With three statewide American Legion baseball programs mandating wood bats and several others evaluating a switch, we could see a nationwide shift in the country’s major youth baseball program toward traditional baseball. Rhode Island, Connecticut and Florida Legion programs now mandate wood bats, and several other state programs are evaluating a switch. If enough states […]
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The Week That Was: July 24
More fireworks from the independent North American League, possible ballpark changes in Tucson and debates over the future of Tropicana Field highlighted the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Fielders’ Zaman quits on the air Tucson revoking Toros lease for Hi Corbett; Wildcats, T-Padres to follow? […]
Introducing the 2011 Ballpark Digest Awards
It’s that time of year when we start preparing for the 2011 Ballpark Digest Awards. Actually, it’s never been that time of year before so early in the season; we’re moving up the awards this year to let honorees bask in the glory of their accomplishments while play is still ongoing. And we’ve made some […]
Tucson revoking Toros lease for Hi Corbett; Wildcats, T-Padres to follow?
Tucson is in the midst of revoking the Hi Corbett Field lease from the Tucson Toros (independent; North American League), as the city and Pima County look at big changes at where baseball teams play. The Toros played two seasons in the North American League before going on hiatus when the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; […]
The Week That Was: July 17
Unpaid bills, potential MLB realignment and the unveiling of the world’s most expensive hot dog made headlines this week. We unveil the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest from the past week, as measured by page views. Unpaid players revolt in Lake County: 9 traded, 14 released Astros to AL West: Report Rox to sell […]
Rox to sell world’s most expensive hot dog
Very clever: the Brockton Rox (independent; Can-Am League) will be selling the world’s most expensive hot dog — an $80 frankfurter complete with truffles and caviar — in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record. The Rox hot dog consists of a half-pound all-beef foot-long hot dog, deep fried and rolled in truffle oil, […]
Volcanoes benefiting from Bevos departure
Baseball fans in Portland, Oregon without a local fix have turned to a local short-season team, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (short season A; Northwest League), for their diamond fix: attendance at Volcanoes Stadium is up some 27 percent this season. “I know we’re seeing a lot more Portland area people this year because I’ve been talking […]
Bandits take second Battle of the Sexes from RiverHawks
There seems to be a pattern emerging: A four-run sixth inning propelled the Chicago Bandits, a women’s pro softball team, to a 4-2 comeback victory over the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) in the second annual Battle of the Sexes fast-pitch exhibition Tuesday night. The RiverHawks were no-hit until the final inning of last season’s […]
Improbable pair to appear at Monday Thunder game
If you asked us to come up with a highly unlikely pairing of celebrities to appear at a Minor League Baseball game, there’s no way we’d come up with Elizabeth Gilbert and Harold Reynolds, who will be at Waterfront Park, the home of the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League), Monday night. It’s not surprising […]
This year’s Spinners world record: most fans flossing
The Lowell Spinners (short season A; NY-Penn League) will go for yet another World Record on June 29, when the team partners with the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) for “Floss Night,” featuring thousands of fans flossing their teeth simultaneously, using Glide floss picks donated to the MDS by Procter and Gamble. It’s the latest attempt […]
Blue Wahoos hit milestone: 1,000 season-tickets sold
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) hit another milestone in season-ticket sales, closing on the 1,000th sale for the 2012 season. George Taylor of Pensacola purchased the 1,000th ticket. “I was in Montgomery when the (Montgomery Biscuits) came to town and it was a lot of fun,” Taylor said. “The games were a […]
We moved!
Sorry about the scaled-back coverage lately on Ballpark Digest, but there’s been some big changes here: World Headquarters is now located in Madison, Wis., with the move taking place this week. Anyone who has moved a large household knows the hassle involved. Add to that the complications of moving a business as well, and you […]
Another year, another little person: Zephyrs bring in Mini Lady Gaga
It’s becoming a tradition: the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are once playing smallball by bringing in Mini Lady Gaga for a post-game concert this Saturday. Terra Jolé will take the stage with her fellow “Mini Pop Stars,” which include Mini Beyonce and Mini Michael Jackson. This isn’t the first time Jolé […]