This year's Rickwood Classic is now in the books, as the 100th anniversary of the opening of Rickwood Field is commemorated by a Birmingham Barons game. Page 3: Rickwood Field history, conclusions. HISTORY Rickwood Field opened on August 18, 1910, as the home of the original Birmingham Barons Team owner Rick Woodward wanted an opulent […]
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The Rickwood Classic and baseball in America
Carrying the weight of 100 years of baseball history — never mind the 100 years of social and civil-rights history as well — is an awfully heavy load for any ballpark. But Birmingham’s Rickwood Field was equal to the task during the 15th annual Rickwood Classic Wednesday, as fans celebrated the upcoming 100th anniversary of […]
New Hagerstown owners unveiled
We've discovered the buyers of the Hagerstown Suns, as well as their intentions on the future of the Sally League franchise. Meanwhile, other affiliated teams are hitting the market. Though it's not been officially announced, we've been told who is buying the Hagerstown Suns from Mandalay Baseball: Bruce Quinn, the COO and GM of Polo […]
Ballpark Visit: Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons
We visit Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons. This is a big, big place lacking many of the amenities found in more modern ballparks. But it's also a very busy place — over 400,000 fans attend Barons games and the SEC baseball tourney — and one gets the sense it's built more to […]
Ballpark Visit: Regions Park / Birmingham Barons / 2
We visit Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons. Page 2: Cruising the Ballpark. CRUISING THE BALLPARK As noted, the ballpark was built when Birmingham had allusions of securing a Triple-A team, so it's big. It seats over 10,000, but a crowd of over 13,000 was accommodated for the recent SEC Baseball Tournament championship […]
Regions Park / Birmingham Barons
Regions Park is a big ballpark. Really big. Built to Triple-A specs at a time when Triple-A specs actually meant something, Regions Park is the very huge home of the Birmingham Barons. Too big, really, for the Barons. (But not too big for the SEC Baseball Tournament, which ended last week drawing 9,957 fans a […]
Mandalay buying Oklahoma City, selling Hagerstown
The minor-league giant is reportedly making some changes in its portfolio, returning to the Pacific Coast League via the Oklahoma City RedHawks, a transaction partially funded by an inpending sale of the Sally League Suns. Mandalay Sports Entertainment is in the process of buying the Oklahoma City Redhawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and is […]
Wilmington working on plan to being back affiliated ball
City officials, a team owner and a developer in Wilmington, N.C. are working on a plan to bring affiliated pro back to the city in a new ballpark. The biggest issue: Finding funding for the project. Officials, a team owner and a developer in Wilmington, N.C. are working on a plan to bring affiliated pro […]
Bisons announce plans for high-end suite at Coca-Cola Field
Designed for year-round access, the new suite will feature telephone and video conferencing capabilities, four 52-inch flat screen media monitors, a private bar area with stools, a walk-in coat room, a private restroom and several lower-round cocktail tables.The Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League), in partnership with SLR Contracting & Service Company, announced plans for […]
Naturals set attendance record during recent homestand
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals set a homestand attendance record.With a crowd of 4,368 on hand for Monday night’s game against the Arkansas Travelers, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League) set an all-time attendance record for an eight-game homestand with 45,778 turning out between Monday, May 17 and Monday, May 24, for the club's […]
Threshers set to honor millionth fan tonight
The Clearwater Threshers will welcome the one-millionth fan in team history to Bright House Field tonight. The Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State League) will welcome the one-millionth fan in team history to Bright House Field tonight. One lucky fan will win over $10,000 in cash and prizes upon entering the gates at Bright […]
Ballpark Visit: Alliant Energy Field, the home of the Clinton LumberKings
It doesn't get any more classic than Alliant Energy Field, the home of the Clinton LumberKings: Dating back to 1937, the WPA-funded ballpark combines a virtually unchanged grandstand with an inspired renovation that added things like party decks and modern office facilities to the mix. For anyone wanting a great ballpark experience, a pilgrimage to […]
Ballpark Visit: Alliant Energy Field / Clinton LumberKings / 3
We visit Alliant Enery Field, home of the Clinton LumberKings. Page 3: Summary, Concessions, For the KidsSUMMARY There are very few ballpark renovations carried out as successfully as the overhaul of Alliant Energy Field in 2005-2006: the essential nature of the WPA-era ballpark remains intact, while the LumberKings are better able to serve fans today […]