New Alex Box on schedule for February opening
The new LSU Tigers ballpark is on schedule for a February 2009 opening; hurricanes and unexpected snow storms have failed to deter progress on the facility.The new LSU Tigers ballpark is on schedule for a February 2009 opening; hurricanes and unexpected snow storms have failed to deter progress on the facility. The new Alex Box […]
Moores puts Padres on the block
John Moores confirms he’s selling the San Diego Padres, hiring investor advisors from Goldman Sachs to place a value on the team. Forbes estimated the franchise was worth $385 million in its latest round of MLB valuations. “My strong desire is to stay involved, because the last decade and a half has been a terrific […]
Jackson proposes development district to keep Diamond Jaxx
The team’s new lease prominently mentions the creation of a tax-development district surrounding Pringles Park, but some Madison County officials oppose it because there’s no concrete plan from the Diamond Jaxx ownership.The owners of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) want the creation of a tax-development district surrounding Pringles Park in hopes […]
A’s could end up in San Jose after all
An ambiguously phrased letter from Commissioner Bud Selig leads many in the Bay Area to assume that if the attempt by the Oakland A’s to build a new ballpark in Fremont fails, the owners will be able to negotiate with any other community — including San Jose.An ambiguously phrased letter from Commissioner Bud Selig leads […]
Orioles, Sarasota move closer on spring pact
The prospects of a Baltimore Orioles move to Sarasota for spring training brightened significantly last week when the team agreed to a reduced budget and offered $5 million toward maintenance toward a new complex.The prospects of a Baltimore Orioles move to Sarasota for spring training brightened significantly last week when the team agreed to a […]
Defenders pledge to pay back rent by ’09 season opener
The ownership of the Connecticut Defenders agreed to pay $310,000 in back rent for Dodd Stadium to the city of Norwich by Opening Day 2009 — with interest.The ownership of the Connecticut Defenders (Class AA; Eastern League) agreed to pay $310,000 in back rent for Dodd Stadium to the city of Norwich by Opening Day […]
BoSox unveil new primary logo, hats, road unis
The Boston Red Sox will switch to the iconic — and somewhat streamlined — Hanging Sox logo for 2009, as the team unveils four different home and road uniform designs. The Boston Red Sox unveiled new club logos, uniforms, and hats that will make their debut on the field at the start of the 2009 […]
Grizzlies recieve rent reduction, move to part-time tenant
The Fresno Grizzlies and the city rewrite the lease for Chukchansi Park — a move that should save Fresno Baseball Club a half-million dollars annually. But the deal carries its own risk for the city, who will assume management of the ballpark in the offseason and are contracting SMG to promote events there.When the original […]
New Omaha CWS ballpark not neighborly?
Critics of a new College World Series ballpark in downtown Omaha say it’s not integrated with the NoDo and won’t be the economic-activity generator promised by the mayor, as retail has been dropped from the project and there’s a real chance the ballpark won’t be used much beyond the CWS.Critics of a new College World […]
The week that was: Dec. 13
This week’s big news was mostly bad, as ballparks and ballpark developments in Minnesota and San Francisco are delayed. Meanwhile, in Illinois, a proposed Frontier League ballpark received provisional approval, and uninformed sportswriters discuss the prospects of MLB in Las Vegas.This week’s big news was mostly bad, as ballparks and ballpark developments in Minnesota and […]
Barons receive Double-A Freitas Award
The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) have been awarded the prestigious Bob Freitas Award for the Double-A level from Minor League Baseball and Baseball America.The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) have been awarded the prestigious Bob Freitas Award for the Double-A level from Minor League Baseball and Baseball America. The award, named after […]
O-Royals move radio home to KOIL-AM
The Omaha Royals have reached an agreement with NRG Media for all of the team’s games in 2009 and 2010 to be broadcast on KOIL-AM 1180. All 144 Royals games – home and away – will also continue to be broadcast on the team’s website, oroyals.com, as well as on koilam1180.com during the next two […]
Monetizing the cold: how ballparks are used in wintertime
Three teams are taking two different approaches toward monetizing their ballparks in the cold winter months: the Lancaster Barnstormers are once again hosting an ice rink at the ballpark — sponsored, no less — while the Quad Cities River Bandits and American Defenders of New Hampshire are hosting one-day holiday celebrations.Three teams are taking two […]