Washington Nationals front-office personnel told Lee County reps the team was interested in moving spring-training operations to City of Palms Park — if the ballpark was upgraded, to the tune of $45 million or more. With the Nats unwilling to commit to Viera’s Space Coast Stadium and openly seeking a new spring home, a move […]
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Is batting practice necessary?
It’s a cherished baseball tradition, but many players and coaches now say that batting practice is a waste of time and can actually do more harm than good by reinforcing bad habits. The pregame batting practice has been part of baseball since the 1880s, when players come to practice their swings before the game. It’s […]
Election loss could impact future of Twins, Nats in Fort Myers
The defeat of Ray Judah, a big supporter of spring training in Fort Myers, could impact the future of Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals spring training in Lee County. Judah was running for reelection on the Lee County Board of Commissioners, but came in third in Tuesday’s Republican primary behind a candidate who strongly criticized […]
Pacifics sign “Spaceman” Lee to contract
Bill “Spaceman” Lee is coming out of retirement after signing a contract with the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) in an attempt to set a record for the oldest pitcher to win a pro baseball game. The 65-year-old lefty will take the mound Thursday, Aug. 23, for the Pacifics. The former Red Sox and […]
In memoriam: Johnny Pesky
He was an integral part of the Boston lineup, hitting over .300 as a member of the Red Sox and serving the team faithfully after retirement. Johnny Pesky passed away yesterday at the age of 92. His baseball career spanned over 60 years, beginning in Portland where he broke in . And even though he […]
Phillies sellout streak snapped
It was bound to happen, especially with the team floundering in the standings: the Philadelphia Phillies’ record-breaking streak of 257 sellouts at Citizens Bank Park ended last night. The sellout streak began on July 7, 2009 when the team played the Cincinnati Reds. Total paid attendance for those 257 games was 11,585,952 with an average […]
LA brings in Janet Marie Smith to oversee Dodger Stadium renovations
Janet Marie Smith, perhaps the most successful ballpark executive in the last 20 years, will attempt to work her magic at Dodger Stadium, as the team names her Senior VP of Planning and Development. The most important task for her: overseeing renovations to Dodger Stadium, a project promised by the new Los Angeles Dodgers ownership even before […]
Lee County to Nats: We really, really love you
Lee County still wants to see the Washington Nationals as a tenant at City of Palms Park, but with little money for upgrades, county and Fort Myers officials are embarking on a new strategy: convince the Nats front office they are loved. It’s a common strategy: when you don’t have the money to address a […]
New Yankee Stadium less intimidating? ESPN thinks so
The old Yankee Stadium was regarded by opposing players as one of the toughest places to compete. Today, it seems, the new Yankee Stadium is less than intimidating. In the old ballpark, fans could affect the outcome of a game, even when they lacked the ability to throw batteries from the right-field seats. Some well-placed […]
European football hits American ballparks this summer
Ballparks in major cities are serving another sporting purpose this summer: hosting international soccer matches. In the past it wasn’t unusual for ballparks to host non-baseball sporting events, especially college and pro football. But soccer is a new player in the ballpark world. For a baseball team, converting the field for use as a soccer […]
Twins, Lee County negotiating over player dorms, naming rights at spring-training complex
A renovation of Hammond Stadium and the Lee County Sports Complex, spring home of the Minnesota Twins, may or may not feature player dorms and naming rights, as the two sides negotiate a new lease covering some $30 million in improvements. It’s an unusual situation. In order to qualify for $15 million in state funds […]
Fenway Park added to National Register of Historic Places
Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, a move that bestows both recognition and potential tax breaks to the venerable ballpark. “Recognizing the incredible history of this ballpark through the National Register designation is a great way to bring the national parks and the […]
Fisher Cats set three-game attendance record
Nice work: the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) set an attendance record for a three-day stretch, drawing 23,312 fans to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. Combined with attendance figures from Wednesday and Thursday, the new mark of 23,312 set Friday night bested the previous high for a three-game set of 22,619 established from May […]