It seems appropriate this Opening Day to announce a big change in the future of Ballpark Digest: twenty-some years after launching this site and August Publications, I’m retiring early and focusing instead on family. (more…)
Archive | Independent Baseball
Oakland Ballers ballpark plans shift to Raimondi Park
A change in plans for the 2024 Oakland Ballers ballpark: The team will play at Raimondi Park in West Oakland, a shift from the previously announced home at Laney College. (more…)
New for 2024: Lancaster Stormers
We have an interesting rebranding to pass long: the Lancaster Barnstormers, a leading team in the MLB Partner Leagues, will shift its identity to the Lancaster Stormers for the 2024 season and beyond. (more…)
Back in 2024: The Lexington Legends
After a one-year stint as the Lexington Counter Clocks, new ownership led veteran MiLB operator Andy Sandler is restoring the Lexington Legends name and releasing an updated brand featuring Mighty Lex. (more…)
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment in place for Gastonia ownership
After a legal battle that saw the Gastonia Honey Hunters removed from both CaroMont Health Park and the Atlantic League, we have a replacement for the 2024 season: veteran sports-management firm Zawyer Sports & Entertainment. (more…)
Sandler, locals buy Lexington Counter Clocks, ballpark
It’s finally official: veteran MiLB operator Andy Sandler and a local investor group that includes former owner Alan Stein has purchased the Lexington Counter Clocks (Atlantic League) and its home ballpark, with the very likely return of the Lexington Legends moniker. (more…)
New for 2024: Yolo High Wheelers
We have the second new Pioneer League team in California for the 2024 season, located in Yolo County: The Yolo High Wheelers, playing out of UC Davis’ 3,500-capacity Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium. (more…)
Personnel news: Québec, Omaha, Washington, Charleston, Biloxi
We have personnel news today from the Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A; Pacific Coast League), Québec Capitales (Frontier League), Washington Wild Things (Frontier League), Charleston Dirty Birds (Atlantic League) and Biloxi Shuckers (Double-A; Southern League). (more…)
Sioux City, Explorers finalize Lewis & Clark Park lease
The debate over the future of Lewis & Clark Park is now concluded, as the city and the Sioux City Explorers (American Association) have finalized a long-term lease after the city opened the process up to bids. (more…)
Personnel news: Long Island Ducks
We have news about promotions and appointments to the Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League) front office for the 2024 season, including the addition of Sean Smith as the new general manager. (more…)
Veecks, Murray purchase Joliet Slammers
After investing in an Irish football team, the father/son duo of Mike Veeck and Night Train Veeck–this time joined by Bill Murray–are returning to indy ball with the purchase of a majority stake in the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League. (more…)
Oakland A’s to Oakland B’s: Hold your horses
An attempt by the Pioneer League’s Oakland B’s to play a 2024 exhibition game at the Oakland Coliseum was quickly rejected by the Oakland A’s, which holds exclusive rights to baseball at the facility. (more…)
In memoriam: Bret Leuthner
Sad news from the Frontier League and the Sussex County Miners: Bret Leuthner, Voice of the Miners, passed away after a battle with cancer. (more…)