The former home of the Midland Angels and the Midland Rockhounds (Class AA; Texas League) will be around for at least 30 more years, as Midland (Texas) officials and Midland College are poised to sign a new lease that gives the college control of Christensen Stadium for $1 a year. The ballpark was home to […]
Tag Archives | class aa
Birmingham approves new downtown ballpark, but second vote needed
The Birmingham City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed downtown ballpark funded by a hike in hotel taxes, but because the vote was not unanimous, the measure must again be approved by the council next week. The plan calls for the city to raise the hotel tax rate by 3.5 percentage points, with the […]
New Birmingham ballpark could create $3.8 billion in economic activity: study
A new downtown Birmingham ballpark could generate $3.8 billion in direct and indirect spending, according to a study created by a research professional and local economics professor, presented to the Birmingham City Council yesterday. The study, created by Conventions Sports & Leisure and economist Keivan Deravi of Auburn University at Montgomery, concluded that the city […]
Birmingham City Council to vote on new ballpark next week
The Birmingham City Council is expected to vote on a proposed new downtown ballpark next week, but before then the city will hear a report on the potential economic impact of a new facility. As city approval comes closer, we’re receiving further specifics about the project. First, the ballpark would actually be built by a […]
Renovation of the Year: Metro Bank Park
In the past, Metro Bank Park occupied a prime piece of real estate on Harrisburg’s City Island, but the ballpark didn’t measure up to the location. To make things worse, it was prone to flooding. Instead of giving up on the old place, the city of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Senators embarked on an ambitious […]
Erie, Tigers officially extend PDC
The Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Detroit Tigers officially extended their player-development contract for two more years. “We are very pleased to make this announcement today,” said SeaWolves Team President/General Manager John Frey said. “The Tigers have been a big part of the success of the SeaWolves for the past seven seasons […]
Rockies schedule exhibition in Tulsa
The Colorado Rockies will be making an additional stop during Spring Training 2011: the MLB parent has scheduled an exhibition game against farm team Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) at ONEOK Field on March 30. It will be the second-ever appearance for the Rockies in Tulsa, but their first at ONEOK Field. Colorado faced […]
Birmingham City Council: We support ballpark tax, but we want team first
The Birmingham City Council today passed a resolution expressing support for a doubling of the city’s hotel tax rate to pay for a new downtown ballpark — but in the process added a crucial condition to the deal. The condition: that the hotel tax wouldn’t kick in and construction wouldn’t begin on the ballpark unless […]
Stars, Brewers extend PDC — by default
The Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) and the Milwaukee Brewers were the two left standing at the end of the dance, so they’ll extend their player-development contract — reluctantly — through 2012. It’s not been announced, though we received an email from a Brewers staffer about the deal. An announcement is expected in the […]
Birmingham OKs initial ballpark funding plan
A Birmingham City Council committee today gave preliminary approval to a plan presented by Mayor William Bell that would more than double the city’s hotel tax rate to partially pay for a new ballpark — and move a planned baseball museum away from historic Rickwood Field. The plan would hike the city’s hotel rate from […]
Thunder to shop naming rights to Waterfront Park
The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) are shopping naming rights to Waterfront Park and have retained Front Row Marketing, a division of Comcast, to assist in the process. “We are willing to partner with a corporation who shares the same values as our brand and a commitment to the community in which we live […]
DiBella: Time to start talking new ballpark
Lou DiBella, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) managing partner who now looks like a genius after almost losing his team and then moving it to The Diamond, says it’s now time to talk new ballpark — and Richmond officials agree. There’s no doubt that all sides consider The Diamond to be a […]
New for 2011: Jackson Generals
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) played their last game this weekend; the team will be known as the Jackson Generals beginning next season. According the Kevin McCann, author of Jackson Diamonds–Professional Baseball in Jackson, “the name Jackson Generals has a rich history of unusual plays and colorful players. Some of the […]