Clearwater Threshers set attendance record
Another attendance record to report: The Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State League) have set a new single-season attendance record for Bright House Field, with 195,063 guests over 70 home openings in the 2014 season. The new mark breaks the previous record of 177,297, set in 2012 over 69 openings. The average attendance was […]
Young: Stars may spend part of 2015 in Huntsville
The Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) could spend half or all of 2015 at Joe Davis Stadium if a new Biloxi ballpark isn’t completed, as owner Ken Young reviews his options for the coming year. That the new Biloxi ballpark is far behind schedule is no secret: Biloxi officials are bracing for a construction […]
Grizzlies, Owls on the block
Two of the more successful summer-collegiate teams are on the block, as owner Ken Silver is looking to sell the Gastonia Grizzlies and the Forest City Owls of the Coastal Plain League. Silver, a former Minor League Baseball owner, says he’s selling for a simple reason: the 68-year-old wants to spend less time at the […]
Lancaster JetHawks, Houston Astros extend player development contract
The Lancaster JetHawks (High Class A; California League) and the Houston Astros extended their player development contract (PDC) for two more years, through 2016. “Coming on the heels of another season of onfield success featuring high-profile prospects, we are excited to continue our partnership with Houston,” said JetHawks Vice President Brad Seymour. “The Astros continue […]
Two PDCs renewed: Muckdogs/Marlins, ‘Days/Nats
We have two more PDC renewals in the short season A NY-Penn League to report, as the Batavia Muckdogs/Miami Marlins and Auburn Doubledays/Washington Nationals affiliations will continue through 2016. A joint announcement was made by Marlins Farm Director Brian Chattin and Brian Paris, president of the Genesee County Baseball Club, the non-for-profit that owns the […]
University of Texas takes over Edinburg Baseball Stadium; will pro baseball return?
The University of Texas System is taking over Edinburg Baseball Stadium for use by UT-Pan American and UT-Rio Grande Valley, but it’s far from clear whether pro baseball will return to the facility. For many years Edinburg Baseball Stadium hosted the Edinburg Roadrunners (independent; United League Baseball), one of the more successful teams in the […]
Jamestown fielding Diethrick Park lease inquiries
That didn’t take long: A day after the Jamestown Jammers (short season A; NY-Penn League) announced a 2015 move to Morgantown, W.Va., city officials reported multiple inquiries regarding a Diethrick Park lease. Not a surprise: some consider Jamestown a viable market and Diethrick Park, which opened in 1941, a decent venue despite the team’s failure […]
After 28 years, George Spelius stepping down as Midwest League president
Another milestone to note: After 28 years, George Spelius is stepping down at the end of the season as president of the Low Class A Midwest League. “There comes a time when it’s time, and it’s time,” the 80-year-old Spelius told the Quad-City Times. “It’s been a good, long run and the league is as […]
Two ways to honor Centennial Field history
Centennial Field, home of the Vermont Lake Monsters (short season A; NY-Penn League), dates back to 1908, and the team is working with the Preservation Trust of Vermont to honor that historic legacy with seat plaques. The Lake Monsters embarked on a renovation of Centennial Field in 2013, including the addition of brand new individual […]
One last hurrah at Midway Stadium
We’re down to the wire at Midway Stadium, where the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) will wrap up their tenure there with a final game tonight. As a ballpark, Midway Stadium was cheaply built and not blessed with an abundance of amenities. Originally called Municipal Stadium, it opened after St. Paul tore down the […]
Newest Astrodome preservation plan: World’s largest indoor park
We have another concept for the preservation of the Astrodome: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett is proposing the Eighth Wonder of the World be converted to the world’s largest indoor park. The plan was long on platitudes and short on specifics, but it did jump-start another round of discussions about the future of the Astrodome, […]
Centerplate CEO censured after dog-abuse video surfaces
After video surface showing Centerplate CEO Des Hague abusing a dog, the company has censured Hague, placed him on probation and set the conditions for continued employment. Here’s the statement from Centerplate’s Board of Directors: Centerplate Issues Statement Following Internal Review of Animal Cruelty Incident Involving CEO Des Hague—Censures, Penalizes and Places CEO on Indefinite […]
Goodbye to Greer Stadium
No preservationists have stepped forward to demand its survival, and with a spiffy new ballpark on the way, we’re guessing there won’t be too many tears shed tonight during the last Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) game at Greer Stadium. Greer Stadium opened in 1978 as the home of the Sounds, and along […]