You’ve been reading about them on this site, but now the actual work begins as the Texas Rangers implement some $12 million in upgrades to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The plan moved forward after Arlington approved a plan allowing the team to pay for the upgrades on a tax-exempt basis. The work will include the […]
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Lee County to vote on Twins training upgrades Nov. 6
It’s not a done deal, but it’s close: Lee County is poised to approve $41.6 million in upgrades to Hammond Stadium and the Lee County Sports Complex, the spring home of the Minnesota Twins. The deal could keep the Twins in Fort Myers for the next 50 years, conceivably through 2065 (assuming the lease extension […]
New protective headgear for pitchers may be tested in MiLB next season
After a few troubling incidents this season where pitchers were injured after taking line drives to the head, MLB will examine protective headgear this offseason and perhaps test some possible solutions next season in Minor League Baseball. The problem received national attention when Doug Fister was struck in the head by the line drive while […]
New Houston Astros logo, wordmark leaked
The new logo/wordmark for the Houston Astros was inadvertently leaked by vendors over the weekend, showing a revamped look that’s basically a variation of the team’s original cap logo and wordmark. The images, posted by sportslogos.net, show a new Astros logo that is an update of the original 1965 Astros cap logo; the white-on-orange was […]
Kissimmee pitching two-team complex for spring training
With the Houston Astros likely leaving Osceola County Stadium when the team’s lease ends in 2015, Kissimmee officials are working on a new spring-training complex that could house the ‘Stros and possibly the Washington Nationals. It’s all speculative and far from final, but Kissimmee Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Executive Director Shelley Maccini reported this week […]
Twins, Lee County close to agreement on Hammond Stadium upgrades
The Minnesota Twins and Lee County are close to announcing a $45-million plan to upgrade Hammond Stadium, the team’s spring home, as part of a 30-year lease extension. The plan calls for the state to pay $15 million toward the project under the terms of a Florida fund set up to retain spring training, the […]
Selig: No timetable for decision on future of Athletics
While he’s still meeting with a special committee assigned to ponder the future of the Oakland A’s, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig says there’s no timetable on a decision — and may leave the final say to his successor. From AP: “I have a committee very hard at work, ongoing with all that, and they continue […]
Tiger Stadium sign lives on
The neon Tiger Stadium sign put up when the ballpark was renamed in 1961 is back in working order at the Detroit Historical Museum. After John Fetzer took full control of the Tigers, the name of the ballpark was changed from Briggs Stadium to Tiger Stadium, and to alert fans to the new name, a […]
Padres moving in Petco Park fences for 2013
Following the leads of the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners, the San Diego Padres are moving in the fences at Petco Park for the 2013 season. The changes will affect right, right center and left center field. Construction will also include the relocation of the visitors’ bullpen off the field, addressing a potential player […]
Follow the money: How efficiently MLB teams spent money this season
It’s one thing for a Major League Baseball team to spend money in pursuit of wins and, presumably, a robust box office. Success can be elusive, however, as our rankings of how efficiently MLB teams spent money indicate. With the 2012 season completed, it’s time to look at how well MLB did in translating payroll […]
Out of playoffs, Rangers embark on ballpark improvements
Unceremoniously dumped from the MLB playoffs, the Texas Rangers have embarked on improvements to Rangers Ballpark instead of hosting postseason games. The Rangers had planned on some $10 million in improvements to the ballpark, including the addition of a new row of luxury seats behind home plate and some concessions upgrades in the concourse. The […]
NYC still grappling with white-elephant parking ramps at Yankee Stadium
A plan to tear down unprofitable parking ramps near Yankee Stadium has collapsed, leaving New York City to basically wait for the parking vendor to default on $240 million in bonds. When Yankee Stadium was planned, the decision was made by Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation to back parking ramps near the ballpark, with the […]
Dodgers still mapping out long-term future of Dodger Stadium
The Los Angeles Dodgers ownership is committed to putting money into short-term maintenance at Dodger Stadium this offseason, but a long-term plan is still in the works. No surprise: Mark Walters, Stan Kasten and crew haven’t actually owned the ballpark for too long, and ballpark guru Janet Marie Smith has only been with the team […]