It sounds like independent Northern League Commissioner Clark Griffith was working the phones fast and furiously this past week, seeking to augment the four teams remaining in the circuit with expansion teams and maybe even some refugees from the independent Frontier League. A quiet week was actually pretty good news for Griffith: it mean that […]
Tag Archives | pacific coast league
Thinking big in Escondido
The city of Escondido (Cal.) certainly is thinking big when it comes to a new home for the wandering Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): What began as a $50 million ballpark has now expanded to a $180-million, 150-acre Sports Entertainment District, which could tie up every penny of city development money for years. […]
Omaha: Your center of the baseball universe come April
It’s a tale of two ballparks in Omaha, where two new facilities — TD Ameritrade Field and a new Sarpy County ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) — are slated to open next April. Here’s a report on the construction progress for each. In general, both are on schedule for an […]
Bevos to Tucson for 2011
With so much uncertainty surrounding a proposed new ballpark in Escondido and concern about wear and tear at The Diamond, the home of the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League), the decision apparently has been made to relocate the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) temporarily to Tucson Electric Park for the […]
Escondido ballpark vote delayed after pollution found at site
A vote from Escondido (Cal.) officials to approve $50 million in spending for a new home for the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) has been delayed after city officials discovered pollution on the ballpark site. In addition, the city is still negotiating a lease with an ownership group led by San Diego Padres […]
Nine finalists unveiled for O-Royals name change
The nine finalists for the new — or perhaps simply updated — name and logo for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been unveiled, and fans have one last chance to vote for their favorite. The nine finalists are: Cattlemen, Commanders, Force, Hailstorm, Omahogs, Royals, Sodbusters, Storm Chasers and Windwalkers. Fans have […]
The Week That Was: October 2
Here are the most popular stories published in Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views. The big stories this week: new ballparks in Potomac and Westfield; a baseball institution drops baseball; and the continuing follies in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over a new ballpark. Westfield approves site for sports complex, complete with new ballpark P-Nats, […]
Ballpark financial issues hit Reno
A decrease in property values in the area and an assessment that Aces Ballpark is now worth less than half the construction price is forcing Reno to pay $1 million this year in subsidies to its developer, the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) — and that payment may need to be repeated annually […]
51s, Blue Jays officially extend PDC
It was a foregone conclusion, but that can’t mask all excitement surrounding the announcement that the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Toronto Blue Jays extended their player-development contract by two years. Not. “We’re very happy to have the Blue Jays back in Las Vegas,” 51s General Manager Don Logan said. […]
Fresno Grizzlies clean house
The Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are cleaning house this offseason, dismissing three front-office executives and bringing in Richard Fleming as new CEO of the franchise. It’s an interesting choice for the Grizzlies: Fleming is a business consultant who has worked with the likes of Monsanto and Microsoft, but not with a professional […]
RedHawks, Astros new partners
Fresh off an affiliation with Round Rock, the Houston Astros have struck an affiliation deal with the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), bringing back Astros players to the city where old Colt .45s had their original Triple-A affiliation in 1962. “We are very excited to have our Triple A affiliation coming home […]
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 […]
Nashville, Brewers renew PDC
The game of musical chairs at Triple-A just got smaller, as the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Milwaukee Brewers renewed their player-development agreement for two more years, leaving Houston and Toronto to fight over Las Vegas and Oklahoma City. In six seasons as a Brewers affiliate, Nashville has produced five winning […]