A bad season for the Los Angeles Dodgers gets worse, as a significant drop in attendance could end up costing the team some $27 million in decreased game-day revenues — or even more. The Dodgers have experienced a significant drop in attendance this season to 36,706 a game, some 16 percent this season versus the […]
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Barons ballpark plan moves forward, adds Negro Leagues museum to mix
Birmingham Mayor William Bell wants to put the framework of a proposed Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark to a vote tomorrow — something unlikely to happen — and has restored a Negro Leagues museum to the project. The ballpark plan has moved forward by fits and starts since first proposed by Bell; ironically, […]
Storm Chasers prep for 12-millionth fan
The Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will hit a nice milestone this weekend, when the 12-millionth fan in franchise history will cross the turnstiles at Werner Park during the upcoming series. Through Wednesday, August 3, a total of 11,992,304 fans have attended 2,785 games since 1969 – just 7,696 fans shy of […]
Conditions are ripe for Cal-Carolina switch
A move of two teams from the California League to the Carolina League, once given up for dead, is surprisingly viable, as there may be an alignment of teams and markets — and the specifics will surprise you. First off: we’ve seen two viable markets emerge in the Carolina League footprint, along with viable owners. […]
MilB Charities to distribute $60K for disaster-relief efforts
Nice work: Minor League Baseball Charities will present $20,000 checks this month to organizations designated by the Huntsville Stars, Birmingham Barons and Memphis Redbirds to assist these three communities in their recovery efforts from the devastating natural disasters that struck them this spring. “I would like to thank our clubs and leagues who responded to […]
Missoula buying Osprey ballpark for $2 million
Play Ball Missoula is running out of money, so the Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at a pretty deep discount — $2 million — and turning over management of the downtown ballpark to the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League). Play Ball spent years getting the ballpark built, fighting financial issues to raise construction […]
Pfitzner Stadium field to be upgraded
A month after the Washingon Nationals promoted phenom Bryce Harper right past aging Pfitzner Stadium, Prince William County officials authorized $150,000 on field improvements — but it’s crystal-clear the solution for the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) is either a new ballpark or a move. The poor playing conditions at Pfitzner Stadium are […]
New Portland-area ballpark could provide economic bump: study
A new ballpark in Clark County for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) could generate $206.5 million over a 20-year lease, according to a study commissioned by the Columbia River Economic Development Council. The study indicates the Bears would generate $4.6 million annually from the Bears via ballgames and other events, $4 […]
Birmingham: We’re close to finalizing Barons ballpark plans
With 80 percent of the land needed for a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark already acquired, the city of Birmingham says it’s on the verge of moving ahead with a new downtown facility. The site, across from Railroad Park, will feature a new $50-million ballpark with 8,500 seats, 26 suites (20 sold […]
New Richmond ballpark by 2014?
Though there’s been little public discussion, progress is being made in talks between the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority over a new ballpark next to The Diamond in the city’s Boulevard district. The area has been the center of baseball in Richmond for decades; Parker Field sat at […]
Suns-GreenJackets game scrapped after light falls on field
Tonight’s Hagerstown Suns-Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) was cancelled after a light stanchion fell on the field of play when heavy rains and winds whipped through Municipal Stadium. It’s caused the Suns front office to improvise. Down a light, the team will play tomorrow’s game against the Greenville Drive at 3:05 p.m. instead […]
Orange County rejects Yankees farm-team ballpark
Saying she had doubts about promises a relocated Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) would draw 3,500 fans a game, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs rejected a plan to use county land for a proposed ballpark. Armando Gutierrez Jr. and Orlando Baseball Ventures had proposed a $47-million ballpark, Yankees museum on 12 acres […]
Omaha’s Mendoza loses no-hitter two days later
Luis Mendoza, whose no-hitter for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) was an on-again, off-again thing is now off-again after the PCL office ruled Tyler Greene indeed doubled and did not reach base on an error. The request for league review came from the opposing Memphis Redbirds. On Monday night Mendoza went […]