As promised, Birmingham is moving forward with a Negro Leagues museum adjoining Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), according to city officials. The $2 million project, which has already received $400,000 in city funding, is slated to open in 2014. Organizers will need to privately raise the remainder of the […]
Archive | At the Ballpark
Future of Plant City Stadium in play
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 […]
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 […]
Revamped for 2014: Spring Training Online
It looks like the DNS has propagated and everything is working properly, so we invite you to take a look at the relaunch of Spring Training Online, as we prep for 2014. The site has been overhauled and expanded, moving from Joomla to WordPress, which gives us a lot of flexibility in adding new features […]
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 […]
Property Consulting Group to market MiLB
Minor League Baseball has hired Property Consulting Group (PCG) for sponsorship and strategic consulting in support of its ongoing marketing efforts, with particular focus on the Project Brand initiative. “My first role in the sports business was selling tickets in Minor League Baseball, and I feel this relationship is a bit of a homecoming,” said […]
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 […]
Modern Woodmen Park named top minor-league ballpark by USA Today
Can’t really disagree here: Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League), was voted the top minor-league ballpark in a national contest. Modern Woodmen Park received the most votes from readers, fans and the general public nationwide among 20 nominated ballparks. The nominees were chosen by a panel […]
In memoriam: Joe Romano
Joe Romano, who owned several Minor League Baseball teams before working for the Philadelphia Phillies as a scout, passed away last Thursday in Clearwater, Florida. From philly.com: His ownership tenure began in 1967 and lasted until 1983. He first operated a Detroit Tigers farm team in Erie, Pa. After selling that, he purchased the Houston […]
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 […]
Silver Hawks prep for 5-millionth fan
It’s been a good season for the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League): besides attendance records, the team is poised to welcome the five-millionth fan in franchise history. The Silver Hawks have already broken single-game attendance records this season — 5,650 fans on Opening Night and 7,287 on July 3, with 17 […]
The tradition returns: Tonight Goldberg-Strassler recreates a game broadcast
In the old days, radio broadcasters didn’t travel to away game and instead recreated a game broadcast in the studio. Tonight Jesse Goldberg-Strassler revives the tradition. Goldberg-Strassler is the voice of the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League) and a great traditionalist when it comes to baseball and broadcasting. (Full disclosure: he’s the author […]