With almost two-dozen teams implementing Apple’s iBeacon technology for personalized product pitches, MLB and BAM will find out how intrusive message alerts can be at the ballpark. Personalized, targeted messaging is the Holy Grail of marketing these days: why waste time on a generalized message when you can target a potential buyer? Though it’s a […]
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Nolan Ryan debating return to Astros front office
Despite assertions he was done with Major League Baseball, Nolan Ryan says he’s intrigued by the possibility of rejoining the Houston Astros front office and working with son Reid Ryan. The elder Ryan met with Astros owner Jim Crane and general manager Jeff Luhnow to discuss a possible return to the Astros and under what […]
Populous lands Atlanta Braves ballpark design deal
Though the contract is not finalized, the Atlanta Braves have chosen Populous to design the team’s new Cobb County ballpark, replacing Turner Field. The design contract is subject to approval from Cobb County, but the Braves did confirm the deal to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “We can confirm we have selected Populous, but we are now […]
Could Toronto Blue Jays bail on Astros spring-training plan?
With the Houston Astros blunted in their first attempt at a Palm Beach Gardens spring-training complex, there’s a question of whether the Toronto Blue Jays will stay committed to the joint venture. The Astros and Blue Jays joined forces on a new Palm Beach County spring-training complex, with the Astros doing most of the heavy […]
San Jose to appeal A’s ballpark ruling
San Jose will appeal a federal court decision denying the city the chance to host a new Oakland Athletics ballpark near the Diridon rail station. San Jose and the A’s had worked on plans for a privately financed ballpark, but Major League Baseball and Commissioner Bud Selig have refused John Fisher and Lew Wolff permission […]
Cubs Park unveiled to the public
Big opening day for Cubs Park Saturday, as an open house attracted 30,000 fans interested in learning more about the new spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Naturally, we have a full story on our sister site, Spring Training Online. Reaction from those visiting the facility was generally good, though it appears fans are […]
Yankee Stadium hockey: cold, sunny
Yesterday’s outdoor NHL game at Yankee Stadium was an interesting mix of extremes: it was delayed because of glare from the sun, while fans suffered through extremely cold temperatures. The crowd was great for the Stadium Series game — 50,105 — but the New York Rangers/New Jersey Devils game was delayed some 40 minutes to […]
NHL Stadium Series will be scaled back in 2015
The NHL embarked on an ambitious promotional schedule this season with the Stadium Series, but look for it to be scaled back in 2015, according to league officials. This year saw six outdoor events, beginning with the Winter Classic and including outdoor games at Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium. That’s a pretty ambitious schedule, and […]
Brewers adding Uecker statue, Bombers burgers to Miller Park this season
Two upgrades from the Milwaukee Brewers to note this season at Miller Park: a Bob Uecker statue will be installed in the back row of the cheap seats, and burger powerhouse AJ Bombers will open a new stand. If you’re not from Miilwaukee or Madison, you probably don’t know AJ Bombers: they are purveyors of […]
New scoreboard going up at Steinbrenner Field
Another sign of spring: teams are prepping ballparks for the start of February games, and that means the installation of a new videoboard at Steinbrenner Field, spring home of the New York Yankees. The new videoboard replaces a smaller unit. This week has been spent in Florida, scouting out the spring-training sites and checking on […]
MLB security upgrades not due until 2015
There’s been some inaccurate information floating around out there about MLB’s plan to enhance security at ballparks, and the first thing to remember is simple: any changes will be mandatory in 2015. That means teams have a season to plan and implement changes. Some, like the Seattle Mariners, will screen fans as they enter the […]
Rooftop owners, Cubs disagree over Wrigley Field renovations
No surprise: the Chicago Cubs front office and owners of rooftop bleachers are still disagreeing over proposed changes to Wrigley Field that could impact the views from beyond the ballpark. It’s a symbiotic relationship to be sure: the Cubs provide the action, and the rooftop owners pay 17 percent of their revenues to sell remote […]
Metrodome roof deflated with no problems
The deflating of the Metrodome roof happened this morning with no issues, and the demolition of the former Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Golden Gophers ballpark will continue this week. You can see a time-lapse version of the roof-deflation video, which condenses a 35-minute process down to two minutes: The process was pretty low-tech: the electricity […]