After years of failed efforts at a new ballpark, Elmore Sports Group has sold the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League) to two local investors, whose next challenge will be funding a Sam Lynn Ballpark replacement. Chad Hathaway and Gene Voiland are buying the team for an undisclosed price. The sale has been in the […]
Tag Archives | california league
End of days for Moana Stadium
It looks like the end of the road for Moana Stadium, with the former home to professional baseball in Reno slated for demolition to make way for soccer fields. We’re not talking about a huge loss here: the facility is in very rough shape and has been closed by the city for safety concerns. Under […]
North American League eyes Prescott
Mark Peterson, managing director of Strategic Pathways and former CFO of the Phoenix Coyotes, is in talks to bring an independent North American League team to Prescott’s Ken Lindley Field. The proposal isn’t new — Peterson pitched Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall last summer on his idea to place a team at the classic WPA ballpark […]
Wilmington looks at development deal with Braves, Mandalay
The off-again, on-again Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark project is back on, as the city is reviewing a potential memorandum of understanding for a ballpark development with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties. The potential economic deal was announced at a press conference today. The proposal is for a 6,000-seat, $35-million to $40-million ballpark near the […]
Gorrasi, Nuts honored by Cal League
The Modesto Nuts were named the California League’s Organization of the Year for the second consecutive year, while VP/GM Mike Gorrasi was named exec of the year for the second consecutive year. The Modesto Nuts set a franchise attendance record for the 5th consecutive season as 180,785 fans passed through the turnstile at John Thurman […]
K-Tribe season lingers on
The last season for the Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) — this iteration, at least — will linger on through the weekend, as the team is competing in the league’s Mills Cup Championship Series. The team was sold in the last offseason to Steve Bryant and crew, who will move the franchise to […]
Modesto Nuts set another season-attendance record
The Modesto Nuts (High Class A; California League) set a season attendance record for the fifth consecutive year, drawing 180,785 fans to John Thurman Field. The team broke the record on the last game of the season, when Patrick Watkins of Modesto walked through the turnstiles and became the 180,345th fan of the 2011 season. […]
Rawhide set third consecutive attendance mark
We’ll be seeing a lot of stories like this the next few days, so let’s get rolling: the Visalia Rawhide (High Class A; California League) set a franchise attendance record for the third consecutive season in 2011. Visalia’s paid attendance of 118,065 for the season surpassed last year’s previous record of 108,681, and represents a […]
Schlough interim prez of San Jose Giants
Bill Schlough, a technology specialist with the San Francisco Giants, is the interim president of the San Jose Giants (High Class A; California League) and will split his time between the two teams. Schlough replaces Jim Weyermann, who resigned in July. He’ll serve as president until a permanent replacement is named. Schlough was senior vice […]
Conditions are ripe for Cal-Carolina switch
A move of two teams from the California League to the Carolina League, once given up for dead, is surprisingly viable, as there may be an alignment of teams and markets — and the specifics will surprise you. First off: we’ve seen two viable markets emerge in the Carolina League footprint, along with viable owners. […]
No big deal as 66ers host Boy Scouts, gay group on same night
This would have been a huge kerfuffle just a few years ago, but in a sign that times are changing the Inland Empire 66ers (High Class A; California League) hosted groups of Boy Scouts and a local gay-pride organization on the same night without incident. It wasn’t that long ago that Fox News talkmeister Bill […]
Winston-Salem to host 2012 Cal-Carolina All-Star Game
Should be a great time in a great ballpark: BB&T Ballpark and the Winston-Salem Dash will host the 2012 California-Carolina League All-Star Game on June 19, 2012 as the two High Class A leagues will face off in the 16th edition of the game. Next year’s contest will mark the first time Winston-Salem has […]
New life for new California ballparks?
New ballparks in California for Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams are again economically feasible, as California legislators reject an attempt by Gov. Jerry Brown to divert city and county economic-redevelopment funds to fund basic services. We’re talking three ballparks here: a new Oakland Athletics ballpark either in San Jose or Oakland; a […]