Bellingham Bells sold
The Bellingham Bells (summer collegiate; West Coast League) have a new owner, as Bellevue businessman Eddie Poplawski has purchased the franchise from Brett Sports & Entertainment, who have owned the team since January 2008. Poplawski is the former president/CEO/chairman of Anderson Chamberlin (now known as Anderson Daymon Worldwide), Costco’s in-house manufacturer’s rep firm, and the […]
The next big thing: Artificial turf
Forget about the old days of AstroTurf, the artificial turf with practically no padding, the stuff that killed careers — or certainly impacted them, as Andre Dawson can attest. Today’s artificial turf is making a resurgence in indy and college ballparks, as the product has improved significantly in recent years. It wasn’t that long ago […]
Thinking big in Escondido
The city of Escondido (Cal.) certainly is thinking big when it comes to a new home for the wandering Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League): What began as a $50 million ballpark has now expanded to a $180-million, 150-acre Sports Entertainment District, which could tie up every penny of city development money for years. […]
Birmingham formally approves downtown ballpark; next up, the Barons
A vote by the Birmingham City Council approving a new downtown ballpark may have been an important step in the process, but the real work is just beginning: finalizing the financials and coming to a lease agreement with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The Barons are key to the ballpark actually being built; […]
West Chester: We need serious ballpark proposal before proceeding
West Chester (Pa.) officials sound enthusiastic about the prospect of a new MiLB ballpark, but the Borough Council is running into a huge obstacle: there’s no actual ballpark proposal on the table and no official documentation that land for the project is actually for sale at an affordable price. The ballpark, which could potentially house […]
New Marshall U ballpark closer to reality
A new 2,500-seat ballpark for Marshall University would anchor a $50-million development in Huntington, W.V., as the state’s economic-development authority authorizes additional bonding for the project. The project, to be located east of the Marshall U campus along the Ohio River, would also include a 110-room hotel, a restaurant and retail. At one time pro […]
Willi joins DSF Sports & Entertainment
John Willi, the award-winning general manager of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), is jumping ship to DSF Sports & Entertainment, owner of two teams and more to come. He’s the firm’s new vice president and will be based in Bowling Green. DSF Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the New Hampshire […]
Nuts garner awards, release All-Star Game logo
It’s been a good October for the Modesto Nuts (High Class A; California League): the team garnered multiple Cal League awards, and the team released a logo in anticipation of hosting 2011 California League/Carolina League All-Star Game. First: The Nuts was named the California League’s Organization of the Year, as announced by California League President […]
Orioles release 2011 spring-training schedule
In what is undoubtedly the wave of the Grapefruit League future, the Baltimore Orioles released a 2011 spring-training schedule today that’s heavy on games against local opponents, with no visits to or from Treasure Coast teams. You can view the full schedule here. As you can see, the schedule is heavy on Gulf Coast teams, […]
Nats to unveil new unis in November
Suffice it to say the Washington Nationals didn’t display too much sartorial splendor when the team moved from Montreal, a city where the uniforms were always noteworthy. That situation should be rectified next month when the team unveils new unis. The new uniforms, to be unveiled at a Nov. 10 event, will reportedly be more […]
Pfander to Akron, Leite to New Hampshire, Olerud to Potomac
A host of personnel changes in front offices to report today: Jim Pfander is the new executive VP/COO of the Akron Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League), Matt Leite is the new media relations manager for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) and Josh Olerud is the new general manager of the Potomac […]
Four bids submitted for Amarillo ballpark lease
Four bids were received by Potter County for a lease at Amarillo National Bank Dilla Villa (Potter County Stadium), with some familiar faces in the mix — like the Amarillo Dillas and the American Association — as well as some unfamiliar players. The Amarillo Dillas bid did strike us as odd. This whole mess was […]
Cook joins revamped Barons front office
Big changes in the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) front office this offseason, as John Cook leaves Minor League Baseball to join the staff as Director of Sales. Cook previouslt was Senior Vice President of Business Ops at St. Pete; previously he was general manager of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State […]