and naming rights. Meanwhile, Jeff Moorad will move forward with a purchase of the Portland Beavers franchise. Moorad got […]
No Japanese teams in Tucson next spring
It may occur down the road, but for 2011 the plan to bring two or more Japanese or Korean pro teams to train at Tuscon Electric Park has fallen short, as organizers run out of time to make a deal. The plan would have had two or more teams training in Tucson; Tucson officials had […]