It is an interesting new-ballpark bargaining strategy, to be sure: threaten to leave the market before serious negotiations begin. But that’s exactly what the press release sent out by the Orange County Flyers (independent; Golden Baseball League) lays out. The OC Flyers haven’t been the biggest of successes in the indy circuit, though the team […]
Tag Archives | new ballpark
P-Nats, Prince William County working on new ballpark plan
After making several runs at a new ballpark in several years, the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) is in discussions with Prince William County on yet another new ballpark plan. Let’s face it: Pfitzner Stadium is one of the worst facilities in minor-league baseball and needs replacing. And although Prince William County is […]
Birmingham City Council: We support ballpark tax, but we want team first
The Birmingham City Council today passed a resolution expressing support for a doubling of the city’s hotel tax rate to pay for a new downtown ballpark — but in the process added a crucial condition to the deal. The condition: that the hotel tax wouldn’t kick in and construction wouldn’t begin on the ballpark unless […]
New for 2012: The Loudoun Hounds
The name of the new independent Atlantic League team in Loudoun County, Virginia, has a name and a logo: The Loudoun Hounds. The team name and logo reflects the equestrian traditions intrinsic in the history of Loudoun County and the wider region. “Today, I am proud to unleash the Hounds,” announced Bob Farren, President and […]
After voter rebuke of public funding, Ramapo looks to private sector
After voters overwhelmingly spanked down proposed public funding of a new ballpark for an independent Can-Am Association team, the city is looking to the private sector for assistance. The referendum, which was rejected by a 2-1 margin, halted the city of Ramapo (N.Y.) from borrowing $16 million to build a new ballpark for the Ramapo […]
Escondido to begin ballpark process this week
The process for Escondido (Cal.) to finance and build a ballpark for the relocated Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) should begin this week when the City Council decides whether to spend money on engineering and environmental studies. The agenda item on Wednesday’s meeting calls for the City Council to “consider and approve a […]
Miami-Dade County to Marlins: We thought you were broke
Miami-Dade County Commissioners are a little peeved that the Florida Marlins presented their finances as being in dire straits while showing a $33-million profit in 2008-2009 and are asking the team to cover $50 million in borrowing expenses. We can predict what the reaction will be: No. The request was made by Commissioner Sally Heyman […]
Fate of Bevos in the air until November, maybe December
In a chicken-and-egg situation, San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad says he’s willing to buy the homeless Portland Beavers if Escondido builds a new ballpark — but nothing will happen on either front for months, leaving the rest of the Pacific Coast League in limbo. Escondido (Cal.) officials sound pretty confident they can put together […]
Birmingham OKs initial ballpark funding plan
A Birmingham City Council committee today gave preliminary approval to a plan presented by Mayor William Bell that would more than double the city’s hotel tax rate to partially pay for a new ballpark — and move a planned baseball museum away from historic Rickwood Field. The plan would hike the city’s hotel rate from […]
New turf goes down this week in Sarpy County
Another milestone in the construction of a new Sarpy County (Neb.) ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): the ballpark’s new turf will be laid down Wednesday, in an afternoon ceremony. The event will take place between 2 and 3; no, it’s not open to the public. The team’s new groundskeeper will […]
Birmingham to discuss downtown ballpark Monday
In a rapidly developing bit of business, the Birmingham City Council will hear a pitch to raise the city’s lodging tax to build a new ballpark in downtown Birmingham’s Railroad Park complex for the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) and possibly the SEC tournament. Though the idea of the Barons actually playing in Birmingham […]
Ripken Baseball continues pitches for new Augusta ballpark
In smaller cities, all politics are retail. That’s what Ripken Baseball is finding out as it drums up support for a new ballpark for the Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League): there’s a lot of effort involved in meeting folks face-to-face for a sales pitch. Ripken Baseball President Chris Flannery and Vice President Jeff […]
Study to determine potential funding sources for new Y-Bears ballpark
The city of Yakima (Wash.) will spend $75,000 on a study designed to ferret out potential sources of public funding for a new Yakima Bears (short season; Northwest League) ballpark on the city’s former Boise Casade mill. The cost of the new ballpark is projected at $23 million; the Bears ownership has already pledged $5 […]