Alex Vispoli is the new voice of the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League), with Brian Boesch moving from Frisco to replace him as the voice of the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League). In addition to serving as the team’s liaison to the media, Boesch (pronounced “BUSH”) will broadcast all 140 Dash games […]
Archive | The Front Office
Al Lang Field: Fresh spring life for an old ballpark
No reason not to head to Al Lang Field in the coming month. Beginning today and continuing through March 18, there will be a host of college, independent, international and MLB split-squad teams playing at one of the more scenic ballparks in Florida. The games will be played under three different programs: the annual Big […]
The Week That Was: Feb. 12
The top stories on Ballpark Digest this week, as measured by page views: spring-training arrivals and potential new MLB homes; franchise shifts in Hagerstown, Ottawa and Wilmington; and more on hockey at the ballpark. Lee County pitches Nats on spring-training move Blue Jays considering grass field at Rogers Centre Braves reveal new alt home uniforms […]
Why aren’t more MiLB teams changing hands?
Despite a healthy number of Minor League Baseball teams on the market, we’re not seeing many franchise sales these days. Why are things moving so slowly? We asked around — to owners, potential owners and brokers — to see why potentially attractive franchises openly and discreetly on the market were still for sale. Some of […]
Chiefs extend Alliance Bank Stadium lease; will look at buying ballpark
The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) negotiated a new lease for Alliance Bank Stadium that gives them an option to buy for $3.05 million — a deal that seems destined to happen. Onondaga County had put management of the ballpark, as well as its downtown arena, up for bid and attracted five offers. At […]
Economic impact of Frozen Fenway: $28.8M
Here’s another argument for northern MLB and MiLB teams to construct hockey rinks in the dead of winter: the economic impact of Frozen Fenway, the winter extravaganza in Boston, was a cool $28.8 million. The Red Sox installed an ice sheet on the Fenway Park field and scheduled various high school and college hockey games […]
Bomberg joins Northwoods League front office
Matt Bomberg is now part of the Northwoods League front office, joining Curt Carstensen as a vice president of the summer-collegiate circuit. Bomberg is vice president, business development and Carstensen is vice president, operations, both working alongside League President Dick Radatz, Jr. Bomberg joins the Northwoods League front office after spending the past two seasons […]
Pfander new GM in Charlotte
Jim Pfander is the new general manager of the Charlotte Stone Crabs (High Class A; Florida State League), exiting his previous job as executive vice president/COO of the Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League). The Ohio-native began his career as a broadcasting and special events intern for the Cleveland Indians, followed by his first minor […]
Keys keep 1450AM affiliation for 2012
The Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) announced that 1450AM The Source will serve as the official flagship station for Keys baseball for a second consecutive season. Along with all 140 regular season games being broadcast live, The Source will air any Keys post-season games as well as a weekly 30-minute program, The Keys […]
Couzens joins TinCaps broadcast team
Mike Couzens is the new manager of broadcasting and media relations for the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League). Couzens, who began his minor-league baseball career with the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League), most recently worked for the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League). With the TinCaps, Couzens will be a […]
Saints unveil 20th-anniversary logo
The St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) today unveiled a new logo to commemorate 20 years at Midway Stadium. In a word: Train. “Our first 19 seasons in St. Paul have been amazing for so many reasons, but primarily thanks to the most passionate fans in baseball,” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer. […]
Let it snow: hockey at a ballpark near you
With Citizens Bank Park proving to be a smash hosting the 2012 NHL Winter Classic, it’s clear a ballpark is the perfect venue for outdoor hockey. Here are some ballparks worthy of hosting a future Classic — or other winter activities. In terms of sightlines and access, a ballpark works amazingly well as a venue […]
The Year That Was: 2011
It was a quirky year in baseball: a season that saw limited franchise activity, reflecting the general economic malaise in the United States. Looking back, here are the most popular stories posted on Ballpark Digest in the past year, as measured by page views. 20: It’s Truck Day!The traditional beginning to the reason happens when […]