The Cincinnati Reds and Great American Ball Park will host the 2015 All-Star Game, according to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig is slated to hold a press conference on Wednesday, ostensibly to discuss baseball’s ongoing efforts to build and renovate playing fields in inner cities. He will then announce the […]
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Padres pitching for future All-Star Game
The new San Diego Padres owners are making their mark on the franchise in multiple ways, with the most recent move being a pitch to host a future All-Star Game at Petco Park. The Padres have twice hosted All-Star Games, both times at Jack Murphy Stadium/Qualcomm Stadium. Petco Park has never hosted a match, as […]
Cubs exploring hotel, courtyard as part of Wrigley Field upgrades
The Chicago Cubs are making another run at public support for Wrigley Field upgrades, and as part of the deal are talking a new hotel next to the historic ballpark as well as other area improvements. The team’s manager of community outreach, grants and donations, Jennifer Dedes Nowak, made a presentation to a neighborhood association that […]
Dodgers begin $100M upgrade of Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers have begun a $100-million makeover of Dodger Stadium, with the first phase already underway and focused on improving the fan experience with new concessions, wider concourses and expanded restrooms. The changes to the privately owned facility will be in place for the 2013 season. Dodgers officials say this is just the […]
Hall of Fame inductees due today
Social media will explode later today when the next class for induction in the National Baseball Hall of Fame is announced, as voters decide whether players in the Steroid Era should be rewarded for their exploits. On the ballot for the first time are some of baseball’s biggest stars of the Steroid Era, including Barry […]
Naming rights hard sell in St. Lucie for Mets
A month before spring training starts and the name of the spring home of the New York Mets is up in the air, as the team and St. Lucie County are having a hard time selling naming rights to what’s now known as Mets Stadium. The ballpark has been known by several different names over […]
Debt paid down early on Target Field — saving $53.7M
Here’s why you build ballparks when construction and interest costs are low: the debt on Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, has been reduced by $53.7 million after the Minnesota Ballpark Authority took advantage of favorable market conditions. The savings were mostly realized by prepaying variable-rate debt on the ballpark, but having a steady […]
Mickelson out of Padres ownership mix
Professional golfer and San Diego native Phil Mickelson is passing on an investment in the San Diego Padres, saying he doesn’t have the time to make a serious commitment to the new ownership group. Mickelson was included as potentially being part of the new Padres owners when the sale of the team from John Moores […]
Citi Field revenues down again in 2012
For the third straight year revenues were down at Citi Field, as New York Mets ownership struggles to find the right mix between ticket and concession prices. Newsday obtained the team’s revenue statement via FOIA; the statement is a requirement of the bonding deal that funded ballpark construction. In 2012 ballpark revenue for the Mets […]
Delaware North, Rangers extend ballpark concessions deal
Delaware North Companies Sportservice will continue to be the concessionaire at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, extending a partnership with the Texas Rangers that began when the ballpark opened in 1994. The previous contract had two years remaining. “The Rangers have been a terrific partner right from the start,” said Sportservice President Rick Abramson. “The organization […]
Rays ballpark proposal at Carillon Business Park withdrawn by developer
Developer Darryl LeClair threw a monkey wrench into planning for a Tampa Bay Rays ballpark by taking a proposal at St. Pete’s Carillon Business Park off the table. Indeed, it’s only been a few months since LeClair unveiled renderings of a unique ballpark to be located in northern St. Petersburg, a facility set amongst Mediterranean […]
Tom Hicks era in Texas finally done
The last bit of business involving Tom Hicks and the Texas Rangers was finally put to bed after the two sides agreed to a settlement of a dispute involving ownership of parking lots next to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Hicks owned the Rangers between 1998 and 2010, an era that saw some big spending (the […]
Lee County commissioner: Nats unlikely to move to Fort Myers
Efforts to bring the Washington Nationals to Fort Myers will likely end in failure, says a Lee County commissioner, because the county has no money to fix up City of Palms Park. County officials have been wooing the Nationals for several months, a time that includes an exclusive negotiating period for the two sides. The […]