The future of Plant City Stadium, former spring home of the Cincinnati Reds, surprisingly lies in the future of softball in future Olympics. The Reds trained at 6,700-seat Plant City Stadium between 1987 and 1996, before moving on to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. After the Reds departed, the International Softball Federation set up shop […]
Archive | Endangered Ballparks
Future of Cohen Stadium in play with departure of Diablos
Cohen Stadium, home to two incarnations of the El Paso Diablos, may end up staying intact as the City Council reviews redevelopment plans for the surrounding area. The independent American Association Diablos wrapped up their season and history this weekend, as the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be relocating next season to […]
Future of Cardinal Stadium: Bleak
It’s all but certain that Cardinal Stadium, former home of the Louisville Redbirds (Class AAA; American Association), will be torn down sometime next year. The issue: the place is basically falling down and there’s no economically viable reuse for the old facility, which also housed University of Louisville football. That’s a dangerous combo for an […]
New life for Eugene’s Civic Stadium?
Eugene’s Civic Stadium, facing a death sentence more than once over the years, may find new life as a professional soccer venue. The former home to Eugene Emeralds franchises in the Pacific Coast League and Northwest League, Civic Stadium has sat empty since the Ems moved to PK Park. The local school board owns the […]
Metrodome roof to be reborn as duffel bags
The original roof of the Metrodome — the one that spectacularly collapsed three years ago — will see new life as duffel bags as Duluth Pack has prepped products based on the Teflon-coated fiberglass. As you’ll remember, the Metrodome roof collapsed in 2010 under the heavy weight of melting snow. A replacement roof was brought […]
Fate of Astrodome to be decided by voters
The fate of the Houston Astrodome — once hailed as the Eighth Wonder of the World — will be decided by voters this fall in a $217-million bond referendum. The measure, passed by the Harris County Board of Commissioners today, would convert the 1965 landmark into a convention center and exhibition space. The Astrodome has […]
Tiger Stadium debate rages on
The debate over the future of the old Tiger Stadium site rages on, as Detroit officials covet a $4 million federal grant controlled by ballpark advocates while others question whether the ballpark site is worth preserving. Detroit, of course, has been in the news in past weeks after a state-appointed manager ordered the city into […]
With DC United deal, handwriting on wall for RFK Stadium
With a tentative deal in place for a new DC United stadium near Nationals Park, the future of historic RFK Stadium is muddled — at best. MLS’s DC United, of course, is the last remaining tenant of RFK Stadium. The proposed $300-million project calls for a new stadium near Nationals Park in the Buzzard Point […]
On the auction block: Metrodome contents
With the demolition of the Metrodome set for early 2014, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority will be auctioning off the contents of the facility this fall. The Metrodome, the former home of the Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball team, will be torn down to make way for a new Minnesota […]
Detroit officials: Let’s compromise on Tiger Stadium development
Detroit city officials are seeking a “compromise” on a potential Tiger Stadium development, as they eye a pot of federal funds controlled by Sen. Carl Levin and the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy. George Jackson, CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. (DEGC) and a noted opponent of baseball-related activity on the Tiger Stadium site (his […]
Cardinal Stadium should be torn down: Engineers
Though Cardinal Stadium, former home of the Louisville Redbirds (Class AAA; American Association), is rapidly deteriorating and should be town down soon, according to an engineering report. The facility, known as Fairgrounds Stadium when it opened in 1957, was home to pro baseball in Louisville between 1982 and 1999, when the team moved to Louisville […]
MLB pitches youth academy for Tiger Stadium site
Officials with Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy are preparing a plan for a baseball academy at the old Tiger Stadium site, but Detroit officials are dismissing the plan as a “scam.” Darrell Miller, MLB vice president of youth and facility development, has been touring Detroit sites for a potential youth-baseball academy and has discussed […]
Rosenblatt Stadium memorial site unveiled
The makeover of Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium is complete, as the grounds of former home to the College World Series and pro baseball have been revamped by the neighboring Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The ballpark grandstand is long gone, taken down last summer, with the press box going last. Thanks to some contributions from the […]