Here are the top stories on Ballpark Digest for the past week, as measured in page views. Here are the top stories on Ballpark Digest for the past week, as measured in page views. More defections from the Frontier League? Weiss, Global Spectrum take full reins of Memphis Redbirds tonight Global Spectrum cuts Redbirds staff […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Naturals break record — for kazoo-playing crowd
If you're going to break a record, it should be a good one — and that's what happened in Springdale, as the crowd at a Northwest Arkansas Naturals game broke the The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League) and 3,000 of their most dedicated fans helped to set a new world record on Friday night […]
Rickwood Field to undergo facelift, expansion
A $7.5 million restoration of Birmingham's Rickwood Field will include a new museum honoring the city's rich baseball legacy. A $7.5 million restoration of Birmingham's Rickwood Field will include a new museum honoring the city's rich baseball legacy. The restoration will include the addition of a history museum honoring the city's rich baseball heritage, which […]
First concrete goes into Marlins ballpark this morning
It's really real: concrete is being poured this morning at the new Florida Marlins ballpark, marking a milestone in the construction process. It's really real: concrete is being poured this morning at the new Florida Marlins ballpark, marking a milestone in the construction process. The concrete is being used for the foundations of the new […]
Traficant promo backfires on Scrappers
A Mahoning Valley Scrappers promo noting the release of disgraced former Congressman James Traficant was scrapped after fans told the team they wanted no part of a celebration. Being on the edge when it comes to promotions can occasionally land you in hot water, as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (short season; NY-Penn League) found out […]
Baseball eliminated from 2016 Summer Olympics
The on-again off-again relationship between baseball and the Olympics is off again, as a move to reinstate baseball as an Olympic sport failed. The on-again off-again relationship between baseball and the Olympics is off again, as a move to reinstate baseball as an Olympic sport failed, as baseball and softball is out for the 2016 […]
More defections from the Frontier League?
The next team approached by the independent Northern League about a circuit jump: the Windy City Thunderbolts. Could this be the next step in a bigger indy-league realignment? Apparently not content with luring the Rockford Riverhawks from the independent Frontier League, reps from the Northern League have approached the owners of the Windy City Thunderbolts […]
BU-BC game scheduled for Fenway a week after Winter Classic
A second hockey game — this one between Boston College and Boston University, a week after the Winter Classic — has will be added to the Fenway Park schedule this winter. A second hockey game — this one between Boston College and Boston University, a week after the Winter Classic — has will be added […]
Fielders make pitch for fans, sponsors
Reps from the expansion Lake County Fielders were out in force in Zion, meeting with local business owners and fans. For a team that's not going to play next year, the Lake County Fielders (independent; Northern League) certainly have been active this week, holding an event with the Zion Chamber of Commerce and announcing the […]
MiLB attendance still down slightly in ’09, though most teams holding their own
Minor League Baseball clubs attracted over 10 million fans last month, raising the season total to more than 30.5 million. A majority of the leagues experienced increases in their average crowds through July, compared to 2008. Minor League Baseball clubs attracted over 10 million fans last month, raising the season total to more than 30.5 […]
Oakland to mark 80th anniversary of 1929 Philadelphia A’s championship
The Oakland A's will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the 1929 World champion Philadelphia Athletics with a Turn-Back-the-Clock Day this Sunday. Pregame festivities include a Model A car parade, music and entertainment from that era, and ceremonial first pitches thrown out by Kathleen Kelly, the granddaughter of Connie Mack, and Jim Conlin, the grandson of […]
Global Spectrum cuts Redbirds staff to tune of 500K
Since taking control of the Memphis Redbirds on Monday, new management firm Global Spectrum has cut several employees, saving more than a half-million dollars in the process. Since taking control of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and AutoZone Park on Monday, new management firm Global Spectrum has cut several employees, saving more […]
Landowners not thrilled with Beaverton Bevos ballpark plan
Landowners whose holdings are being eyed for a new Portland Beavers ballpark say they're not interested in selling, but that's not stopping the city from looking at condemnation proceedings. Landowners whose holdings are being eyed for a new Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark say they're not interested in selling, but that's not […]