If there is a model for a historic and fun renovation for a ballpark, it’s the 2014 makeover of Simmons Field, which was transformed into the home of the Kenosha Kingfish (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). Preserving the historic grandstand and playing field while adding some whimsical touches led to a renaissance of baseball in the […]
Archive | Awards
2014 Ballpark Improvement: Quad Cities River Bandits
Providing great views of the ballpark and one of the best Minor League Baseball experiences, a new Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) is our choice for Best Ballpark Improvement in the annual Ballpark Digest awards. (more…)
2014 Best New Food Item: The Big Apple
Five pounds of apple crisp, apple dumplings, ice cream and caramel, all served up in a batting helmet. What baseball fan could possibly pass up on such a treat? For serving such a delight at the ballpark, the Fort Wayne TinCaps’ BIG APPLE was named Best New Food Item in the annual awards from Ballpark […]
2014 Editor’s Choice Award: Granderson Stadium
When Granderson Stadium opened this spring on the UIC campus, it was more than just a debut of a college ballpark: it was a needed addition to the community baseball scene. That dual use earns UIC an Editor’s Choice Award in the 2014 annual awards from Ballpark Digest. (more…)
2014 Summer-Collegiate Promo: Kalamazoo Growlers
Who doesn’t want to see their smiling face on a baseball jersey? When the Kalamazoo Growlers sought to make a mark in their first season in the Northwoods League, team management came up with an imaginative Salute to Selfie promotion that put fan faces on game jerseys. For that, the Growlers are recognized for Best […]
2014 MiLB Promotion of the Year: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Prostate cancer isn’t the sort of thing that lends itself to a baseball promo, especially one tinged with humor and a little whimsy. But the Myrtle Beach Pelicans managed to build the year’s best MiLB promo around a prostate exam for VP/GM Andy Milovich – while singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during a […]
2014 Organization of the Year: Big Top Baseball
Running two baseball teams is enough of a challenge for the best of organizations. So when Big Top Baseball, already successful with ownership of the Madison Mallards and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, decided to launch a new Kenosha team and take over operations in Green Bay, many bad things could have happened – but they […]
2014 Logo/Branding of the Year: Akron RubberDucks
It was an edgy approach to a new team identity, but the unveiling of new Akron RubberDucks (Class AA; Eastern League) logos and marks certainly led to a successful 2014 for the team — making them our choice for Best Logo/Branding in our annual awards. (more…)
2014 Broadcaster of the Year: Steve Klauke
In 1994, he became the inaugural voice of the Salt Lake Buzz (renamed the Bees during the 2005-2006 season). This past season, on June 24, he called his 3,000th game for Salt Lake. Today, Ballpark Digest honors Steve Klauke as the 2014 Broadcaster of the Year to kick off the annual BPD Awards. (more…)
2013 Ballpark of the Year: PNC Field
Another 2013 Ballpark Digest Award to announce: We’ve named PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League), as our Best New Ballpark of the Year. Building a new ballpark on the base of an old one is an enormous challenge: what made sense in the 1980s may not make sense for a […]
2013 Ballpark Renovations Under $1M: Centennial Field, Modern Woodmen Park
We have another set of 2013 Ballpark Digest Awards to announce: the best renovations (under $1 million) go to Centennial Field, home of the Vermont Lake Monsters (short season; NY-Penn League) and Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League). In both cases, the improvements were multiyear efforts, […]
2013 Best Ballpark Renovation Over $1M: McKechnie Field
The oldest ballpark in spring training received a dramatic facelift for 2013 that benefited both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders, earning recognition from Ballpark Digest for Best Renovation (Over $1 Million) of the season. It’s the most historic venue in spring training, a place where Roberto Clemente worked his way into shape, Henry Aaron […]
2013 Broadcaster of the Year: John Sadak
From coast to coast, their voices heard through car speakers and porch radios, talented baseball radio broadcasters paint the picture from the ballpark throughout the spring and summer nights. Our choice for 2013 Broadcaster of the Year: John Sadak, voice of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League). A native of New York City, Sadak […]