The folks running the new Goodyear and Glendale spring-training complexes want a shot at running MLB’s winter league, currently ensconced in Hawaii.MLB is looking at shifting winter-league operations to the mainland after its deal with the Hawaii Winter Baseball League ended in December. And the folks running the new Goodyear and Glendale spring-training complexes want […]
Archive | College Baseball
American Association to Omaha — eventually, maybe
The Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) has announced plans for an independent American Association team for the new downtown Omaha College World Series ballpark, beginning in 2011. The announcement is still rather speculative: there’s no owner in place. In fact, MECA officials say they and the American Association will both be looking for an […]
Debate continues over retail at new CWS ballpark
Local business leaders continue to press for inclusion of retail at new Omaha College World Series ballpark; the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority board, which will run the ballpark, says building retail is too speculative in this economy.Despite the economy, Omaha is in relatively good shape and attracting developer interest to its downtown area — […]
SLO Blues owner arrested for writing bad checks
Steve McPherson, who sold baseball dreams as the owner of the summer-collegiate SLO Blues and Lodi GrapeSox, was arrested and jailed for writing bad checks associated with the Blues — but his tale is a cautionary one for communities looking for baseball.When Steve McPherson — going by the name of Stevie Mac — came to […]
Fraser Field / North Shore Navigators
Built in 1940, Fraser Field has hosted Eastern League and independent baseball; it’s now home to summer-collegiate ball. FAST FACTS Year Built: 1940 Capacity: 3,804 Dimensions: 320L, 400C, 320R Parking: There is some limited street parking in front of the ballpark, but beware: there are some inconsistent restrictions on parking in the area, and the […]
Sutherland takes reins in Brainerd
Joel Sutherland, the successful owner of the St. Cloud River Bats, is taking a shot at making baseball work in Brainerd — a market where franchises go to die.Joel Sutherland, the successful owner of the St. Cloud River Bats (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), is taking a shot at making baseball work in Brainerd — a […]
Omaha ballpark off to rocky start
The proposed new downtown Omaha ballpark for the College World Series made a shaky debut last Friday, with the city’s Urban Design Review Board declining to approve the project as presented to them. Go back to the drawing board and give us a plan with a friendier public face and one with more retail — […]
Wausau forms fundraising drive to upgrade Athletic Park
Town leaders are stepping up to form a fundraising drive to raise a half-million dollars to renovate Wausau’s Athletic Park, the WPA-era home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks.Town leaders are stepping up to form a fundraising drive to raise a half-million dollars to renovate Wausau’s Athletic Park, the WPA-era home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks (summer collegiate; […]
Northwoods League to field team in Brainerd next season
The summer-collegiate Northwoods League will field a team in Brainerd next season, with a new owner on board.The summer-collegiate Northwoods League will field a team in Brainerd next season, with a new owner on board. The league had taken control of the Brainerd Blue Thunder last month after previous owners declined to run the team […]
Wilmington to host ’09 CPL All-Star Game
The Coastal Plain League announced that the 2009 All-Star Game will be hosted by the Wilmington Sharks on July 21, 2009 at Buck Hardee Field in Wilmington, N.C. The All-Star Game festivities will begin on Monday, July 20, when the Sharks will host the All-Star Fan Fest and Home Run Derby. Fans will have the […]
Huntington Park lands Big Ten tourney
College tourneys are becoming a decent business for minor-league ballparks, so the folks in Columbus are excited to land the 2009 Big Ten baseball tournament for Huntington Park, the new home of the Columbus Clippers.College tourneys are becoming a decent business for minor-league ballparks, so the folks in Columbus are excited to land the 2009 […]
Waukesha ballpark effort delayed
The attempt to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Waukesha, Wis. for 2009 failed after Chad Bauer failed to close on financing for the $2 million facility; 2010 is the new goal.The attempt to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Waukesha, Wis. for 2009 failed after Chad Bauer failed to close on financing […]
New Alex Box on schedule for February opening
The new LSU Tigers ballpark is on schedule for a February 2009 opening; hurricanes and unexpected snow storms have failed to deter progress on the facility.The new LSU Tigers ballpark is on schedule for a February 2009 opening; hurricanes and unexpected snow storms have failed to deter progress on the facility. The new Alex Box […]