Ballpark of the Year: Target Field
It is a ballpark like no other, one with so many hometown touches you expect to find Garrison Keillor handing out hot dish and egg coffee at the front gates. But it’s also a thoroughly modern facility, a ballpark winning praise for its many green features and unique design. The most urban ballpark in the […]
Erie, Tigers officially extend PDC
The Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Detroit Tigers officially extended their player-development contract for two more years. “We are very pleased to make this announcement today,” said SeaWolves Team President/General Manager John Frey said. “The Tigers have been a big part of the success of the SeaWolves for the past seven seasons […]
Reds, Blaze make shotgun wedding official
As the last two standing at High Class A, the Cincinnati Reds and the Bakersfield Blaze (California League) were meant to be — but that didn’t stop them from issuing a celebratory press release anyway. Plus, the Blaze has a new general manager: Elizabeth Martin. The player-development contract runs for two years, through 2012. “The […]
Wooing voters, Mesa and Cubs release ballpark renderings
In an effort to turn out support for public funding of a new Chicago Cubs spring-training complex in northwest Mesa, the city and the team released renderings of a lovely new facility, complete with retail, iconic sign a la Wrigley and office space. Mesa voters will have before them two referendum questions on Nov. 2 […]
Kaval leaves Golden League; Outcalt is new CEO
A small shakeup at Diamond Sports & Entertainment, the parent of the independent Golden Baseball League and the Arizona Winter League: CEO David Kaval is stepping down, to be replaced as CEO by Kevin Outcalt. Kaval, a founder of the indy circuit, will remain as chairman of the Board of Directors. He’s leaving the GBL […]
Announcing the 2010 Ballpark Digest Awards
It’s that time of year again: we’re busy compiling the annual Ballpark Digest Awards. Each year Ballpark Digest honors the best and brightest in the baseball world. Later this week we’ll be announcing our ballparks of the year, both new and renovated, as well as organization of the year; for now we want your input […]
In memoriam: Ben Mondor and Harold Cooper
Two giants in the Minor League Baseball world passed away: Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) owner Ben Mondor passed away last night, while former International League President Harold Cooper passed away this morning. Mondor and Cooper played important roles in Minor League Baseball, helping nurture the industry as it went through some terrible […]
Grasshoppers unveil 2011 pledge: $100K if the team makes the playoffs
We have our first noteworthy promotion of the 2011 season: The Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally League) will donate $100,000 to 20 local charities — as chosen by season-ticket holders and sponsors — if they make the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The winners will be announced at a date […]
Spring training returning to Al Lang Field, St. Pete
Spring training will be returning to Al Lang Field and St. Petersburg in 2011, as three international teams will train there and other St. Pete sites while playing some exhibition games against MLB teams — and more may be on the way. The city is holding a press conference this morning to announce that the […]
Nine finalists unveiled for O-Royals name change
The nine finalists for the new — or perhaps simply updated — name and logo for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have been unveiled, and fans have one last chance to vote for their favorite. The nine finalists are: Cattlemen, Commanders, Force, Hailstorm, Omahogs, Royals, Sodbusters, Storm Chasers and Windwalkers. Fans have […]
Win a free signed copy of the Tenth Inning for your DVD collection
We have the first — but not the last — giveaway on Ballpark Digest this offseason, as we’re offering a signed Blu-ray/DVD pack of Baseball: The Tenth Inning, the latest mini-series from master documentary producer Ken Burns covering America’s Pastime, which appears in stores tomorrow. If you missed the airing of Baseball: The Tenth Inning […]
Bears to Can-Am Association?
The Newark Bears may be switching from the Atlantic League to the Can-Am Association, a move that may help the struggling team in the long term but could cause some headaches for both indy circuits. It’s no secret indy ball has struggled in Newark, despite a relatively new ballpark — Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium […]
Dillas officially evicted; Amarillo to seek new tenant for ballpark
The decision by Potter County Commissioners to end the lease for the Amarillo Dillas (independent; United League Baseball) may have terminated the current version of the team over unpaid rent, but the independent American Association is preparing a bid for the market. The meeting of the Potter County Commissioners was pretty much a formality: Reunion […]