Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat for November 3, 2020
Jesse Goldberg-Strassler and Kevin Reichard discuss recent reporting on the upcoming MLB takeover of MiLB and cover additional topics relating to the takeover of MiLB, like travel updates and the potential death of Thirsty Thursdays, on this week’s Ballpark Digest Broadcaster Chat. (more…)
Details of MLB takeover of MiLB emerge
It’s crunch time in the takeover of MiLB by MLB, with sweeping changes to Class A leagues, unresolved transitions for the Pioneer and NY-Penn Leagues, and plenty of new affiliations—but still no final list of the 120 teams comprising the future of Minor League Baseball. (more…)
MiLB facility guidelines released; owners sanguine
MiLB owners and execs were issued proposed facility standards by Major League Baseball, but what was feared as extensive changes to ballparks ended up being a noncontroversial laundry list of modest updates. (more…)
Expanded spring training could delay 2021 MiLB season opener
A potential overhaul of spring training — forced in 2021 by COVID-19, but one that may end up being used in the future — has MLB and Triple-A players arriving in February, and remaining minor leaguers reporting in April, resulting in a later start to the 2021 MiLB season. (more…)
MLB owners approve Cohen purchase of Mets
Major League Baseball owners officially approved the $2.42-billion purchase of the New York Mets by Steve Cohen, clearing the way for a final closing of the deal in the next 10 days. (more…)
MLB cancels Winter Meetings, Owners Meetings
Major League Baseball announced the cancelation of the in-person 2020 Winter Meetings and Owners Meetings; as a result, Minor League Baseball has released the event staff responsible for the Winter Meetings and Trade Show, set for this December in Dallas. (more…)
Patriots unveil Kalafer, Lyle sculpture at TD Bank Ballpark
A gift from Co-Chairmen Jonathan and Josh Kalafer: The Somerset Patriots (independent; Atlantic League) unveiled a sculpture in honor of their father, Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer, and Manager Emeritus Sparky Lyle. (more…)
New for 2021: Mining City Tommyknockers
We have a name and logo for the new Butte (MT) team debuting this coming season in the summer-collegiate Expedition League: the Mining City Tommyknockers. (more…)
Cohen purchase of Mets expected to be approved Friday
Major League Baseball owners are expected to approve the $2.42-billion sale of the New York Mets to hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen on Friday, as he sails through the approval process. UPDATED! (more…)
Salt Lake Bees in transition
Management of the Salt Lake Bees (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) is shifting to technology entrepreneur Ryan Smith as part of his larger purchase of the Utah Jazz (NBA), Vivint Arena and the G League’s Salt Lake City Stars from the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies. (more…)
Red Sox enter MLB real-estate spree
Another MLB team is upping its real-estate game, as the Boston Red Sox formally announced an effort to redevelop four parcels surrounding Fenway Park along Jersey, Lansdowne and Van Ness streets, and Brookline Avenue. (more…)
First Bobblection results from South Carolina: Trump triumphant
We have the results of the first state Bobblection campaign from the Goldklang Group: In South Carolina, incumbent Donald Trump carried the day over challenger Joe Biden by a wide margin, 68 percent to 32 percent. (more…)
Baton Rouge Rougarou returns for 2021
The Baton Rouge Rougarou (summer collegiate; Texas Collegiate League) sat out the 2020 season due to COVID concerns, but the team will return in 2021 under a new owner, Ricky VanAsselberg. (more…)