A new budget for a Triple-A ballpark in El Paso was approved last night by the City Council, pushing the total cost of the project to $60.8 million, with team owners picking up the additional costs. The original cost of the ballparl was $52.8 million, and the El Paso City Council had already approved issuing […]
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Franchise owners offer $12.1M toward new El Paso ballpark
To close a funding gap in construction of a new downtown El Paso ballpark, team owners MountainStar Sports have offered to pay $12.1 million to cover the overages. Under the proposal, the city would borrow $60.8 million toward the new ballpark instead of the original $52.8 million. (Why is the city borrowing more? Municipalities typically […]
Rosenblatt Stadium memorial site unveiled
The makeover of Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium is complete, as the grounds of former home to the College World Series and pro baseball have been revamped by the neighboring Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The ballpark grandstand is long gone, taken down last summer, with the press box going last. Thanks to some contributions from the […]
Isotopes set to welcome 6-millionth fan in franchise history tonight
What a great milestone: the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are set to welcome the 6-millionth fan in franchise history to Isotopes Park. The Isotopes are a mere 554 fans away from reaching the milestone, meaning the lucky fan will enter the ballpark not long after the gates open at 6:00 p.m. Fans […]
Multiple teams on tap for Houston?
With the possible move of a Triple-A team to The Woodlands and several other cities in the area seeking independent Atlantic League franchises, Houston could be a baseball mecca in coming years. Houston is now the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest city in the United States. Baseball options in the city are limited: […]
El Paso breaks ground on new Triple-A ballpark
A host of Minor League Baseball dignitaries combined with local politicos to officially mark the ceremonial beginning of construction on a Class AAA Pacific Coast League ballpark in El Paso. Attendees included City, County, State and national dignitaries, representatives of both El Paso and other nearby communities including Ciudad Juárez; leadership from Minor League Baseball, […]
Who is pushing a new Colorado Springs ballpark?
Lost in the announcement that Colorado Springs residents are being asked about a new downtown ballpark is a key issue: exactly who is pushing for a replacement for Security Service Field? Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) GM Tony Ensor says the team is perfectly happy at Security Service Field, which has […]
El Paso approves new-ballpark financing plan
After city officials withdrew a request to add $10 million to the project budget, the El Paso City Council passed a plan to issue $52.8 million in bonds for a new downtown ballpark for a Pacific Coast League team. City officials had presented a plan to increase the ballpark budget by $10 million after diverting […]
El Paso ballpark lawsuit dismissed; groundbreaking set for Thursday
A lawsuit against El Paso city employees alleging misconduct regarding the financing of a new El Paso ballpark was dismissed yesterday; meanwhile, the official groundbreaking of the Triple-A facility will take place Thursday. The lawsuit, filed by former Mayor Ray Salazar and five other plaintiffs against City Manager Joyce Wilson and city Reps. Cortney Niland […]
Worst. Bobblehead. Ever.
We can definitively say this Barry Zito bobblehead issued by the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) won’t win any awards this season. Oh, sure, there are issues with Zito’s face. But the biggest issue is a basic one: just check out where his glove is. (Via @checkwitek on Twitter; H/T USA Today.) […]
Prepping for 2014: Taylor GM for new El Paso team
The as-yet-unnamed Class AAA Pacific Coast League team in El Paso now has a general manager, as industry vet Brad Taylor was named to the post today. Taylor is a familiar face in baseball circles. He most recently served as general manager and then president of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Sally […]
Sounds extend Greer Stadium lease — but no new ballpark is in sight
The Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) extended their Greer Stadium lease through 2016, but talks with the city for a new ballpark have ground to a halt. Both sides admit there have been no talks about a new ballpark since the Sounds released a viability study in December 2011, which laid out several […]
Construction begins on new El Paso ballpark
With City Hall imploded and its debris almost gone, construction has begun on a new downtown El Paso ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Debris from City Hall is still being removed (that chore should be completed by the end of the week), but in the meantime crews are installing […]