Orioles, stadium authority negotiating new Oriole Park lease
A plan for Oriole Park improvements as part of a new ballpark lease is now under discussion between the Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority, potentially adding more year-round events and new social spaces. (more…)
Players cut to the chase, ask MLB to set terms of a 2020 season
After it rejected an MLB plan for a 72-game season with reduced salaries, expanded playoffs, a July 14 season launch and a Sept. 27 end, the players union told MLB to just order a return to work, along the lines of what the pair agreed to in March when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a season shutdown. […]
MLB’s latest offer: 72 games, 80% prorated salaries
We have yet another “final” proposal presented to the players association from MLB for a 2020 season calling for 72 games, 80 percent of prorated salaries, expanded playoffs, a July 14 season launch and a Sept. 27 end to the regular season, with an October World Series. (more…)
Six American Association teams to participate in three-city season
We have some clarity in the 2020 independent baseball world, as six American Association teams will be playing out of three hubs, with games hosted by the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Milwaukee Milkmen and Sioux Falls Canaries. (more…)
Final Four time in Best of the Ballparks 2020 High-A voting
After an Elite Eight round that saw three of the four decisions decided by fewer than 50 votes, it’s time to move to the Final Four round in the Best of the Ballparks 2020 MiLB High-A fan vote, and we want to hear from you! (more…)
Despite Sugar Land defection, Atlantic League plans 2020 season
There are still many decisions to be made on the 2020 independent-baseball season, as the three major circuits grapple with a patchwork of state and local regulations. Despite a Sugar Land Skeeters defection, the rest of the Atlantic League is planning for play this year. (more…)
Manfred: We’ll be playing baseball this summer and fall
After an exchange of proposals to launch the 2020 season that saw MLB and MLBPA inch closer to a resolution, Commissioner Rob Manfred vows there will be play this season, with a 50-game season a last resort. (more…)
New for 2020: Truist Field
The home of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) has a new name: Truist Field, as the former BB&T Ballpark is rebranded after a bank acquisition saw BB&T Bank merge with SunTrust to form Truist Financial Corp. (more…)
TX, OK MiLB teams to host summer-collegiate play at unused ballparks
We’ve heard from a few Minor League Baseball owners offering their venues to summer-collegiate teams, but this is the first such announcement, and it’s a big one: Five MiLB organizations will be fielding six teams in the Texas Collegiate League. (more…)
Six Northwoods League teams to launch play July 1
A six-team pod of summer-collegiate Northwoods League teams will begin play on July 1, with the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, Green Bay Booyah, La Crosse Loggers, Rockford Rivets, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Wisconsin Woodchucks launching their 2020 seasons. (more…)
Examining tangled legacies at sports facilities in a #BLM world
A debate over Marge Schott’s legacy in terms of the University of Cincinnati’s Marge Schott Stadium is leading to a larger issue: how to address the tangled legacies behind venue names at colleges and universities across the country. (more…)
Skeeters to launch four-team indy league at Constellation Field for 2020
The Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) will run their own four-team independent baseball league at Constellation Field for 2020, beginning July 3 and running for 56 games through Aug. 23. (more…)
Ballpark Preview: Toyota Field, Rocket City Trash Pandas
After six long years since the Huntsville Stars left Joe Davis Stadium, baseball returns to the area with the arrival of the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Class AA; Southern League) to Madison’s Toyota Field, ready to host Minor League Baseball when play resumes. (more…)