The sale of Cooper Stadium, the former home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League), to a developer seeking to convert it to a racetrack/car complex is expected to close next week. Cooper Stadium, which opened in 1932, has sat empty since the Clippers move to a new downtown ballpark, Huntington Park, in 2009. […]
Tag Archives | international league
IronPigs, Phillies extend PDC four more years
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their player-development contract (PDC) for four more years, through the 2016 season. The announcement was made by IronPigs General Manager Kurt Landes and Phillies Asst. Director, Player Development, Steve Noworyta today at Coca-Cola Park. “This has been an exciting run for us here […]
Rip Tide: ATVs and the perils of mascotdom
It could have been a lot worse, but in the end no one was hurt when Rip Tide, mascot for the Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League), took a nasty spill on an ATV during Sunday’s game against Lehigh Valley. After wiping out, Rip Tide tried to get the ATV running again, to no avail. […]
Could Blue Jays provide shot in the arm for Bisons?
Attendance at Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) games is down some 1,600 fans per game in two years. Could a new affiliation with the Toronto Blue Jays give the franchise some needed life? Buffalo, in the past, has been a great baseball town, with the team ending the 1990s with 9,000 or so season-ticket […]
Blue Jays looking east for new Triple-A farm team?
It’s the time of year when MLB teams are reevaluating their MiLB affiliates, and the Toronto Blue Jays will probably explore a deal with the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) — which could ultimately profit both teams. The Bisons are currently affiliated with the New York Mets, an arrangement wholeheartedly embraced by the Bisons […]
Life on the road for SWB Yankees: Living out of a suitcase
It’s rare that you see an affiliated team spend an entire season on the road, but Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) players seem to be taking it in stride. Though the SWB Yankees are marginally headquartered in the Rochester area — playing 17 games at Frontier Field and a handful more in nearby Batavia […]
Demolition ending on SWB ballpark; next up is construction
The demoliton of the second level of PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), is drawing to a close, with framing for the new suites level set for August. The ballpark is being fundamentally transformed this year: the old steep second deck is almost done, to be replaced by a more […]
Where retro began: 25 years of Coca-Cola Field
It’s a great story: the ballpark that began the retro era — Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) is hosting the Triple-A All-Star Game in its 25th year. The game should be close to a sellout and can be seen nationally on the MiLB.tv website, but the big story here is […]
Crain new prez/GM of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
We hinted at this a few weeks ago: Rob Crain, current AGM of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), is the new president/GM of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). Here’s where we laid the hint about Rob; we’re guessing his high-energy approach will go over well as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre fans prepare for […]
Knights meet deadline for ballpark-financing plan
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) met a deadline for submitting a ballpark-financing plan to Mecklenburg County, meeting a key deadline for a new Uptown ballpark. As part of the agreement with Mecklenburg County for land and $8 million in infrastructure improvements. the Knights needed to submit a financing plan for a new ballpark […]
Former Winnipeg Whips/Goldeyes home will be new home to Target
Though details aren’t final, it looks like Canad Inns Stadium, the former home to International League and Northern League baseball in Winnipeg, will be torn down to make way for a Target store. Mayor Sam Katz — who, by the way, owns the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) and brought an independent Northern League team […]
Mondor permanently part of McCoy Stadium after statue dedication
Ben Mondor, the man who saved pro baseball in Pawtucket and became one of the most respected people in Minor League Baseball, has been honored permanently at McCoy Stadium with a statue. It’s safe to say Mondor saved baseball in the Rhode Island city, buying the Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) out of […]
Centerpiece of PNC Field renovations: mondo scoreboard
When the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) return to PNC Field next season, fans will be treated to a seriously upgraded multimedia experience. As part of the renovation — set to be unveiled next season — the SWB Yankees (or whatever the team will be called) new scoreboards will be part of the mix. […]