The Pohlad Family Foundation, controlled by the owners of the Minnesota Twins, pledged $2 million toward a new Gophers ballpark — but the price tag for the facility is now at $15 million. The Pohlad Family Foundation, controlled by the owners of the Minnesota Twins, pledged $2 million toward a new University of Minnesota Golden […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Cards: Ballpark Village may appear in ’11
The perils of tying commercial development to a ballpark project: Cards officials now say Ballpark Village construction may begin in 2011, but it's not a given. The perils of tying commercial development to a ballpark project: Cards officials now say Ballpark Village construction may begin in 2011, but it's not a given. The issue: The […]
Daktronics lands Marlins display deal
The South Dakota display giant will supply a custom scoring and video system for the new Marlins ballpark, slated to open in the 2012 season. Daktronics will provide a custom scoring and video system for the new Marlins ballpark opening in the spring of 2012. The multi-million dollar contract with Hunt/Moss, A Joint Venture, includes […]
After more than a decade of canned tunes, Astros bring back organist
After more than a decade of using only canned music at games, the Houston Astros brought back a live organist this season. The Houston Astros may be mediocre on the field, but the front office did one thing right: bring back a game organist. Jim Connors, who was an organist for the team when the […]
Atlantic League to expand to Sugar Land
A western expansion of the East Coast indy circuit will take place in the suburbs of Houston, as the city of Sugar Land will ratify an agreement with Opening Day Partners tomorrow night. A western expansion of the East Coast indy circuit will take place in the suburbs of Houston, as the city of Sugar […]
Diamondbacks: Don’t blame us for AZ immigration law
Protesters are expected to be at tonight's Diamondbacks-Marlins game at SunLife Stadium, but the group arguing against Arizona's controversial new immigration law is barking up the wrong tree: the D-Backs ownership has already spoken out against the law. In other news, Bud Selig makes a fool of himself while discussing the issue. Protesters are expected […]
Promotions Watch: Meaty promotions in Altoona, Reading
Earlier this month the Reading Phillies brought back a popular promotion: a SPAM-carving contest. Upping the ante, the Altoona Curve are performing some unspeakable acts with luncheon meat this Wednesday, as the team's "Livin' La Vida Lunchmeat" is unveiled to a largely unsuspecting world, complete with a soundtrack of recorded tunes from Meat Loaf. What […]
Arizona immigration issue impacts baseball
The Chicago Cubs are being pressured by some fans to move spring-training operations to Florida, while MLB is being asked to move the All-Star Game. The baseball fallout from Arizona's passage of a controversial immigration law. The Chicago Cubs are being pressured by some fans to move spring-training operations to Florida, while MLB is being […]
Parsing the impact of a new A’s ballpark
As Oakland pushes forward with a ballpark plan to keep the Athletics in the East Bay, some are wondering whether a new facility is worth the financial outlay. As Oakland pushes forward with a ballpark plan to keep the Athletics in the East Bay, some are wondering whether a new facility is worth the financial […]
The week that was: May 16
The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest in the past week, as measured by page views. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest in the past week, as measured by page views. Ballpark Visit: Community Field, the home of the Burlington Bees Ballpark Visit: Alliant Energy Field, the home of the Clinton LumberKings Schaumburg Flyers […]
College tourney caps comeback for Old Orchard Beach ballpark
The many, many hours of hard work turned in by Old Orchard Beach (Me.) volunteers paid off when the renovated ballpark saw its first action of the season. Yes, we have photos. The many, many hours of hard work turned in by Old Orchard Beach (Me.) volunteers paid off when the renovated ballpark, the former […]
Last weekend looms for “The Red”
The University of South Florida is replacing Red McEwen Field, the former home to the Tampa Yankees, with a new ballpark slated to open next spring. The University of South Florida is replacing Red McEwen Field, the former home to the Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League), with a new ballpark slated to […]
This year’s Saints mascot anointed: Brat Favre
The name of this year's St. Paul Saints porcine mascot takes a cue from one of the biggest stories in Minnesota sports: Bret Favre joining the Minnesota Vikings. The name of this year's St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) porcine mascot, Brat Favre, takes a cue from one of the biggest stories in Minnesota sports: […]