The sale of the Bakersfield Blaze (High Class A; California League) is in final stages of MLB approval — which means speculation about the team’s next phase, a new ballpark, is close to beginning. It’s an open secret in MiLB circles that the sale of the team included plans for a new privately financed ballpark, […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Knights: We’ve met big condition for new ballpark
Management of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) say they’ve scored two significant, long-term sponsorship agreements — agreements that were a condition of their new-ballpark deal with Mecklenburg County. Providing such proof by March 31, 2012 was a condition required to maintain the validity of the Knights’ lease agreement with the county. The Knights […]
New for 2012: CMC–NorthEast Stadium
The home of the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) has a new name, as the team sold naming rights to Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast. The former Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium will be known as CMC–NorthEast Stadium when the Intimidators’ season starts Thursday, April 5. “Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast has had a long and distinguished history of […]
OKC RedHawks, Gameday enter merchandising deal
The Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) engaged Gameday Merchandising to oversee the team’s merchandising operations under the terms of a multi-year agreement. The Colorado-based company will mainly focus on merchandise operations at RedHawks Field at Bricktown, but both parties will also work together on additional revenue and branding opportunities. “Gameday Merchandising has […]
Zipping into McCormick Field
It’s a notable promo for 2012: a fan will deliver the game ball at Asheville Tourists (Low Class A; Sally League) games after storming the field via zipline — sponsored, of course. Not the first zipline in baseball — mascot Maynard G. Mallard daily enters the playing field at Warner Park for Madison Mallards (summer […]
SWB Yankees sale, PNC Field renovations still pending
Deadlines are slipping for Lackawanna County to sell the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) and use the proceeds to renovate the team’s home, PNC Field. The original plan was to sell the team to a New York Yankees/Mandalay Baseball Properties partnership for $14.6 million, then turn around and use that money as part of […]
This year’s big summer concert: Wilco and Andrew Bird
We’ve been bemoaning the lack of any big summer concerts at minor-league ballparks, but we have a good one to report: Wilco and Andrew Bird at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Playing the home of the Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) makes sense for the Chicago-based Wilco, which has been on continuous tour […]
BayBears, D-Backs extend PDC
The Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years, through the 2014 season. “The D-backs are elated to be affiliated with the Mobile BayBears organization and the Mobile community for an additional two years,” said Diamondbacks Director of Player Development Mike Bell. “Bill Shanahan […]
Developers lining up to take advantage of new Barons ballpark
It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]
New Rock Cats ownership group unveiled
The new ownership of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) was formally introduced today: a group led by real-estate investor Josh Solomon and his siblings, Jim Solomon and Jennifer Goorno. You may recognize the Solomon name: father Art Solomon is the lead investor in DSF Sports, which own the New Hampshire Fisher […]
Flying Squirrels present new-ballpark prototype
During a public discussion of the future of baseball in the city, the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) unveiled their concept for a new ballpark to be built next to The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels are pitching a 6,000-seat ballpark with room for 3,000 more on plenty of berm seating (something totally missing […]
Reese returns with another anti-Knights lawsuit
Jerry Reese, who single-handedly delayed an Uptown ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) with five tossed lawsuits, is back with yet another lawsuit. Reese, a local attorney who opposed a new Knights ballpark because he thinks Major League Baseball should instead set up shop in Charlotte, alleges in the new lawsuit that […]
New Intimidators lease: $1, plus ballpark maintenance
The Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) are set to sign a new lease for Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium for $1 per year, with the team picking up maintenance costs. The five-year lease calls for the city to pick up maintenance costs for the first three years, shifting to Smith Family Baseball for the final […]