Alexandria Aces jump ship to TCL
The Alexandria Aces are jumping ship from the Continental Baseball League and joining the Texas Collegiate League. The Alexandria Aces, whose history is a virtual history of independent ball in Texas, is shifting leagues once again — this time to the summer-collegiate Texas Collegiate League. The move is effective immediately, and the Aces will play […]
Bowman files papers for Michigan political run
Bob Bowman, MLB AM's CEO, has filed the paperwork to explore a run for the governor's office in Michigan. Some interesting news from the political world: Bob Bowman, the CEO of Major League Baseball Advanced Media (BAM), has filed paperwork to explore a race for governor in his home state of Michigan. Bowman filed as […]
Flying Squirrels unveil uniform designs
The Richmond Flying Squirrels released uniform and cap designs for the 2010 season. The Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) introduced their new mascot “Nutzy” and modeled their four different uniform designs during a press event spectacle which included music, light and visual effects at the historic Byrd Theatre on Thursday afternoon. The club […]
Cubs punt on Wrigley 2014 plan for now; will implement modest improvements in ’10
New Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and crew are bypassing the ambitious Wrigley 2014 renovation plan for now and will instead work on a series of cosmetic changes costing far less — but at some point the long-term viability of the Friendly Confines must be addressed. New Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and crew are […]
New for 2010: Mosaic Field at Charlotte Sports Park
Pending county approval, the spring-training home of the Tampa Bay Rays will have a new name. Pending county approval, the spring-training home of the Tampa Bay Rays and the regular-season home of the Charlotte County Stone Crabs (High Class A; Florida State League) will have a new name: Mosaic Field at Charlotte Sports Park. Mosaic […]
Ballpark Visits: MCU Park, Olympic Stadium and Nat Bailey Stadium
Posting some more oldies and goodies from the archives. For your enjoyment: lots of photos and text from ballpark visits to MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones; Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Vancouver Canadians; and Olympic Stadium when it was home to the Montreal Expos. When we transitioned to the new site we […]
Brown new GM in Myrtle Beach
Scott Brown, one of the good guys in MiLB, replaces North Johnson as GM of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.Scott Brown, one of the good guys in MiLB, replaces North Johnson as GM of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High Class A; Carolina League). Johnson left the club in January to take over the same role with […]
Nat Bailey Stadium / Vancouver Canadians
Nat Bailey Stadium began life as Capilano Stadium, the home of the legendary Vancouver Capilanos of the Western International League. (What’s a Capilano? It was a local brewery.) It’s been the psychic center of baseball in British Columbia since there, serving as the home of the Vancouver Capilanos (“Caps”), the Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific […]
Olympic Stadium / Montreal Expos
We dig into the archives for a look back at Olympic Stadium when it hosted the Montreal Expos. Year Built: 1976 Capacity: 46,500 Dimensions: 325L, 404C, 325R Ticket Prices: VIP, $40; box seats, $30; terrace, $20; general admission, $15; bleachers, $10 (all prices CDN) Parking: There are several public parking lots within a block of […]
Ballpark Visit: MCU Park / 3
We visit MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones. Page 3: Thrill rides.Not everything at MCU Park is a modern amenity. The lineups and New York Penn League leader board are posted on the concourse near home plate on whiteboards with a marker, a refreshingly minor-league touch amongst the atmosphere of a sponsored carnival. On […]
Bullfrogs still on track for new ballpark: Royle
Green Bay Bullfrogs owner Jeffrey Royle and partner Smet Construction receive a six-month extension for his new-ballpark development plan.Titletown Entertainment Foundation — made up of the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and Smet Construction Services received a six-month extension to their deal for a new ballpark and other development from the Redevelopment Authority […]
The ten stupid things new team owners do
During fifteen years working in leagues ranging from the National Hockey League to the Appalachian League and the Coastal Plain League, I’ve have a front-row seat to the sale of lots of teams. I’ve been involved with absentee owners, community–minded local owners, and even community-owned teams. There have been some of the finest people I’ve […]
Bringing fans into the game: three approaches
The big trend in sporting events in 2010: increasing fan participation with in-game promotions featuring texting, video and more. Here are three approaches from teams and vendors. Attention spans are getting shorter every day, and keeping fans at the ballpark is getting to be a harder proposition every season. Plus, a savvy operator will want […]