Big changes in the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) front office this offseason, as John Cook leaves Minor League Baseball to join the staff as Director of Sales. Cook previouslt was Senior Vice President of Business Ops at St. Pete; previously he was general manager of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State […]
Archive | News
Omaha: Your center of the baseball universe come April
It’s a tale of two ballparks in Omaha, where two new facilities — TD Ameritrade Field and a new Sarpy County ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) — are slated to open next April. Here’s a report on the construction progress for each. In general, both are on schedule for an […]
How much financial information is enough for a ballclub to disclose?
Some in Winston-Salem want to see the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) disclose additional information about team finances as part of BB&T Ballpark financial oversight. But if the team is meeting the conditions of its lease, should that information made public? A lesson for all teams. The issue: when Winston-Salem taxpayers stepped in […]
Birmingham approves new downtown ballpark, but second vote needed
The Birmingham City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed downtown ballpark funded by a hike in hotel taxes, but because the vote was not unanimous, the measure must again be approved by the council next week. The plan calls for the city to raise the hotel tax rate by 3.5 percentage points, with the […]
New Birmingham ballpark could create $3.8 billion in economic activity: study
A new downtown Birmingham ballpark could generate $3.8 billion in direct and indirect spending, according to a study created by a research professional and local economics professor, presented to the Birmingham City Council yesterday. The study, created by Conventions Sports & Leisure and economist Keivan Deravi of Auburn University at Montgomery, concluded that the city […]
Shorebirds unveil 2011 All-Star Game logo
The Delmarva Shorebirds unveiled the logo for the 2011 South Atlantic League “Strike Out Hunger” All-Star Game as part of a press conference at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The All-Star Game will be played on June 21, 2011 at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. It marks the first professional all-star game on the […]
Escondido ballpark vote delayed after pollution found at site
A vote from Escondido (Cal.) officials to approve $50 million in spending for a new home for the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) has been delayed after city officials discovered pollution on the ballpark site. In addition, the city is still negotiating a lease with an ownership group led by San Diego Padres […]
Erie, Tigers officially extend PDC
The Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Detroit Tigers officially extended their player-development contract for two more years. “We are very pleased to make this announcement today,” said SeaWolves Team President/General Manager John Frey said. “The Tigers have been a big part of the success of the SeaWolves for the past seven seasons […]
Reds, Blaze make shotgun wedding official
As the last two standing at High Class A, the Cincinnati Reds and the Bakersfield Blaze (California League) were meant to be — but that didn’t stop them from issuing a celebratory press release anyway. Plus, the Blaze has a new general manager: Elizabeth Martin. The player-development contract runs for two years, through 2012. “The […]
In memoriam: Ben Mondor and Harold Cooper
Two giants in the Minor League Baseball world passed away: Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) owner Ben Mondor passed away last night, while former International League President Harold Cooper passed away this morning. Mondor and Cooper played important roles in Minor League Baseball, helping nurture the industry as it went through some terrible […]
Nine finalists unveiled for O-Royals name change
The nine finalists for the new — or perhaps simply updated — name and logo for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been unveiled, and fans have one last chance to vote for their favorite. The nine finalists are: Cattlemen, Commanders, Force, Hailstorm, Omahogs, Royals, Sodbusters, Storm Chasers and Windwalkers. Fans have […]
Dodgers sign affiliate deal with RC Quakes; Angels go with Inland Empire
As first reported here, the Los Angeles Dodgers have indeed signed a two-year affiliation deal with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High Class A; California League); the Dodgers also purchased a minority chunk of the team, we’re told. Meanwhile, the Quakes’ former parent, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, signed an affiliate deal with the Inland […]
Rendell: Clock is ticking on new SWB ballpark financing
The offer of $20 million in state money for a new Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) ballpark definitely has some deadlines attached, as Penn. Gov. Ed Rendell warns dueling Lackawanna and Luzerne counties they need to end their spat in the new few weeks. As we reported yesterday, Rendell is growing impatient with the […]