Fifth Third Field, home of the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League), is hosting outdoor hockey in 2014 in the form of a Toledo Walleye (ECHL) game. The negotiations to set up the game probably weren’t too grueling: the same nonprofit owns both the Walleye and the Mud Hens, with Joe Napoli heading both […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Jacksonville to host 2013 Southern League ASG
The Jacksonville Suns are hosting the 2013 Southern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 17 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The festivities begin with an awards luncheon for the 2013 All-Stars, followed by the 2013 Fan Fest located at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. After the Fan Fest, fans are invited to enjoy the […]
Aces owners: Refinance ballpark debt or we’ll move team
The owners of the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) say they want to refinance debt on Aces Ballpark before some big payments are due in 2014 — and are threatening to pull the team if Washoe County won’t cooperate. Some big names in the real-estate development world own the Aces and the privately […]
Jacksonville unveils Bragan Field
The city of Jacksonville made it official: the playing field at the Baseball Grounds will be known as Bragan Field, with temporary signs at the ballpark unveiled. The field is named for longtime Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League) owner Peter Bragan Sr. Bragan, who passed away on July 7 at the age of 89, […]
TinCaps’ success makes for happy taxpayers
The success of the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) means local taxpayers won’t need to kick in for contributions toward the long-term maintenance account at Parkview Field. The team’s lease calls for the city to pay $230,000 annually into the maintenance fund, but two sources of revenue can offset that contribution: naming-rights […]
Short-term Cashman Field lease approved; future of ballpark still in doubt
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority approved a four-year lease extension for Cashman Field, as the board was unwilling to tie up the home of the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) in a long-term deal. Stars Las Vegas LLC (the current owner of the 51s) and Summerlin Las Vegas Baseball Club […]
Arizona Fall League launches today
If you’re in the Phoenix area, this is the third part of the baseball season for fans, as the Arizona Fall League — featuring MLB’s elite prospects — opens its 20th anniversary season today. The slate today: Scottsdale Scorpions at Phoenix Desert Dogs (12:35 p.m.), Surprise Saguaros at Peoria Javelinas (12:35 p.m.) and Mesa Solar […]
El Paso ballpark foes file suit in federal court to shut down project
Opponents of a new downtown El Paso ballpark for a Class AAA franchise have filed suit in U.S. District Court and invoked the Voting Rights Act, saying the siting of the facility was racially motivated. We’re not so sure we see the logic of the lawsuit, but it makes some serious allegation against City Manager […]
Coca-Cola Field / Buffalo Bisons
In the late 1980s, Major League Baseball was of a high mind to expand, looking for potential cities to host brand-new franchises. Into this fray leapt the city of Buffalo…. FAST FACTS Opened: April 14, 1988 Capacity: 18,025 seating + 150 standing room Dimensions: 325L, 371LC, 404C, 367RC, 325R Surface: Kentucky Blue Grass Owner: City […]
Canal Park lease extension approved for new Aeros owner
Approvals are in place for Ken Babby to buy the Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League), and the city has agreed to a new Canal Park lease that will keep the team in town through 2037. The new lease doesn’t call for the city to put more money into the ballpark, said Mayor Don Plusquellic; rather, […]
Zephyr Field / New Orleans Zephyrs
What do the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers have in common? Each team’s nickname predates its current city. The Hornets came from Charlotte, the Jazz moved from New Orleans, and the Lakers once played in Minneapolis. So it is with the Zephyrs, originally the Denver Zephyrs, who moved to New […]
SWB Yankees invite fans out to sign ballpark beam
Nice offseason promo by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League): fans are being asked out to the PNC Field construction site to sign a beam to be placed in the ballpark. Fans will see the signatures once it’s put in place in the outfield picnic area. From the Times-Tribune: “This will be the first […]
Attempt to refinance Tulsa ballpark debt thwarted by foes
An attempt to refinances ONEOK Field debt has been blocked by opponents of the downtown assessment district paying down debt on the home of the Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League). It is a unique situation, one that requires a little backstory. When it came time to pay for ONEOK Field, city officials set up […]