The Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) announced several staff promotions and additions for the 2011 season. The promotions begin with Bordentown, N.J. native Ryan Crammer being elevated from Director of Stadium Operations to Vice President of Operations. Crammer, who is entering his 8th season with the Thunder oversees the daily operation of Waterfront Park […]
Archive | Minor-League Baseball
Moorad closes on Beavers sale, Tucson lease
Yesterday was a big day for Jeff Moorad and his purchase of the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): He closed on a purchase of the franchise and a lease for Tucson’s KinKo Stadium was finalized, clearing the way for the 2011 season. The new team, the Tucson Padres, will play at the former […]
Carolina League to expand in 2012? Probably not
Carolina League President John Hopkins says he wants to see his league expand by two teams for the 2012 season to accommodate a return of the circuit to Kinston — statements that will probably be well-received in that city as the K-Tribe embarks on a lame-duck season, but we’re not sure his sentiments are shared […]
New for 2011: Tucson Padres
Things certainly are being thrown together in Tucson for the 2011 season, as the former Portland Beavers will be playing as the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) at Kino Stadium after negotiations to place the team in Hi Corbett Field fell through. The name selection was made without the selection of the promised […]
JetHawks see green in green energy
The Lancaster JetHawks (High Class A; California League) are expected to save some green — to the tune of $48K — this coming season after the installation of solar panels on a ballpark carport will supply 98 percent of Clear Channel Stadium‘s electricity needs on a typical game night. The installation is part of a […]
Escondido approves Triple-A ballpark — with reservations
The Escondido (Cal.) City Council gave initial approval to city funding of a new $50-million Triple-A ballpark project, but warned that any final agreement would be subject to further negotiations over potential revenues from team concessions and naming rights. Meanwhile, Jeff Moorad will move forward with a purchase of the Portland Beavers franchise. Moorad got […]
Carolina to Pensacola, Kinston to Zebulon in 2012
The Carolina Mudcats (Class AA; Southern League) have been sold to Quint and Rishy Studer, and the franchise will be shifting to a new Pensacola ballpark for the 2012 season. Meanwhile, the Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) have been sold to the Mudcats owners and will be playing in Zebulon in 2012. “I […]
Funding plan emerges for Werner Park
Though Werner Park, the new home of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), is slated to open next April, Sarpy County is still finalizing a long-term financing plan for the ballpark — and it looks like a plan is in place. The plan involves tax-increment financing (or the Nebraska version of it, […]
Three architectural firms bid on PNC Field renovations
Three firms — Ewing Cole, L.R. Kimball and Populous — submitted bids to provide design services on the renovation of PNC Field, the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), slated to begin at the end of the 2011 season. All three have experience with minor-league ballparks, both on new construction and renovations. […]
Will we see a ballpark concert tour in 2011?
One reason why 2010 sucked on the financial front for so many baseball teams: there were no large-scale concert tours hitting minor-league ballparks, as the concert scene last year was weak. Will we see a big tour in 2011? In previous years the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews Band […]
Storm Chasers set to vacate Rosenblatt this week
It will mark the end of an era: the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are set to vacate historic Rosenblatt Stadium this week, but the ballpark will probably be left standing for several months before demolition begins. Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium has been home to baseball in Omaha since it opened, and the […]
Studer: We’re close to buying Double-A team for Pensacola
WINTER MEETINGS — Pensacola Pelicans (independent; American Association) owner Quint Studer says he’s on the verge of buying a Double-A Southern League team to play at his new waterfront ballpark in 2012, with an announcement expected in the next few weeks. Based on conversions we had at the Winter Meetings, the team in question is […]
Lexington ballpark naming rights on the market
Applebee’s Park is no more, as the local franchiser of the national chain will not be back as naming-rights sponsor for the home of the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League), as a ten-year agreement lapses. The ballpark opened in 2001. The team is currently on a search for a new naming-rights deal. Share […]