A second straight year of attendance hikes for the Akron RubberDucks (Class AA; Eastern League), as the team enjoyed a 15.7 percent rise in 2014 over 2013 at Canal Park. This season’s total attendance was 350,704 in 68 openings, a 15.7 percent increase over 2013’s total attendance of 295,459 in 70 openings. That rise is […]
Tag Archives | class aa
Solomon: Rock Cats still committed to Hartford move
It’s been a rough summer for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), but owner Josh Solomon says he expects his team to be playing in Hartford in two years — but maybe not as a Minnesota Twins affiliate. Attendance is down at New Britain Stadium this season — something to be expected […]
Young: Stars may spend part of 2015 in Huntsville
The Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) could spend half or all of 2015 at Joe Davis Stadium if a new Biloxi ballpark isn’t completed, as owner Ken Young reviews his options for the coming year. That the new Biloxi ballpark is far behind schedule is no secret: Biloxi officials are bracing for a construction […]
Goodbye to Greer Stadium
No preservationists have stepped forward to demand its survival, and with a spiffy new ballpark on the way, we’re guessing there won’t be too many tears shed tonight during the last Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) game at Greer Stadium. Greer Stadium opened in 1978 as the home of the Sounds, and along […]
Drillers affiliation in play?
We may have another affiliation in play, with Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) GM Mike Melega saying the team won’t address its MLB affiliate until after the season — which may mean a change from current parent Colorado Rockies. The two have a history of announcing player-development contracts before the end of the season […]
Jacksonville Suns, Miami Marlins extend PDC through 2016
The Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League) and Miami Marlins announced a two-year extension of their player development contract (PDC), through the 2016 season. There has not been a losing season for the Suns as a Marlins affiliate, a partnership that began with the 2009 season. “I am proud to renew our affiliation with the […]
Tennessee Smokies set season attendance record
We expect many stories like this in coming days: The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) set a new single-season attendance franchise record Saturday evening after welcoming their 268,034th fan of the season. The new mark eclipses the 268,033 total from the 2002 campaign, which was the third year of play at Smokies Stadium. The […]
Rock Cats avoid eviction, pay property taxes
The New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) won’t be evicted from New Britain Stadium after owner Josh Solomon delivered a $164,569 check to pay back taxes and settle city concerns. New Britain officials had threatened to evict the Rock Cats for unpaid taxes. The team’s lease calls for a payment to New Britain […]
Frisco RoughRiders sale approved by Texas League, MiLB
The sale of the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) to a new ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju has been finalized and approved by the Texas League and Minor League Baseball. That means the new group is now in charge after Major League Baseball did not object to the sale. This […]
Birmingham set to approve Negro Southern League museum funding
Birmingham officials are expected to approve a museum honoring the Negro Southern League, to be built near Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The museum, which has a price tag of $2.8 million, will be run by the Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board of the City of Birmingham, […]
Biloxi ballpark construction finally underway
Talk about starting off in a deep hole: construction of a new Biloxi ballpark for the relocating Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) is finally starting this week, with the city still looking for ways to cut costs. The construction is starting off modestly — just a crane and working installing some test piles — […]
Two ballpark development proposals make cut in Hartford
Two downtown Hartford development plans that include a new New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark are under consideration by city officials. The two plans address the issue of municipal office space, but they differ extensively otherwise: one would add retail and residential, and the other more modest plan would focus on the […]
Four Hartford ballpark developments submitted to city
Four developers submitted development plans for a new downtown Hartford ballpark for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), but city officials aren’t releasing any details yet. Friday was the deadline for submitting development proposals, as Hartford officials attempt to put together a privately financed development after withdrawing a plan for public funding […]