The name of the new Class AAA Pacific Coast League team beginning play in 2014: the El Paso Chihuahuas. “First and foremost, we want to appeal to kids and families, our core audience,” said Alan Ledford, president of MountainStar Sports Group. “We want to celebrate the region, create fan experience opportunities and build a brand […]
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Pirates enter new affiliation with Bristol
You can expect a new team name and branding, as the Bristol Sox (rookie; Appalachian League) entered into a new player-development contract (PDC) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bristol joins the organization’s system as a ninth MiLB affiliate for the 2014 season. It becomes the Bucs’ second rookie-level team, with the Gulf Coast Pirates. The agreement […]
Progress report on new Charlotte ballpark
Work continues on BB&T Ballpark, set to open next season as the new home of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), with the field and seating in the midst of installation. The photo above shows the construction of the infield, with red clay added to the pitcher’s mound and basepaths. The photo below shows […]
Hot Rods invite Rally Bear to Bowling Green
Sounds like a great time: the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) have invited the Rally Bear, banned from Dodger Stadium, to the 2014 season opener. Makes sense: the Hot Rods mascot is Axle the Bear, so we’re looking at a little early-season bear love here. As you’ll recall, A self-appointed bear […]
Ovations lands new El Paso ballpark concessions deal
Ovations Food Services has landed the concessions contract at the new downtown El Paso ballpark scheduled to house a Triple-A team next season. “Ovations is one of the largest, most-respected food service companies in the country, and we are proud to have them as our food and beverage partner at El Paso’s ballpark,” said Alan […]
Developers already anticipating Sulphur Dell ballpark site
The sale of properties in the nearby Germantown neighborhood indicates a belief that a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark will bridge the gap between there and downtown, driving economic development. The city has already floated a plan to build a new ballpark for the Sounds at the Sulphur Dell site, the […]
Cal League: Blaze out of Bakersfield
With Sam Lynn Ballpark not meeting professional baseball standards for a venue, Cal League President Charlie Blaney says the search is on for a new home for the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League). For the past several years keeping the Blaze at Sam Lynn Ballpark was contingent on a new ballpark in Bakersfield. […]
Elmore buys back Bakersfield Blaze
As expected, D.G. Elmore exercised his option to buy back the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League) from Gene Voiland and Chad Hathaway, though the future of the team is still up in the air. Elmore, owner of the Elmore Sports Group, sold the franchise to Voiland and Hathaway in March 2012, and the pair […]
Opposition to Shockoe Bottom ballpark intensifies
The very idea of a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark in the city’s Shockoe Bottom district is causing protests today because of the site’s past as a slave-trading area. The coalition of activists and academics oppose putting a ballpark in an area that was once the second-most-busy area for slave trading […]
Sister: Simones mistreated by Chiefs
With Tex and John Simone out of the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) daily operations, family member Wendy Shoen speaks out about how they were treated by franchise leaders. Shoen, daughter of Tex and brother of John, has spent a lifetime in baseball along with her family, most recently as team merchandise manager. While […]
New Knights ballpark to feature widest videoboard in MiLB
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) unveiled some more BB&T Ballpark news today: the ballpark will feature the widest videoboard in Minor League Baseball. Opening Day at BB&T Ballpark is set for Friday, April 11, 2014. The BB&T Ballpark video project will feature a 30-by-82 foot HD videoboard consisting of nearly three million LED […]
Biloxi approves new-ballpark funding; team set to play in 2015
The Biloxi City Council today moved forward with a bonding plan for a new $36-million ballpark, paving the way for Ken Young to move a Class AA Southern League team there in 2015. The $36-million financing plan for the 6,000-seat ballpark is pretty simple: the city will use $15 million from a state grant stemming […]
New Bakersfield ballpark plans collapse
Financing for a proposed new ballpark for the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League) fell through, leading team owners to call a halt to development efforts. The plan called for the Blaze owners, Gene Voiland and Chad Hathaway, to work with a developer on Bakersfield Commons, a 255-acre retail, office and residential project at […]