Proposed West Chester ballpark moves forward
A proposed West Chester (Pa.) ballpark is moving forward, as the Borough Council referred the matter to the city’s Redevelopment Agency, which will examine the financials of the proposal before moving on potential land acquisition. It’s an important move: time is of the essence, as Pfitzer has imposed a deadline of the end of the […]
Escondido approves Triple-A ballpark — with reservations
The Escondido (Cal.) City Council gave initial approval to city funding of a new $50-million Triple-A ballpark project, but warned that any final agreement would be subject to further negotiations over potential revenues from team concessions and naming rights. Meanwhile, Jeff Moorad will move forward with a purchase of the Portland Beavers franchise. Moorad got […]
PSC snares Peoria Chiefs concessions deal
Professional Sports Catering and the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League) announced today that Professional Sports Catering, LLC will manage the food and beverage operation at the home of the Chiefs, O’Brien Field. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Chiefs,” said Tom Dickson, CEO of PSC. “O’Brien Field is one of the […]
Carolina to Pensacola, Kinston to Zebulon in 2012
The Carolina Mudcats (Class AA; Southern League) have been sold to Quint and Rishy Studer, and the franchise will be shifting to a new Pensacola ballpark for the 2012 season. Meanwhile, the Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) have been sold to the Mudcats owners and will be playing in Zebulon in 2012. “I […]
Will Metrodome be ready for baseball season?
Even though the Minnesota Twins vacated the Metrodome before the start of the 2010 season, it’s still a baseball facility, hosting University of Minnesota and MIAC games beginning in February, as well as TwinsFest. Inspections yesterday revealed an additional torn panel in the roof, as well as more wear and tear than originally assumed. While […]
In memoriam: Bob Feller
Bob Feller, the hard-throwing Cleveland Indian who went right from the Van Meter, Iowa farm to the bigs during his summer vacation following his junior year of high school, passed away today. He was 92. Feller joined the Indians in 1936 and instantly became one of the biggest draws in baseball, a hard-throwing kid whose […]
New for 2012: StarTex Power Field
We have a name for the new Sugar Land (Texas) ballpark: StarTex Power Field, as StarTex Power Company buys naming rights for the new $30-million home of the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League), slated to open for the 2012 season. “A naming rights partnership is a big commitment,” said Skeeters President Matt O’Brien. “There […]
Funding plan emerges for Werner Park
Though Werner Park, the new home of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), is slated to open next April, Sarpy County is still finalizing a long-term financing plan for the ballpark — and it looks like a plan is in place. The plan involves tax-increment financing (or the Nebraska version of it, […]
Fisher Cats announce staff promotions
It was apparently staff-appreciation day at the offices of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) yesterday, as the team announced several staff promotions. The promotions included: Danielle Matteau – Executive Director of Marketing and Public Affairs Erik Lesniak – Executive Director of Ticket Sales Matt Moore – Director of Stadium Operations Joel […]
Oakland moves forward on environmental study of A’s ballpark site
The Oakland City Council is poised to spend $750,000 on an environmental study of a proposed Oakland A’s ballpark site in the city’s downtown Victory Court area, though there’s still no interest from the team in the location. The city’s City Council Community and Economic Development Agency approved the spending last night, and the full […]
Eagles removed from Ed Smith Stadium lights
The Baltimore Orioles had an unusual expenditure during the ongoing renovations to Ed Smith Stadium, the team’s Sarasota spring-training home: paying a private firm to remove two American eagles and their eggs from the right-field lights. The eagles decided to nest within the lights high above the ballpark this fall, despite ballpark renovations that brought […]
New for 2011: Bethpage Ballpark
The home of the Long Island Ducks (independent; Atlantic League) will have a new name, as Bethpage Federal Credit Union ponies up $2.1 million for a naming-rights deal running through 2020. The deal must be approved by the full Suffolk County Legislature after passage today by a subcommittee. The ballpark opened as Citibank Park and […]
Martha’s Vineyard Sharks unveil logo
The new summer-collegiate Martha’s Vineyard Sharks (summer collegiate; Futures Collegiate Baseball League) unveiled a team logo today, complete with the iconic shark fin and colors to match Martha’s Vineyard High School’s athletic teams. “We think it’s a great look, and getting our new logo out in the community is another step towards building the excitement […]