The Week That Was: August 17
Summer-collegiate attendance, Sir Paul McCartney closing down Candlestick Park and financial issues faced by several teams were news in the work of baseball this week. The top stories on Ballpark Digest this week, as measured by page views. The big stories this week all centered around summer-collegiate attendance, with readers eager to see the numbers […]
Chihuahuas to host 2015 Triple-A Championship Game
The El Paso Chihuahuas and Southwest University Park will host the 2015 Gildan Triple-A Baseball National Championship game, to be nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network. “It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to host one of Minor League Baseball’s jewel events, and to do it on a national stage,” said Alan […]
Rooftop owners file suit over Wrigley Field renovations
Arguing the value of their businesses would plummet in violation of a contract with the Chicago Cubs, owners of eight rooftop bleachers filed suit against the city over planned renovations to Wrigley Field. The lawsuit from the owners of the eight rooftop-bleacher businesses was not unexpected after the owners association failed to come to an […]
Helena, Brewers extend player-development contract through 2018
The Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League) and the Milwaukee Brewers extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2018 season. It was set to expire this season. “Our affiliation with the Helena Brewers has been very positive and we’re excited to extend our player development contract with the franchise,” said Brewers Vice President-Assistant General Manager Gord […]
Norfolk Tides to go gnome tonight
This is certainly a season for ugly uniforms in Minor League Baseball, and tonight sees another entrant in that proud tradition: the Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League) are donning gnome jerseys. The jerseys are part of the gnomification of the Tides. The team is also giving away a gnome figurine of Tides manager Ron […]
Fayetteville looking again at Minor League Baseball
This is way under the radar: Fayetteville (N.C.) officials are visiting Durham Bulls Athletic Park as a possible example of how Minor League Baseball would play out in a new downtown ballpark. There has been talk of investors interested in bringing MiLB back to Fayetteville, and in fact earlier this year an investment group approached […]
Yankees roots don’t extend to Baltimore: historians
It will take a few years for the New York Yankees to reach 10,000 wins, as the game’s historians have determined that the team’s history doesn’t include what had been considered a predecessor, the 1901-1902 Baltimore Orioles. When the American League launched in 1901, the league lacked a New York City team — an omission […]
River Bandits team up with Genesis Health for charity
Nice charity drive here: the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Main Street Amusements are pledging at least a $50,000 donation this year to the Genesis Health Services Foundation from new Modern Woodmen Park amusements. For each ride of the new amusements at Modern Woodmen Park — including the 105-foot Ferris […]
Atlantic League: Games shortened with new rules
Something for any team to consider: The independent Atlantic League has shortened the length of games by 10 minutes since the implementation of new Pace of Play initiatives. After 38 games played through August 10, the length of nine-inning games have declined from 2:59 to 2:49. Prior to August 1, only 11 percent of nine-inning […]
Paul McCartney leads last event at Candlestick Park
The Beatles ended their concert career at Candlestick Park, so it’s appropriate Paul McCartney played the last event in the 54-year-old stadium’s history. The concert, which drew 49,000 to the former home of the San Francisco Giants, was a rollicking sendoff to From SFGate: It was rocking inside the soon-to-be-demolished wind tunnel that long was […]
Manatees, Winter Park part ways on new-ballpark project
The Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) will not be moving to Winter Park, as team ownership ended negotiations for a new ballpark at the Ravaudage development. The Manatees had pursued new-ballpark plans at Alfond Stadium — a plan killed when Rollins College withdrew its participation — and the Ravaudage development on […]
Manfred new MLB commissioner
It took several ballots after a late run by large-market team owners, but Rob Manfred, as expected, was selected as the new commissioner of Major League Baseball. Manfred will replace Bud Selig, the former Milwaukee Brewers owner who led Major League Baseball through an amazing renaissance, with the sport blossoming into an $8-million industry. (We […]
Jackie Robinson West at LLWS: Another round of trailblazers?
With Jackie Robinson West winning their first game in the Little League World Series, the issue of black baseball players is again part of the public debate — and, finally, in a good way. It’s no secret that the number of blacks playing baseball is low: when the 2014 season started, only 8.3 percent of […]