It was a foregone conclusion, but that can’t mask all excitement surrounding the announcement that the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their player-development contract by two years. Not. “We’re very happy to have the Blue Jays back in Las Vegas,” 51s General Manager Don Logan said. […]
Tag Archives | class aaa
Fresno Grizzlies clean house
The Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are cleaning house this offseason, dismissing three front-office executives and bringing in Richard Fleming as new CEO of the franchise. It’s an interesting choice for the Grizzlies: Fleming is a business consultant who has worked with the likes of Monsanto and Microsoft, but not with a professional […]
RedHawks, Astros new partners
Fresh off an affiliation with Round Rock, the Houston Astros have struck an affiliation deal with the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), bringing back Astros players to the city where old Colt .45s had their original Triple-A affiliation in 1962. “We are very excited to have our Triple A affiliation coming home […]
Escondido to begin ballpark process this week
The process for Escondido (Cal.) to finance and build a ballpark for the relocated Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) should begin this week when the City Council decides whether to spend money on engineering and environmental studies. The agenda item on Wednesday’s meeting calls for the City Council to “consider and approve a […]
Nashville, Brewers renew PDC
The game of musical chairs at Triple-A just got smaller, as the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Milwaukee Brewers renewed their player-development agreement for two more years, leaving Houston and Toronto to fight over Las Vegas and Oklahoma City. In six seasons as a Brewers affiliate, Nashville has produced five winning […]
Squabbling could derail new SWB Yankees ballpark
A spat between Luzerne and Lackawanna counties over the proceeds of the sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) could imperil $20 million in state money already earmarked for a new ballpark, according to Penn. Gov. Ed Rendell. We’re talking a pretty serious split here: Luzerne County has already filed suit to prevent […]
Bondholders warned Redbirds may default
Bondholders who funded the construction of AutoZone Park and the operations of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been warned that the nonprofit ownership could make only a partial payment on the bonds this year. U.S. National Bank warned that the Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation is slipping behind on its $5 million […]
Mandalay officially takes control of OKC RedHawks
Mandalay Baseball Properties will hold a press conference today to formally announce it has closed on the purchase of the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The purchase, as first reported on Ballpark Digest, gives Mandalay ownership of four minor-league teams and management deals with three more. (We’re not counting the Hagerstown Suns […]
Fate of Bevos in the air until November, maybe December
In a chicken-and-egg situation, San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad says he’s willing to buy the homeless Portland Beavers if Escondido builds a new ballpark — but nothing will happen on either front for months, leaving the rest of the Pacific Coast League in limbo. Escondido (Cal.) officials sound pretty confident they can put together […]
O-Royals cut team name potentials to 24
The rebranding and a name-the-team contest for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) continues, as the team releases a list of 24 names it says it is considering for use in the 2011 season and beyond. More than 1,400 names were submitted by fans from August 21-September 6. The team will still be […]
New turf goes down this week in Sarpy County
Another milestone in the construction of a new Sarpy County (Neb.) ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): the ballpark’s new turf will be laid down Wednesday, in an afternoon ceremony. The event will take place between 2 and 3; no, it’s not open to the public. The team’s new groundskeeper will […]
Astros, Hooks extend PDC; ‘Stos resigned to losing Express
The Houston Astros and Corpus Christi Hooks extended their player-development deal through 2016, but ‘Stros officials admit they don’t have much hope for retaining the Round Rock Express as a Triple-A affiliate. “This is a great day for Ryan-Sanders Baseball and the Corpus Christi Hooks,” CEO Reid Ryan said. “The extension further strengthens our great […]
Dodgers, Isotopes extend player-development deal
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have extended their Player Development Contract through the 2012 season, the two teams announced today, continuing what has been an extremely successful relationship both on and off the field. In under two years, a total of 36 different players have spent time in […]