Ricketts: Not so fast on Wrigleyville West
Despite telling Mesa voters that development would be part of the mix at new Chicago Cubs spring-training complex, owner Tom Ricketts now says Wrigleyville West will need to wait until the new ballpark opens — if it happens at all. The issue is pretty simple: early feedback indicates there’s little demand from retailers and restauranteurs […]
Gophers shift 2011 Big Ten season to Target Field
With the Metrodome down for the count, the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher baseball team will play all of its Big Ten home games in the 2011 season at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota will open Big Ten play on Friday, April 1 at 1:05 p.m. with a doubleheader against Purdue at […]
Rowan County, Kannapolis continue spat over Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium
Rowan County would like to sell its share of Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, home of the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League), to Kannapolis — or else buy out Kannapolis‘s share of the ballpark. But Kannapolis may not want to sell or buy. The continuing issues with what should be a treasured asset. The ownership […]
York Revolution shifts concessions to Ettline
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) have reached back to their roots and shifted concessions at Sovereign Bank Stadium back to local vendor Ettline Foods. The agreement returns Ettline to the role they had when the stadium opened in 2007. Ettline Foods Corporation is an employee-owned, broad-line foodservice distributor located in York, PA since 1889. […]
Renovation work begins on Madison’s Duck Pond
The grand makeover of Warner Park, the home of the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), is underway, as construction crews took out the remaining portions of the grandstand and started pouring footings for a new grandstand. The work will complete a complete makeover of Warner Park from when it opened as the very basic […]
Bombers unveil new logos for 2011
The Battle Creek Bombers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveiled new logos for the 2011 season, the team’s fifth at C.O. Brown Stadium. The new look comes from Worthen Design, a Utah-based brand-development firm. “When designing the future brand for the Battle Creek Bombers, we wanted to make sure we took into consideration the interaction of […]
Now at Al Lang Field: The International Baseball Series
Hungry for some baseball at Al Lang Field? Then check out the St. Pete International Baseball, where teams from around the world — including the Blue Jays, Phillies and Rays — compete at the historic spring-training facility now through March 13. The tournament, sponsored by the St. Petersburg Sports Alliance, hasn’t been publicized very well, […]
Frey out in Erie
In what many consider to be a surprising move, John Frey is out as general manager of the Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League), as Mandalay Baseball shakes things up a month before the regular season starts. This is an odd time to be making such changes in a front office, and no one is […]
Normal to host 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game
Plan ahead: The Normal CornBelters are hosting the 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game at the Corn Crib on July 11, 2012. Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee made the All-Star Game bid to Mayor Chris Koos at the Town of Normal Council Meeting tonight at City Hall. “The Frontier League is extremely pleased to have the […]
Slammers to unveil logo, unis on March 10
The Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) will reach a milestone on March 10, when the team’s logo and uniforms will be unveiled at an event at the city’s Rialto Theatre. Tickets are available at Silver Cross Field. Tickets are free but are limited and required for entry. The red-carpet event, “The Grand Slammer: Identity Released,” […]
Tempe Diablo Stadium / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
It is the most scenic ballpark in the Cactus League, bar none. With buttes beyond the left-field fence, a striking Spanish-style exterior and a relatively remote location that paradoxically offers easy freeway access, Tempe Diablo Stadium is a gem, a must-visit for anyone hitting Phoenix in March. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1968; renovated several times […]
Nats, Astros eying new Osceola County spring-training complex
The Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros are discussing a new joint spring-training complex with Osceola County officials, as a site near DisneyWorld is under consideration. The complex, we’re told, would be south of DisneyWord and in the very northwestern corner of Osceola County, an area served by I-4 and Florida Toll 429. Both teams […]
Mets managed Madoff investments for other investors
The owners of the New York Mets managed investments for others in Bernie Madoff‘s Ponzi scheme and threw some interesting conditions on participation: the investors, which included Larry King, Sandy Koufax and Tim Teufel, could have no interaction with Madoff and ask how he generated such impressive returns. The New York Times went through the […]