Remembering the Inter-American League
It was the last new affiliated minor league, but it didn’t last a full season: remembering the 1979 Class AAA Inter-American League, with teams in Miami and the Caribbean. We’ve written in the past about Bobby Maduro, the visionary minor-league-baseball entrepreneur who owned the Havana Sugar Kings and later served as a liaison between baseball […]
New Tiger Stadium plan would preserve historic playing field
The latest plan for the former Tiger Stadium site would preserve the historic playing field while adding new development, including a new headquarters for Detroit PAL, the former Police Athletic League. Detroit has struggled to find a use for the ballpark site after quicky (and some would say recklessly) tore down Tiger Stadium in two […]
Mud Hens to install putt-putt golf on Fifth Third Field turf after season
Well, this takes the cake for the most imaginative offseason use for a ballpark we’ve seen: the Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) are converting the Fifth Third Field playing field to a putt-putt golf course after the season. An 18-hole miniature golf course, no less. The Links at Fifth Third Field opens to […]
Zombies set to invade Hammond Stadium Friday
Seeing as how southwest Florida (!) is the center of zombie culture in America, the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League) are honoring that legacy Friday night by donning zombie uniforms. What’s the tie between Fort Myers and zombies? It’s where acclaimed filmmaker George Romero began filming the third installment of his […]
Wrigley neighbors: We don’t want ballpark upgrades
Not that this is unusual, but Wrigleyville residents expressed their opposition to proposed changes to Wrigley Field, including new signage, at a community meeting last night. Sponsored by Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the meeting featured over 100 Lake View residents opposed to the plan to add new exterior signage, greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one […]
Twins unveil self-service beer taps at Target Field
This is a first, as far as we know: the Minnesota Twins unveiled a self-service beer station at Target FIeld yesterday and will have another in place for next week’s All-Star Game. Not everyone can belly up to the beer station and buy a beer. First, a fan must go to a concession stand and, […]
Today’s brilliant baseball marketing: #VoteKluber
MLB is doing some brilliant marketing these days, but the Cleveland Indians unleashed the creative hounds in pushing Corey Kluber for the All-Star team. The Indians took to social media to promote Kluber: Ever wonder what @CKluber does the morning of an off day? http://t.co/e84yU9epqd #VoteKluber #ClevelandRox pic.twitter.com/5CDzrZKT8t — #VoteKluber (@Indians) July 7, 2014 Scary […]
Bird meets baseball at Parkview Field
Shades of Randy Johnson and Dave Winfield! A small bird had an unfortunate experience after being struck by a pitch during Saturday’s Fort Wayne TinCaps-West Michigan Whitecaps game at Parkview Field. To set the scene: West Michigan’s Jon Maciel was throwing a 1-1 pitch to Fort Wayne’s Josh VanMeter, when a small bird flying across […]
Niagara seeks operator for Sal Maglie Stadium
With the local school district walking away from operating Sal Maglie Stadium, the city is looking for a private firm to manage the home of the Niagara Power (summer collegiate; NYCBL). The ballpark, once home to minor-league baseball (including a short stint hosting the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons), is also home to Niagara University’s baseball program. […]
TinCaps, Hot Rods, Growlers set attendance marks
More attendance records fell by the wayside this weekend, as the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Kalamazoo Growlers (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) all set new marks. First: a record crowd of 9,182 fans was on hand at Parkview Field Friday night for the […]
New ballpark on Dubuque’s radar
A long-term development plan for Dubuque’s Chaplain Schmitt Island includes a new ballpark on city-owned land, but city officials say there are no firm plans for a new facility or team at this time. Dubuque (Iowa) has been mentioned frequently in the last decade as a potential home for a Class A Midwest League team […]
Rooftop owners offer Wrigley Field compromise; city to discuss issue this week
With rooftop bleacher owners saying they’ll compromise on the amount of signage to be installed at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs will be presenting a plan for seven new signs to the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday. The Cubs ownership want to install seven new signs, including a new videoboard and several smaller signs, […]
Scenes from a ballpark flood in Davenport
We have some stunning shots of the island known as Modern Woodmen Park, as the home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) was largely unaffected by Mississippi River flooding over the Independence Day weekend. The images are by Rich Guill, the official photographer for the River Bandits. RELATED STORIES: Spring […]