St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, tied up in a tight reelection battle, says talks between his office and the Tampa Bay Rays over Tropicana Field lease are not going well — and blames MLB for the impasse. In a report to the City Council, Foster took aim at the commissioner’s office as he declared talks […]
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Angels casually threaten move during lease negotiations
It was a little unexpected: a rep for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno said the team has the resources to move to another city, as the Anaheim City Council debate changes to the Angel Stadium lease. Charles Black was pretty blunt about the prospect of the Angels looking for a new home. […]
Pair arrested trying to steal Wrigley Field ivy
A pair of would-be ivy thieves were arrested at Wrigley Field early Sunday morning as they attempted to steal some ivy from the outfield walls at the Friendly Confines. The pair of Pennsylvania men were nabbed at the home of the Chicago Cubs after security cameras shot them around 3:45 a.m. walking through the ballpark. […]
It was 47 years ago today: Final Beatles ballpark concert
It was the end of an era: The Beatles, who changed the live-music industry by playing at ballparks and stadiums, performed live for the last time, at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. The August 29, 1966 event wasn’t billed as a final concert — though the Beatles had decided it was days before — and it […]
Poll: Little support for public funding of new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark
A poll of Tampa residents reveals little appetite for public funding of a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, as residents would rather use proceeds from a downtown tax district to house the homeless or transit upgrades. Now, it’s not unusual to see ballpark funding plans receive poor ratings in polls — people love the idea […]
Arizona Fall League to woo MiLB fans
Designed to raise awareness of some of the best baseball very few see, the Arizona Fall League is partnering with 26 MiLB teams to educate minor league executives, fans and sponsors about the Phoenix-based circuit. A total of 26 MiLB teams from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, Double-A Texas League, and Class A California League […]
Brevard County: We’ll make another run at keeping Nats
With the Washington Nationals stymied in an effort to procure a new Kissimmee spring-training complex, Brevard County officials could offer a $29 million renovation of the team’s current home, Space Coast Stadium. Of course, all the money in the world can’t move Viera closer to the majority of Grapefruit League teams; you’re still talking over […]
Scully to return to Dodgers broadcast booth next season
Oh happy day: Vin Scully will return next season as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking his 65th season behind the mic. Scully, whose tenure with the Dodgers dates back to the team’s days in Brooklyn (the Los Angeles Dodgers have not played a home game without Scully in the booth), is currently […]
Lee County to pitch Nats again on City of Palms Park
Though there are no funds for renovations, Lee County will once again pitch the Washington Nationals on a move to City of Palms Park after Osceola County rejected a new Kissimmee spring-training complex. There’s nothing new in the Lee County/Fort Myers approach to luring the Nationals; with tourism funds devoted to the new Boston Red […]
Feeding frenzy begins on siting potential Rays ballpark
The Tampa Bay Rays haven’t even received permission to explore new-ballpark sites in the region, but some Hillsborough County officials are pushing alternative sites to a downtown Tampa location. Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist is already pushing a new ballpark at the former Tampa Greyhound Track site off I-275, which could also include a new […]
Osceola rejects new Washington Nationals spring-training complex
Fierce opposition from the local tourism industry caused the Osceola County Board of Commissioners to reject a $98-million spring-training complex for the Washington Nationals. The proposal would have used tourism funds to build the complex near the current Osceola County Stadium, currently the spring home of the Houston Astros. The funding formula: $88 million from […]
Selig: Time to resolve Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation
Despite some recent breakthroughs in the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig may intervene to find out “what the hell is going on.” To say it’s been a long slog toward a new home for the Rays is to underestimate the time of a long slog: Tropicana Field was outdated a decade […]
Expanded instant replay on tap for 2014
Major League Baseball is planning a major expansion of replay for the 2014 season, using the findings of a replay committee as the blueprint for a new streamlined appeal system. The plan, from a committee consisting of MLB vice president Joe Torre, Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz and former manager Tony La Russa, will allow […]