Connie Marrero, who pitched for the original Washington Senators and is the oldest former major leaguer, turned 101 years old yesterday. The Cuban-born Marrero pitched for the original Senators — now the Minnesota Twins — at the tail end of his career, making his Major League Baseball debut as a 39-year-old rookie with the 1950 […]
Archive | At the Ballpark
Renderings released for PNC Field renovations
We have a first detailed look at the potential renovations for PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), with Lackawanna County releasing renderings. The ballpark renovation is slated to begin any day now; construction can’t begin until the sale of the SWB Yankees to the Mandalay Baseball Properties/New York Yankees partnership, […]
Best beer values in baseball: Angels, Indians, D-Backs
The best places to catch a relatively cheap beer buzz in Major League Baseball? Anaheim, Cleveland and Phoenix, where ballpark beers can be found for less than $5. That’s the result of a study from the SaveOnBrew.com website, which looked at beer prices in MLB ballparks across America. At Angel Stadium, Progressive Field and Chase Field […]
Redbirds to honor late broadcaster Lea with award
In honor of former team broadcaster and major leaguer Charlie Lea, the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are creating an award to honor the city’s top high-school pitchers. A selection committee, made up of six men prominent in Memphis baseball, has been chosen to nominate one pitcher each for the award. The committee consists of […]
After kerfuffle, Birmingham ballpark design team unchanged
After an apparent move to change the lineup of the design team for a new downtown Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark, nothing will actually change — for now. No one is really talking about why Mayor William Bell and his staff decided to remove Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio and Hoskins Architecture from the […]
Shadrick leaves RedHawks; Freedman new voice of OKC
J.P. Shadrick, a well-known and respected broadcaster for the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), is departing for the NFL; he’ll be replaced by Alex Freedman. Shadrick is the new communications coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, returning to a city he knows well — he was formerly the voice of the Jacksonville Suns […]
Singing Ed Nottle: Out of baseball this summer
“Singing Ed” Nottle, a baseball lifer and one of the more colorful figures in the game, is out of the sport this year as he battles health issues. Originally slated to manage the Edinburg Roadrunners in the independent North American League this year, Nottle stepped down after it was discovered he was battling a blood […]
Birmingham mulls changes in ballpark design team
We sense a little Schadenfreude in the air: Birmingham Mayor William Bell is seeking to eliminate two local architects from the design team for a new downtown Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark. The Birmingham News is reporting the mayor’s office is working to remove Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio and Hoskins Architecture from the […]
The Week That Was: April 22
Historic ballparks, new-ballpark issues in Wilmington, and Earth Day programs at Major League Baseball ballparks made news this week, as we review the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, as measured in page views. Emanuel plan for Wrigley renovation: set aside landmark status MLB teams plan Earth Day activities Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012 O’Malleys […]
A natural pairing: museums at the ballpark
Baseball is a game steeped in history, and the best place to learn about baseball history — and maybe even see some being made — is at a ballpark museum. Here are our favorites. There are a lot of baseball-themed museums out there, but there’s nothing like a game-day experience that includes a large dose […]
Illinois baseball: Changes for 2012
After a few years of turmoil and legal proceedings, things are settling down for three Illinois Frontier League and summer-collegiate teams: Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers and Springfield Sliders. Last year the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) put together a pretty debut despite not having much time to prepare: there may have been a few rough […]
Ballpark bond issue on table in El Paso
The El Paso City Council may ask city voters to approve a massive bond issue that could reach $835 million, including up to $55 million for a new ballpark for a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team. Last night the Council was presented a wish list of projects from groups seeking funding approval. A group […]
Sea Dogs honor inevitabilities of life with tombstone promo
Unusual promo: the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) are honoring the inevitability of death and taxes tonight by giving away a tombstone — on Tax Day — courtesy of a local funeral home. Fans entering the ballpark will be welcomed by Uncle Sam himself as he takes a break one of his busiest […]