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 […]
RailCats revamp front office
The Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League) revamped their front office at the end of the 2010 season, as president/GM Roger Wexelberg is out, Andy Viano is in, and Dave Salvi takes over as head of the franchise. Wexelberg became the organization’s first employee in July 2001 when he was hired as Vice President/General Manager, a […]
The Week That Was: October 2
Here are the most popular stories published in Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views. The big stories this week: new ballparks in Potomac and Westfield; a baseball institution drops baseball; and the continuing follies in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over a new ballpark. Westfield approves site for sports complex, complete with new ballpark P-Nats, […]
ULB misses final Dillas payment; team could be evicted today
In potentially a sad ending for a community that’s supported baseball, United League Baseball missed yesterday’s deadline for a final $50,000 to cover back rent at the Amarillo Dilla Villa, and the Amarillo Dillas could be evicted as early as this morning. The independent league had a 2010 lease for the Dilla Villa that called […]
Dodgers sign affiliate deal with RC Quakes; Angels go with Inland Empire
As first reported here, the Los Angeles Dodgers have indeed signed a two-year affiliation deal with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High Class A; California League); the Dodgers also purchased a minority chunk of the team, we’re told. Meanwhile, the Quakes’ former parent, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, signed an affiliate deal with the Inland […]