The El Paso City Council tonight will discuss a funding plan and possible term sheet for a new downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The proposal calls for a 2 percentage point hike in the city’s hotel tax, raising it to 17.5 percent — a move that’s drawn the ire […]
Tag Archives | pacific coast league
El Paso Diablos to Socorro?
If the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are booted from their Cohen Stadium lease, there’s the possibility ownership will build a new ballpark in nearby Socorro. The Diablos are owned by the Tigua tribe, who are seeking to preserve ther million-dollar-plus investment in the franchise and Cohen Stadium upgrades. The team’s future is threatened by […]
Diablos casualty of new El Paso ballpark
One side effect of a new ballpark in downtown El Paso: the probable demise of the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association). Owned by the Tigua tribe, the Diablos play out of city-owned Cohen Stadium. Since buying the team for $500,000 in 2011, the Tigua tribe has spent about $750,000 on ballpark improvements, including a swimming […]
Downtown ballpark planning moving forward in El Paso
The El Paso City Council is set to discuss a proposed downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). A few financing plans for a new El Paso ballpark have been floating around in recent months, ranging from a privately financed facility to one funded from the proceeds of a large […]
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 […]
As Hawks open season, new Boise ballpark still in limbo
As the Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) prepare for the 2012 season, there’s been little talk of a new downtown ballpark, with the future of pro ball in the city on hold. Memorial Stadium is a very basic ballpark in an era where fans and players expect a whole lot more; as Hawks […]
Redbirds, Sounds launch I-40 Cup series
Nice promo for two teams: the Memphis Redbirds and Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have created an I-40 Cup Series. The winner of the season-long series between the Redbirds and the Sounds will receive the two-foot-tall I-40 Cup and bragging rights. The loser of the series will donate 25 tickets to the winner’s charity of […]
Omaha to open Rosenblatt Stadium site for CWS visitors
Though the rest of the ballpark has been stripped down, the field at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium will be open to the public during the upcoming College World Series. The Omaha Zoo Foundation, which controls the Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium property, will open the gates from Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and allow fans 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 […]
Debate continues: Can Portland support two short-season teams?
With Milwaukie (OR) officials in talk to bring a second short-season Northwest League team to greater Portland, the debate continues: should MiLB territorial rules be put aside to allow for two area teams? Of course, some of the debate is silly: since there’s no MLB team looking to move, saying Portland cities should step aside […]
Angels, Seattle going retro PCL this weekend
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Seattle Mariners are going retro Saturday, wearing uniforms based on old Pacific Coast League team designs in each city. The Mariners are wearing uniforms based on those worn by the Seattle Rainiers, who played out of Sick’s Stadium for decades. The Saturday game at Safeco Field will feature […]
Milwaukie advances, Hillsboro retreats in Portland-area ballpark race
In the effort to bring pro baseball back to Portland, Milwaukie will proceed with planning and Hillsboro put the brakes on its effort — and both expressed displeasure with the short-season Northwest League. As you’ll recall, there are two efforts by Portland suburbs to bring affiliated baseball back to the market. In Milwaukie, the City Council […]
Group takes another run at saving Eugene’s Civic Stadium
A group seeking to preserve Civic Stadium, the former home to PCL and NWL baseball in Eugene, Oregon, has a new game plan to save the WPA-era facility. The local school district owns the ballpark and has been seeking a use for it ever since the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League) moved to […]