The state of California is casting a covetous eye at San Jose land envisioned for a new Oakland A’s ballpark, arguing it was improperly shielded from the state takeover of redevelopment agency assets. This is a process story, to be sure, and one that has more to do with state politics than the building of […]
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More Oakland ownership options for Athletics
Local business leaders want to retain the Oakland Athletics and say they’ll look at buying the team rather than losing it to another market. Though Lew Wolff has clearly stated the team is not for sale, that’s not stopped potential suitors from stepping up, with the intention of keeping the team in Oakland. We’ve already […]
With May rains comes another Marlins ballpark issue: leaks
It’s a vicious circle. With rains forcing the Marlins Park roof to be closed often — affecting grass growth — another issue has emerged: leaks in the ballpark’s retractable roof. You’ll remember our earlier story on the new home of the Miami Marlins, where heavy late April/early May rains have forced the roof to be […]
New owners take control of Los Angeles Dodgers
The new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers took control of the franchise and Dodger Stadium today, ending Frank McCourt’s tumultuous term as owner of the flagship franchise. The sale became final today after Guggenheim Baseball wired a final payment to McCourt. A press conference is expected tomorrow, with Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten serving […]
MLB looking to alter interleague play to curtail rivalries: report
A scheduling reconfiguration in 2013 made necessary by the move of the Houston Astros to the American League could change the two annual rivalry series so popular at the box office. ESPNNewYork.com is reporting the shift, part of the move to permanent interleague play in 2013 when there are 15 teams in each league. Right […]
Marlins face not-so-unusual problem: dead turf in a covered ballpark
The problem dates back to the original Astrodome, where AstroTurf was invented to solve this issue: the Miami Marlins find it hard keeping grass alive in a covered ballpark. It’s been a wet April in Miami — undoubtedly due to global warming, if you ask Tim McCarver — and so the roof has been closed […]
Angels eying return to Los Angeles?
Is Arte Moreno looking at a move of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back into L.A. proper? Apparently so. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Angels owner Moreno has been engaged in some early discussions with AEG about the potential of building a new ballpark in downtown Los Angeles. Timing is of the […]
If Nats leave Viera, will other teams follow?
With talks continuing between the Washington Nationals and Lee County about a spring-training move, folks are inevitably wondering if the Cardinals, Mets or Marlins will follow. It’s a natural question: the Cards and Marlins have a clause in their leases for Roger Dean Stadium the right to talk away for greener pastures if fewer than […]
Lee County commissioner: “50-50” chance Nats will move spring ops to Fort Myers
A Lee County commissioner pegged the odds at “50-50” about the chances of the Washington Nationals moving spring-training operations to Fort Myers after the two sides met today. Lee County (Fl.) Commissioner Frank Mann, who did not attend a meeting between Lee County officials and two Nats reps but did discuss it with them afterwards, […]
Lee County, Nats to meet about spring training
Reps from the Washington Nationals and Lee County will meet today to discuss the team shifting spring-training operations to Fort Myers’ City of Palms Park. We don’t expect anything big to come from the discussions; the two are just a third into a 90-day exclusive negotiating period. Both sides have made their goals public: the […]
Cubs funding request: $500M in Wrigley Field improvements
A total of $500 million would be spent on Wrigley Field improvements if public funding comes through: $300M for the ballpark itself, $200M for a new triangle building next door. Crain’s Chicago Business is reporting some of the details of the plan. Public funding isn’t part of the so-called triangle building next door to Wrigley, […]
Lee County to seek state ballpark-improvement grant
Already aiming to fund improvements at Hammond Stadium, the spring home of the Minnesota Twins, Lee County is seeking state assistance as it also works to free up money for the Washington Nationals. in discussions of the future of spring training in Fort Myers, Lee County commissioners have steadfastly held that any additional tourism-tax revenues not […]
Mother Nature delays Mets’ green initiative
A day late after the New York Mets’ Earth Day game was rained out, the team is launching a new series of green initiatives with Citi Field partners. Much of this isn’t glamorous stuff, though it should be noticed by fans, such as Action Carting Environmental Services recycling receptacles located throughout Citi Field, helping the Mets achieve […]