Despite some weather woes, it's been a good spring in the Cactus League — especially for the Dodgers, White Sox and Mariners, who are breaking single-game attendance records. Despite some weather woes, it's been a good spring in the Cactus League — especially for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners, who […]
Archive | Major-League Baseball
McCourt still pursuing NFL facility at Dodger Stadium
After hearing from several sources that drastic renovations to Dodger Stadium were all but dead, we were surprised to see Frank McCourt tell the press that he was proceeding with planning on a new football stadium at Chavez Ravine. After hearing from several sources that drastic renovations to Dodger Stadium were all but dead, we […]
New for 2010: Digital Domain Park
The spring home of the New York Mets and regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets has a new name after the sale of naming rights. Digital Domain Park, the spring home of the New York Mets and regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets (High Class A; Florida State League), has a new name […]
Amazing what the revenues from a new ballpark will do
The Minnesota Twins say they'll keep payroll at 52 percent of revenues in coming years — and even with that restriction managed to sign Joe Mauer to an eight-year, $184-million contract extension. Welcome to the Target Field era. No calls the Minnesota Twins a small-market team any longer, after signing Joe Mauer to a Yankee-sized […]
Phillies unveil Citizens Bank Park improvements for ’10
The Philadelphia Phillies announced a slew of ballpark improvements for the 2010 season and announced a contest where fans can decide on a new hot dog to be sold at the Bank. The Philadelphia Phillies announced a slew of ballpark improvements for the 2010 season and announced a contest where fans can decide on a […]
Mets vs. birds: The battle rages on
To combat pigeons taking up residence at Citi Field, the New York Mets are installing a bird-misting system that uses a candy-based repellent. A new bird-misting system is being installed in Citi Field this spring, as the New York Mets attempt to keep down the number of pigeons taking up occupancy at the ballpark. The […]
A Century of Ballparks: Ed Smith Stadium
Our third stop on our 2010 celebration of a century of great ballparks: Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. OK, Ed Smith Stadium isn't really a great ballpark; it's middling at best with no historic legacy. But for Sarasota baseball enthusiasts and Orioles fans, Ed Smith Stadium really is a great ballpark: it allowed Sarasota to […]
This is why we love Spring Training
Three reasons why we love spring training. No theme here, past three photos of spring training from yesterday and today. Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page. Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter! […]
Legislators: Yup, we want Cactus League ticket tax
Despite opposition from several Cactus League teams and the commissioner's office, the Arizona Legislature is ready to move forward with an 8 percent ticket surcharge to bail out ASTA and partially fund a new Cubs training complex. Despite opposition from several Cactus League teams and the commissioner's office, the Arizona Legislature is ready to move […]
Cubs: We’re not wedded to idea of Cactus League ticket tax
Chicago Cubs management says the team isn't necessarily wedded to the idea of a ticket surcharge on all Cactus League games to help pay for a new Mesa spring-training facility. In a day filled with mixed signals, Chicago Cubs president Crane Kenney says a 8 percent surcharge on Cactus League ducats won't be necessary to […]
A Century of Ballparks: Joker Marchant Stadium and Tiger Town
We begin our celebration of a century of great ballparks with a visit to Joker Marchant Stadium, one of the grand dames of spring training. Tiger Town dates back to the end of World War II, when the former Lodwick School of Aeronautics was converted to a training complex; Joker Marchant Stadium opened in 1966 […]
Mariners report profit for 2009
The Seattle Mariners reported a $3.2 million profit for the 2009 season, thanks to a more competitive team and continued fan interest. The Seattle Mariners reported a $3.2 million profit for the 2009 season, thanks to a more competitive team and continued fan interest. That's the word in the annual report filed by the Mariners […]
Twins bring back Schweigert franks to new ballpark
The Minnesota Twins go back to the archives and bring back the original hot dogs served at Met Stadium — because Schweigert makes it better. The Minnesota Twins go back to the archives and announced plans to serve Schweigert hot dogs — the original hot dogs served at Metropolitan Stadium — at Target Field. Baby […]