Efforts to fund a proposed Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Midwest League) ballpark in Ocala are being suspended at the request of parent New York Yankees, with Marion County concurring in the matter. No details have been released about the request from the Yankees; presumably some will be released at Monday’s noon meeting. From Ocala.com: […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Second small fire put out at Fifth Third Ballpark this morning
A second small fire that was rekindled after a major blaze at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), was put out by fire crews today. The small fire, which was started by smouldering remains, was put out around 8 a.m. this morning. One additional casualty of the […]
Baxter: We’ll rebuild Fifth Third Ballpark in time for season opener
After the suite level down the first-base line at Fifth Third Ballpark burned down midday, West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) CFO Denny Baxter vows to rebuild the ballpark before the start of the season. “We’re going to be playing baseball again come (April 8) this year,” Baxter said at a press conference […]
Fire breaks out at Fifth Third Ballpark UPDATED!
Firefighters are combating a fire at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), after a blaze started in the team office and spread to the suites. Firefighters originally started fighting the fire inside the ballpark around 11 a.m., but moved their efforts outside after the fire spread beyond […]
Alternative plan pitched for Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom: No new ballpark
A group opposing a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark have proposed an alternate plan for Shockoe Bottom: no new ballpark, large slave-trade memorial. The three-page proposal from a group of activists and historians led by Phil Wilayto calls for the same level of development in the area — hotel, office space, […]
Initial cost estimates for new Sounds ballpark come in high
It’s still early in the process, so the news that initial cost estimates for a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark are over budget can be addressed, according to officials with Mayor Karl Dean’s office. We have no final design for the new ballpark, so the cost estimates will change over time. […]
This year should determine fate of Sand Gnats
After five years of working on a new-ballpark strategy, it appears 2014 will be a make-or-break year for the future of the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A; Sally League) in the city. Jason Freier of Hardball Capital, owner of the Sand Gnats, has been approaching city leaders for years now, lobbying for a new […]
Time Warner opts out of T-Rattlers naming-right deal
Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium, home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low Class A; Midwest League), will have a new name after Time Warner opted out of its naming-rights deal. The ten-year naming-rights deal with Time Warner allowed the cable firm to opt out of the agreement earlier, and Time Warner chose […]
Bringing outdoor hockey to Rochester’s Frontier Field
It sounds like a blast: Frontier Field, home of the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League), is in the midst of the Frozen Frontier, with an ice rink featuring minor-league, college and high-school hockey. We’ve seen several minor- and major-league teams utilize winter down time with ice-rink installations, and we’re always a little surprised […]
Rochester Red Wings turn profit in 2013
The Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) turned a profit in 2013 — albeit a small one — despite a rainy spring and covering losses incurred by the Batavia Muckdogs (short season A; NY-Penn League). The profit may have been small — just $3,000 — but it comes in the face of $173,000 lost […]
San Jose, Giants extend Municipal Stadium lease
Once a punching bag for San Jose politicians frustrated by MLB, the lease of Municipal Stadium to the San Jose Giants (High Class A; California League) has been extended to 2018 in harmonious fashion. The deal gives the San Jose Giants to sell ballpark naming rights and continue to pursue on-site development options to fund […]
Nats, Chiefs to extend PDC for four years
Reports have the Washington Nationals and the Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) extending their player-development contract for four more years. The Washington Post is reporting the extension. It’s not a surprise: For an eastern team like the Nationals, being in the International League is a must in terms of logistics: You can drive from […]
Chihuahuas ink radio deal; Hagerty returns as voice of team
The El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) signed a three-year radio deal with Townsquare Media to broadcast all games on ESPN 600 AM, with Tim Hagerty signed on as voice of the team. The deal was announced today by GM Brad Taylor. “We are thrilled to be part of the Townsquare Media and […]