With a critical community committee putting off a vote for a new ballpark in the Lents area, city leaders and the Portland Beavers will move ahead with a renovation of PGE Park and worry about a ballpark plan later. To say that things are up in the air about the future of the Portland Beavers […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Marlins ballpark financing delayed yet again
Miami-Dade County goes to court today to fight yet another citizen lawsuit challenging the financing plan for a new Florida Marlins ballpark. Miami-Dade County goes to court today to fight yet another citizen lawsuit challenging the financing plan for a new Florida Marlins ballpark. It's now crunch time for the ballpark, as the next three […]
Rangers to name owners suite after Bush
The suite directly behind home plate will honor former President George W. Bush, an owner of the Rangers from 1989 to 1998. Former President George W. Bush, an owner of the Texas Rangers from 1989 to 1998, will be honored by the team as the owners suite behind home plate at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington […]
Winston-Salem will fund ballpark completion
In a unanimous vote, the Winston-Salem City Council agreed to borrow $12.7 million to finance the remaining construction of the new downtown Winston-Salem Dash ballpark; owner Billy Prim says construction could resume in July. In a unanimous vote after the addition of more oversight for the city, the Winston-Salem City Council agreed to borrow $12.7 […]
Thursday vote could determine Bevos ballpark fate
A vote by the Lents Urban Renewal Advisory Committee could determine whether the Portland Beavers get the green light for a new Lents-area ballpark. The fate of a new Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark could be a lot clearer after the Lents Urban Renewal Advisory Committee votes on whether to support or […]
Last-minute changes popping up with Marlins ballpark financing
Wachovia, which is lending $100 million toward the $515-million Florida Marlins ballpark project, wants its fees paid up front. Meanwhile, the rest of the bonds for the project will be sold this week. It's not unusual to see last-minute changes on the financing package for a project on the scale of a new Major League […]
Rangers lay off staff; is sale on the way?
The Texas Rangers laid off less than 10 percent of their 275-person staff, the latest sign that MLB teams are still struggling on the revenue front this season. The Texas Rangers offered a severance package to an unspecified number of team employees , the last sign of revenue challenges facing MLB teams this season. The […]
Winston-Salem delays decision on additional funding for ballpark
A proposal to spend an additional $15.7 in public funds on a new downtown ballpark for the Winston-Salem Dash was put off by the City Council, giving area residents more time to provide feedback. A proposal to spend an additional $15.7 in public funds on a new downtown ballpark for the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class […]
More good attendance news, this time from Davenport
Despite the economy, many minor-league teams are doing OK: in today's good news, the Quad Cities River Bandits are enjoying their second-highest first-half attendance in team history. Despite the economy, many minor-league teams are doing OK: in today's good news, the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) are enjoying their second-highest first-half […]
The week that was: June 13
The top stories on Ballpark Digest this week: the Albuquerque Isotopes move more than 37,000 hot dogs on promo night; speculation over new Atlantic League team in Loudoun County, Opening Day Partners comes forward with Richmond ballpark plan, and more. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views: Isotopes […]
Ump throws out entire crowd at game
Not only did the umpire at the Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington high-school game toss everyone in the stands, he called the police for protection. It was a rough day for the ump at the Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington high-school baseball game on Thursday: Not only did he toss the entire crowd, he called […]
Prim can’t raise $$$ to finish Dash ballpark; wants city bailout
Winston-Salem Dash owner Billy Prim says he can't raise money in the open market and wants the city to pay $15.7 million toward construction of an unfinished downtown ballpark. But the real story, we're told, is considerably more complicated and represents a very risky strategy for Prim. If the original game plan had worked out, […]
Yankees may not sell out Mets games
In another sign the New York Yankees badly misjudged the market when planning the new Yankee Stadium, this weekend's Subway Series against the Mets isn't sold out. In another sign the New York Yankees badly misjudged the market when planning the new Yankee Stadium, this weekend's Subway Series against the Mets isn't sold out. That […]