Solar structure going up on Chase Field
Another improvement to Chase Field as the Arizona Diamondbacks prepare for a big season: an addition that will generate 75 kilowatts of solar power and also provide needed shade for fans as they enter and exit the ballpark. A product of a partnership between the D-backs, Maricopa County Stadium District and APS, the structure will […]
Could Ted Mondale help build a new Saints ballpark?
With the Metrodome needing serious repairs and the Minnesota Vikings (NFL) and St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) asking the public to pony up for new facilities, Ted Mondale is proposing a Twin Cities-area stadium authority to address the issues. You may recognize the name: he’s the son of former vice-president Walter Mondale and a […]
Atlantic City to spend $300K on Sandcastle improvements
Atlantic City will spend $300,000 from already-acquired bond money on fixes to the Sandcastle, the former home of the Atlantic City Surf, in an effort to draw concerts, youth baseball tourneys and other events to the ballpark. As documented here, the ballpark is in a serious state of repair, with water damage stemming from cracked […]
Goodbye, Great Plains Baseball League; hello, Midwest Collegiate League
The summer-collegiate Great Plains League is no more, replaced with a new name — the Midwest Collegiate League — designed to better reflect the league’s footprint for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The league lineup: the Chicago Zephyrs (playing out of Judson University), Homestead Ranchers (playing out of Grosche Field), Rockford Foresters (playing out of […]
IDM pitches new Vegas ballpark as part of larger development
International Development Management, which has been behind a long-shot proposal to build a new arena on the Vegas Strip, has reloaded and is proposing a three-facility complex in downtown Las Vegas that would include a 9,000-seat ballpark capable of expansion for hosting an MLB team. The ballpark would be part of a larger sports complex […]
Blair Field renovation cost now pegged at $20M
It will take $20 million — not the $8-$12 million initially predicted — to renovate Blair Field, the home of the Long Beach State Dirtbags, if the current remodeling plan is implemented. The new numbers come from Long Beach State officials and HKS, architect on the project. Officials say they won’t hit up students for […]
New ballpark pitched for Cranbrook
A new ballpark is being pitched for the expansion Cranbrook (BC) Eds (summer collegiate; Western Major Baseball League), as local baseball proponents seek to raise enough money to build a $7.2-million facility at Moir Park. The WMBL awarded an expansion franchise conditional on the construction of a league-compliant ballpark. The proposal for the facility comes […]
West Chester RDA: We won’t back new ballpark
Hopes for a new West Chester (Pa.) ballpark were taken down a few notches after the West Chester Redevelopment Authority decided it would not recommend the city proceed with the project because of uncertainty regarding state funding. The RDA will present the ballpark proposal to the full Borough Council on Feb. 16, but without a […]
Cleveland’s League Park once again target for restoration
The remaining pieces of League Park, once the home of the Cleveland Indians, would be restored in the next several years, as the Cleveland City Council approves spending $387,000 on architectural plans. The ballpark, originally designed by Osborn Engineering for the 1910 MLB season, is now down to a brick wall down the right-field line […]
Yawn. NYT writer predictably blasts Mets for naming-rights deal
Let’s face it: Clyde Haberman of the New York Times has always hated the idea of the New York Mets selling naming rights to their new ballpark. He’s now using the recent financial issues facing the team to once again bash Citi Field and the Wilpons. Flash back to 2006, when the Mets first announced […]
Spinners to launch human cannonball home run
This may be the most audacious promotion we’ve ever covered: The Lowell Spinners (short season A; NY-Penn League) will hold their first-ever “Human Home Run” event at LeLacheur Park, as human cannonball David Smith, Jr., will be shot from a cannon at home plate over the outfield wall following the conclusion of the July 5 […]
Albuquerque hosting Triple-A championship
The Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Isotopes Park are hosting the 2011 Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game, pitting the winner of the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the winner of the International League’s Governors’ Cup, in a one-game championship showdown on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:05 p.m. The contest, which will be […]
Keys: We want to stay in Frederick
The management of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) issued an open letter to local baseball fans today, calling for public support of the affiliated franchise at a time when the city is planning to let the lease to Harry Grove Stadium up for bid. If the ballpark lease is put up to […]