New for 2014: Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium
A naming-rights deal to note: the home of the High Desert Mavericks (High Class A; California League) will be known as Heritage Field at Stater Bros. Stadium this season and beyond. Heritage Field will be open for all 70 home games of the Mavericks in addition to several non-baseball events at the ballpark, including potential […]
Elmore, Alamada, Hood among PCL Hall of Fame inductees
Nice honor. We have the 2014 inductees into the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame: current owner David Elmore and former players Lou Almada, Dave Barbee and Wally Hood. David Elmore, the current owner of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, has been a major influence in the growth and advancement of the Pacific Coast League […]
Witter Field to be outfitted with Interactive Accessible Seating Area
This could end up being a model for other ballparks: The summer-collegiate Northwoods League today announced plans to build an Interactive Accessible Seating Area at Witter Field, home of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, for the 2014 season pending city approval. A concrete patio will be connected to the existing grandstand on the first-base side to […]
New for 2014: Cradle of the Game, 2e
We have a new book announcement: Cradle of the Game, 2e. North Carolina has a rich baseball history, and this book by Mark Cryan tells that story through the state’s ballparks. The Tar Heel State has a special place in the baseball world; it’s a place where affiliated teams play at almost every level — […]
Cactus League attendance up in 2014
With Cubs Park packing in the fans, Cactus League per-game attendance was up in 2014, although the total attendance was slightly down because of fewer game days. Overall, 1.68 million fans attended Cactus League games, according to Cactus League officials. That’s less than the 1.73 million fans attending Cactus League games in 2013, but there’s […]
Pump Jacks to don Pharrell-inspired Buffalo hats this season
We see a lot of April 1 stories, but this one stood out: The East Texas Pump Jacks (summer collegiate; Texas Collegiate League) are donning Pharrell-inspired Buffalo hats this season. Really, this story needs to be seen to be appreciated. So go to the Pump Jacks site and take a look. —- Share your news […]
Target Field grass ready to go — with serious snow on the way
Minnesota Twins head groundskeeper Larry DiVito says the turf at Target Field is ready for play, barring any serious snow — but some serious snow is in the Minneapolis-St. Paul five-day forecast. To say April baseball at Target Field is a challenge is an understatement, especially in a year where winter has stubbornly persisted despite […]
Zephyr Field due for serious improvements
Fresh off plenty of improvements for 2014, the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) announced further enhancements to Zephyr Field in coming years. The Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (LSED) has commissioned Billes Partners LLC, a local architectural firm, to conduct an analysis of the facility and to provide recommendations for enhancement projects. […]
Barons draw largest-ever crowd to Regions Field
Talk about starting the season off with a bang: the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) drew the largest crowd ever to Regions Field, as parent Chicago White Sox came in for an exhibition. The announced attendance of 8,513 marked the largest in Regions Field history, while the sellout was the seventh at the downtown Birmingham […]
Red Wings unveil 2014 uniforms
With the new season comes a new look, as the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) unveiled new uniforms for 2014. “While our old uniforms and logos certainly served us well, our new home jersey is a classic, timeless look and we couldn’t be more excited to show them off in 2014,” said Red […]
Kingfish unveil new mascot: King Elvis the First
The Kenosha Kingfish (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveiled their new mascot: King Elvis the First. Clad in white nylon jumpsuit with sparkly gold trim, the six-and-a-half-foot tall, wobbly King Elvis is ready to meet and greet fans of all ages in Kenosha and surrounding communities. Elvis signed autographs, posed for photos and passed out Kingfish […]
Flying Squirrels ballpark site under historical review
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones says a proposed Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark site is under archaeological and historical review, but opponents say the plan doesn’t ensure potential preservation. A central issue in the ballpark-development plan has been the significance of the ballpark site in Shockoe Bottom, once the second-largest slade-trading site in […]
It’s official: Cards close on purchase of Redbirds
As scheduled: the St. Louis Cardinals have closed on their purchase of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), with the city taking control of AutoZone Park. The Memphis Redbirds Baseball Foundation is now out of the baseball game with the sale of both assets, and Fundamental Advisors LP, the Foundation’s sole bondholder, retired […]