Columbia (S.C.) Mayor Steve Benjamin says the votes are there to pass a new-ballpark funding plan, with final approval expected at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Veteran MiLB owner and operator Jason Freier has been working with Columbia on the ballpark plan, which calls for $29 million in bonding from the city and a new ballpark […]
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New for 2014: Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium
A naming-rights deal to note: the home of the High Desert Mavericks (High Class A; California League) will be known as Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium this season and beyond. Heritage Field will be open for all 70 home games of the Mavericks in addition to several non-baseball events at the ballpark, including potential […]
Elmore, Alamada, Hood among PCL Hall of Fame inductees
Nice honor. We have the 2014 inductees into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame: current owner David Elmore and former players Lou Almada, Dave Barbee and Wally Hood. David Elmore, the current owner of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, has been a major influence in the growth and advancement of the Pacific Coast League […]
Zephyr Field due for serious improvements
Fresh off plenty of improvements for 2014, the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced further enhancements to Zephyr Field in coming years. The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) has commissioned Billes Partners LLC, a local architectural firm, to conduct an analysis of the facility and to provide recommendations for enhancement projects. […]
Red Wings unveil 2014 uniforms
With the new season comes a new look, as the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) unveiled new uniforms for 2014. “While our old uniforms and logos certainly served us well, our new home jersey is a classic, timeless look and we couldn’t be more excited to show them off in 2014,” said Red […]
Flying Squirrels ballpark site under historical review
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones says a proposed Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark site is under archaeological and historical review, but opponents say the plan doesn’t ensure potential preservation. A central issue in the ballpark-development plan has been the significance of the ballpark site in Shockoe Bottom, once the second-largest slade-trading site in […]
It’s official: Cards close on purchase of Redbirds
As scheduled: the St. Louis Cardinals have closed on their purchase of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), with the city taking control of AutoZone Park. The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation is now out of the baseball game with the sale of both assets, and Fundamental Advisors LP, the Foundation’s sole bondholder, retired […]
Where have you gone, Stanley Coveleski?
Here’s the downside of naming-rights sales: Many references to Stanley Coveleski at Four Winds Field at Stanley Coveleski Stadium, home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Class A; Midwest League), are gone. Stanley Coveleski, of course, was the former major leaguer who retired to South Bend after a Hall of Fame career and was a […]
New for 2014: Budweiser Champions Club at Modern Woodmen Park
Nice naming-rights deal to announce: the large group suite at Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League), will be known as the Budweiser Champions Club. We honored this space as the Best Ballpark Improvement Under $1 Million in the 2013 Ballpark Digest Awards. The River Bandits took […]
Whte Sox, investors seek to buy Winston-Salem Dash
The Chicago White Sox and other outside investors are seeking to buy a majority share of the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League), subject to a new BB&T Ballpark lease. According to team president Geoff Lassiter, the White Sox — the Dash’s current parent — and other investors would buy into the team for […]
RailRiders unveil 2014 improvements
A year after opening a renovated PNC Field, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League) are unveiling more improvements for the 2014 season. “Standing pat is not an option for us,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “As an organization, we are always looking for ways we can provide an even better experience for our guests […]
Akron RubberDucks unveil new extreme concessions for 2014
The makeover of the Akron RubberDucks (Class AA; Eastern League) continues, with the addition of a unique pineapple bowl and surprisingly popular beer shakes. The new Extreme Menu entrée is: the Pineapple TeriyAKRON Bowl. Half a pineapple is hollowed out to create a bowl. It is then stuffed with a stir fry of grilled white-meat […]
Storm Chasers unveil 2014 upgrades to Werner Park
Last season was a great one for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), and the team is planning on more fan-experience enhancements for 2014. “Although Werner Park is still a relatively new facility, we have a commitment to never stay complacent and always think about each way we can make it the […]