Archive | Features

The two-year extreme makeover of Visalia's Recreation Park is now complete, as Visalia Rawhide owner Tom Seidler and architect Tom Larimer celebrate years of planning and overcoming unexpected obstacles. But out of adversity comes opportunity, and the new Recreation Park bears witness to what can be done with a seemingly dead-end facility. John Moist visits […]

We visit Huntington Park, the new home of the Columbus Clippers. Has someone finally built the perfect ballpark? With this stunning new facility, the Clippers have come close: Combining a strong sense of place with the latest in ballpark features and an outstanding site, the creators of Huntington Park got everything right, creating a deep […]

As we reported several weeks ago, John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson are embarking on a summer concert tour, hitting minor-league ballparks across the nation. Here’s the itinerary. Want to avoid the rush? Pre-order your tickets through our ticket outlet and save yourself some hassles. As we reported several weeks ago, John Mellencamp, Bob […]

It’s new-ballpark week here at Ballpark Digest. We gave you a sneak peak of Gwinnett Stadium last Friday, but today we bring you the first of our longer new-ballpark stories. Today: the impressive Bowling Green Ballpark, the new home of the Bowling Green Hot Rods.It’s new-ballpark week here at Ballpark Digest. We gave you a […]

Gwinnett Stadium, the new home of the Gwinnett Braves, opens tonight, but the G-Braves front office gave us a sneak peek this morning.  Here are our thoughts on the new facility.After walking through Gwinnett Stadium, the new home of the Gwinnett Braves (Class AAA; International League), one thing is clear: every level of fans will […]

When you look at the numbers and the existing revenue streams, it’s hard to be optimistic about the future of a new Portland Beavers ballpark.When the Portland City Council approved an $88.8 million agreement with Merritt Paulson to renovate PGE Park for MLS soccer and build a new Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) […]

A second run at the design of ONEOK Field from the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) and Populous adds Art Deco touches, drops the Prairie School motif and explicitly includes decorative elements from the site and the state. The design was approved yesterday by the Tulsa Stadium Trust. The $39.2-million ballpark is a cornerstone […]

In the works: John Mellencamp is putting together a summer concert tour that would include plenty of stops at minor-league ballparks. With him: Bob Dylan and (potentially) Willie Nelson.In the works: John Mellencamp is putting together a summer concert tour that would include plenty of stops at minor-league ballparks. With him: Bob Dylan and (potentially) […]

A September 2008 analysis of the ballpark options in Richmond failed to consider the economics of a renovated Diamond and concludes a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark could work if surrounding counties continue to help paying for baseball in the area — and given statements from elected officials throughout the region, that’s a mighty big if. […]

Bill Valentine, who twice saved baseball in central Arkansas and spent 40 years with the Arkansas Travelers, is retiring from the game. After 40 years with the Arkansas Travelers (Class AA; Texas League), including the last 33 as the club’s executive vice president, Bill Valentine has announced his retirement from the team. The Executive Committee […]

The impending move of the Connecticut Defenders to Richmond is closer to reality after the Norwich City Council approved a transfer of the team’s lease to Dodd Stadium. Meanwhile, the city of Richmond is embarking on a financial study of a new Shockoe Bottom ballpark — and we think we know what the results will […]

The Portland CIty Council voted by a 3-2 margin to move ahead with a new Portland Beavers ballpark and a renovation of PGE Park as a soccer-only facility, but in the process stripped $15 million in urban-development funds from their financial commitment.The Portland CIty Council voted by a 3-2 margin to move ahead with a […]

Portland Beavers owner Merritt Paulson agreed to all the financial demands laid down for the financing of a new ballpark and a PGE Park renovation — but there still may not be enough support on the City Council to finalize the deal.Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) owner Merritt Paulson agreed to all the […]