The St. Louis Cardinals have taken over daily operations of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) after closing on a purchase of the team, with Craig Unger named as new GM of the team. Global Spectrum had been managing the team and AutoZone Park on behalf of the Memphis Redbirds Foundation, the nonprofit […]
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Barons set another attendance record
Wow: April 14 and we’re already discussing attendance records, as the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) broke an attendance record dating back to the Michael Jordan era. The Barons welcomed a record total of 35,604 fans through the Regions Field gates during the series for an average of 7,121 fans per game. The attendance […]
Astros, Rangers affiliate shifts likely at end of season?
Considering the Texas Rangers explored a purchase of the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Reid Ryan now is president of the Houston Astros, it’s no surprise the two MLB teams will likely flip affiliations beginning next year. Reid Ryan and his family own the Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast […]
Buffalo, Bisons prepping for Coca-Cola Field renovations
Now 26 years old and in need of upgrades, the city of Buffalo and Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) ownership has started a conversation about the future of downtown Coca-Cola Field. (more…)
Isotopes present annual check to city for ballpark lease
The Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) opened the season with a annual rent payment to the city for Isotopes Park: $1.577 million. Each year the the Isotopes make a ritual of presenting a check to the city; the payment represents the basic rent sum from the previous year plus surcharge amounts paid by […]
Lake Monsters unveil new uniforms for 2014
We have a new look in Burlington, as the Vermont Lake Monsters (short season A; NY-Penn League) unveiled new uniforms for the 2014 season. The new uniforms follow the unveiling of a new logo last November. With the help of branding and design firm Brandiose and manufacturer Rawlings, the Lake Monsters will be sporting a […]
Columbia approves new ballpark
It went down exactly as Mayor Steve Benjamin promised: the Columbia (S.C.) City Council voted to move forward with a funding plan for a new ballpark on a 4-3 vote. The deal with Hardball Capital’s Jason Freier commits the city to borrowing $29 million for the ballpark construction and infrastructure costs. Hardball Capital will pay […]
Osprey returning to Missoula ballpark
The home of the Missoula Osprey (short season A; Pioneer League) will once again host osprey this season, as a nest at Ogren-Allegiance Park was protected from colonizing geese. Here’s the deal: the nest has been home to migrating osprey since the ballpark opened. Last season, however, early-arriving geese got to the nest first and […]
Price of new Columbia ballpark project goes up $2M; vote due tonight
Despite the total of city borrowing for a new Columbia (S.C.) ballpark going up by $2 million, the City Council is expected to approve a $31 million borrowing plan tonight. The original price of the ballpark and associated work was $29 million, but that figure was bumped with the addition of a mile-long pedestrian pathway […]
More development planned for new Sounds ballpark area
We have another apartment complex planned for the area surrounding a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark site in Sulphur Dell. Llewellyn Development LLC has a contract on 3.3 acres next to the ballpark on a site currenty housing the Nashville Stock-Yard restaurant and surface parking. The plan is for a 300-unit […]
Winston-Salem approves new Dash lease
As expected, the City Council approved a new BB&T Ballpark lease for the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League), which will pay off a short-term loan and bring in a new ownership group led by the Chicago White Sox. The new lease, approved unanimously, for the potential new owners of the Dash to invest […]
New Dash lease likely to be approved by Winston-Salem
A new lease for BB&T Ballpark, which would lead to a sale of the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) to a group led by the Chicago White Sox, is likely to be approved by the City Council. The plan calls for the potential new owners of the Dash to invest $8 million into […]
After tumultuous offseason, Whitecaps ready for season opener
What an amazing story: after a January fire that saw part of Fifth Third Ballpark destroyed, the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) are ready for a season opener tomorrow. You’ll recall the Jan. 3 fire that wiped out the right-field suite level at Fifth Third Ballpark, along with the concourse installation and […]