Long Island ballpark plan resurrected
Talk about a dramatic rise from the dead: Nassau County officials revived a plan for a new ballpark on Long Island, as a $400-million bond issue subject to voter approval would include $50 million for a new minor-league ballpark and $350-million Nassau Coliseum replacement. No word on the potential tenant. For years the New York Mets […]
Orlando baseball plan changes; county still not impressed
Despite shifting the location of a proposed Orlando ballpark for a New York Yankees farm team closer to a convention center, Armando Gutierrez Jr. still faces a huge challenge in persuading Orange County officials to give up a prime parcel of land for a relatively low price. The original proposal had the ballpark located on […]
Giants fan robbed at knifepoint outside AT&T Park
More on the MLB crime blotter: a San Francisco Giants fan was robbed at knifepoint during last night’s game at AT&T Park, with the object of desire a miniature Willie Mays statue issued on his 80th birthday. The first 20,000 fans at the game were issued the replica of the Willie Mays statue at the […]
Mapping the future of Olympic Stadium
Tired of subsidizing Olympic Stadium to the tune of $19 million a year, the provincial panel overseeing it has appointed a citizens committee to map the future of the former Montreal Expos home, but tearing it down isn’t an option — yet. The committee is headed by Lise Bissonnette, regarded as somewhat of a rising […]
Hargrove, Hathaway, Perdue Sally League HoF inductees
Former Gastonia Rangers player Mike Hargrove, former Asheville Tourists manager Ray Hathaway and Frank Perdue, former President/CEO of Perdue Farms, are the Class of 2011 for the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame, as announced by league president Eric Krupa. The three new inductees will be honored as part of the festivities surrounding the 52nd Annual […]
Barnstormers unveil new unis, logos
The Lancaster Barnstormers (independent; Atlantic League) are sporting a new look this season, with uniforms and logos riffing off the team’s successful rural barn theme dating back to the team’s 2005 inception. The barn motif can be seen in three looks. The first and most comprehensive is that “plank” markings, indicating the basic framework of […]
Angels to break world record for fans wearing wrestling masks
It’s a masked ball at Angel Stadium tonight, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “largest gathering of people wearing costume masks,” as all fans will be presented with a complimentary Angels Wrestling Mask and asked to wear it for ten minutes. That the Angels […]
Eugene: We’re not spending money on Civic Stadium
The Eugene City Council rejected a proposal to spend $200,000 on Civic Stadium, saying tight budgets and the lack of a solid financial plan to save the historic facility make an investment imprudent at this time. The preservationist group Save Civic Stadium, with the support of two councilors, had hoped to secure two $100,000 payments […]
Servers: Yankees stole our tips
Servers at Yankee Stadium are suing Legends Hospitality — the ballpark concession firm partly owned by the New York Yankees — over their share of the mandatory service charge slapped onto every items served seatside at the ballpark. The issue: when you’re served in your seat at Yankee Stadium, Legends slaps a mandatory 20 percent […]
Milam buys 51s; team will be part of new development
The Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been sold to developer Chris Milam, who plans on installing the team in a new $1.95-billion sports complex he’s planning opposite Mandalay Bay on the south end of the Strip. Milam heads International Development Management and is working with the city of Las Vegas and […]
Could McCourt lose Dodgers and keep Dodger Stadium?
Because Frank and Jamie McCourt divided the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Stadium and the Dodger Stadium parking lots and surrounding land into three different companies after buying the historic franchise, there’s a slim chance he could lose the franchise and keep the other legal entities — but it’s not very likely. These are dicey times […]
City: Give us your ideas for Ottawa Stadium site
In another sign that Ottawa isn’t too serious about keeping Ottawa Stadium open, the city is scheduling work sessions for the public to submit ideas for what should be build on the ballpark site in the future — with the assumption the ballpark is going away after this season. The ballpark, the longtime home of […]
Cubs to honor Pete Vonachen
Nice honor for Pete Vonachen: the owner of the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League) will be honored by the Chicago Cubs during a Wrigley Field pregame ceremony before Wednesday night’s game; he’ll also lead the crowd in the Seventh Inning Stretch festivities. On May 11 at Wrigley Field, Pete and his family will […]