An El Paso investment group is looking at building a privately financed ballpark in downtown El Paso and buying the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for relocation. The group, as outlined in today’s El Paso Times, would be taking advantage of Escondido, Cal., to close on funding for a new ballpark after the […]
Tag Archives | class aaa
Chiefs extend Alliance Bank Stadium lease; will look at buying ballpark
The Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) negotiated a new lease for Alliance Bank Stadium that gives them an option to buy for $3.05 million — a deal that seems destined to happen. Onondaga County had put management of the ballpark, as well as its downtown arena, up for bid and attracted five offers. At […]
Charlotte may help fund new Knights ballpark
With it increasingly apparent that private financing isn’t possible for a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are exploring public financing. Any public money would not cover the entire cost of constructing a new ballpark in Charlotte’s Uptown area; past cost estimate have come in at $56 million, but […]
Reno expected to host Triple-A All-Star Game in ’13
The official announcement won’t come until Tuesday, but the word is out that the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will host Triple-A All-Star festivities in 2013. A press conference featuring team officials, Pacific Coast League President Branch B. Rickey and International League President Randy Mobley is set for Tuesday. The 2012 game will […]
Memphis, Montgomery planning ballpark upgrades for 2012
Two high-profile facilities will see improvements in 2012: AutoZone Park will be the recipient of a new videoboard, while the Montgomery Biscuits (Class AA; Southern League) will unveil Riverwalk Stadium news next week. The new scoreboard at the home of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be the largest high-def board in […]
Hawks GM: Boise can’t support Triple-A ball
Talk of bringing a Pacific Coast League team to Boise is a bad idea, says Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) President/GM Todd Rahr: the market is limited, there’s little corporate support and the airport sucks. But hey, otherwise it’s a great place to do business! Rahr is walking a tightrope, of course; while […]
Sounds: We prefer East Bank for new-ballpark site
Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ownership has settled on the city’s East Bank area as the site of a new ballpark, a week after a consultant identified three possible facility locations. Populous identified three potential sites for a ballpark: the East Bank of the Cumberland River, Sulphur Dell located near Germantown and the […]
2011 Renovation of the Year: Cheney Stadium
We’re back with our second round of Ballpark Digest awards for 2011. Today, we have another renovation award: Best Renovation ($20M+) for Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). To say that the renovation notable is an understatement. Making changes to something considered an institution in the local community is […]
Five bidders emerge for Alliance Bank Stadium management gig
Five management firms/ballpark operators have responded to a request from Onondaga County for bids from venue managers to operate Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League). The county sent letters in September to venue managers soliciting proposals to “manage, operate and market any or all of” the ballpark, the Onondaga […]
Moorad to Escondido: We need quick deal on ballpark
Because he may conditionally sell the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), owner Jeff Moorad is demanding a commitment from Escondido to build a $50M ballpark — with no funding assured. As you’ll recall, the city backed away from the idea of public financing of a new ballpark for Moorad, also the owner of […]
Schlender promoted in Omaha
Laurie Schlender is the new Assistant General Manager of Business Operations for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). She becomes the highest-ranking female employee in the 43-year history of the organization dating back to 1969. “Laurie has been an integral part of nearly all major decisions involving the franchise since I became […]
IronPigs to install Tiki Bar, unique seating for 2012
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) are planning major changes to the left-field area of Coca-Cola Park, including a new Tiki Terrace and covered Oasis seating area. The Red Robin Tiki Terrace, a brand-new hospitality area highlighted by a unique seating overhang in left field, along with the Red Robin Oasis, featuring covered […]
State turns down Reno ballpark tax appeal
Because the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have a year-round lease on Aces Ballpark, owners can’t seek a property-tax reduction based on partial ballpark usage, according to a state panel. The Aces ownership had sought a reduction in property values using a unique argument: because the ballpark is being used only part of […]