Ventura Sports Group to offer shares of teams to public
Ventura Sports Group, owner of the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association), El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) and Atlantic City Surf (independent; Can-Am Association), is offering shares in its teams via iTeam Sports, with shares of ownership ranging from $150 to $200. The business model is simple: iTeam Sports is pooling investors’ money and […]
Sounds on the verge of sale?
Nashville City Paper is reporting the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are on the verge of being sold to a New York City investment group. Nashville City Paper is reporting the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are on the verge of being sold to a New York City investment group. There’s […]
Coca-Cola Park, QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie named Best New Ballparks in Ballpark Digest awards
It was a great year for new ballparks, but at the end of the day two facilities earned our award for Best New Ballpark: Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League), and QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie, home of the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association). Both represented the state […]
Mallards, Madison reach agreement on remodel of Warner Park
After years of negotiations the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and the city of Madison have come to a tentative agreement on a renovation of Warner Park.After years of negotiations the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) and the city of Madison have come to a tentative agreement on a renovation of Warner Park. […]
Fresno Grizzlies win Ballpark Digest award for Best Marketing Campaign
Today’s first citation in the annual Ballpark Digest Awards goes to Fresno Grizzlies (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) for the Best Marketing Campaign. This award honors the organization that integrated all the parts of a campaign — a slogan and associated radio, TV, billboard spots and PR efforts — to attract attention. In the case […]
Red Sox, Lee County close to final deal on new training camp
Lee County and the Boston Red Sox are close to a deal that would give the BoSox a new training camp in Lee County in an unspecified location. The plan calls for a new 9,999-seat ballpark, six training field and clubhouse space to be built in Lee County outside Fort Myers.Lee County and the Boston […]
Aaron house finds final home at Mobile ballpark
Henry Aaron’s childhood home is now next at Hank Aaron Stadium, the home of the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League). It took roughly seven hours for the move; the house is on the stadium grounds in GasLight Park where it will receive a six month restoration and be converted into a museum.Henry Aaron’s childhood […]
Dayton Dragons, Rochester Red Wings cited for Ongoing Excellence in Ballpark Digest awards
Today’s first award in the annual Ballpark Digest Awards goes to the organizations we feel typify Ongoing Excellence. To say there was a long list of contenders for this award is an understatement, and we’re pretty confident that we’ve made the right choices: the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) and Dayton Dragons (Low […]
WCCBL shortens name, extends season
The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL) is now the West Coast League (WCL), according to league president Ken Wilson. The West Coast League also announced plans to expand its regular season schedule to 48 games.The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL) is now the West Coast League (WCL), according to league president Ken Wilson. […]
New for 2009: Bowling Green Hot Rods
It’s the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Sally League), as the team’s new branding was introduced during a live event Monday night at Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green. The team also announced a brand new website, bghotrods.com, where fans can purchase tickets and merchandise for the new South Atlantic League franchise.It’s […]
Opening Day Partners, Grand Prairie win award for best ballpark innovations
Water is the theme of today’s second set of awards, as we recognize Opening Day Partners and the Grand Prairie AirHogs for best ballpark innovations. In each case, the innovation had to do with water — and pools, specifically. A pool at the ballpark is no big whoop these days, but Opening Day Partners and […]
Highwoods Properties outlines plan for new Richmond ballpark
Highwoods Properties presented the Richmond City Council today with plans for a new ballpark in the city’s Shockoe Bottom area. The proposal calls for a 6,500-seat ballpark with a total capacity of 8,500 when you add in berms, suites and picnic areas. Highwoods Properties presented the Richmond City Council today with plans for a new […]
River Bandits, Frisco nab award for best ballpark improvements
We continue our announcements of the 2008 Ballpark Digest awards with the winner of Best Ballpark Improvements. Or, rather, winners; when we were confronted with two truly noteworthy sets of improvements, we decided to honor both: the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) for improvements to Dr Pepper Ballpark and the Quad Cities River Bandits […]