The addition of five outfield signs to Wrigley Field may alter the ballpark’s historic nature, thus making renovations by the Chicago Cubs ineligible for $75 million in federal tax credits, warns the National Park Service. The NPS and the IRS administer the historic-preservation tax credit program, which seeks to reward property owners to maintain historic […]
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Chicago unveils $6.5M in new spending on youth baseball facilities
Following the inspirational story of Jackie Robinson West winning the U.S. Little League championship, the city of Chicago — aided by Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs contributions — is putting $6.5 million in youth baseball and softball fields. We covered the topic of baseball in Chicago a couple times this summer, noting the emphasis […]
Cougars announce 2015 Fifth Third Bank Ballpark improvements
The Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) have announced a series of improvements to Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, including some player amenities built to Chicago Cubs specs — a sign the two teams are extending a PDC in the future. The announcement of a new player development contract between the Cougars and the […]
Rooftop owners file suit over Wrigley Field renovations
Arguing the value of their businesses would plummet in violation of a contract with the Chicago Cubs, owners of eight rooftop bleachers filed suit against the city over planned renovations to Wrigley Field. The lawsuit from the owners of the eight rooftop-bleacher businesses was not unexpected after the owners association failed to come to an […]
Early affiliation notes: Kane County and the Cubs
More affiliation talk for you: Even with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, the two sides haven’t extended their affiliation deal, due to expire at the end of the season. That lack of an extension — coming […]
Wrigley neighbors: We don’t want ballpark upgrades
Not that this is unusual, but Wrigleyville residents expressed their opposition to proposed changes to Wrigley Field, including new signage, at a community meeting last night. Sponsored by Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the meeting featured over 100 Lake View residents opposed to the plan to add new exterior signage, greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one […]
Rooftop owners offer Wrigley Field compromise; city to discuss issue this week
With rooftop bleacher owners saying they’ll compromise on the amount of signage to be installed at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs will be presenting a plan for seven new signs to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday. The Cubs ownership want to install seven new signs, including a new videoboard and several smaller signs, […]
Bunning: Cubs best argument to eliminate MLB antitrust exemption
The sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family — despite higher bids from the like of Mark Cuban — is a great argument for eliminating MLB’s antitrust exemption, according for former U.S. lawmaker Jim Bunning. Bunning is also a former MLB pitcher, so he’s seen the business of the game from all sides. […]
Smokies, Cubs extend PDC through 2018
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) and the Chicago Cubs will remain partners through 2018 as a result of a four-year extension to their player-development contract (PDC). “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of this partnership between the Cubs and Smokies,” said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer. “It is exciting to continue to work […]
Wrigley Field renovations back on hold
With the Commission on Chicago Landmarks declining to review a proposed $375-million Wrigley Field renovation, the Chicago Cubs are once again stalled in their attempts to upgrade the 100-year-old ballpark. The latest proposal from the Cubs increased the spending by $75 million and added to the project greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one would be […]
The Week That Was: June 7
Visiting a historic old ballpark in Kenosha, remembering Don Zimmer, and the unveiling of a new ballpark plan in Hartford were the top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Here they are: Simmons Field / Kenosha KingfishIn memoriam: Don ZimmerOriole Park in line to host 2016 ASG?Hartford ballpark […]
In memoriam: Don Zimmer
Don Zimmer, who over the course of a 66-year baseball career virtually defined the term of baseball lifer, passed away last night. He was 83. Zimmer’s career began with a bang in 1949 after being signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, with the beginning of a minor-league career that included an astounding 10 steals of home […]
Cubs, WGN to part ways
They’ve been broadcast partners for 90 years, but the Chicago Cubs and WGN Radio are parting ways after declining ratings pushed the Tribune Co. to walk away. As you’ll recall, the Cubs were once under Tribune Co. ownership along with WGN Radio and WGN-TV. The parent of the Chicago Tribune and WGN radio and TV […]