The week that was: June 13
The top stories on Ballpark Digest this week: the Albuquerque Isotopes move more than 37,000 hot dogs on promo night; speculation over new Atlantic League team in Loudoun County, Opening Day Partners comes forward with Richmond ballpark plan, and more. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views: Isotopes […]
Ump throws out entire crowd at game
Not only did the umpire at the Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington high-school game toss everyone in the stands, he called the police for protection. It was a rough day for the ump at the Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington high-school baseball game on Thursday: Not only did he toss the entire crowd, he called […]
Prim can’t raise $$$ to finish Dash ballpark; wants city bailout
Winston-Salem Dash owner Billy Prim says he can't raise money in the open market and wants the city to pay $15.7 million toward construction of an unfinished downtown ballpark. But the real story, we're told, is considerably more complicated and represents a very risky strategy for Prim. If the original game plan had worked out, […]
Yankees may not sell out Mets games
In another sign the New York Yankees badly misjudged the market when planning the new Yankee Stadium, this weekend's Subway Series against the Mets isn't sold out. In another sign the New York Yankees badly misjudged the market when planning the new Yankee Stadium, this weekend's Subway Series against the Mets isn't sold out. That […]
San Jose ballpark committee meets for first time
A 30-person committee charged with addressing community concerns about a 32,000-seat ballpark for the Oakland A's is expected to meet several times throughout the summer before coming to Mayor Chuck Reed with recommendations. A 30-person committee of San Jose business leaders and citizens charged with addressing community concerns about a 32,000-seat ballpark for the Oakland […]
Tucson spring-training tax revived, but will it matter?
A bill in the Arizona Legislature allowing Pima County residents to vote on increased taxes for spring-training facilities is alive, but we're not sure it will matter. A bill in the Arizona Legislature allowing Tucson residents to vote on increased taxes for spring-training facilities is alive, but we're not sure it will matter. The measure […]
Outlook mixed on new Loudoun County ballpark
Public response to a proposed Atlantic League ballpark in Loudoun County seems to be enthusiastic, but some elected officials and environmentalists wonder whether the project is necessary. Public response to a proposed Atlantic League ballpark in Loudoun County seems to be enthusiastic, but some elected officials and environmentalists wonder whether the project is necessary. The […]
Flyers to attempt record for most participants in a dizzy-bat contest
The Schaumburg Flyers will attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records by bringing a field of volunteers this close to nausea. The Schaumburg Flyers (independent; Northern League) are having a dizzy bat race on a monster scale in an attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records. We couldn't find any reference […]
Isotopes sell more than 37,000 hot dogs on promo night
Over 11,000 Albuquerque Isotopes fans devour almost 38,000 hot dogs during the team's 50-cent hot-dog promotion. After a long night of counting at Isotopes Park, the results are finally in: it’s evident that Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) fans love their hot dogs, as nearly 38,000 of the ballpark staples were consumed as […]
LSU tops 400K mark in baseball attendance
The LSU Tigers drew over 400,000 fans to the new Alex Box Stadium for the 2009 season — a figure that we assume sets a college-baseball record. The LSU Tigers drew over 400,000 fans to the new Alex Box Stadium for the 2009 season — a figure that we assume sets a college-baseball record. The […]
Are Bluefish headed to Loudoun County?
In an announcement about Loudoun County investors snaring an independent Atlantic League franchise for 2011, it was reported the group was buying an existing team already owned by league founder Frank Boulton and investor Tony Rosenthal. Unless the pair have a defunct franchise in their hip pocket — always a possibility — the likeliest team […]
Tucson spring-training tax is dead — for now
A proposed tax hike for spring-training facilities in Pima County is dead in the Arizona Legislature — for now. A proposal to allow Pima County residents to approve a sales-tax hike for spring-training facilities there is dead in the Arizona Legislature — for now. The proposal would increase hotel, restaurant, retail and amusement sales taxes […]
New for 2011: TD Ameritrade Park
The new downtown Omaha home of the College World Series is the beneficiary of a $20-million, 20-year naming-rights deal. The new downtown Omaha home of the College World Series will be known as TD Ameritrade Park after the Omaha-based brokerage firm agreed to pay $20 million over 20 years for naming rights. The deal calls […]