Ballpark Digest turned 10 years old this week. To see how much things have changed — or not — we went back to the first set of stories published on the site. The headlines may surprise you. This question pops up a lot, so here’s the short version as to the origins of Ballpark Digest. […]
Archive | At the Ballpark
Historic Ray Winder Field coming down this week
It was inevitable: Ray Winder Field, the former home of the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League) is being torn down to make way for a parking lot. There were several attempts to save the ballpark from the wrecking ball, but none proved successful, and the ballpark was sold to neighboring UAMS. The demolition actually […]
Abandoned synagogue becomes Silver Hawks team store
Well, this is certainly creative reuse: One of South Bend’s first synagogues is now the team store for the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League). The 111-year-old building was empty until Silver Hawks owner Andrew Berlin was struck with the notion to take over the space. “Being adjacent to the ballpark and having […]
The Week That Was: July 1
Fauxback and sponsored uniforms, new ballparks in El Paso and Hillsboro, and Mother Nature impacting ballparks across the country. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, measured by page views. Rays to go retro — before team existed The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford Municipal Stadium / San Jose Giants […]
Milwaukie: We expect ballpark deal by end of July
Milwaukie (Ore.) officials say they’re progressing on a deal for a new ballpark opening in 2014 and expect to have a plan in place by the end of July. City officials were in the hunt for a short-season A Northwest League team along with Hillsboro in recent months, but Hillsboro managed to pull the trigger […]
New Wilmington ballpark: uncertainty reigns
Wilmington (N.C.) officials are debating whether to ask voters to approve funding for a new ballpark, as there are plenty of specifics — price, location, lease — still to be determined. To be placed on the fall ballot, a referendum question need to be completed by August 1, so there’s some time to settle these […]
Former Winnipeg Whips/Goldeyes home will be new home to Target
Though details aren’t final, it looks like Canad Inns Stadium, the former home to International League and Northern League baseball in Winnipeg, will be torn down to make way for a Target store. Mayor Sam Katz — who, by the way, owns the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) and brought an independent Northern League team […]
One last chance: celebrate with us!
Our 10th anniversary is just around the corner, and we want you to be part of the celebration. We’ve posted this before, but we wanted to give you one last shot to take in our anniversary party. Ballpark Digest launched on July 2, 2002, under the ballparkwatch.com name. Since then we’ve had a great time covering the fascinating world […]
Sky Sox scrap game because of fire conditions
Minor League Baseball is affected by wildfires raging through Colorado, as tonight’s game between the Colorado Springs Sky Sox and the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) has been postponed. The specific cause, as stated by the Sky Sox: the game has been indefinitely postponed because of smoke and poor air quality caused by the […]
Generals attendance up: Jackson loves a winner
One of the biggest surprises in Minor League Baseball this year, the Jackson Generals (Class AA; Southern League) are experiencing a spike in attendance and success on the field. Turnstile attendance at Pringles Park is up by 18 percent over this point last season, according to a press release sent out by the team. “To […]
Mean, mean lady sues Little Leaguer over misplayed ball
A woman struck in the face by an errant throw at a Little League baseball game is suing the then-11-year-old catcher for $500,000, claiming multiple fractures from the injury. Elizabeth Lloyd, 45, of Manchester Twp., N.J. was attending a Little League game and sitting at a picnic table next to the bullpen. Matthew Migliaccio, who is […]
First look: El Paso ballpark renderings
As the El Paso City Council is debating a proposed new ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) tonight, we thought we’d share a sneak of what it would look like. The renderings are preliminary and are courtesy of the city of El Paso. But they give you an idea of […]
Robinson new MLB EVP of baseball development
Frank Robinson is Major League Baseball’s new executive vice president of baseball development, Commissioner Bud Selig announced today. Robinson, who most recently served as Special Assistant to the Commissioner and has been a member of the Commissioner’s Special Committee for On-Field Matters since its inception, has held a variety of significant positions with MLB and […]