The first part of the Mandalay Baseball Properties selloff has been announced, with veteran baseball operator Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju buying the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League). Terms of the deal were not announced. A new corporation, Frisco RoughRiders LP, will include Greenberg, Sonju and local investors. Greenberg will be Chairman, CEO and […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Chihuahuas owners: We want El Paso MLS team
The owners of the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), MountainStar Sports Group, wants to expand their operations with the addition of a new MLS team. We have all the details at Soccer Stadium Digest, but the basic news is this: Alan Ledford and crew have already met with MLS officials, including commissioner […]
Biloxi’s name-the-team contest extended
With over 30,000 votes already on hand and more on the way, the name-the-team contest for Biloxi’s Class AA Southern League team, set to begin play in 2015, has been extended. The team is slated to begin play at MGM Park net season. The six finalists — as chosen by the fans during the name […]
Burlington Athletic Stadium due for upgrades
Burlington Athletic Stadium, home of the Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League), will see some upgrades this season and next. The ballpark is historic: it was originally built in Danville and then transformed piece by piece to Burlington, opening in 1960. It sat unused for many years while Miles Wolff worked to bring in pro baseball; […]
Beer returns to Bluefield’s Bowen Field
The Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League) are once again selling ballpark beer at Bowen Field, but some residents are unhappy with the decision. Beer is a major revenue source for any Minor League Baseball team, and the decision by the Blue Jays to stop selling it certainly impacted the bottom line. And, even in […]
Why are Rock Cats moving to Hartford? Follow the money
A potential rise in revenues to $8.1 million annually is a big reason why the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) are moving to a new downtown Hartford ballpark. A study from Brailsford & Dunlavey, submitted to the team and city in February, estimated that a move to the larger Hartford could boost […]
AquaSox, Mariners extend player-development contract
The Everett AquaSox (short season A; Northwest League) and the Seattle Mariners have extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. The agreement was finalized Friday morning. The AquaSox play their home games at Everett Memorial Stadium, located in Everett, Wash. Seattle and Everett are fewer than 30 miles apart. “We are pleased to […]
Shockoe Bottom businesses: Bring back ballpark plan
A group of Richmond Shockoe Bottom businesses are asking the city to reconsider a development plan that includes a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark. Their reasoning is simple: they see the plan as a way to bring development investment into Shockoe Bottom while at the same time moving forward a memorial […]
Smokies, Cubs extend PDC through 2018
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) and the Chicago Cubs will remain partners through 2018 as a result of a four-year extension to their player-development contract (PDC). “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of this partnership between the Cubs and Smokies,” said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer. “It is exciting to continue to work […]
NY-Penn League hits huge milestone: 75th anniversary
Friday is a big day: it’s the 75th anniversary of the NY-Penn League, which launched in the 1939 season. We’re so happy to be working with the league on a history project — and here’s the first installment. Pro baseball in 1939 was a thriving industry, with some 41 affiliated leagues ranging from Class AA […]
Pulaski Mariners owners to retire; new owners on the way
The three owners of the Pulaski Mariners (rookie; Appalachian League) are retiring, and a local ownership group wants to keep the team alive in coming years. “We have been committed to providing affordable, family friendly entertainment to the local community at a wonderful baseball facility that has its own history,” said Secretary/Treasurer Wayne Carpenter, one of […]
Staten Island ‘Staches on display Friday
As long as we’re on the subject of facial hair, the Staten Island Yankees (short season A; NY-Penn League) are holding a “Fake Mustache World Record Attempt Night” on the season opener Friday. The team will be going for an officially recognized world record, with an observer from the Guinness Book of World Records on […]
Potomac: Beard-A-Palooza set for Friday
Can’t wait to see the bearded nachos: The Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) are scheduling Beard-A-Palooza, complete with beard-related events all weekend. Throughout the entirety of the weekend series against the Winston-Salem Dash, the Nationals will offer a bevy of bearded food items. There will be bearded nachos, the beardfather and a mini […]