The New York Mets aren’t wasting any time in reconfiguring the outfield fences at Citi Field, moving them in and taking out some of the irregular quirks in the fenceline, according to a published report. MetsBlog is reporting the new distances have already been laid out on the Citi Field turf, with the fences moved […]
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Marlins unveil premium area at new ballpark
The Florida Marlins (for now) announced a premium-seating area at the new Marlins ballpark, The Clevelander, featuring poolside seating, select table service and entertainment next to the Marlins bullpen. The Clevelander is a recently renovated South Beach hotel/entertainment complex. The ballpark area will feature dancers and DJs live from the pool area of the original […]
Dodgers lower season-ducat costs for 2012
The Los Angeles Dodgers, operating under a cloud as owner Frank McCourt and MLB fight it out in court, go on the offensive by lowering season-ticket pricing for 2012. That 2011 was a very miserable year for one of baseball’s flagship franchises is an understatement: announced attendance was down some 18 percent, to 36,236 per […]
Mayor, Council differ on approach to Rays ballpark issue
St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster is committed to keeping the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field through all legal means possible, but the City Council is aggressively questioning that absolutist approach. The split between the city and the council was apparent at a workshop for the council yesterday. Normally, a City Council workshop means a […]
Bud’s retirement plan: Back to college in Madison
Curious about what Bud Selig has planned after retirement? He’s already set up plans to teach and write in Madison, Wis., conveniently near Ballpark Digest World HQ. The first pitcher of beer on the Terrace is on us, Bud. Selig is a UW graduate, attending the school the same time as Oakland A’s owner Lew […]
Tampa: We could have $100M for new Rays ballpark
Money currently generated by a downtown Tampa TIF district to pay down convention-center bonds could be used in 2015 and beyond for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, according to city officials. The tax-increment financing district currently generates some $13.5 million a year, and the Tampa Convention Center bons are slated to be paid off […]
McKechnie Field renovation in the works
McKechnie Field, spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Bradenton Marauders (High Class A; Florida State League), would receive $9 million in improvements under a plan before the city and county. The redesign of the classic ballpark calls for a reconfiguration of the seating bowl, with two distinctive seating areas replaced […]
Jamie to Frank: The Dodgers are yours
Perhaps sensing this is the best way to get some cash out of her divorce to Frank McCourt, Jamie McCourt has agreed to let him keep the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium as part of a settlement and will support his effort to sell the team’s media rights. The McCourts have been embroiled in […]
Cubs, Mesa finally ready to sign lease for new spring-training complex
It’s official: the city of Mesa and the Chicago Cubs are signing a 30-year lease for the team to train at a new complex slated to open in 2014, but there’s still plenty of design work to be done. The Mesa City Council is expected to sign off on the lease during Monday’s meeting. It […]
Indians go greener at Progressive Field with new wind-turbine system
The Cleveland Indians are partnering with Cleveland State University to install a state-of-the-art wind turbine at Progressive Field for the upcoming season. The turbine won’t look like a traditional three-blade turbine you see across the country. Instead, the turbine will be round and look like a water tower, providing the ability to generate electricity from […]
Beating victim Stow released from hospital
Nice timing: Bryan Stow, the victim of a horrible beating at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day, reached a major milestone yesterday when he was released from San Francisco General Hospital to a rehab facility. He still has a long route to recovery: he only began speaking recently, he’s not able to walk and he is […]
Tentative 2012 Atlanta Braves spring sched released
Yes, we’re in the midst of a great playoff run in Major League Baseball, but It’s time to begin planning for the next big event in baseball: spring training 2012. We’re already posted several schedules to our sister Spring Training Online site, including information on the Grapefruit League schedule and the Cactus League schedule. Today […]
Ricketts: Everything’s on the table for open GM position
Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts plans on talking to a range of candidates for the team’s general-manager position, but in a Fox Business Network interview he didn’t commit to any specific names floating around out there, including Boston’s Theo Epstein. In an interview with Neil Cavuto, Ricketts sidestepped any talks of specific candidates for the […]