Talk about starting off in a deep hole: construction of a new Biloxi ballpark for the relocating Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) is finally starting this week, with the city still looking for ways to cut costs. The construction is starting off modestly — just a crane and working installing some test piles — […]
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Miracle to finish season at JetBlue Park
With scheduled renovations happening at Hammond Stadium, the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League) will play the rest of the season, as well as host playoffs, at JetBlue Park, the spring home of the Boston Red Sox. Hammond Stadium, the spring-training home of the Minnesota Twins, is undergoing a two-year renovation. The […]
Two ballpark development proposals make cut in Hartford
Two downtown Hartford development plans that include a new New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark are under consideration by city officials. The two plans address the issue of municipal office space, but they differ extensively otherwise: one would add retail and residential, and the other more modest plan would focus on the […]
Kernels, Twins extend affiliation through 2020
The Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the Minnesota Twins extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2020 season. The pair had already been committed to an affiliation through 2016. This extension is the maximum allowed by Major League and Minor League Baseball. The extension was approved Tuesday afternoon by the Kernels […]
Another River Bandits amusement unveiled tonight: Drop’N Twist
Another amusement makes its debut tonight at Modern Woodmen Park, as the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Main Street Amusements unveil the Mediacom Drop’N Twist in the ballpark’s Party Plaza. The Mediacom Drop’N Twist is a pneumatically powered, 30-foot tower manufactured by SBF Rides. The ride vertically bounces a gondola […]
Four Hartford ballpark developments submitted to city
Four developers submitted development plans for a new downtown Hartford ballpark for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), but city officials aren’t releasing any details yet. Friday was the deadline for submitting development proposals, as Hartford officials attempt to put together a privately financed development after withdrawing a plan for public funding […]
New Britain plays hardball with Rock Cats over unpaid property taxes
New Britain (CT) Mayor Erin Stewart has drawn a line in the sand for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League): pay past-due property taxes on New Britain Stadium or face eviction at the end of the season. Earlier this year the city of Hartford and the Rock Cats announced plans for a […]
Naming rights in play in Aberdeen, Pensacola
Two Minor League Baseball teams — the Aberdeen IronBirds (short season A; NY-Penn League) and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) — are shopping naming-rights deal to their ballparks. Of the two, the more surprising move is from the IronBirds, who play at Ripken Stadium, so named for the famous Ripken family that […]
Changes on tap in Chattanooga?
Atlanta businessman John Woods has signed a letter of intent to buy the Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA; Southern League), with Hardball Capital‘s Jason Freier acting as a consultant to the deal. The Lookouts are owned by Frank Burke, Charles Eshbach and the estate of the late Dan Burke. It’s not clear whether the sale of the […]
Early affiliation notes: Kane County and the Cubs
More affiliation talk for you: Even with Cubs owner Tom Ricketts speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, the two sides haven’t extended their affiliation deal, due to expire at the end of the season. That lack of an extension — coming […]
Portland lands 2015 Eastern League All-Star Game
The Portland Sea Dogs will host the 2015 Eastern League All-Star Game at Hadlock Field on July 15. “The Eastern League couldn’t be happier about awarding the 2015 All-Star Game to the Sea Dogs and the greater Portland area,” said Eastern League President Joe McEacharn via press release. “This community event will showcase the very […]
Ten tossed after Aces/Isotopes brawl
It was an epic baseball brawl in the Pacific Coast League, with nine players and Aces manager Phil Nevin tossed after a benches-clearing incident between Reno and the Albuquerque Isotopes Saturday night. Tensions had been rising between the two squads since an incident Friday night, when Isotopes third baseman Erisbel Arruebarrena took his time circling […]
Pelicans GM to undergo in-game prostate exam while singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
That headline really wrote itself: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League) GM Andy Milovich will receive an in-game prostate exam while singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during tomorrow’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Night. The promo is the result of a bet made to Pelicans fans, where Milovich challgenged them to like Fierce […]