Any large public expenditure inevitably attracts opponents, and that’s happening in Hartford, where there’s some opposition forming against a new $60-million downtown ballpark for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League). It’s hard to say how widespread any opposition is: a council member initially behind the project is now saying the city needs […]
Tag Archives | class aa
On tap today: the Rickwood Classic
Today sees one of the great traditions in Minor League Baseball, when the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) host the Mississippi Braves in the annual Rickwood Classic. This year’s Classic will celebrate the Roaring Twenties, a decade that saw the Barons capture two Southern Association titles and set numerous attendance records at Rickwood Field. […]
Hartford: New ballpark already attracting development
Hartford officials say the sale of building sitting vacant for the last six years can be attributed to a new ballpark opening downtown for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League). The former bank-processing building, built in 1971 and used last by Bank of America, sits on an entire block near where the […]
Biloxi’s name-the-team contest extended again
Well, this is certainly being milked to good effect: the name-the-team contest for the new Biloxi Southern League team is being extended yet again, for a week. Over 48,000 votes have been cast (an average of 95 votes per hour since the contest began on June 2.), according to team officials. The six finalists — […]
Grand dame Engel Stadium shines at Southern League gathering
One of the great old ballparks in Minor League Baseball saw action last night, as the Class AA Southern League Home-Run Derby was held at Chattanooga’s Engel Stadium. Engel Stadium, built by Joe Engel for his Chattanooga Lookouts, opened in 1929 and was one of the great ballparks in Minor League Baseball. Engel was a […]
Greenberg, Sonju close on purchase of Frisco RoughRiders
The first part of the Mandalay Baseball Properties selloff has been announced, with veteran baseball operator Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju buying the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League). Terms of the deal were not announced. A new corporation, Frisco RoughRiders LP, will include Greenberg, Sonju and local investors. Greenberg will be Chairman, CEO and […]
Biloxi’s name-the-team contest extended
With over 30,000 votes already on hand and more on the way, the name-the-team contest for Biloxi’s Class AA Southern League team, set to begin play in 2015, has been extended. The team is slated to begin play at MGM Park net season. The six finalists — as chosen by the fans during the name […]
Why are Rock Cats moving to Hartford? Follow the money
A potential rise in revenues to $8.1 million annually is a big reason why the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) are moving to a new downtown Hartford ballpark. A study from Brailsford & Dunlavey, submitted to the team and city in February, estimated that a move to the larger Hartford could boost […]
Shockoe Bottom businesses: Bring back ballpark plan
A group of Richmond Shockoe Bottom businesses are asking the city to reconsider a development plan that includes a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark. Their reasoning is simple: they see the plan as a way to bring development investment into Shockoe Bottom while at the same time moving forward a memorial […]
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 […]
Biloxi “slammed” with name-the-team votes
This is why you hold a name-the-team contest: the new Biloxi Southern League team is receiving a huge response, and folks need to make an appointment to buy season tickets because of the demand. As you’ll recall, last week the team announced the six finalists: Beacon, Black Jacks, Mullets, Schooners, Shrimpers and Shuckers. (Full explanations […]
Biscuits show the money with Hidden Cash Montgomery
There’s nothing like giving away money to make a promotion a success, and that’s what the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern League) are doing with Hidden Cash Montgomery today. The social-media trend, established a mere week ago in San Francisco, has taken the Twitter world by storm. An anonymous millionaire started the movement by hiding […]
More details about the new Hartford ballpark
More details are emerging about the deal struck between the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and Hartford for a new $60-million downtown ballpark. The 25-year lease (with three five-year options) calls for an initial $500,000 annual lease payment by the Rock Cats for the first 15 years of the lease (as opposed […]