Peter O’Malley, who last week announced his intention to bid on the Los Angeles Dodgers, is back in baseball — in Vero Beach, as an investor in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. Peter is the 73-year-old son of Dodgers scion Walter O’Malley, who moved the team from Brooklyn to California and […]
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Five bidders emerge for Alliance Bank Stadium management gig
Five management firms/ballpark operators have responded to a request from Onondaga County for bids from venue managers to operate Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League). The county sent letters in September to venue managers soliciting proposals to “manage, operate and market any or all of” the ballpark, the Onondaga […]
Changes in the broadcast booth: Provus to Twins, Lezotte leaves Clinton
Two notable moves in broadcast booths to share today: Cory Provus is the new voice of the Minnesota Twins, while Dave Lezotte steps aside as the voice of the Clinton LumberKings (Low Class A; Midwest League). Provus, 33, comes off a three-year stint as the second voice in the Milwaukee Brewers broadcast booth, sharing play-by-play […]
Moorad to Escondido: We need quick deal on ballpark
Because he may conditionally sell the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), owner Jeff Moorad is demanding a commitment from Escondido to build a $50M ballpark — with no funding assured. As you’ll recall, the city backed away from the idea of public financing of a new ballpark for Moorad, also the owner of […]
Fat Cats: We’d love to share Ottawa Stadium with AA team
The owners of the Ottawa Fat Cats say they’re willing to share Ottawa Stadium with a Class AA Eastern League team, as Ottawa decides to put a lease up to bid. The Fat Cats play in the semi-pro Intercounty Baseball League and had some success at the box office, especially this past season, so the […]
Group seeks Ottawa Stadium lease for 2013 and beyond
Eastern League baseball could come to Ottawa as soon as 2013 if a lease can be worked out — and $3.9 million in improvements made — for Ottawa Stadium. Beacon Sports Capital Partners recently asked Ottawa city officials about a ballpark lease for a Minor League Baseball team. Though city officials won’t identify the team […]
It’s a dog’s life again at Greensboro ballpark
Nice ending to a bad situation: After the statue of Miss Babe Ruth at NewBridge Bank Park was stolen and vandalized, the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) went ahead with a replacement — and added Master Yogi Berra to the mix. Anyone attending a Grasshoppers game knows what an important role these dogs, […]
IronPigs to install Tiki Bar, unique seating for 2012
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) are planning major changes to the left-field area of Coca-Cola Park, including a new Tiki Terrace and covered Oasis seating area. The Red Robin Tiki Terrace, a brand-new hospitality area highlighted by a unique seating overhang in left field, along with the Red Robin Oasis, featuring covered […]
DiBella to Richmond: Commit to new ballpark, or we move
Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella says it’s time for the city to commit to a new ballpark; otherwise, he’ll look to move the team. UPDATED! In fact, he’s even brought up the possibility of a move with MiLB President Pat O’Conner, though he’s come short of actually seeking permission to […]
P-Nats expand ballpark search area
The search for a new Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark is expanding to Loudoun County and Fairfax County, as owner Art Silber seeks a site on either I-95 or I-66. That’s not to say the ballpark won’t be in Prince William County, where Pfitzner Stadium, the team’s current home, is located and […]
State turns down Reno ballpark tax appeal
Because the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have a year-round lease on Aces Ballpark, owners can’t seek a property-tax reduction based on partial ballpark usage, according to a state panel. The Aces ownership had sought a reduction in property values using a unique argument: because the ballpark is being used only part of […]
Catching up with Don Klein, former Voice of the Seals
Here’s your hunk of nostalgia for today: an interview with Don Klein, a play-by-play re-creator and the last voice of the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League). Klein re-created games in a Hawaii studio before landing the Seals gig in 1949, calling games at Seals Stadium until the team folded in 1957 upon the arrival […]
Rox dissatisfied with Sox?
In announcing the team would buy a new humidor for Security Service Field, Colorado Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd expressed frustration with the playing conditions in Colorado Springs. Could a new affiliation come down the road? There’s no doubt the conditions are a little rough at the home of the Colorado Spring Sky Sox (Class AAA; […]