Cubs: We’re not wedded to idea of Cactus League ticket tax
Chicago Cubs management says the team isn't necessarily wedded to the idea of a ticket surcharge on all Cactus League games to help pay for a new Mesa spring-training facility. In a day filled with mixed signals, Chicago Cubs president Crane Kenney says a 8 percent surcharge on Cactus League ducats won't be necessary to […]
Schuster: Sugar Land plans don’t affect Montgomery County team
Mark Schuster says that any plans to bring an affiliated or Atlantic League team into suburban Sugar Land won't affect his plans to bring an American Association team into Montgomery County. The drama over the future of baseball in the Houston suburbs continues, as Mark Schuster — the managing partner at Ventura Sports, the group […]
Sounds making another run at downtown ballpark
The new owners of the Nashville Sounds are trying to accomplish what the former owner of the team couldn't do: pull off a move to a new downtown ballpark, with the help of local professionals and architects. The new owners of the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are trying to accomplish what the […]
Will Astros relent on affiliated team in Sugar Land?
Two reliable sources tell us Houston Astros ownership is debating whether to drop their territorial objections to an affiliated team in suburban Sugar Land. Two reliable sources tell us Houston Astros ownership is debating whether to drop their territorial objections to an affiliated team in suburban Sugar Land. As you'll recall, Sugar Land officials passed […]
A Century of Ballparks: Joker Marchant Stadium and Tiger Town
We begin our celebration of a century of great ballparks with a visit to Joker Marchant Stadium, one of the grand dames of spring training. Tiger Town dates back to the end of World War II, when the former Lodwick School of Aeronautics was converted to a training complex; Joker Marchant Stadium opened in 1966 […]
Mariners report profit for 2009
The Seattle Mariners reported a $3.2 million profit for the 2009 season, thanks to a more competitive team and continued fan interest. The Seattle Mariners reported a $3.2 million profit for the 2009 season, thanks to a more competitive team and continued fan interest. That's the word in the annual report filed by the Mariners […]
It’s official: Montgomery County, Ventura Sports release details on new ballpark/retail complex
Ventura Sports and the county have released details about the development deal with Wallace Bajjali and the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) for a new independent-league ballpark in the Houston suburb. We've reported on this earlier in the month, but here are some more details on the deal between Ventura Sports Group, Wallace Bajjali […]
Kannapolis offers free admission to vets this season
The Kannapolis Intimidators are moving past veterans' discounts and will offer free admission this season. The Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) are moving past veterans' discounts and will offer free admission this season to any past or present member of the military — with promotional assistance from the U.S. Marine Corps. New for […]
Twins bring back Schweigert franks to new ballpark
The Minnesota Twins go back to the archives and bring back the original hot dogs served at Met Stadium — because Schweigert makes it better. The Minnesota Twins go back to the archives and announced plans to serve Schweigert hot dogs — the original hot dogs served at Metropolitan Stadium — at Target Field. Baby […]
Promotions Watch: MiniKISS, fireworks and more
We launch our new weekly promotions column with a look at the most notable ways teams are bringing fans into the ballpark. This week: the Madison Mallards go small with MiniKISS; the Northwest Arkansas Naturals go big with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders; and the Albuquerque Isotopes bring back 50-cent hot dogs. New for Ballpark Digest […]
Spinners continue quest to rid New England of Yankees
The Lowell Spinners are bringing back the Yankees Elimination Promotion for a fifth year, as the Red Sox affiliate works to eliminate New York Yankees teams from youth baseball programs throughout New England.The Lowell Spinners (short season; NY-Penn League) are bringing back the Yankees Elimination Promotion for a fifth year, as the Red Sox affiliate […]
Frederick Keys rebrand ballpark cafe
The former Keys Café is now the Mattress Warehouse Club.The Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) have sold naming rights to a renovated high-end restaurant at Harry Grove Stadium, which will be known as the Mattress Warehouse Club. It was known formerly known as the Keys Café. “We are glad to have Mattress Warehouse […]
Saints to barnstorm for spring training
The St. Paul Saints will be taking to the road and playing in some small, historic ballparks to prepare for the regular season. More teams should do this: the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) are taking spring training on the road and playing two games against local town teams before the regular season begins. […]