Another alternative ballpark use during a pandemic: Fore!
With no baseball on the field, we’re seeing ballparks used for other forms of entertainment. In Florida, the home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) is now home to Bubba Watson’s Diamond Disc Golf Challenge. (more…)
Bowling Green drops baseball; will other DI programs follow suit?
Athletic-department cuts have forced Bowing Green State University to drop its baseball program, saving the school a half-million dollars annually. Will other college-baseball programs follow suit? (more…)
Ybor City ballpark still option for Rays: Developer
Developer Darryl Shaw says the Tampa Bay Rays are still interested in a new Ybor City ballpark, as he prepares a master plan for a development at the northeast corner of Adamo and Channelside drives in Tampa. (more…)
National Pro Fastpitch cancels season; other leagues make 2020 plans
The 2020 National Pro Fastpitch season has been canceled due to coronavirus pandemic concerns, while other indy and summer-collegiate leagues announce new 2020 game plans. (more…)
Staying in baseball shape during home confinement
When the 2020 MLB season was shut down in mid-March, training went from a group activity to an individual quest. Here’s one story about how sports tech has helped an MLB aspirant prep for upcoming play. (more…)
Teams find alternative uses for ballparks as entertainment venues
With no baseball on the field, we’re seeing ballparks used for other forms of entertainment, as the Texas Rangers, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Daytona Tortugas and Madison Mallards present different forms of entertainment instead of hardball. (more…)
Manfred optimistic about abbreviated 2020 MLB season
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism about an abbreviated 2020 MLB season launching this summer, laying out a proposed testing program and discussing his sport’s financial proposal to players. (more…)
Field of Dreams construction work continues
Though virtually everything regarding the MLB 2020 season is tentative and there is no game currently scheduled, work continues on the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa. (more…)
Jockeying for position during a pandemic
With MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred meeting with MLBPA head Tony Clark to discuss a 2020 MLB season launch, the main topic was player safety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s really going on: a battle for leverage when negotiating the next collective bargaining agreement. (more…)
Snappers sale scratched; Beloit ballpark construction will go on
With it increasingly looking like MLB will take over MiLB operations later this year, a bid by Quint Studer to buy the Beloit Snappers (Low A; Midwest League) has been canceled, but construction on a new downtown ballpark will proceed. (more…)
Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat for May 12, 2020
Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Kevin Reichard discuss the news of the day, the potential return of MLB baseball and the creation story behind The Baseball Thesaurus in this week’s Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat. (more…)
Reports: 2021 World Baseball Classic canceled, may be revived later
Multiple reports have the World Baseball Classic canceled from its original 2021 date, as concerns about pandemic management and a desire to avoid conflict with the 2021 Summer Olympics is forcing what other are deeming a postponement. (more…)
Polar Park construction resumes
After a shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, Polar Park construction will resume this week, with the new home of the Worcester Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) still potentially opening in April 2021 after a six-week shutdown. (more…)