The Kansas City T-Bones (independent; American Association) and CommunityAmerica Credit Union announced an extension of the naming-rights deal for CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed. The ballpark has been known as CommunityAmerica Ballpark ever since the T-Bones moved to Kansas City from Duluth, Minn., 10 years ago. “Ten years ago, we […]
Archive | The Front Office
The Week That Was: August 12
New homes for the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays, 8-bit follies, a laser pointer at Busch Stadium and new-ballpark efforts in Wilmington and Hillsboro. The most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, measured by page views. MLB committee meets with Oakland, San Jose officials about future of A’s Fan arrested at […]
Book news 2: A tale of Shammies and Smoke Eaters
Another book worth checking out: Tim Hagerty, the voice of the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), has authored an entertaining overview of unusual team names and their histories. Root For the Home Team: Minor League Baseball’s Most Off-the-Wall Team Names and the Stories Behind Them (Cider House Press; $12.95) covers unusual team names from […]
Book news 1: Solomon pens book on the business of minor-league baseball
Art Solomon, owner of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League), has some out with a new book, Making It in the Minors, set for a fall release. Making It in the Minors details how Solomon’s DSF Sports combines creative marketing, entertainment, and community involvement […]
Election yields bounty of candidate bobbleheads
If it’s an election year, you can bet on a raftload of bobbleheads from minor-league and summer-collegiate baseball teams to commemorate the occasion — and maybe grant a little guidance to voters. We’ve already seen at least two teams holding Obama vs. Romney bobblehead/wobblehead giveaways this season — the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) […]
Announcing the 2012 Ballpark Digest Awards
It’s that time of year again: we’re asking for readers to send us nominations for the 2012 Ballpark Digest Awards. We’re looking for input earlier than in past years: the goal is to present the awards before the end of the season, which is coming up surprisingly fast. Here are the categories: Promotion of the Year Logo […]
Durham to Bulls: Continue management of DAP
The Durham Bulls (Class AAA; International League) may extend their management of Durham Athletic Park, as the city seeks to work out a long-term plan for the historic facility. The future of the former home of the Bulls has been in question since Minor League Baseball walked away from a deal to manage the ballpark […]
The Week That Was: August 5
The World Baseball Classic, El Paso, new Yankee Stadium and the future of the Tampa Bay Rays were on the minds of Ballpark Digest readers this week. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Israel preps for WBC PCL approves El Paso purchase of T-Padres New Yankee Stadium less intimidating? […]
Outfield turf design as promotional tool in West Michigan
Interesting promotion from the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League): shapes of four playing cards are being cut into the outfield grass, and fans will win prizes based on what happens in those four zones. The promotion, “Aces in the Outfield,” is simple: when fans enter Fifth Third Ballpark they’ll be given a […]
Crosscutters, Outlaws reach ballpark arena deal
The Williamsport Crosscutters (short season A; NY-Penn League) front office is satisfied that the playing field at Bowman Field will be in good condition after used this winter as an outdoor hockey area by the Williamsport Outlaws. The Outlaws, who play in the minor-league Federal Hockey League, has proposed setting up an outdoor arena at […]
Thank you for the best. month. ever.
Thanks to everyone for making July the best month ever on Ballpark Digest: We exceeded 900,000 page views for the month, and we hit new marks both in total page views and average page views per day. Everyone and their uncle are launching websites these days: there’s an abundance of riches when it comes to […]
Israel preps for WBC
The United States, Japan and the Latin American countries will receive the most attention in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but some of the better stories will come from the lesser-known teams — as exemplified by Shlomo Lipetz. Lipetz is a legend in Israeli baseball circles, a 33-year-old member of the Israeli National Baseball team and a […]
The Week That Was: July 29
The sad demise of the London Rippers, ballpark changes for 2013 and potential ballpark deals in Hagerstown and Oakland. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views. Developer: I can build new A’s ballpark with private financing Rippers pull out of Frontier League; to be replaced by road […]