Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner signed agreements with Indian River County and the City of Vero Beach today for the governing body of the sport to officially operate the 73-acre Dodgertown facility in Vero Beach, Fla.Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner signed agreements with Indian River County and the City of Vero Beach today […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Summer-collegiate leagues launch this week
The next round of baseball begins this week, as the NCAA season ends and the summer-collegiate leagues begin play. One regular season done, one beginning. The NCAA regular season ended over the weekend, which means the summer-collegiate season opens this week. If you've never taken in a summer-collegiate game, do so; the teams feature virtual […]
Glendale still needs to finalize funding for spring-training facility
Despite the new spring home of the Dodgers and White Sox opening this season, the city of Glendale still hasn't nailed down financing deals with the city of Phoenix or the state sports and tourism authority. The Phoenix suburb of Glendale is struggling with huge investments in sports facilities these days: while the new Arizona […]
Initial decision on O-Royals ballpark due Friday
Despite not receiving approval for a funding plan from the state legislature, Sarpy County officials will decide on Friday the fate of a new Omaha Royals ballpark. Despite not receiving approval for a funding plan from the state legislature, Sarpy County officials will decide on Friday the fate of a new Omaha Royals (Class AAA; […]
Fort Wayne’s Memorial Stadium to be auctioned off Saturday
Everything must go, as the former home of the Fort Wayne Wizards is being dismantled before demolition. Everything must go, as Memorial Stadium, the former home of the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest League) is being dismantled before demolition. The Wizards played at Memorial Stadium through the 2008 season before moving to a […]
New Crushers ballpark unlikely to impact local freeway
Will a ball hit out of All Pro Freight Stadium land on an adjoining freeway? Not unless zombie Mickey Mantle decides to make a comeback in the Frontier League. With ballparks, it's all about location, location, location. But the location of All Pro Freight Stadium, the new home of the Lake Erie Crushers (independent; Frontier […]
NCAA announces 64-team lineup for baseball tourney
The battle for the College World Series begins in earnest this week as the NCAA announces the 64-team field and home teams for the first round of the Division I baseball tournament.The field of 64 teams competing for the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship was announced today by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. […]
Dash lays off employees, may spend entire season at Ernie Shore Field
This may end up being the lost year for the Winston-Salem Dash; the team has laid off employees and is looking at spending the remainder of the season at the former Ernie Shore Field, now owned by Wake Forest.More bad news out of Winston-Salem: the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) has laid off […]
Return of baseball to University of Oregon a success
Despite a subpar record on the field, the return of baseball to the University of Oregon was a hit with students and fans, as the team averaged 2,394 fans a game at a partially completed ballpark.Despite a subpar record, the return of baseball to the University of Oregon was a hit with students and fans, […]
Remembering baseball during wartime on Memorial Day
As America prepares to remember those who sacrificed for their country during Memorial Day gatherings, it’s a good time to reflect upon the many baseball players who also sacrificed during wartime.As America prepares to remember those who sacrificed for their country during Memorial Day gatherings, it’s a good time to reflect upon the many baseball […]
Will Big Ten tourney stay in Columbus?
Small crowds have shown up for the inaugural hosting of the Big Ten baseball tournament at Huntington Park. Will the Big Ten be back in Columbus, or will the Big Ten go back to a playoff system putting the tourney at the ballpark of the conference winner?Small crowds have shown up for the inaugural hosting […]
Scorpions enter affiliation deal with Columbian pro league
Here’s one way to fill a roster: players from the Columbian Professional Baseball League will take the field this season for the Yuma Scorpions.The Yuma Scorpions (independent; Golden Baseball League) have signed a two year affiliation agreement with the Colombian Professional Baseball League to develop players, umpires, trainers, and other clubhouse personnel. This agreement starts […]
Ballpark Preview: ONEOK Field / Tulsa Drillers
The new downtown home of the Tulsa Drillers is scheduled to open April 8, 2010.Opening: April 8, 2010 Capacity: 6,200 fixed seats Number of Suites: 30 Owner: Tulsa Stadium Trust Architect: Populous Contractor: Manhattan Construction Co. Project Cost: $60 million for new ballpark ($39.2 million) and surrounding development; funding comes from $30 million in private donations […]