Peter Heitman is partnering with McHenry County Community Foundation to bring a new ballpark and a Frontier League franchise to suburban Chicago.Peter Heitman is partnering with McHenry County Community Foundation to bring a new ballpark and a Frontier League franchise to suburban Chicago. The current plan calls for a new ballpark in Woodstock, Illinois, a […]
Author Archive | Kevin Reichard
Sarasota, Orioles continue spring-training discussions
Sarasota officials want some time to study a proposal from the Baltimore Orioles for a $65-million spring complex that includes a renovated Ed Smith Stadium. Sarasota officials say they need a little time to review a proposal from the Baltimore Orioles for a $65-million spring-training complex. As discussed in last night’s county commission meeting, the […]
Franklin new GM in River City, as Toole steps down
Chris Franklin is the new GM and Executive Vice President of the River City Rascals, replacing Jamie Toole, who resigned for personal reasons.Chris Franklin is the new Executive Vice President and GM of the River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League), replacing Jamie Toole, who resigned for personal reasons. Franklin began his professional career in River City […]
Duquette passes on naming rights for Wahconah Park — for now
Dan Duquette and the other owners of the American Defenders of Pittsfield can’t close on a naming-rights deal for the historic Pittsfield (Mass.) ballpark.Historic Wahconah Park will retain its name, as Dan Duquette and the other owners of the American Defenders of Pittsfield (NECBL) can’t close on a naming-rights deal for the historic Pittsfield (Mass.) […]
Tulsa council to vote on ballpark bonds
The Tulsa City Council is expected to authorize the sale of $25 million in bonds for a new Tulsa Drillers ballpark.The Tulsa City Council is expected to authorize the sale of $25 million in bonds for a new Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) ballpark. The vote, scheduled for today’s council meeting, will be issued […]
D-Backs virtually certain to shift spring operations to PHX
Team officials see no future in Tucson spring training with defection of White Sox.The Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed ongoing talks with four potential operators of spring-training sites in the greater Phoenix area, including the Gila River Indian Reservation. (We hinted at this yesterday with a reference to a river running through of the potential spring-training training […]
River Bandits to install 80-foot ribbon board at Modern Woodmen Park
New for Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) fans next season: an 80-foot-long ribbon board on the right-field wall.The Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) announced the latest enhancement to Modern Woodmen Park: an 80-foot-long ribbon board permanently mounted in front of the right field wall, scheduled for the […]
Tucson accepts ChiSox financial settlement; team to PHX in ’09
Pima County Commissioners accepted Chicago’s offer of $5 million to break the team’s spring lease in Tucson, freeing the way for a White Sox move to Glendale next spring.Pima County Commissioners accepted Chicago’s offer of $5 million to break the team’s spring lease in Tucson, freeing the way for a White Sox move to Glendale […]
Victoria Seals: Preparing for play at Royal Athletic Park
The owners of the new Victoria Seals franchise in the independent GBL face a challenge: attracting players to British Columbia.The owners of the new Victoria Seals franchise in the independent GBL face a challenge: attracting players to British Columbia. Not that it won’t be hard because of anything inherently bad in Victoria, mind you. But […]
Committee denies height variance for Waukesha ballpark
No Article TeaserIn a somewhat surprising move, Waukesha’s zoning board denied a variance allowing a proposed ballpark grandstand to be 42.5 feet high — more than the 35-foot requirement for Frame Park.
Reds break ground on new Arizona spring facility
The Cincinnati Reds began a new chapter in spring training with the groundbreaking of a Goodyear training facility.The Cincinnati Reds paved the way for a 2010 spring-training move with a groundbreaking of a new Goodyear, Az. spring-training complex. The $33-million complex, located south of Interstate 10 along Estrella Parkway, doesn’t look like much now: it’s […]
Texas Collegiate League adds Victoria to roster
The summer-collegiate circuit expands to southeastern Texas.A Victoria team is slated to join the summer-collegiate Texas Collegiate League, as Victoria businessman Tracy Young is close to signing a lease for Lowe Park. The lease gives Young control of Lowe Park, which is also home to the University of Houston-Victoria team, for the summer-collegiate season. The […]
Isotopes Park / Albuquerque Isotopes
Isotopes Park, the home of the Albuquerque Isotopes, is a retro ballpark, but it’s not retro in terms of brick and steel. Instead, Isotopes Park takes design cues from the 1940s and 1950s architecture found throughout Albuquerque and integrates them into a ballpark setting. Yes, it’s retro in that it hearkens back to the dawn […]