Ballpark Digest
The Business of Ballparks and Baseball in Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Indy, Summer Collegiate and College
With at least three games postponed after a COVID-19 outbreak among Miami Marlins players and coaches, Commissioner Rob Manfred said baseball’s coronavirus mitigation protocols are working exactly as planned, with officials anticipating a situation like this. (more…)
Like many of you, we binged on baseball this weekend, taking in the action during MLB’s Opening Weekend. Here are some thoughts on what we liked—and what we didn’t like. (more…)
Tonight’s Baltimore Orioles/Miami Marlins game at Marlins Park canceled after an outbreak of positive COVID-19 cases among Marlins players over the weekend, according to Orioles GM Mike Elias. (more…)
Thursday night’s 2020 MLB debut Nationals/Yankees game generated the largest audience ever for an Opening Day broadcast on ESPN, making it the most-watched regular-season game on any network since 2011. (more…)
We’ve been eagerly awaiting announcements about how broadcast partners will treat MLB broadcasts from empty ballparks, and now we know how Fox will handle it: imaginary fans created with augmented reality technology. (more…)
There will be plenty of hoopla and raised spirits when the MLB season opens tonight, but even if we see a successful season culminating in an exciting World Series, the financial issues facing the sport and its partners for 2021 and beyond will still need addressing. (more…)
Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Mick Gillispie and Kevin Reichard review the fragile state of baseball at all levels due to COVID-19, discuss the history of the Indians and Redskins monikers, and reminisce about prior All-Star Games in this week’s Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat. (more…)
Yesterday’s schedule releases dominated local headlines, but other developments on the COVID-19 front, including three practice shutdowns and several high-profile players expressing more concerns, are leading many to question whether MLB can pull off a 2020 season. (more…)
After a few close votes and a few upsets, we’re now in the Elite Eight round of the Best of the Ballparks 2020 independent-baseball competition. So you know what to do: Vote! (more…)
Spring training redux is scheduled to begin Wednesday at Nationals Park, but the Washington Nationals have not yet been cleared by District officials to move forward with workouts. (more…)
After maintaining that local health officials are the best resources for teams looking to bring fans to the ballparks, MLB is now saying that its health professionals will weigh in on a proper capacity for Texas Rangers games at Globe Life Field. (more…)
After weeks of negotiations between the Toronto Blue Jays and government officials it looks like the team will play a quarantined 2020 season at Rogers Centre, with players confined to the ballpark hotel. (more…)
As many summer-collegiate teams launch a limited season this week, the issue of how to manage fans is a big issue: just because teams can allow fans into the ballpark to watch the action, should they? (more…)