We hinted at this a few weeks ago: Rob Crain, current AGM of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), is the new president/GM of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League). Here’s where we laid the hint about Rob; we’re guessing his high-energy approach will go over well as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre fans prepare for […]
Tag Archives | omaha storm chasers
The Week That Was: June 24
New-ballpark renderings, new affiliation deals and new life for old ballparks. The most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Life on the bottom indy league: $50 a week ASU-Cubs spat may have unexpected beneficiary: new life for Phoenix Muni West Virginia ballpark renderings released Boulders, we hardly […]
Royals, Storm Chasers extend affiliation
As part of the sale of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), the team announced an extension of its player-development deal with the Kansas City Royals. The two teams now have a player-development contract running through 2016. “Omaha has an outstanding new facility and a great management team in place,” said Scott […]
Buffett, Shea selling Storm Chasers
Bill Shea, Warren Buffett and Walter Scott are selling the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) to a group that includes Gary Green and Alan Stein, the team’s former president. Sources close to the situation shared details of the sale with Ballpark Digest, which we first reported 10 days ago. The sale closed […]
The Week That Was: June 10
The return of affiliated ball to Portland, affiliation issues, Dodger Stadium and the launch of the summer-collegiate season were among the most popular stories on Ballpark Digest last week, as measured by page views. By the way, Ballpark Digest hit a milestone yesterday: the 5,000th article in site history was posted. Spikes: We’re ready to […]
Omaha Storm Chasers on verge of sale
It’s an open secret the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been on the market, but it now appears a sale of the team is imminent. The purchasers, which includes an investment banker already with an ownership stake in a short-season A team, is in the final round of negotiations to buy […]
MiLB national merchandising program generated $52M in 2011
Minor League Baseball last year generated $52.2 million in sales of licensed merchandise, the third largest since the national merchandising program began in 1991, representing a 2.2 percent increase compared to 2010. “Minor League Baseball merchandise continues to remain extremely popular with our millions of fans, thanks to the efforts of our clubs and licensees,” […]
T-Pods, Curve go bottoms-up with new beer system
The Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) are the latest teams to implement the flashy Bottoms Up beer system and promote its use — surprise! — on Thirsty Thursday. We’ve written about this unique beer dispenser before, when we first learned about it and then during […]
Big Ten tourney up for grabs
The Big Ten baseball tournament is up after this year’s tourney in Columbus, with several ballpark operators already submitting bids — including two in Omaha. The tournament is held in late May, with the winner awarded an automatic NCAA tourney bid. Since moving to a neutral site the tournament has been held in Columbus, with […]
Gebhard, Jirschele receive Bender, Coolbaugh awards
Arizona Diamondbacks Vice President & Special Assistant to the General Manager Bob Gebhard and Omaha Storm Chasers manager Mike Jirschele are the recipients of the Sheldon “Chief” Bender and Mike Coolbaugh awards, respectively. Gebhard and Jirschele will be honored on December 8 at the annual Banquet during the Baseball Winter Meetings at the Hilton Anatole […]
Schlender promoted in Omaha
Laurie Schlender is the new Assistant General Manager of Business Operations for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). She becomes the highest-ranking female employee in the 43-year history of the organization dating back to 1969. “Laurie has been an integral part of nearly all major decisions involving the franchise since I became […]
Stein steps down in Omaha, Lexington
Alan Stein is stepping down as president of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and president/COO of the Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League) at the end of a successful year that saw the opening of Werner Park and the successful rebranding of the team. Martie Cordaro, VP/GM of the Storm […]
Cordaro named PCL Executive of the Year
It’s been a good year for Omaha Storm Chasers Vice President/General Manager Martie Cordaro: besides opening Werner Park and revamping the franchise, he was also named the Pacific Coast League’s Executive of the Year. This is Cordaro’s second honor of 2011, after previously being named with President Alan Stein as Ballpark Digest’s Co-Executives of the […]