Faced with a lack of redevelopment funds seized by the state, Oakland is dropping its plans for a new Athletics ballpark at Victory Court — leading the way for a move of the team to San Jose. Regular readers of Ballpark Digest have followed the issues posed to professional sports by the decision from the […]
Archive | Major-League Baseball
How best to use old spring-training facilities: Soccer
Spring training may be totally gone from Tucson, but it looks like the city found a great use for former MLB training facilities: professional MLS soccer will bring six teams to the Kino Stadium complex. Six MLS teams will be training in Tucson this spring, with four of them set to participate in the Desert Diamond […]
It’s Marlins Ballpark for 2012
It looks like the Miami Marlins will be calling their new home Marlins Ballpark for the time being, as a naming-rights deal has failed to materialize. Appearing on a local radio station, team president David Samson said that a complex naming-rights deal had failed to close in time for the 2012 season, making Marlins Ballpark […]
In memoriam: Bill Mardo
Bill Mardo, the crusading Daily Worker sports editor who helped force Major League Baseball to integrate with Negro Leagues players, has passed away. He was 88. Mardo died of complications from Parkinson’s disease. From his position as sports editor and columnist with The Daily Worker, Mardo led the call to bring African-Americans to Major League […]
Don’t look now, but spring training is around the corner
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but spring training is around the corner. Time to make your plans, as tickets are going fast at some spring-training ballparks. At least, that’s the report from Scottsdale, where Salt River Fields general manager David Dunne reports that opening day and some weekend games for the Arizona Diamondbacks and […]
Rays: Prove to us Tampa Bay can support baseball
We’re seeing a new strategy on how the Tampa Bay Rays are addressing their ballpark situation: ask for help on the marketing front and raise the distinct possibility the area can’t support professional baseball. Rays owner Stuart Sternberg had a much-anticipated meeting with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster yesterday to discuss the state of things […]
Cubs adding group patio to Wrigley Field
There will be very few bleacher bums in a new right-field Wrigley Field patio in 2012, as the Chicago Cubs emulate nearby roof seating with a new group area that adds signage and capacity. The new Budweiser Patio combines group seating with LED signage, complete with the capability to display pertinent game information such as […]
Marlins schedule more exhibition games at new ballpark
The Miami Marlins have scheduled three exhibition games in early March to help break in their new home, Marlins Park. The three exhibition games are slated for March 5-7. The first-ever baseball game to be played at Marlins Park — the working name of the ballpark until naming rights can be sold — will feature […]
Bud Selig: Commissioner for life?
Bud Selig is set to sign another two-year extension to serve as MLB commissioner, despite promises he would retire this year. Why is he sticking around? To settle some loose ends, we’re told. Not many in baseball were truly surprised when MLB owners unanimously voted to offer a two-year extension to Selig; there had been […]
Could this be the year for a new Rays ballpark?
With ownership, MLB management and local business leaders increasingly frustrated over Tropicana Field, 2012 could be the year when we see agreement on a new Tampa Bay Rays home. The new year appears to be starting on a good note for the Rays: Owner Stuart Sternberg is set to meet on Jan. 17 with St. […]
Oakland contemplates foreign investments to help fund A’s ballpark
With no redevelopment money available for a new ballpark, Oakland officials are floating a plan to use foreign investments to pay for new sporting facilities — including a new Athletics ballpark. It’s a wonky plan, to be sure. The federal EB-5 program basically allows foreign investors and their famlies to buy a green card if […]
Torre quits MLB post to pursue Dodgers
You can add Joe Torre’s name to a list of Los Angeles Dodgers suitors, as he joins Rick Caruso in one of the 16 groups seeking to buy the troubled franchise and Dodger Stadium. Formerly manager of the Dodgers. Torre had been MLB’s Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations since last February, overseeing things like […]
Baltimore announces Oriole Park improvements for 2012
Twenty years after the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles today announced a series of enhancements dedicated to improving the fan experience at one of baseball’s best facilities. The biggest change: the center-field picnic area is being revamped. The emphasis won’t be on groups; it will shift to Oriole team history, […]