What does it take for Major League Baseball to prepare for an All-Star Game? In the case of this week’s event at Citi Field, it takes 20 or so clubbies to prep for player needs, never more the hordes needed to outfit the rest of the ballpark. The Wall Street Journal ran a piece detailing […]
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PETA: Save the rays at the Trop
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants to see the Tampa Bay Rays remove a “touch tank” from Tropicana Field, saying that it puts the 30 or so rays living there in danger of bring struck by a ball. Since the touch tank was installed, two batters have managed to hit a ball […]
Crane: Astros close to finalizing Palm Beach training site
Houston Astros owner Jim Crane says the team is close to finalizing a deal with Palm Beach Gardens for a new spring-training facility that could open in 2017. The new complex, to be shared with the Toronto Blue Jays (though, we hear, the agreement is not final), would be located within a close drive of […]
Tourism Board approves new Nats spring ballpark
The Osceola County Tourism Board has signed off on a $98-million plan for a new Washington Nationals spring-training facility in Kissimmee, but the proposal is sure to face close scrutiny from the full county Board of Commissioners. The board has a budget: $88 million from the tourism board ($50 million on hand, $38 million to […]
Cubs win big battle: Landmark Commission approves Wrigley Field signage
To the consternation of rooftop bleacher owners, the Chicago Landmark Commission today approved a plan from the Chicago Cubs to add a videoboard and another advertising sign to Wrigley Field, a key part of ballpark renovation plans. The Landmark Commission was expected to be a major hurdle for the Cubs, but the approval was unanimous. […]
Mall proposed for Citi Field parking lots
The New York Mets are proposing a 1.4-million-square-foot shopping mall on the parking lots to the east of Citi Field, and have received some important endorsements for the project. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall endorsed the project yesterday: Marshall gave her solid blessing to the 1.4-million-square-foot shopping mall on what is currently the baseball stadium […]
New spring complex pitched for Osceola County
Two new teams could be training in the greater Orlando area by 2015, as Osceola County officials receive a pitch for a new $98-million spring-training complex. It’s no secret the Washington Nationals have been working with HKS on plans for a new complex; it’s also no secret the Nats want to be out of Viera’s […]
Polk County commits $14.6M toward Tiger Town renovations
The first part of funding Tiger Town renovations is set, as the Polk County Board of County Commissioners agree to contribute $14.6 million to the project — less than the requested $17 million, but enough to move things forward. The money will come from a one-cent hike in tourist tax funds. The $37-million plan from […]
Damned Yankees
With attendance and TV ratings down, a mediocre record on the field and the loss of several marquee players, the New York Yankees are suffering through a painful 2013 season. The Yankees are in fourth place in the American League East, six games behind the surprising Boston Red Sox, and are also trailing the Baltimore […]
Sternberg: No plans to move Rays
Though he thinks Montreal would be a fine MLB market down the road, Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg says there are no plans to move the franchise anywhere, as his focus remains on a new Tampa Bay ballpark. Sternberg has been a mighty patient man when it comes to the issue of a […]
San Jose suit against MLB a weak one, say experts
The legal argument that San Jose is missing out on the economic benefits of baseball because MLB refuses to allow a move of the Oakland A’s is on shaky legal ground, according to some legal experts. Two days ago San Jose filed suit in federal court alleging that MLB is interfering with the city coming […]
Tiger Town renovations scaled back; funding under debate
A renovation plan for Lakeland’s Tiger Town spring-training complex has been scaled back, as city and county officials work to put together a funding plan. The original price tag for renovations to the spring home of the Detroit Tigers, which includes Joker Marchant Stadium, was $50 million, but that number has been trimmed down to […]
San Jose files suit against MLB in quest for A’s
The city of San Jose filed a federal lawsuit against Major League Baseball today, arguing MLB’s antitrust exemption is improperly keeping the Oakland A’s from building a new ballpark and moving to the city. San Jose Major Chuck Reed had earlier hinted that the city was ready to fight MLB in court to get the […]