Felipe Alou, bemoaning a scarcity of big names in the lineups, says the future of the World Baseball Classic depends on a strong showing this year, as baseball officials fear a half-empty Dodger Stadium for the finals.Felipe Alou is managing the Dominican Republic team in this year’s World Baseball Classic tournament. He’s also one of […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Bevos ballpark plan runs into serious financial obstacles
City officials say the numbers don’t add up for a new Portland Beavers ballpark and a renovation of PGE Park as a soccer-only facility, threatening Merritt Paulson’s plans to bring MLS to Portland.City officials say the numbers don’t add up for a new Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark and a renovation of […]
Did Yankees overestimate demand for high-end seating at new ballpark?
With long-time season-ticket buyers upset with their seat locations and an apparent glut of inventory in the high-end seating, the New York Yankees may have overestimated demand for big-buck ducats at the new Yankee Stadium.With long-time season-ticket buyers upset with their seat locations and an apparent glut of inventory in the high-end seating, the New […]
Dodgertown without the Dodgers
We all knew this would be a rough spring in Vero Beach, the first for the community after the departure of the Dodgers from Dodgertown. Now Indian River County is scrambling to bring back baseball, but the chances are amateurs, not pros, will on the field in future years.We all knew this would be a […]
The week that was: March 7
The most popular stories this week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views: Whitecaps to unveil $15 burger, contraction rears its ugly head, ownership changes in the Cal League, and more.The most popular stories this week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views: Whitecaps to unveil $15 burger, contraction rears its ugly head, […]
Key vote may go Marlins way
City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, a swing vote on the decision to fund a new Florida Marlins ballpark, now indicates her tentative support for the plan.City Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, a swing vote on the decision to fund a new Florida Marlins ballpark, now indicates her tentative support for the plan. Spence-Jones, who was on maternity leave […]
Brett Sports to Rancho Cucamonga
Sources say Bobby Brett, who already owns the High Desert Mavericks and other teams in the Northwest League and West Coast League, will be buying the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and shedding the Mavs soon after.Sources say Bobby Brett, who already owns the High Desert Mavericks (High Class A; California League) and other teams in the […]
Coastal Plain League to go green — for a week
The latest baseball league to announce a green initiative: the summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League.The latest baseball league to announce a green initiative: the summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League. While the CPL is still in the planning stages of its Go Green Week, member clubs will be taking part in several different ways to “Go Green.” The […]
Harrisburg scoreboard comes down
A key part of the renovation of Commerce Bank Park makeover is happening right now: the old scoreboard is going down.A key part of the renovation of Commerce Bank Park makeover is happening right now: the old scoreboard is going down. The Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) sent a photo of the old scoreboard […]
Levin: Spending federal dollars on Tiger Stadium restoration makes sense
A clash of Senatorial cultures, as budget hawk Tom Coburn questions why the federal government should spend $3.8 million on the historic ballpark. Carl Levin’s response: it’s economic stimulus.An attempt to strip $3.8 million for the restoration of the original Tiger Stadium grandstand from a $410-billion federal bill failed, as Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) successfully […]
Whitecaps to unveil monster burger this season
The Fifth Third Burger will be big enough to feed a family of four.The West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) held an afternoon of food tasting with concessionaire Gordon’s Food Service and settled on two new offerings for the 2009 season: the Fifth Third Burger and a chocolate-covered frozen banana. The Fifth Third […]
World Baseball Classic kicks off today: what’s the point?
The second World Baseball Classic kicks off tomorrow. In some countries, the tourney is a huge deal, but in the United States, plenty of good seats remain for the semis and finals. And with most stars (Johan Santana, Joe Nathan, Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Howard, Ryan Dempster, and apparently Alex Rodriguez) passing on the […]
Onondaga County, Crunch look at hosting AHL game at Alliance Bank Stadium
The Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey team is working on a plan for Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs, to host the first-ever outdoor AHL game.The Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey team is working on a plan for Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs, to host the first-ever outdoor AHL game. The Crunch […]