A proposed Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark will be on the agenda for the City Council tomorrow night, though there will be no vote on the plan. Specifically, according to the city Website, the council will discuss: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Mandalay Baseball Properties, LLC (MBP) and the Atlanta […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Another milestone in Pensacola: let there be light
Another milestone in the construction of Blue Wahoos Park, new home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League): the ballpark lights were tested and are working properly. The new waterfront ballpark is slated to open April 5. Photo courtesy of the Blue Wahoos. RELATED STORIES: Pensacola Blue Wahoos unveil logo, look; Blue Wahoos […]
New for 2013: Regions Field
Regions Bank will keep its naming-rights deal with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), as the team’s new downtown ballpark will be known as Regions Field when it opens in 2013. The Barons had a naming-rights/branding deal with Regions Bank at their current home, Regions Park in suburban Hoover. That relationship will continue at […]
Looking back at 125 years of New Orleans baseball
It’s been 125 years since the first pro baseball game was played in New Orleans — and in that time some great players and managers have worn the uniforms of the Pelicans and Zephyrs. That first pro game was played in 1887 by the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that became a mainstay in the […]
Charlotte may help fund new Knights ballpark
With it increasingly apparent that private financing isn’t possible for a new Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are exploring public financing. Any public money would not cover the entire cost of constructing a new ballpark in Charlotte’s Uptown area; past cost estimate have come in at $56 million, but […]
Wilmington looks at development deal with Braves, Mandalay
The off-again, on-again Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark project is back on, as the city is reviewing a potential memorandum of understanding for a ballpark development with the Atlanta Braves and Mandalay Baseball Properties. The potential economic deal was announced at a press conference today. The proposal is for a 6,000-seat, $35-million to $40-million ballpark near the […]
New for 2012: Peoples Natural Gas Field
In a partnership could help spur economic development with the use of green energy, the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) sold naming rights to Blair County Ballpark to Peoples Natural Gas. Beginning today, the ballpark will be known as Peoples Natural Gas Field. Major signage on the exterior and interior of Peoples Natural Gas […]
Appalachian Power Park / West Virginia Power
Replacing venerable Watt Powell Park as the home of South Atlantic League baseball, Appalachian Power Park features a recessed playing field, a tiered picnic area and a large public plaza. Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 4,500 Suites: 14 Architects: HNTBConstruction: BBL Carlton Dimensions: 340L, 400C, 320R Playing Surface: Natural grass Website: wvpower.com Phone: 304/344-BATS (2287) Ticket […]
Silber: It looks like an I-66 location for new P-Nats ballpark
Environmental concerns at an alternate site is causing Prince William County officials to focus on an I-66 location as the site of a new Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark. It’s come down to two sites for a new ballpark, according to P-Nats owner Art Silber: a site along I-95 and another site […]
Blair County Ballpark naming rights sold
The Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) are selling naming rights to Blair County Ballpark for this season and beyond in a deal expected to be announced Tuesday. The sale is to Peoples Natural Gas, a local utility. As first reported in the Altoona Mirror, the deal will cover more than just naming rights, according […]
It’s official: Reno to host 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game
It’s official: the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will host the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game at Aces Ballpark. The special announcement was made by Reno Aces Managing Partner Stuart Katzoff, Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey, International League President Randy Mobley, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell and Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority President […]
Coming soon to a Florida ballpark near you: the homeless
Buried deep inside the Florida statutes, there’s a provision telling cities they must use state-funded sports facilities as homeless shelters on non-game nights. Since they don’t, two lawmakers want that state money back. Truth is, we searched the Florida statutes and couldn’t find reference to the obscure 1998 law, so we can’t comment directly on […]
Ottawa puts off ballpark decision
It matters less than what some Ottawans assume, but there’s been a month delay in deciding whether a Class AA Eastern League team will be playing at Ottawa Stadium in 2013 and beyond. The original plan was to decide this month on a bid for a Class AA Eastern League team to begin play at […]