Storm unveil Wacky Weenie Wednesday
The Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) have announced one of the first noteworthy promotions of the 2011 season: Wacky Weenie Wednesday, where everyone attending a Wednesday game will receive free hot dogs. Not surprisingly, the promotion is presented by hot-dog vendor Farmer John. “We felt like this would give fans the chance […]
Tijuana out, Henderson in for NAL 2011
With teams receiving the go-ahead to officially release schedules this afternoon, we have a new lineup for the 2011 independent North American League: the Tijuana Ambassadors are out, the Henderson Roadrunners are in. That, of course, gives the league two Roadrunners franchises. Adding Henderson, a Las Vegas suburb, isn’t a surprise: Las Vegas was present […]
Phillies go HD with new scoreboard
Philadelphia Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park will see one huge improvement for the 2011 season: the original left-field scoreboard will be replaced with a snazzy high-definition scoreboard from Daktronics. The Phillies and Daktronics made the announcement today for a new light-emitting diode (LED) HD video display much larger than the former video display at […]
First NAL schedule released
The Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) have posted a schedule for the 2011 season — and as you might expect, it’s heavy with games against Schaumburg and Rockford. Really heavy. In fact, the schedule has the Fielders taking on the Schaumburg Flyers six times in June, 15 times in July (more than half […]
Remembering the Polo Grounds
It wasn’t the most glamorous venue in the major leagues, nor the most stylish. But the Polo Grounds — the former home of the New York Giants and, briefly, the New York Yankees and New York Mets — will receive its due this weekend, as the San Francisco Giants and Willie Mays will bring the […]
Captains unveil championship ring design
Want to see what goes for bling in the Low Class A Midwest League? The Lake County Captains will unveil the design for the 2010 Midwest League Championship ring tonight at the team’s Hot Stove Banquet. The Captains have partnered with MTM Recognition to design and produce the rings. The Captains ring features a three-tiered […]
Could Cards, Marlins leave Treasure Coast?
The lease at Roger Dean Stadium for the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins expires in 2017, but before committing to an extension the teams want protection that they’re not the last two teams left standing on the Treasure Coast for spring training. Roger Dean Stadium is surely the center of the busiest ballpark complex […]
Barton Malow, Linbeck land design/build contract for new Sugar Land ballpark
The team of Michigan-based Barton Malow and Houston-based Linbeck landed the preferred design/build contractor designation from Sugar Land (Texas) for the construction of StarTex Power Field, the new home of the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League), pending a final agreement on terms. Fourteen companies submitted proposals for the Design/Build contract, and Sugar Land selected […]
For lease: Billy Hebert Field
Though the Stockton Ports (High Class A; California League) are long gone, the team’s long-time home, Billy Hebert Field, is still around, and the financially strapped city of Stockton will be seeking bids for the management and upkeep of the historic facility. Baseball has been played at Billy Hebert Field for more than 80 years, […]
New for 2011: Mystic Schooners
The newest team in the summer-collegiate New England Collegiate Baseball League: the Mystic Schooners, as the former Bristol Collegiate announces a new team name and a new general manager, Jack O’Keefe. O’Keefe is a long-time Waterford High School baseball coach. The team will play at Fitch High School, thanks to a $500,000 gift from an […]
Pensacola gets early jump on ticket sales, discusses ballpark size
A Pensacola Southern League team isn’t due to arrive in Florida until 2012, but that’s not stopping season-ticket sales to that inaugural campaign from going on sale now — even as a discussion arises in the city over the size of the ballpark. The team is asking potential season-ticket holders to put $100 down on […]
Fullerton, Flyers enter exclusive negotiating period for new ballpark
The Orange County Flyers (independent; Golden Baseball League) and the city of Fullerton (Cal.) have entered into an exclusive negotiating period for a new ballpark at the current Amerige Park site. The Flyers have been playing at the Cal State-Fullerton ballpark as a secondary tenant. The deal, approved by the City Council on Jan. 4 […]
Bisons going big with largest LED video display in MiLB
The Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) are living large in 2011, as the team has contracted Daktronics to provide the largest video display in Minor League Baseball, some 33 feet high and 80 feet wide. “The new BisonsTV HD board will bring an unparalleled level of entertainment and excitement to our great fans and […]