The San Francisco Giants and Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) will probably renew their player-development contract, but the Giants warn they want to see better facilities in the Georgia city. The condition of Lake Olmstead Stadium is a matter for debate by locals, who see nothing wrong with the basic facility. But that’s […]
Tag Archives | downtown
Newly available land parcel could bring downtown Tampa ballpark — maybe
It’s not as though there are plenty of downtown Tampa land parcels suitable for a new ballpark, but the potential move of a large flour mill could get things rolling for a new Tampa Bay Rays facility. A mill owned and operated by ConAgra is a major presence in downtown Tampa in many ways: besides […]
El Paso: Let’s sell Cohen Stadium to Tigua tribe
The El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) could live on if the city sells Cohen Stadium to the Tigua tribe, which owns and operates the team. The issue: a deal to bring a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team to a new downtown ballpark contains a noncomplete clause, prohibiting the city from doing business with […]
Savannah officials: let’s look at arena/ballpark complex
Savannah officials are warming to a new downtown ballpark for the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League), but remain committed to an arena as part of the project. The issue: in 2006 approved a sales tax for a new downtown arena. One proposal has the proceeds of that local sales tax diverted to […]
One side effect of new El Paso ballpark: return of UTEP baseball
Baseball, dropped by UTEP because of budgetary reasons in 1985, could return to the school if a new downtown ballpark is built for a Pacific Coast League team. Right now it’s a numbers game, both on the ledger sheet and on the participation side. Adding baseball means the school would need to add womens’ sports […]
Winchester pitches Suns with new ballpark offer
The battle for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) continues, with Winchester (Va.) officials pitching lead owner Bruce Quinn with a revised proposal for a new ballpark. The pitch follows weeks of inactivity from Winchester, which once was the leader to land the Suns but came up short after a proposed ballpark site […]
As Hawks open season, new Boise ballpark still in limbo
As the Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) prepare for the 2012 season, there’s been little talk of a new downtown ballpark, with the future of pro ball in the city on hold. Memorial Stadium is a very basic ballpark in an era where fans and players expect a whole lot more; as Hawks […]
One benefit of new Birmingham ballpark: driving down open industrial space
Here’s one benefit to a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark no one saw coming: the downtown industrial real-estate occupancy rate went way up. In fact, the vacancy rate is down to a current 11.9 percent from 16.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, reports the Birmingham Business Journal. Causing the huge […]
County to help fund new Hagerstown ballpark
Washington County and the city of Hagerstown have pledged $16 million over 20 years for a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League), but other obstacles remain. The downtown ballpark is expected to cost $30 million, so the combined city/county contribution accounts for over half of the funding. That leaves […]
Angels eying return to Los Angeles?
Is Arte Moreno looking at a move of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back into L.A. proper? Apparently so. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Angels owner Moreno has been engaged in some early discussions with AEG about the potential of building a new ballpark in downtown Los Angeles. Timing is of the […]
Hagerstown citizens: Build downtown ballpark
In a departure from the norm, the vast majority of residents speaking at a city forum came out for spending public money on a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). When the public is invited to speak on something as controversial as government spending on a ballpark, you get […]
After kerfuffle, Birmingham ballpark design team unchanged
After an apparent move to change the lineup of the design team for a new downtown Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark, nothing will actually change — for now. No one is really talking about why Mayor William Bell and his staff decided to remove Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio and Hoskins Architecture from the […]
Consultant: Downtown Hagerstown ballpark is viable project
Ripken Design says a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) is a viable project — piquing the interest of owner Bruce Quinn. Ripken Design, a consultant hired by the city to evaluate the merits of a new downtown project as well as any renovations of Municipal Stadium, laid out […]