The challenge for the St. Joseph Mustangs (summer collegiate; MINK League) this summer: continue winning while pumping up the attendance at Phil Welch Stadium. The Mustangs are owned by Rick Muntean, a name that should be familiar to many in minor-league circles: he’s worked in affiliated and indy ball since 1983. He’s now living the […]
Tag Archives | minor league baseball
MiLB attendance up 11.2 percent in April
Good weather, new Mexican League teams and some popular franchise shifts accounted for an 11.2 percent attendance increase among Minor League Baseball teams in April. MiLB clubs attracted 6,401,632 fans through the end of April, an 11.2 percent increase over the same time period last year. The total number of fans is the second highest […]
Chiefs to plant palms Monday
It’s one of the more endearing traditions in Minor League Baseball: the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League) will be planting palm trees at Peoria Chiefs Stadium on Monday. The nine Queen Palms are currently en route from Florida and will be planted in the left-field berm at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 16. The […]
Reviving Devereux Meadows
The old Devereux Meadows ballpark site in Raleigh, N.C., home to the Raleigh Capitals and the Raleigh-Durham Triangles (Carolina League), could be revived as a city park. The former home to minor-league baseball in Raleigh — where Carl Yastrzemski, Greg Luzinski and Cliff Johnson targeted a left-field fence some 315 feet out (the same as […]
Dragons up for national award
The Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League) are the first minor-league team to be nominated for the Professional Sports Team of the Year Award from SportsBusiness Journal. The Dragons are joined as finalists by the Texas Rangers (MLB), Boston Bruins (NHL), Stewart-Haas Racing (NASCAR) and Sporting Kansas City (MLS). The award honors one sports […]
Professional Sports Catering adds Dayton to portfolio
Professional Sports Catering, in conjunction with Mandalay Baseball Properties, announced today that PSC will manage the food and beverage operation at Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons (Low Class A; Midwest League). “Dayton is one of the top MiLB franchises in the country,” said Tom Dickson, CEO of PSC. “We are excited about […]
Lake Monsters sign 20-year lease for Centennial Field; will discuss renovations
Minor League Baseball will remain at historic Centennial Field on the University of Vermont campus, as the Vermont Lake Monsters (short season A; NY-Penn League) signed a new 20-year lease. Under the terms of the lease, the Lake Monsters will pay UVM $1 dollar per year for the use of the facility. Under the prior […]
Why aren’t more MiLB teams changing hands?
Despite a healthy number of Minor League Baseball teams on the market, we’re not seeing many franchise sales these days. Why are things moving so slowly? We asked around — to owners, potential owners and brokers — to see why potentially attractive franchises openly and discreetly on the market were still for sale. Some of […]
No, Canada
Prospects for Minor League Baseball returning to Ottawa and Montreal have dimmed in recent weeks, as a lack of funding for new and improved facilities is proving to be an impediment to any franchise shifts. With the rebound of the Canadian dollar, MiLB teams moving into Canada has been seen by many owners as a […]
O’Conner, San Diego make news in slow Winter Meetings
During an unusually slow Winter Meetings, two events made headlines: Pat O’Conner was re-elected unanimously as Minor League Baseball president and San Diego was awarded the 2014 event. We’re talking slow in terms of activity among owners: normally there’s plenty of chatter about teams on the market and potential buyers, but this year the talk […]
O’Malley: Don’t expect spring training to return to Vero Beach
Peter O’Malley says that the business focus for the former Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach will remain on youth tournaments and visiting teams, not professional baseball. O’Malley invested in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. O’Malley will be one of five equal partners in VBSV management: MiLB will retain a share, while the […]
Eastern League just a swirl of intrigue
The current hotbed of intrigue in the baseball world? The Eastern League, where Ottawa’s desire for a team and Richmond’s wishes for a new ballpark are roiling the waters. It appears as though there’s an excellent chance Minor League Baseball is returning to Ottawa for the 2013 season and beyond, as discussions between a potential […]
Gebhard, Jirschele receive Bender, Coolbaugh awards
Arizona Diamondbacks Vice President & Special Assistant to the General Manager Bob Gebhard and Omaha Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele are the recipients of the Sheldon “Chief” Bender and Mike Coolbaugh awards, respectively. Gebhard and Jirschele will be honored on December 8 at the annual Banquet during the Baseball Winter Meetings at the Hilton Anatole […]