We have a sockingly different winner for Best New Logo/Branding in the 2021 Ballpark Digest Awards: The Appalachian League’s Burlington Sock Puppets, who turned some lemons into lemonade after losing its MLB affiliation. (more…)
Author Archive | Jarah Wright
2021 Best New Food and Beverage: Beloit Sky Carp
Teams perpetually look for new ways to bring fans to the ballpark, and that includes creative food offerings. Successfully launching those new food and beverage efforts in the COVID era while moving into a new ballpark makes the Beloit Sky Carp (High-A Central) 2021 Ballpark Digest Awards winner for Best New Food and Beverage. (more…)
2021 Promotion of the Year: The Wonders reunite at Erie SeaWolves game
Just over 25 years ago, a man in a really nice camper put a song on the radio that launched a band called The Wonders. A memorable 2021 reunion of the That Thing You Do! cast at an Erie SeaWolves (Double-A Northeast) game is our 2021 Promotion of the Year in the annual Ballpark Digest awards. (more…)
UConn celebrates first season at Elliot Ballpark
Elliot Ballpark, tucked into a wooded hillside on Jim Calhoun Way at the University of Connecticut, may be overlooked at times—but not in 2021, as the Huskies baseball program celebrated its first season in a ballpark that’s been decades in the making. (more…)
New downtown Gastonia FUSE project designed to please fans, spur investment
With the announcement of a team name for the Gastonia Honey Hunters (independent; Atlantic League) and a new downtown Gastonia ballpark almost completed, city officials and fans are looking forward to the 2021 season. (more…)
Ballpark Preview: Florida Ballpark at Alfred A. McKethan Field
This was supposed to be a big year for the University of Florida baseball program, with a send-off for Alfred A. McKethan Stadium and a grand opening for a new ballpark. But like most things in 2020, a wrench was thrown into those plans. Now, Florida Ballpark at Alfred A. McKethan Field is ready for play. […]
Ballpark Preview: New Fredericksburg Ballpark, Fredericksburg Nationals
It’s a hurry-up-and-wait situation for the Fredericksburg Nationals (High A; Carolina League), who worked hard to complete a new ballpark for 2020, only to see the season delayed after the sport was shuttered by COVID-19. Here’s a look at the New Fredericksburg Ballpark taking shape in Virginia. (more…)
Ballpark Preview: Toyota Field, Rocket City Trash Pandas
After six long years since the Huntsville Stars left Joe Davis Stadium, baseball returns to the area with the arrival of the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Class AA; Southern League) to Madison’s Toyota Field, ready to host Minor League Baseball when play resumes. (more…)
Staying in baseball shape during home confinement
When the 2020 MLB season was shut down in mid-March, training went from a group activity to an individual quest. Here’s one story about how sports tech has helped an MLB aspirant prep for upcoming play. (more…)
Ballpark Preview: Atrium Health Ballpark
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Low A; Sally League) had a busy off-season, unveiling a new name and finishing construction on a new ballpark and were working hard to welcome fans to Opening Day at Atrium Health Ballpark on April 16. Then the coronavirus pandemic arrived to shut down the country. (more…)
Ballpark Preview: Riverfront Stadium, Wichita Wind Surge
The Wichita Wind Surge (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are gearing up for the opening of Riverfront Stadium, a new ballpark that marks the return of affiliated MiLB action to the city. (more…)
Ready to Rock? 2020 MLB Ballpark Concerts
Over the years, Major League Baseball ballparks have evolved from hosting more than baseball by expanding into entertainment and welcoming major concerts. This year is no different, with several high-profile tours making stops across MLB’s slate of facilities. (more…)
Promotions Watch: 2019 Ballpark Winter Wonderlands
Plenty of teams and ballparks around the country are getting ready to deck the halls as they host winter events for the whole family. Here’s a quick look at what teams have up their sleeves this holiday season. (more…)