A host of Minor League Baseball dignitaries combined with local politicos to officially mark the ceremonial beginning of construction on a Class AAA Pacific Coast League ballpark in El Paso. Attendees included City, County, State and national dignitaries, representatives of both El Paso and other nearby communities including Ciudad Juárez; leadership from Minor League Baseball, […]
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El Paso ballpark lawsuit dismissed; groundbreaking set for Thursday
A lawsuit against El Paso city employees alleging misconduct regarding the financing of a new El Paso ballpark was dismissed yesterday; meanwhile, the official groundbreaking of the Triple-A facility will take place Thursday. The lawsuit, filed by former Mayor Ray Salazar and five other plaintiffs against City Manager Joyce Wilson and city Reps. Cortney Niland […]
City, Diablos talking end of Cohen Stadium lease
The city and the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are discussing a termination of the team’s lease at Cohen Stadium, which could lead to a downsizing of the facility in the future. The Tigua tribe, owners of the team, had talked about running the Diablos even after a new Triple-A Pacific Coast League team […]
Opponents: El Paso ballpark debate not over
Though the fat lady is warming up her vocal cords off to the side, opponents of a new El Paso ballpark say they’ll make one last effort at a petition drive to kill the deal approved this week. The El Paso City Council approved a lease this week for a new $50-million ballpark with MountainStar […]
Mayor won’t veto ballpark lease; PCL to El Paso in 2014
El Paso Mayor John Cook says he won’t veto a lease for a new downtown ballpark, clearing the way for the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) to move there in 2014. MountainStar Sports has a deal to buy the Padres and move the team to El Paso, contingent on the city approving a ballpark […]
El Paso mayor: I’ll announce ballpark decision today
The fate of a new $50-million ballpark in downtown El Paso now lies in the hands of a single man — Mayor John Cook — and he’ll announce his decision today. The El Paso City Council approved a lease for a new downtown ballpark for the Tucson Padre (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) Tuesday by […]
El Paso ballpark approval squeaks through
By a narrow 4-3 margin, the El Paso City Council approved a proposed lease with MountainStar Sports for a new $50 million downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), but don’t assume the issue is settled — yet. After hours and hours of public input on the new ballpark, the […]
Rickey: El Paso could lose Triple-A team if ballpark not approved
The fate of a Triple-A team in El Paso is dependent on City Council approval of a ballpark lease tonight; otherwise, says PCL President Branch Rickey, league approval of the move could be rescinded. His stance was sent via email to El Paso City Manager Joyce Wilson yesterday: “If the City Council were to put off […]
MountainStar: Deal to bring Triple-A to El Paso could fall through if ballpark not approved
With support on the City Council for a new downtown ballpark wobbly, MountainStar Sports warns that bringing a Triple-A team to El Paso is contingent on a ballpark lease being passed Tuesday — but a key council member has declared her opposition to any deal without a public vote. With Mayor John Cook poised to […]
MountainStar, El Paso amend proposed ballpark lease
MountainStar Sports Group, working to bring the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) to a new downtown El Paso ballpark, has agreed to several lease changes designed to bring more money to city coffers and drops a noncompete clause with the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association). The changes come after some City Council […]
El Paso mayor: I can still scuttle ballpark deal
El Paso Mayor John Cook says he may veto a proposed deal for a new Triple-A downtown ballpark, and there’s a chance the City Council may lack the votes to override it. Cook, an opponent of building a new ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), has the power to veto […]
Diablos casualty of new El Paso ballpark
One side effect of a new ballpark in downtown El Paso: the probable demise of the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association). Owned by the Tigua tribe, the Diablos play out of city-owned Cohen Stadium. Since buying the team for $500,000 in 2011, the Tigua tribe has spent about $750,000 on ballpark improvements, including a swimming […]
Cook joins revamped Barons front office
Big changes in the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) front office this offseason, as John Cook leaves Minor League Baseball to join the staff as Director of Sales. Cook previouslt was Senior Vice President of Business Ops at St. Pete; previously he was general manager of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State […]