Tampa Bay attendance woes, MLB TV contracts, a new El Paso ballpark and spring training made news this week. The most popular stories of the past seven days on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Selig: Rays attendance is “inexcusable” NBC vying for piece of MLB media-rights pie? El Paso: Let’s sell Cohen Stadium […]
Archive | At the Ballpark
Window on the past: When the PCL shot for the majors
A recently discovered newsreel shows the state of the post-war Pacific Coast League in 1946, as the eight-team circuit prepped for a move to a major league with legends like Casey Stengel and Lefty O’Doul in the dugouts. After the end of World War II, the minor leagues — which shut down as part of […]
Olerud adds VP title at P-Nats
Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) General Manager Josh Olerud has been promoted: he’s now vice preident/general manager of the team, as announced by President Lani Silber Weiss. “Josh has just been wonderful in trying to find ways to amplify the in game experience for our fans,” says Silber Weiss. “His management and leadership skills […]
Hudson Valley PA announcer calls it in via Skype
Talk about phoning it in: Rick Zolzer of the Hudson Valley Renegades (short season A; NY-Penn League) became the first P.A. announcer to perform his duties from home via Skype. Zolzer delivered every player introduction, announcement and between-inning contest while sitting poolside at the comfort of his own home. “We are always looking to use technology in […]
Wilmington ballpark opponents won’t challenge petition rejection; site negotiations begin
Opponents of public spending on a new Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark won’t challenge a rejection of their petition drive, while city officials have begun negotiations for a waterfront site. The city rejected a petition from a group led by Josh Fulton and Ben McCoy, which would have changed city rules to prevent any public money spend […]
Saints, Huskies ballparks pitched for Minnesota state funds
Proposals for a new St. Paul Saints ballpark and renovations to Wade Stadium, home of the Duluth Huskies, have been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED has $47.5 million to spend on capital improvements across the state as a result of the bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature in the […]
Wilmington ballpark to go before voters this fall
Wilmington (N.C.) voters will be asked to approving bonding for a new ballpark this fall, as officials throw out a controversial petition that would bar city spending on a facility. Voters will be asked to approve $42 million in bonding for all the costs of a new ballpark for the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class […]
Silver Hawks, Pioneers set attendance marks
The South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Elmira Pioneers (summer collegiate; Perfect Game League) hit important attendance milestones this week. In South Bend, the Silver Hawks have already attracted more fans this season to Covaleski Stadium than in all of 2011. After Monday night, the Silver Hawks have drawn 115,137 fans […]
PETA cites Citizens Bank Park, Hammond Stadium for veggie offerings
The best vegetarian ballpark food can be found at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Hammond Stadium, home of the Fort Myers Miracle, according to PETA’s annual rankings. The advocacy group has released rankings of veggie offerings at ballparks for 11 years now. “Tasty vegetarian food is sweeping the nation, and that […]
Aces to play what-if, taking field as Ghost Riders
The Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will take the field as the Reno Ghost Riders as the franchise promotes a past finalist for the team name. It’s an interesting trend in Minor League Baseball: teams revisiting their branding exercises and summoning a contender for a promotion. Earlier this season the Northwest Arkansas Naturals […]
Wilmington, Mandalay still discussing lease
Wilmington (N.C.) and Mandalay Baseball Properties are still discussing a lease for a new ballpark, even as the city is preparing to put a proposal before voters in a fall referendum. There are many issues outstanding in the lease negotiations, which should last through next week, if not longer: the coat of the ballpark, how […]
Savannah officials: let’s look at arena/ballpark complex
Savannah officials are warming to a new downtown ballpark for the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League), but remain committed to an arena as part of the project. The issue: in 2006 approved a sales tax for a new downtown arena. One proposal has the proceeds of that local sales tax diverted to […]
Blue Wahoos hit 200,000 fans, 28 sellouts
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) hit two milestones Thursday night, welcoming the 200,000th fan during this season’s 28th sellout at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos are the first Southern League team to hit the 200,000 milestone this season. “It is a great tribute to our dedicated community that we were the first team […]