In his final remarks as president of the Washington Nationals, Stan Kasten held out the possibility that the team would relocate spring-training operations from Viera to another Florida site — or perhaps even Arizona. The team’s lease at Space Coast Stadium and the Carl Barger training complex doesn’t expire until 2017, but the team can […]
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Wooing voters, Mesa and Cubs release ballpark renderings
In an effort to turn out support for public funding of a new Chicago Cubs spring-training complex in northwest Mesa, the city and the team released renderings of a lovely new facility, complete with retail, iconic sign a la Wrigley and office space. Mesa voters will have before them two referendum questions on Nov. 2 […]
Spring training returning to Al Lang Field, St. Pete
Spring training will be returning to Al Lang Field and St. Petersburg in 2011, as three international teams will train there and other St. Pete sites while playing some exhibition games against MLB teams — and more may be on the way. The city is holding a press conference this morning to announce that the […]
Tucson waiting for player-union approval for Japanese spring training
If the players union agrees to the addition of Japanese teams to spring training, up to four teams could be training in Tucson in 2011, playing games against their MLB brethren. Though nothing has been firmed, it’s looking good for Nippon Professional Baseball teams to be training at Tucson in 2011. MLB has unofficially given […]
Rays rip fans for not showing up during pennant race
The Tampa Bay Rays are in the midst of a great pennant race, but players were outspoken in their disappointment when a crowd of only 12,446 fans showed up to Tropicana Field on a night when the Rays could have clinched a divisional title. They didn’t, dropping a 4-0 game to the Baltimore Orioles. Still, […]
Japanese teams in the mix for spring training?
Tucson officials say they’re close to signing some Japanese teams to train this coming spring at Tucson Electric Park, provided Major League Baseball teams are willing to play some exhibition games — and apparently they are. At a press conference yesterday officials with the Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority said they’ve met with the […]
Cleveland to unveil Snow Days at Progressive Field
It’s the dream of every baseball team to monetize a ballpark in winter months, but the Cleveland Indians are building weeks of promotions and activities into a six-week promotion: Snow Days, featuring ice skating, snow tubing and more. Each day, beginning on Nov. 26, the Indians will blanket Progressive Field with 150 tons of snow, […]
Next up in your MLB ballpark: in-ballpark food delivery from a smartphone
The Philadelphia Phillies, MLBAM and Aramark yesterday unveiled a system at Citizens Bank Park allowing fans to order concessions from their seats and have them delivered in about 10 minutes or so. The ability to order concessions will be available throughout the end of the season. To use it, a fan calls up the At […]
Twins set attendance record in first Target Field season
You don’t think there was some pent-up demand for outdoor baseball in Minnesota? The Twins set a season attendance record at Target Field yesterday, despite playing at a very small venue by MLB standards. “We are thrilled to have achieved this record during our Inaugural Season at Target Field,” said Dave St. Peter, Twins President. […]
Yanks honor Steinbrenner with Monument Park plaque
The late George Steinbrenner officially joined the ranks of Yankee immortals with the installation of a plaque honoring the former team owner in Yankee Stadium’s hallowed grounds, Monument Park. The tribute to Steinbrenner — weighing more 760 pounds but, more importantly, larger than the tribute to Col. Jacob Ruppert — was unveiled last night in […]
ChiSox to honor longtime organist with “Faust Fest”
Here’s a nice promotion to end the season for the Chicago White Sox: longtime organist Nancy Faust, the woman who gave us “Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye” at the ballpark, will be honored with her very own bobblehead on the eve of her retirement. Faust began playing organ at the original Comiskey Park […]
Riverview Park emerges as choice for Cubs spring-training facilities
Fascinated by its potential as a retail site where fans can buy all things Cubbie year-round, the Chicago Cubs front office and Mesa officials have settled on Riverview Park, in the northwest corner of the city, as the site of a new spring-training complex. The site emerged as a favorite after a study indicated it […]
Lee County passes on City of Palms as a swim facility
Lee County has decided to pass on a proposal to convert City of Palms Park, the spring home of the Boston Red Sox, to a swimming facility after National Swimming Center Corp. failed to provide detailed financial information. The proposal would have converted Fort Myers’ City of Palms Park to a natatorium to host competitive […]