Round Rock Express unveils new colors, logos, unis
To coincide with their new status as the top farm team of the Texas Rangers, the Round Rock Express (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) unveiled new colors and logos that are reminiscent of the colors and look of the Rangers. The rebranding includes a new primary mark, new secondary marks, new colors and new uniforms. […]
Taylor promoted to Hot Rods president
Brad Taylor, an employee of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Sally League) since the very beginning as GM and CEO, has been rewarded for his hard work: he’s now president of the team. “Based on the overwhelming support in our first two years, we see a great potential for growth,” said Art […]
Schaumburg sets eviction date for Flyers; sale expected next week
The village of Schaumburg moved another step closer to evicting the Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League) from Alexian Field, but ownership says an impending sale of the team’s assets should clear up all back rent owed the city. The sale of the Flyers’ assets and other properties isn’t big news: it’s been in the works […]
State funding of Wrigley Field renovations dies as Assembly adjourns
Tom Ricketts’ proposal to have the State of Illinois fund $250 million in upgrades to Wrigley Field died yesterday when the General Assembly adjourned out of veto session yesterday — but expect it to return when the 2011 session opens in January. The hope was that the Assembly could consider funding during the veto session, […]
Pinellas County extends hotel tax — but not enough for new Rays ballpark
Things are getting interesting in Tampa Bay: Pinellas County extended a 5 percent hotel tax to 2021 — far short of the time needed to potentially pay off a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark — while the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce announced ballpark financing would be one of the group’s main priorities in 2011. […]
Amarillo Gold Sox to return?
An unconfirmed report out of Amarillo has the new independent American Association team being called the Amarillo Gold Sox, with Mark Lee signing on as general manager. The report comes on a blog run by the Globe News. There may be a few issues: amarillogoldsox.com is currently used by a youth baseball team in Amarillo. […]
Dash makes scheduled ballpark payment
The Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) and Brookstown Development Partners made a scheduled rent payment of $355,053 on BB&T Ballpark yesterday, pushing this year’s payments to almost $1.2 million. The yearly payments are a combination of rent and ticket surchages imposed when the city financed the final construction of the ballpark. Critics of […]
No CWS beer for you!
Facing opposition from the city and area businesses, a developer has dropped plans for an event space a block from TD Ameritrade Park, the home of the College World Series, and will instead pave the space for parking and corporate tent space. Developer Jerry Banks had already received Omaha Planning Board approval for the $1.2 […]
CB Thunder has until Jan. 15 to settle back rent
The Coastal Bend Thunder (independent; United League Baseball) has until Jan. 15 to settle back rent before Nueces County will terminate the team’s lease at Fairgrounds Field; meanwhile, the team remains locked out of the facility. January 15 is the date when a one-year contract renewal could kick in; if the team is not paid […]
Luzerne County: SWB Yankees worth at least $25 million
Luzerne County, the co-owner of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), says the team is worth at least $25 million — not the current $14.6 million sales price — and seeking an appraiser to determine the team’s true worth. The county is embroiled in a legal dispute with Lackawanna County over the sale of […]
In memoriam: Ron Santo
Ron Santo, who had a clear passion for the Chicago Cubs both as a player and as a radio broadcaster, passed away last night in Arizona because of complications from bladder cancer. He was 70. Santo had been battling several health issues over the last decade, including a bout of diabetes that led to a […]
New for 2012: Sugar Land Skeeters
There’s a name for the new Texas-based independent Atlantic League team: the Sugar Land Skeeters, who will begin play at a new $30-million ballpark in the Houston suburb beginning in the 2012 season. “I think the entry forms said it best. It just sounds like a fun minor league baseball name for this region,” said […]
New for 2011: Martha’s Vineyard Sharks
Sharks ended up on top for the name of a new summer-collegiate team slated to play out of Martha’s Vineyard. “Choosing a name for our club was a difficult but exciting process,” team general manager Jerry Murphy said. “In the end, Sharks was a natural fit for a team in Martha’s Vineyard, and we hope that […]