SI Yankees: Preparing for next season
Joe Ricciutti and crew lay in for 2009.Everyone in baseball knows hard work now pays off when the gates open next year. But the offseason marketing of a baseball team is a lot more sophisticated than it was in the past. Witness the changes in how the Staten Island Yankees (short season; NY-Penn League) approach […]
Recession? What recession?
Teams are preparing to throw truckloads of money at free agents like C.C. Sabathia and Manny Ramirez, seemingly oblivious to the financial crisis facing the rest of America.When next season’s free-agent signing period opened on Friday, MLB teams responded like there was no financial crisis plaguing the rest of America: The Yankees offered pitcher C.C. […]
Land acquired for Drillers ballpark site
The seven acres needed for a new Tulsa Drillers ballpark has been acquired by the Tulsa Stadium Trust. The seven acres slated for a new Tulsa Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) ballpark has been acquired by the Tulsa Stadium Trust, clearing the way for construction of a new $60-million facility. The land is worth almost […]
How a ballpark deal went bad in Brownsville
When United League Baseball and a local developer failed to finance a new Brownsville ballpark, the city declined to step in — dooming the project.When United League Baseball first proposed a new Brownsville ballpark in association with developer Richard Hope, the financial arrangement was clear: ULB and Hope would finance the $7.5 million facility and […]
New Sounds owners “a breath of fresh air”
Nashville hearts Frank Ward and crew.Today’s Tennessean newspaper tackles the issue of the future of the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), as new owners Frank Ward, Steve Posner and Masahiro Honzawa prepare to take the reins of the beleaguered franchise. To say baseball fans have been put through the ringer the last four […]
Mincher, Gehr snare honors
Southern League President Don Mincher and Carol Gehr, Director of Business Operations for the Hagerstown Suns, have been named by Minor League Baseball as this year’s recipients of the Warren Giles and the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Awards, respectively. Southern League President Don Mincher and Carol Gehr, Director of Business Operations for the […]
Castillo to be arraigned in ballpark brawl incident
Julio Castillo, accused of throwing a ball into the stands and subsequently injuring a fan during a brawl between the Peoria Chiefs and the Dayton Dragons (both Low Class A; Midwest League), will be arraigned today in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.Julio Castillo, accused of throwing a ball into the stands and subsequently injuring a […]
Sarasota makes $55 million pitch to Orioles for spring-training base
Sarasota says it will spend between $40 million and $55 million on a ballpark, camp at the Reds training site if the Orioles move.Sarasota officials have put together a plan to woo the Baltimore Orioles’ spring-training base by spendlng upwards of $55 million on a complex that could include a new ballpark or a renovated […]
Is ULB on the outs in Harlingen?
Jerry Deal, the indefatigable former employee of United League Baseball, sends word that the Harlingen WhiteWings have been locked out of their ballpark for nonpayment of utilities.To say there’s a lot of bad feelings in the Lone Star State over United League Baseball might be an understatement, and we now have a report that the […]
Orioles unveil uniform, logo updates
The Orioles unveil the first changes to the team logo since 1999, opting for a cleaner look and a greater emphasis on pushing "Baltimore" in the overall look.The Baltimore Orioles unveiled new home and road uniforms, opting for a clean look and a return to an emphasis on Baltimore as an important part of the […]
BoSox to hold line on ticket prices in 2009
In the face of a bad economy, the BoSox front office announces a freeze on ticket prices for the first time since 1995.The Boston Red Sox have joined the Seattle Mariners in deciding not to raise tickets prices for the 2009 season, as baseball prepares to do business in 2009 in what should be a […]
Requests for proposals go out for new Vegas ballpark
The city of Las Vegas has sent out requests for proposals for the redevelopment of the Cashman Center, which includes Cashman Field, the home of the Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)The city of Las Vegas has sent out requests for proposals for the redevelopment of the Cashman Center, which includes Cashman Field, […]
Fort Myers mayor slams Red Sox spring-training agreement
Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey isn’t happy about the $80-million deal struck between Lee County and the Boston Red Sox for a new spring-training complex, saying it’s a bad deal for taxpayers.Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey isn’t happy about the $80-million deal struck between Lee County and the Boston Red Sox for a new spring-training […]