PGE Park / Portland Beavers
Goodbye, PGE Park. With the former football stadium and racetrack slated for a conversion to an MLS soccer stadium in coming months, Portland will once again be without baseball. Here’s a look at PGE Park when it served as the home of the PCL’s Portland Beavers. FAST FACTS Year Built: 1926; rebuilt 2001 Capacity: 20,000 […]
Wake Forest Baseball Park / Wake Forest University
Baseball fans in North Carolina talk reverently about old-time Carolina League ballparks. Ironically, there aren’t many old-time Carolina League ballparks still in use as professional-baseball venues; Kinston is about it, really. Wake Forest Baseball Park, the former Ernie Shore Field and home of the Winston-Salem Warthogs, is now home to the Wake Forest University Demon […]
New Winston-Salem ballpark opening may be delayed
Work on a new ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs slows down dramatically as ownership changes are negotiated.Work on a new ballpark for the Winston-Salem Warthogs (High Class A; Carolina League) is slowing down dramatically as ownership changes are negotiated, and the team is making contingency plans should the facility not be completed for an April […]
Renovation, not replacement of Athletic Park likely course of action
Given the economy, the sentiment in Wausau is spending money on renovations to Athletic Park, the home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks, rather than replacing it.When Marathon County officials determined the concessions at Wausau’s Athletic Park, the home of the Wisconsin Woodchucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), needed upgrading to meet code, the team faced a tough […]
Athletic Park / Wisconsin Woodchucks
Athletic Park is sometimes called the Wrigley Field of the Northwoods League, and the claim has a lot of merit. Like Wrigley, Athletic Park is old: the original grandstand dates back to 1936, and the stone wall surrounding the ballpark came a few years after that. Athletic Park is nestled in a residential area north […]
Could new Marlins ballpark cost county $3 billion annually?
We’re not sure we buy the premise, but one publication estimates that spending tax money on a new Florida Marlins ballpark as opposed to a convention center will cost Miami-Dade County billions.We’re not sure we buy the premise, but one publication estimates that spending tax money on a new Florida Marlins ballpark as opposed to […]
Victoria TCL team formally announced; Pump Jacks to return
News from the Texas Collegiate League: More information on the new Victoria team, while the East Texas Pump Jacks confirm a return.Today the Texas Collegiate League formally announced what we reported yesterday: a new Victoria team is entering the summer-collegiate circuit. The team will be owned and operated by local businessperson Tracy Young. The new Victoria franchise […]
Heitman makes another run at McHenry County ballpark
Peter Heitman is partnering with McHenry County Community Foundation to bring a new ballpark and a Frontier League franchise to suburban Chicago.Peter Heitman is partnering with McHenry County Community Foundation to bring a new ballpark and a Frontier League franchise to suburban Chicago. The current plan calls for a new ballpark in Woodstock, Illinois, a […]
Sarasota, Orioles continue spring-training discussions
Sarasota officials want some time to study a proposal from the Baltimore Orioles for a $65-million spring complex that includes a renovated Ed Smith Stadium. Sarasota officials say they need a little time to review a proposal from the Baltimore Orioles for a $65-million spring-training complex. As discussed in last night’s county commission meeting, the […]
Franklin new GM in River City, as Toole steps down
Chris Franklin is the new GM and Executive Vice President of the River City Rascals, replacing Jamie Toole, who resigned for personal reasons.Chris Franklin is the new Executive Vice President and GM of the River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League), replacing Jamie Toole, who resigned for personal reasons. Franklin began his professional career in River City […]
Duquette passes on naming rights for Wahconah Park — for now
Dan Duquette and the other owners of the American Defenders of Pittsfield can’t close on a naming-rights deal for the historic Pittsfield (Mass.) ballpark.Historic Wahconah Park will retain its name, as Dan Duquette and the other owners of the American Defenders of Pittsfield (NECBL) can’t close on a naming-rights deal for the historic Pittsfield (Mass.) […]
Tulsa council to vote on ballpark bonds
The Tulsa City Council is expected to authorize the sale of $25 million in bonds for a new Tulsa Drillers ballpark.The Tulsa City Council is expected to authorize the sale of $25 million in bonds for a new Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) ballpark. The vote, scheduled for today’s council meeting, will be issued […]
D-Backs virtually certain to shift spring operations to PHX
Team officials see no future in Tucson spring training with defection of White Sox.The Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed ongoing talks with four potential operators of spring-training sites in the greater Phoenix area, including the Gila River Indian Reservation. (We hinted at this yesterday with a reference to a river running through of the potential spring-training training […]