Owner, CPL: Time for Florence to talk new ballpark
The Florence RedWolves franchise is one of the best-run teams in the summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League, but Legion Field hasn’t kept pace with changes in the industry — and team owner Kevin Barth says it’s time to look at a new downtown ballpark. Even by summer-collegiate standards Legion Field is pretty rough, lacking clubhouses or […]
Shining knight to rescue Civic Stadium?
Local grocer Rick Wright is offering to lease Civic Stadium for three years to give the local Y and the Save Civic Stadium activists a chance to put together a plan to save the historic WPA-era facility and the former home to the Eugene Emeralds (short season; Northwest League). Wright owns Market of Choice, a […]
NCAA debates revamping baseball tourney
The NCAA is looking into an overhaul of the playoffs leading up to the College World Series by expanding the number of first-round host ballparks to 32 from the present 16, though the number of teams in the tourney would remain the same. The rationale behind the move: by increasing the number of host ballparks, […]
Einhorn negotiating for chunk of Mets
David Einhorn, a high-profile Wall Street investor who seeks to find value in underperforming corporations, is negotiating to buy a non-controlling stake in the New York Mets. Einhorn is a big baseball fan, growing up in Milwaukee and playing ball as a kid. He’s made his mark in the financial world as a hedge-fund manager, […]
Minnesota Legislature adjourns with no Saints ballpark funding
The Minnesota Legislature adjourned for the 2011 session with a lot left on its plate, including bonding bills that would help pay for construction of a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark — but with the certainty of a special session, the issue is far from dead. The Legislature adjourned with many large […]
Skeeters bringing back bullpen cart
Remember the capped bullpen carts used in Major League Baseball in the 1970s and 1980s? They’ve disappeared from the MLB world, but the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) are bringing one back — complete with a sponsor — for the 2012 season. The yet-to-be-named cart, sponsored by Texas Direct Auto, will be visible with every […]
Frederick committee recommends Keys retain lease
A committee evaluating bid proposals from the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) and a group with ties to the independent Atlantic League will recommend the Keys keep the lease for Harry Grove Stadium, though the mayor and the board of aldermen retain final say. The committee of five city employees looked at the […]
Stow family files suit against McCourt, Dodgers
This was inevitable: the family of Bryan Stow has filed suit against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank McCourt and several other Dodgers-related corporations over the beating of the San Francisco Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Day. You can view the filing here. The lawsuit argues the Dodgers should have been […]
Populous, Hunt land Cubs spring-site design
One of the biggest ballpark deals to come down the pike in recent months has been announced, as Populous landed the contract to design the new Chicago Cubs spring-training facility in Mesa, Arizona, while Hunt Construction will build it. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith made the announcement today. About $84 million is budgeted for the spring […]
City, not Moorad group, to acquire Escondido land
A 4.5-acre plot of land targeted by Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) owner Jeff Moorad for development adjacent to a new Escondido ballpark will instead be acquired by the city and could be used as part of a high-tech business park should ballpark plans fall through. Moorad’s reps had negotiated a purchase of […]
Milam ballpark proposal taking shape
Developer Chris Milam may not have been well-known in Minor League Baseball circles when it was announced he was buying the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), but he has some impressive connections in the industry; meanwhile, his plan for a Vegas sports complex with a new ballpark is taking shape. Milam, a […]
New for 2012: Pensacola Blue Wahoos
We have a winner in the name-the-contest for the new Pensacola Class AA Southern League team: the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, as Quint Studer, Bruce Baldwin and crew unveiled the new moniker before a elementary-school crowd. “From the 1,700 people who submitted team names to the pep rally here today at Cordova Park Elementary School, we […]
Atlantic League unveils All-Star uniforms
The uniforms for the 2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game have been unveiled by host team York Revolution, with the game slated for July 13 at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Designed by Concepts-York, a firm which handles many of the Revolution’s design needs, the look of the jersey was created specially for the 2011 All-Star Game. The Freedom […]