Interesting news out of Sin City: Tony Hsieh and/or the Howard Hughes Corporation are in talks to buy the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). It’s no secret Stevens Baseball has the team on the block: a deal to sell the franchise to Chris Milam died last year after the developer walked away […]
Archive | News
New for 2012: Newcastle Field at Bricktown
We have a new name for the home of the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): Newcastle Field at Bricktown, as naming rights were sold to Newcastle Casino, owned by the Chickasaw Nation. Oklahoma City RedHawks President and General Manager Michael Byrnes and Newcastle Casino executives unveiled the new ballpark logo and a […]
Is Bakersfield on cusp of new ballpark?
The sale of the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League) is in final stages of MLB approval — which means speculation about the team’s next phase, a new ballpark, is close to beginning. It’s an open secret in MiLB circles that the sale of the team included plans for a new privately financed ballpark, […]
New for 2012: CMC–NorthEast Stadium
The home of the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) has a new name, as the team sold naming rights to Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast. The former Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium will be known as CMC–NorthEast Stadium when the Intimidators’ season starts Thursday, April 5. “Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast has had a long and distinguished history of […]
OKC RedHawks, Gameday enter merchandising deal
The Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) engaged Gameday Merchandising to oversee the team’s merchandising operations under the terms of a multi-year agreement. The Colorado-based company will mainly focus on merchandise operations at RedHawks Field at Bricktown, but both parties will also work together on additional revenue and branding opportunities. “Gameday Merchandising has […]
Zipping into McCormick Field
It’s a notable promo for 2012: a fan will deliver the game ball at Asheville Tourists (Low Class A; Sally League) games after storming the field via zipline — sponsored, of course. Not the first zipline in baseball — mascot Maynard G. Mallard daily enters the playing field at Warner Park for Madison Mallards (summer […]
SWB Yankees sale, PNC Field renovations still pending
Deadlines are slipping for Lackawanna County to sell the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) and use the proceeds to renovate the team’s home, PNC Field. The original plan was to sell the team to a New York Yankees/Mandalay Baseball Properties partnership for $14.6 million, then turn around and use that money as part of […]
This year’s big summer concert: Wilco and Andrew Bird
We’ve been bemoaning the lack of any big summer concerts at minor-league ballparks, but we have a good one to report: Wilco and Andrew Bird at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Playing the home of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) makes sense for the Chicago-based Wilco, which has been on continuous tour […]
BayBears, D-Backs extend PDC
The Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years, through the 2014 season. “The D-backs are elated to be affiliated with the Mobile BayBears organization and the Mobile community for an additional two years,” said Diamondbacks Director of Player Development Mike Bell. “Bill Shanahan […]
Developers lining up to take advantage of new Barons ballpark
It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]
New Rock Cats ownership group unveiled
The new ownership of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) was formally introduced today: a group led by real-estate investor Josh Solomon and his siblings, Jim Solomon and Jennifer Goorno. You may recognize the Solomon name: father Art Solomon is the lead investor in DSF Sports, which own the New Hampshire Fisher […]
Flying Squirrels present new-ballpark prototype
During a public discussion of the future of baseball in the city, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) unveiled their concept for a new ballpark to be built next to The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels are pitching a 6,000-seat ballpark with room for 3,000 more on plenty of berm seating (something totally missing […]
New Intimidators lease: $1, plus ballpark maintenance
The Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) are set to sign a new lease for Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium for $1 per year, with the team picking up maintenance costs. The five-year lease calls for the city to pick up maintenance costs for the first three years, shifting to Smith Family Baseball for the final […]