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 […]
Atlantic League teams won’t train in Florida
The York Revolution, Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will train at home rather than spending the money to train at the Detroit Tigers complex in Lakeland, Fla.The York Revolution, Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will train at home rather than spending the money to train at the Detroit Tigers complex in […]
Gillick named King of Baseball
Senior Vice President and General Manager Pat Gillick of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies was named the “2008 King of Baseball” Thursday night at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet. The “King of Baseball” is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball salutes a veteran from the professional baseball world for long-time […]
New ballpark, MLB revenue-sharing rules made Sabathia deal possible
Despite a down economy, anticipated revenue bumps from the new Yankee Stadium gave the New York Yankees the base for signing C.C. Sabathia to the richest contract ever offered a pitcher, but the financial wherewithal of the team goes much further.Despite a down economy, anticipated revenue bumps from the new Yankee Stadium gave the New […]
Uninformed sports writers agree: Las Vegas could support MLB
With the annual Winter Meetings held this year in Las Vegas, the local paper brings up the issue of whether Sin City could support Major League Baseball and finds a bunch of sportswriters — who are better at writing about player moves than the financials of baseball — who think it would be a nifty […]
JackHammers seek rent reduction for Silver Cross Field
The Joliet JackHammers owe money to vendors and are seeking a rent reduction from the $240,000 owed annually to the city for Silver Cross Field. Board chairman Pete Ferro attributes the request in a slowdown in sponsorship dollars, and admits some vendors may not be paid until 2009.The Joliet JackHammers (independent; Northern League) owe money […]