More news out of Richmond: the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) landed Kevin Bacon to appear at The Diamond tomorrow night during what’s sure to be a delicious promotion: Tribune to Bacon Night. “Kevin is a busy guy, so we’re thrilled that he was able to find time in his schedule to make […]
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In memoriam: Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Killebrew, a gentle slugger who put the Minnesota Twins on the map and later served as an effective ambassador for the game of baseball, passed away this morning in a Phoenix hospice after battling esophageal cancer. He was 74. Killebrew, signed out of Payette High School in rural Idaho by scout Ossie Bluege, made […]
We’re number one!
On the Internet, the numbers don’t lie: according to popular website-ranking service Quantcast, the combination of Ballpark Digest and Arena Digest is the most popular destination when it comes to sports-business coverage. According to Quantcast, the US rank of 55,816 for the Arena Digest/Ballpark Digest combo tops the Sports Business Daily Quantcast ranking of 57,310. […]
MiLB licensing sales up 12 percent in 2010
Despite the recession, last year was a good one for MiLB merchandise sales, as Minor League Baseball announced its national Licensing Program experienced a 12 percent increase in the sales of licensed merchandise last year over 2009. The program, established in 1991, consists of the 160 clubs in the domestic-based leagues. “Minor League Baseball is […]
Stabilizer Solutions lands CWS ballpark contract
When the best college teams in the country gather next month in Omaha for the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park, they’ll be playing on a state-of-the-art playing field anchored with Stabilizer Solutions products. The playing field at TD Ameritrade Park will be under considerable scrutiny when the College World Series opens: it will […]
Giants fan robbed at knifepoint outside AT&T Park
More on the MLB crime blotter: a San Francisco Giants fan was robbed at knifepoint during last night’s game at AT&T Park, with the object of desire a miniature Willie Mays statue issued on his 80th birthday. The first 20,000 fans at the game were issued the replica of the Willie Mays statue at the […]
Shea beer vendor loses age-discrimination claim
An octogenarian beer vendor transferred to a less lucrative stand at Shea Stadium lost her claim of age discrimination after an appeals court found that being replaced by a 75-year-old beer vendor did not rise to the level of bias. Mildred Block, now 86 years old, filed a claim of age discrimination after she was […]
Baseball reacts to bin Laden death
Between the spontaneous cheering at Citizens Bank Park to military discounts offered by several MiLB and MLB teams, baseball is reacting to the news that Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on America, was killed by American forces. Baseball and 9/11 were closely intertwined: the 2001 season was in its final stages, and […]
The Week That Was: May 1
The ongoing battle between Frank McCourt and Bud Selig, a naming-rights sale in Oakland and a full accounting of team names in Minor League Baseball made headlines this week. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this past 10 days or so, as measured in page views. Yankees sued over authorship of iconic logo McCourt response […]
Hinchliffe Stadium up for $500K preservation grant
Historic Hinchliffe Stadium, once home to the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues, has been nominated for a $500,000 preservation grant by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the first crucial step in the award process. The nomination comes after the Paterson City Council voted to move forward with […]
Judge throws out broken-bat lawsuit
A fan struck by a broken bat at a New York Mets game at Shea Stadium lost his bid to sue the team, two players and Major League Baseball, as a judge ruled he took on the risk of being struck by an object from the field when he chose to sit in an area […]
Colorado Springs: Living the suite life
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are going upscale for the 2011 season with renovated luxury suites, complete with modern finishes and unique themes and color schemes, including a Rockies-themed suite and a Field of Dreams, with baseball-themed furniture. Along with the thematic changes at Security Service Field, suite users will […]
The Week That Was: April 17
Issues with security at Major League Baseball ballparks, the return of Jose Canseco to professional baseball, random talk of contraction and new life for California ballparks. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured in page views. Pirates employee found dead near PNC Park Dodgers scrap half-price drink promotion Cansecos hits North […]