Fraser Field / North Shore Navigators
Built in 1940, Fraser Field has hosted Eastern League and independent baseball; it’s now home to summer-collegiate ball. FAST FACTS Year Built: 1940 Capacity: 3,804 Dimensions: 320L, 400C, 320R Parking: There is some limited street parking in front of the ballpark, but beware: there are some inconsistent restrictions on parking in the area, and the […]
LaGrave Field / Fort Worth Cats
It is one of the most unusual ballparks in minor-league baseball, as Fort Worth’s LaGrave Field is a new ballpark set on the grounds of a former affiliated classic. As such, it’s the best of both worlds. FAST FACTS Year Opened: Current incarnation, 2002 Capacity: 5,200 Dimensions: 320L, 370LC, 400C, 366RC, 330R Playing Surface: Grass […]
Fenway Park / Boston Red Sox
It’s not every day when an icon manages to meet your expectations, never mind exceed them. But Fenway Park, the Mecca for everyone interested in balkparks on any level, not only meets expectations but shatters them. It is true that at Fenway the grass is greener, the hot dogs are tastier, and the fans more […]
The week that was: Jan. 3
This week’s top stories: the Tampa Bay Rays propose a new ballpark site; memories of old ballparks; the Red Sox and Orioles continue to work on spring-training solutions; and Wrigley Field becomes the first MLB park to host NHL hockey.Here are the top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page […]
United League Baseball declares bankruptcy
The Texas-based circuit, besieged by three lawsuits and the potential loss of two ballparks, has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And without a 2009 schedule released, it’s questionable whether the league will be back this season.United Sports Equities — the holding company for independent United League Baseball — has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a […]
Hot Rods blanket field at new ballpark
Bad weather is forcing the ownership of the Bowling Green Hot Rods to cover their field with thermal blankets in an attempt to prevent damage to the new turf. Bad weather is forcing the ownership of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Sally League) to cover their field with thermal blankets in an […]
Talks break down on revamped Kannapolis lease
Talks to extend the lease of Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium to the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) have collapsed, leading Rowan County officials to recommend letting the lease lapse in 2010.Talks to extend the lease of Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium to the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low Class A; Sally League) have collapsed, leading Rowan County officials […]
Fans have blast at Wrigley Field hockey game
While it didn’t have the same impact as last year’s outdoor matchup, New Year’s Day hockey game at Wrigley Field was a special event for the more than 40,000 fans in attendance.It was a typical Chicago winter day — 32 degrees with a nasty breeze that brought the wind chill down to 19 degrees — […]
It’s the end of the year as we know it
It’s been an eventful year in the baseball world, but there’s a lot more to come in 2009 — like the openings of two new MLB parks, 11 new minor-league and college ballparks, five renovated facilities and three improved spring-training complexes. If you’re a ballpark enthusiast, you’re positively licking your chops at the abundance of […]
Offers of land for new BoSox training facility not quite free
Lee County was pretty specific about needing 80 acres of donated land from a developer for a potential new Boston Red Sox spring-training site — but at the end of the day only two of the 13 proposals submitted last week didn’t carry a price tag.
Rays propose Carillon Town Center site for ballpark
Tampa Bay Rays ownership has put forward a site at the Carillon Town Center as the potential location for a new ballpark.Tampa Bay Rays ownership has put forward a site at the Carillon Town Center as the potential location for a new ballpark. The location, near the intersection of major roads near the western end […]
Sale of Curve completed
The sale of the Altoona Curve from Curve Baseball LP to the family of Bob Lozinak has been completed following final approval from the Eastern League, Minor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner. The sale of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) from Curve Baseball LP to the family […]
Hinchliffe Stadium nominated for preservation citation
The Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium are nominating the former home of the New York Black Yankees for placement on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.The Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium are nominating the former home of the New York Black Yankees for placement on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. […]