With city politicians still debating whether to help fund a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, the team has signed another major sponsor: Piedmont Natural Gas. The Charlotte-based firm is the first founding partner for a proposed uptown Charlotte ballpark. Mecklenburg County has already committed $8 million and a low-cost land lease for the […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Bobbletail surfaces in Clearwater
We’ve seen bobbleheads, bobblehands and bobblefeet given away at the ballpark. Now comes a bobbletail, courtesy of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State League). At their June 1 game the Threshers are giving away a bobbletail of Winter to the first 2,000 fans at Bright House Field, as part of a community effort […]
Construction begins on PNC Field renovations
Construction work on the renovation of PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) has begun, with workers prepping the site today. It’s been a whirlwind week for the SWB Yankees and Lackawanna County: in a short amount of time the sale of the SWB Yankees was closed by the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose […]
The race is on: NSS given marching orders in Wilmington
Wilmington (N.C.) officials today gave instructions to National Sports Services about what they expect in terms of a new-ballpark consulting report due in June. National Sports Services (NSS) will be representing the city on construction and funding of a new ballpark for the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class A; Carolina League), which will be owned […]
SWB Yankees sold
It’s official: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) franchise has been sold to Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees for $14.6 million. The sale was finalized this morning by the Lackawanna County Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority. The proceeds from the sale will immediately go toward the renovation of PNC Field, which could begin as […]
PNC Field renovation could begin Friday
Time is a-wastin’: the renovation of PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), could begin Friday if a sale of the team is approved today. Last night Lackawanna County commissioners and the Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority held a public hearing to go over the $14.6 million sale of the SWB Yankees to Mandalay […]
Details of SWB Yanks ballpark lease emerge
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) will cover cost overruns and contribute to future maintenance of PNC Field while paying higher rent, as details of a new lease becomes public. Lackwanna County and the Multi-Purpose Stadium Authority will be considering a proposed lease for a renovated PNC Field; Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York […]
Hagerstown citizens: Build downtown ballpark
In a departure from the norm, the vast majority of residents speaking at a city forum came out for spending public money on a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). When the public is invited to speak on something as controversial as government spending on a ballpark, you get […]
City funding for Knights ballpark: iffy
Despite a naming-rights deal and indications that financing is almost in place for a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, some councilmembers are questioning city funding. City staff has recommended $8.5 million be paid toward the $54 million ballpark project: $6 million from hotel/motel taxes and $2.5 million in property-tax rebates from the […]
Sale, ballpark issues for SWB Yankees settled
The long-awaited sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) and a 30-year lease for a renovated PNC Field could be wrapped up by Thursday. Officials with Lackawanna County say they’ve reached an agreement with Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees to sell the team for $14.6 million and commit the team […]
Knights sign BB&T for new-ballpark naming rights
The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) unveiled a naming-rights partner for a proposed new Uptown ballpark: BB&T Corp. Under the agreement, the ballpark will carry the BB&T name and include signage and other promotional opportunities, starting when the Knights are scheduled to begin play in April 2014. It would be the second Minor League Ballpark […]
Gwinnett County: No compromises on ballpark development
An effort to scale back promised development at Coolray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves (Class AAA; International League), is meeting with resistance from local residents and elected officials. Part of the rationale for the $64-million county investment in Coolray Field was the promise of associated development by the developer who sold the land to […]
Consultant: Downtown Hagerstown ballpark is viable project
Ripken Design says a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) is a viable project — piquing the interest of owner Bruce Quinn. Ripken Design, a consultant hired by the city to evaluate the merits of a new downtown project as well as any renovations of Municipal Stadium, laid out […]