To play or not to play: that’s the issue facing players and owners in Nippon Professional Baseball, who are debating whether the season should start on schedule and under what circumstances, as rolling blackouts and homeless people are still big issues days after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Two issues are at play: whether […]
Tag Archives | major league baseball
Thorn: It’s stories that matter, not stats
John Thorn, the new historian for Major League Baseball, seems to have changed his approach to baseball and baseball history: instead of stressing stats as a way to reference baseball, he’s now arguing for a focus on the great stories associated with the game. As regular readers of this site know, we much prefer discussions […]
NA, MLB extend agreement for six more years
No surprise here: Major League Baseball and the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL) have agreed on a new six-year Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA), extending through the 2020 season, as both sides unanimously approve the agreement. “Major League Baseball is very happy to continue its partnership with Minor League Baseball,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan […]
A guide to spring-training practices
Die-hard spring-training fans aren’t content with just sitting in the stands and watching a game: they want to watch a practice and get close to the players. It’s a great experience, as long as you know what you’re in for: most teams train on practice fields, not the ballparks, and so the creature comforts are […]
It’s truck day!
At MLB clubhouses across the nation, the same scenario will be played out in the next few days: large trucks bearing lots of equipment will heading to Florida or Arizona, to be broken out for spring training. Yes, friends, it’s Truck Day! At least for the Red Sox, who not only have made Truck Day […]
Rays go with new turf for ’11 season
The playing surface at Tropicana Field will be upgraded for the 2011 season, as the Tampa Bay Rays announce the impending installation of a American-made, 1.1-million-square-foot AstroTurf field. “The AstroTurf fiber and in-fill systems contain the very latest technology and will provide our players the best playing surface available,” said Rays President Matt Silverman. “Our […]
Winter Meetings set to return to Disney World in 2013
WINTER MEETINGS — The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, which received high marks from many attendees during this week’s run hosting the Baseball Winter Meetings, will once again be the site of the industry’s annual convention from December 9-12 in 2013. It will mark the third time that the meetings have been held […]
Bob Watson retires
Bob Watson, Major League Baseball’s Vice President of Rules and On-Field Operations, has announced his retirement from baseball at the end of the current year after serving more than 45 years in the game as a player, coach and executive. Watson will continue to assist with MLB’s Urban Youth Academy program and be available for […]
Purpura wins Hemond Award
Minor League Baseball Executive Vice President & COO Tim Purpura has been named the winner of the 10th annual Roland Hemond Award by the Arizona Fall League. The award is presented to recognize a baseball executive who has provided at least 15 years of outstanding service to professional baseball and who has served the Arizona […]
Tucson waiting for player-union approval for Japanese spring training
If the players union agrees to the addition of Japanese teams to spring training, up to four teams could be training in Tucson in 2011, playing games against their MLB brethren. Though nothing has been firmed, it’s looking good for Nippon Professional Baseball teams to be training at Tucson in 2011. MLB has unofficially given […]
Japanese teams in the mix for spring training?
Tucson officials say they’re close to signing some Japanese teams to train this coming spring at Tucson Electric Park, provided Major League Baseball teams are willing to play some exhibition games — and apparently they are. At a press conference yesterday officials with the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority said they’ve met with the […]
Vegas mayor: We’re ready to build ballpark for American League team
Mayor Oscar Goodman says his city has launched talks regarding a new 45,000-seat roofed ballpark in downtown Las Vegas, adding that an American League team is involved. Two guesses as to what team he’s alluding to, but be warned: Goodman’s enthusiasm sometimes outpaces reality. During his weekly press conference today, Goodman discussed the early stages […]
Affiliate Dance: 2020
What teams have upcoming affiliation deals, and which ones are tied long-term to their parent teams? We list them all here as the 2021 affiliate dance reaches its conclusion. With the expiration of the most recent Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball, MLB has assumed control of MiLB and […]