The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) snared the 2011 John H. Johnson President’s Award, while the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) won this year’s Larry MacPhail Award, as MiLB unveiled yearly honors. The Smokies and Storm will receive their major awards at the Baseball Winter Meetings Annual Banquet on Thursday, December […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Moorad to Escondido: We need quick deal on ballpark
Because he may conditionally sell the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), owner Jeff Moorad is demanding a commitment from Escondido to build a $50M ballpark — with no funding assured. As you’ll recall, the city backed away from the idea of public financing of a new ballpark for Moorad, also the owner of […]
Tigers, Mud Hens extend PDC through 2016
The Detroit Tigers and Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) are extending their marriage another two years, to 2016, with a PDC extension. No surprise: the two have had a great relationship since 1987. “General Manager Dave Dombrowski, Assistant General Manager Al Avila, Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta and the rest of […]
Fat Cats: We’d love to share Ottawa Stadium with AA team
The owners of the Ottawa Fat Cats say they’re willing to share Ottawa Stadium with a Class AA Eastern League team, as Ottawa decides to put a lease up to bid. The Fat Cats play in the semi-pro Intercounty Baseball League and had some success at the box office, especially this past season, so the […]
Group seeks Ottawa Stadium lease for 2013 and beyond
Eastern League baseball could come to Ottawa as soon as 2013 if a lease can be worked out — and $3.9 million in improvements made — for Ottawa Stadium. Beacon Sports Capital Partners recently asked Ottawa city officials about a ballpark lease for a Minor League Baseball team. Though city officials won’t identify the team […]
It’s a dog’s life again at Greensboro ballpark
Nice ending to a bad situation: After the statue of Miss Babe Ruth at NewBridge Bank Park was stolen and vandalized, the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) went ahead with a replacement — and added Master Yogi Berra to the mix. Anyone attending a Grasshoppers game knows what an important role these dogs, […]
In memoriam: Dan Burke
Dan Burke, who bought the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA; Southern League) after retiring as president and CEO of ABC/Capital Cities, has passed away. He was 82. The cause of death, which occurred this morning, was complications from diabetes. Burke bought the franchise in 1992 and installed […]
IronPigs to install Tiki Bar, unique seating for 2012
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) are planning major changes to the left-field area of Coca-Cola Park, including a new Tiki Terrace and covered Oasis seating area. The Red Robin Tiki Terrace, a brand-new hospitality area highlighted by a unique seating overhang in left field, along with the Red Robin Oasis, featuring covered […]
DiBella to Richmond: Commit to new ballpark, or we move
Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella says it’s time for the city to commit to a new ballpark; otherwise, he’ll look to move the team. UPDATED! In fact, he’s even brought up the possibility of a move with MiLB President Pat O’Conner, though he’s come short of actually seeking permission to […]
Weber stepping down as C-Tigers GM
Andrew Weber, who oversaw the move of the Connecticut Tigers (short season A; NY-Penn League) from Oneonta to Norwich, is stepping down as the team’s GM. Current vice president of operations, C.J. Knudsen, will replace Weber as vice president and general manager. Eric Knighton will be promoted to vice president and assistant general manager. “Andrew […]
P-Nats expand ballpark search area
The search for a new Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark is expanding to Loudoun County and Fairfax County, as owner Art Silber seeks a site on either I-95 or I-66. That’s not to say the ballpark won’t be in Prince William County, where Pfitzner Stadium, the team’s current home, is located and […]
State turns down Reno ballpark tax appeal
Because the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have a year-round lease on Aces Ballpark, owners can’t seek a property-tax reduction based on partial ballpark usage, according to a state panel. The Aces ownership had sought a reduction in property values using a unique argument: because the ballpark is being used only part of […]
Catching up with Don Klein, former Voice of the Seals
Here’s your hunk of nostalgia for today: an interview with Don Klein, a play-by-play re-creator and the last voice of the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League). Klein re-created games in a Hawaii studio before landing the Seals gig in 1949, calling games at Seals Stadium until the team folded in 1957 upon the arrival […]