Big day for Big Top Baseball
Here’s an interesting stat for you: The Madison Mallards, Kenosha Kingfish, Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) all hosted home games last Saturday night and drew 12,596 fans between the four teams. This is the first year Big Top Baseball has fielded four separate teams: the Mallards came first, followed […]
Several Kernels staffers injured in tarp accident
Several Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) staffers were injured yesterday when 80-mph winds blew a tarp they were attempting to place over the field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Three staffers suffered concussions, while Assistant General Manager Scott Wilson dislocated his left shoulder. The injuries came yesterday afternoon in the ninth inning of […]
After almost 60K votes, Biloxi name-the-team contest ends
Voting has ended on the name-the-team contest for the Class AA Southern League Biloxi team beginning play next year, with nearly 60,000 votes having been cast through the team’s website. “Thanks to everyone for being so passionate about this process,” stated team General Manager Buck Rogers. “The team name and logo are going to represent […]
Handelsman notches 600th summer-collegiate win
Nice milestone for Darrell Handelsman, coach of the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League): yesterday he recorded his 599th and 600th summer-collegiate coaching victories. After earning victory 599 in game one on Monday afternoon in Green Bay, the Bullfrogs won the nightcap in Wausau, 12-5, to sweep the Woodchucks and give Handelsman his 600th […]
Winter Park: We’re looking for new Manatees ballpark site
A new Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) ballpark won’t be located at Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field, as Winter Park officials begin looking for a new site. On Friday the city issued a press release announcing the search for a new location. Winter Park had been working with Rollins College, which […]
Backlash emerging against new Hartford ballpark
Any large public expenditure inevitably attracts opponents, and that’s happening in Hartford, where there’s some opposition forming against a new $60-million downtown ballpark for the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League). It’s hard to say how widespread any opposition is: a council member initially behind the project is now saying the city needs […]
Zephyrs, Marlins extend PDC
The New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Miami Marlins extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two years, through the end of the 2016 season. “The Marlins are excited to extend our partnership with the New Orleans Zephyrs through the 2016 season,” said Brian Chattin, Marlins Director of Player Development. “With its […]
The Week That Was: June 29
Ballpark prep, ugly sweaters, a potential Twins/Saints affiliation and Petco Park A/V upgrades were the top stories on Ballpark Digest this past week, as measured by page views. Here are the top stories, in order of popularity: What happens at a ballpark before a game? Lots of prepCrosscutters to don what could be ugliest uniforms […]
Stow trial goes to jury
The lawsuit brought by Dodger Stadium beating victim Bryan Stow against the Los Angeles Dodgers and former owner Frank McCourt is now in the hands of a jury. Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan attending the Dodgers-Giants 2011 season opener, brought the civil suit after being severely by Dodgers fans in the Dodger Stadium parking […]
Chihuahuas-Rainiers game postponed because of missing baggage
Last night’s Pacific Coast League game in El Paso’s Southwest University Park was postponed after the equipment for the visiting Tacoma Rainiers was lost by an airline. The players arrived with no issues, but the visiting team’s luggage, equipment and uniforms did not. The El Paso Chihuahuas rescheduled the game for a noon Saturday start; […]
Chandler moves ahead with Compadre Stadium demolition
The Chandler (Az.) City Council last night approved a zoning change allowing housing development on a 65-acre site that include Compadre Stadium, former spring-training home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Compadre Stadium opened in 1986 as spring home of the Brewers, replacing the team’s home in Sun City. It was only home to the Brewers until […]
Cedar Rapids Kernels buying Waterloo Bucks
The Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League) are buying a team just up the road in the form of the Waterloo Bucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). It’s basically a done deal: Minor League Baseball and the Midwest League have signed off on the purchase and the team’s bank loan to buy the Bucks. […]
Kingfish’s McGhee guarantees win, will sleep in Bambino
Kenosha Kingfish (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) GM Jake McGhee is guaranteeing a win next Monday night and will sleep in the Bambino, the boat built into the Simmons Field home-run fence, if the team loses. Fans will also receive a ticket to a future game if the team loses. But McGhee will be sleeping in […]