Future of Al Lang Field under review — again
With the city of St. Petersburg mapping a new waterfront development plan and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) seeking a new stadium, the future of historic Al Lang Field will be mapped out in coming months. The Al Lang Field site has been used for spring training and professional baseball since 1923, but the present […]
Bears’ demise leaves Newark with more ballpark debt
The demise of the Newark Bears (independent; Can-Am League) leaves the city of Newark on the hook for $14 million in debt payments on Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The Bears, under different ownership groups, had been committed to paying $60,000 a year in rent — still not close to paying off the million-dollar yearly […]
New Green Bay ballpark back in play
Mayor Jim Schmitt wants Green Bay to explore a new downtown ballpark for the Green Bay Bullfrogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) as an alternative to a new Walmart store. The Bullfrogs currently play at Joannes Stadium, the long-time home to baseball in the city. It’s a small facility, and for years former Bullfrogs owner Jeff […]
Smokies, Cubs extend PDC through 2018
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) and the Chicago Cubs will remain partners through 2018 as a result of a four-year extension to their player-development contract (PDC). “We are thrilled to announce the continuation of this partnership between the Cubs and Smokies,” said Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer. “It is exciting to continue to work […]
NY-Penn League hits huge milestone: 75th anniversary
Friday is a big day: it’s the 75th anniversary of the NY-Penn League, which launched in the 1939 season. We’re so happy to be working with the league on a history project — and here’s the first installment. Pro baseball in 1939 was a thriving industry, with some 41 affiliated leagues ranging from Class AA […]
Pulaski Mariners owners to retire; new owners on the way
The three owners of the Pulaski Mariners (rookie; Appalachian League) are retiring, and a local ownership group wants to keep the team alive in coming years. “We have been committed to providing affordable, family friendly entertainment to the local community at a wonderful baseball facility that has its own history,” said Secretary/Treasurer Wayne Carpenter, one of […]
Staten Island ‘Staches on display Friday
As long as we’re on the subject of facial hair, the Staten Island Yankees (short season A; NY-Penn League) are holding a “Fake Mustache World Record Attempt Night” on the season opener Friday. The team will be going for an officially recognized world record, with an observer from the Guinness Book of World Records on […]
Potomac: Beard-A-Palooza set for Friday
Can’t wait to see the bearded nachos: The Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) are scheduling Beard-A-Palooza, complete with beard-related events all weekend. Throughout the entirety of the weekend series against the Winston-Salem Dash, the Nationals will offer a bevy of bearded food items. There will be bearded nachos, the beardfather and a mini […]
RailRiders, Yankees extend PDC
This is more a formality than anything else, as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League) and the New York Yankees extended their PDC through 2018. The signing extended their relationship for four more years, through the 2018 season. That is the longest extension allowed per baseball rules. This is no surprise: the Yankees are […]
Wolff: We’d be open to Oakland ballpark site
We’ve been down this road before, but Oakland A’s managing partner Lew Wolff says team ownership would be willing to look at a new ballpark at the current Coliseum site. With San Jose increasingly looking like a spot in the rear-view mirror and prospects for a waterfront ballpark remain in the early planning stages, Wolff […]
Lansing approves Cooley Law School Stadium renovation: apartments in the outfield
A major renovation of Cooley Law School Stadium, home of the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League), has been approved, incorporating a private mixed-use development into the ballpark outfield. The Lansing City Council officially approved the plan, which calls for the city to spend $10.5 million on a modernization of the ballpark. The Outfield, […]
Wrigley Field renovations back on hold
With the Commission on Chicago Landmarks declining to review a proposed $375-million Wrigley Field renovation, the Chicago Cubs are once again stalled in their attempts to upgrade the 100-year-old ballpark. The latest proposal from the Cubs increased the spending by $75 million and added to the project greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one would be […]
Biloxi “slammed” with name-the-team votes
This is why you hold a name-the-team contest: the new Biloxi Southern League team is receiving a huge response, and folks need to make an appointment to buy season tickets because of the demand. As you’ll recall, last week the team announced the six finalists: Beacon, Black Jacks, Mullets, Schooners, Shrimpers and Shuckers. (Full explanations […]