Though there’s no deadline for leaving the hospital, Darrell Handelsman — burned in a ballpark fire — is looking forward to a trip home and an eventual return to J.P. Riddle Stadium. As you’ll recall, Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) co-owner/GM/coach Handelsman, SwampDogs operations manager Mark Wilderman and intern Jonathan Wilson-Daughtner were hospitalized after a May 24 propane explosion […]
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Blowfish owners to address team future today
With the likelihood that Cap City Stadium will be torn down to make way for a Wal-Mart, owners of the Columbia Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) will announce the team’s future today. There are a few options available, including setting up shop at Carolina Stadium, the very nice home to the University of South […]
Columbia sells Capital City Stadium site
Capital City Stadium, the 1945 ballpark originally built by Hall of Famer Barney Dreyfuss, has been sold by Columbia (SC) to a developer and will likely be torn down to make way for a Wal-Mart. The ballpark, longtime home to Minor League Baseball in Columbia, was built by Dreyfuss in 1945 as the home for one of […]
RedWolves moving to FMU ballpark
The Florence RedWolves (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) will be doing something highly unusual: moving to a new home in the middle of the season. It’s not official, but owner Kevin Barth says the team will probably move to Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on the Francis Marion University campus. The team currently plays at American Legion […]
SwampDogs open season sans Handelsman
The Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) opened their 2012 season on the road with a 4-3 loss to the Florence RedWolves with owner Darrell Handelsman still hospitalized. Team owner/GM/coach Handelsman, SwampDogs operations manager Mark Wilderman and intern Jonathan Wilson-Daughtner are still listed in serious condition at UNC Hospital after a propane explosion last Thursday at J.P. Riddle Stadium. A gas leak […]
Handelsman, two others in serious condition after Fayetteville ballpark explosion
Darrell Handelsman, owner and manager of the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), is in serious condition at a local hospital after a propane explosion at J.P. Riddle Stadium. UPDATED! Handelsman, an institution in summer-collegiate ball after coaching stints in the Northwoods League and Coastal Plain League and certainly a man who lives life […]
Gastonia unveils new logo
The Gastonia Grizzlies (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) unveiled a new logo for the 2012 season. The team colors of gold and black remains the same; what’s changed is the actual logo. “I think your logo is your identity,” managing partner Jesse Cole said. “I think the identity we had the first seven years is […]
Wilson Tobs to host 2012 Coastal Plain All-Star Game
The 2012 summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League All-Star Game is set for July 22 at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C., with the Wilson Tobs as hosts. The All-Star Game festivities will begin on Sunday, July 22, when the Tobs will host the All-Star Fan Fest, which will have several unique attractions, including the Home Run […]
Daredevils to sit out 2012
The summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League will be at 14 teams for 2012 after the Outer Banks Daredevils suspended operations, as team owners tire of running the team at a loss. The Daredevils are an original member of the circuit. The team is for sale, by the way. —- Share your news with the baseball community. […]
Columbia sells Capital City Stadium; Wal-Mart on the way
The writing is on the wall: Columbia (S.C.) has sold historic Capital City Stadium to a development group with close ties to Wal-Mart, leading locals to wonder about the ballpark’s fate. Capital City Stadium, home of the Columbia Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), was sold for $1 million to Atlanta-based Bright-Meyers LLC. The sale […]
Future of Columbia baseball in play
Baseball in Columbia, S.C. is apparently at a crossroads: One developer reportedly wants to buy and tear down historic Capital City Stadium, while another says he’s looking at a new ballpark as the center of a larger development. Capital City Stadium dates back to 1945 and was built by former Pittsburgh Pirates owner and Hall […]
Crunching the 2011 summer-collegiate attendance figures
With over 3 million attendees in 2011, summer-collegiate leagues are proving to be an important part of the baseball economy. We’ll examine the attendance numbers posted today on Ballpark Digest. First off: by our tally, 3.075 million fans “officially” attended summer-collegiate games in 2011. We report this number with a big disclaimer: there are many […]
2011 Summer-Collegiate Attendance by Average
We conclude our listings of 2011 summer-collegiate attendance with a look at average attendance — perhaps the most accurate way to measure the health of a franchise. Because of the small number of games in many leagues, the attendance can vary greatly year to year, so you’re going to see more fluctuations here than in, […]