Indians adding specialty restaurant to Victory Field
The Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League) continue their makeover of Victory Field with a new premium dining addition for the 2011 season, sponsored by spirits giant Diageo. The team is adding a Captain Morgan Cove group area to the left-field corner, envisioned as a premium seating area. The 15′ x 60′ bar and […]
The Week That Was: Feb. 20
The Florida Marlins hit a new-ballpark landmark, high stakes for a new Las Vegas ballpark, and teams in Adelanto, Davenport and Bowling Green engage the promotional tools. The most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. First seats installed in new Marlins ballpark Stakes high for 51s in […]
A guide to spring-training practices
Die-hard spring-training fans aren’t content with just sitting in the stands and watching a game: they want to watch a practice and get close to the players. It’s a great experience, as long as you know what you’re in for: most teams train on practice fields, not the ballparks, and so the creature comforts are […]
Target Field big tax winner for Minnesota, Minneapolis
Tax revenues generated by Target Field, the new home of the Minnesota Twins, were significantly higher in 2010 than in 2009, when the team wrapped up a final season in the Metrodome. How much higher? Well, the state of Minnesota pulled in $11.6 million from fans at Target Field, $6.6 million higher than in 2009. […]
Grizzlies, Canseco to team up for HR Derby
Good thing there’s lots of room past the home-run fences at Sims Legion Park: the Gastonia Grizzlies (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) are hosting a Home Run Derby on March 19 featuring former American League MVP Jose Canseco. It’s billed as the first annual ASP Nation Home Run Derby. Fans will have the opportunity to […]
River Bandits to hold mock reception to sell event capabilities
More teams should probably be doing this: the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) are holding a mock reception this Sunday in the Mediacom Sports Lounge and the banquet area of Modern Woodmen Park’s suite level to show what events can be held in these spaces. “The ability to host large parties […]
Captains Concessions, union reach three-year accord
We don’t report on much union news here at Ballpark Digest, so it’s worth noting that the Lake County Captains (Low Class A; Midwest League) concession company, Captains Concessions, LLC, has reached agreement with Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board Affiliated with Workers United Local 10 on a new three-year agreement. Captains Concessions operates all […]
Crushers unveil 2011 Frontier League All-Star Game Logo
The Lake Erie Crushers (independent; Frontier League) unveiled the logo for the 2011 Frontier League All-Star Game to be played on Wednesday, July 13 at All Pro Freight Stadium. The Crushers are planning an All-Star Week, beginning Monday, July 11th, including a Home Run Derby, community appearances by the Frontier League All-Stars and the […]
Storm Chasers return to KOIL-AM, add Pollock, Spanish broadcasts
The Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced several broadcasting-related moves today, including an extension of their broadcast agreement with KOIL-AM, the introduction of weekend Spanish broadcasts, and the addition of Brett Pollock to the broadcast booth, alongside Mark Nasser. The extension with NRG Media continues a 15-year relationship between the club and […]
Jeff Wilpon: Mets aren’t for sale
Despite some vocal interest from the likes of Donald Trump in buying a majority share of the New York Mets, Jeff Wilpon says the team isn’t for sale — and he expects his family to be found innocent of charges that they unfairly profited from Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Wilpon, the chief operating officer of […]
West Chester ballpark proposal on life support
A proposed West Chester (Pa.) ballpark is in serious trouble, with the full Borough Council expected to give up the ghost on the project tonight after the city’s redevelopment agency recommended it be rejected. The ballpark funding, as proposed by the Turk’s Head Stadium Alliance, included $14 million in state funding from the Redevelopment Assistance […]
Upgrades on tap for Grand Junction’s Suplizio Field; MiLB to follow?
The Grand Junction (Col.) City Council reviewed expansion plans for Suplizio Field that include a new two-story hospitality space and press box, as the city prepares for more of the Junior College World Series — and maybe a rookie Pioneer League team. It’s no secret new Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) owners Dick and Charlie […]
Foresters to offer free ducats to Rockford unemployed
The Rockford Foresters (summer collegiate; Midwest Baseball League) will offer free admission to a game this coming season to the unemployed, building on a promotion launched last season. On game days, fans that are unemployed can get two free tickets to a game at Marinelli Field simply by showing their Illinois Department of Employment Security […]