New for 2011: Werner Park
The new Sarpy County home of the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) has a name: Werner Park, as the local shipping firm pays to put its name on the ballpark. “For the past four years Werner Enterprises has played a large part in sponsoring the Omaha Royals,” said Derek Leathers, Chief Operating Officer […]
Asheville Tourists unveil new logo, identity
Drawing on the colorful history of baseball in the area and the scenic nature of McCormick Field, the Asheville Tourists (Low Class A; Sally League) unveiled a new logo, color scheme and identity. “We’re extremely excited to introduce our new identity program,” said Brian DeWine, president of the Tourists and DeWine Seeds Silver Dollar Baseball. […]
In memoriam: Dave Niehaus
Dave Niehaus, one of the most recognizable voices in baseball and an original employee of the Seattle Mariners, for whom he called games for 17 years, passed away after a heart atack in his suburban Bellevue home. He was 75. Niehaus was present for every big moment in Mariners history — Randy Johnson and Chris […]
American Association lands Amarillo; ULB loses court bid to halt process
The Potter County Commissioners unanimously awarded a lease for Potter County Memorial Stadium to Southern Independent Baseball, freeing the way for the independent American Association to set up shop there in 2011. The move wasn’t surprising: SIB principal Scott Berry has been an owner in good standing in the AA for several years, and the […]
Baltimore, MSA outline 2011 improvements to Orioles Park
The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority outlined a second year of enhancements to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, including more renovations on the club level, additional seat replacements and a slightly smaller capacity, creating a more intimate environment. Last off-season, all seats in the lower level from foul pole to foul pole were […]
New at Target Field for 2011: More signage and free WiFi
The Minnesota Twins unveiled a host of improvements to Target Field for the 2011 season, including more signage visible from areas unable to see the main scoreboard, more local foods, free WiFi and more. The biggest change fans will see at Target Field, the 2010 Ballpark Digest Ballpark of the Year, will come in the […]
Yanks, Mandalay agree to buy SWB Yankees, unveil ballpark renovations
In a sweeping compromise, the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball will buy the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) and oversee a $40-million renovation of PNC Field. The Yanks and Mandalay will exercise their option to buy the troubled Triple-A franchise for $14.6 million. As part of the compromise agreement, first reported here last […]
Selig: “I really believe that Abner Doubleday is the ‘father of baseball’”
Yeah, there’s a lot of glee in the baseball-geek world these days: In a letter to a collector, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig admits he still thinks Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball, despite reams of evidence to the contrary. Lots of snark has ensued. Selig made his beliefs known in a letter to autograph […]
As Giants win World Series, Athletics ballpark status in limbo
As the San Francisco Giants captured their first World Series trophy in the Bay Area, the Oakland Athletics sat quietly on the sidelines with a ballpark situation in limbo. Will MLB finally resolve the situation this offseason? MLB likes to control the message, and the message in the playoffs always was focused on the Texas […]
The Week That Was: Nov. 7
It was a busy week on Ballpark Digest, what with municipal elections potentially deciding the fate of the Portland Beavers and Chicago Cubs, logo news, franchise moves, league moves, and more. Here are the top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Lake County Captains unveil logo overhaul Griffith […]
Film shot at Alliant Energy Field to debut next Saturday
A one-hour made-for-television show on the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal filmed at Clinton’s Alliant Energy Field, home of the Clinton Lumberkings (Low Class A; Midwest League), premieres on the MLB Network on Saturday, November 13 at 9 p.m. Eastern. “Triumph and Tragedy: The 1919 Chicago White Sox” was filmed by MLB Productions Senior Producer […]
O-Royals announce initial corporate partners for new ballpark
The Omaha Royals (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) unveiled the eight cornerstone and founding partners, who will receive some prime marketing territory when the new Sarpy County officially opens on April 15, 2011. Quality Brands of Omaha has signed on as a Founding Corporate Partner, sponsoring the Scoreboard Bar, located to the left of center […]
Purpura wins Hemond Award
Minor League Baseball Executive Vice President & COO Tim Purpura has been named the winner of the 10th annual Roland Hemond Award by the Arizona Fall League. The award is presented to recognize a baseball executive who has provided at least 15 years of outstanding service to professional baseball and who has served the Arizona […]