Henry: Fenway Park will need replacing someday, but I won’t be the one to tear it down
Fenway Park, that 102-year-old symbol of all that is right in baseball, will need replacing someday, says owner John Henry, but he won’t be the one to tear the place down. “Structurally there is an expiration date,” Henry said while making an appearance at Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers. “Someone at some point […]
Columbia lease negotiations underway; opposition arises
The city of Columbia (S.C.) is negotiating a lease for a new ballpark with Hardball Capital’s Jason Freier, with an opposition group arguing against any public spending on a facility. The lease, which could be ready for City Council approval in two weeks, will cover all aspects of ballpark operations, including non-game events year-round. The […]
New for 2014: Mid-Plains League
We have a course correction for what was earlier announced as the Great Plains League, as the renamed Mid-Plains League will launch with six member teams in Kansas and Missouri. The league will be made up of the Topeka Golden Giants (Topeka, Kansas), Rossville Rattlers (Rossville, Kansas), Junction City Brigade (Junction City, Kansas), Topeka Senators […]
Personnel news in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Reading
We have news today from the broadcast booths of the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League). In Reading, Michael Ventola will be joining the club in 2014 as the team’s radio broadcaster. “The Fightins are thrilled to have Mike join the club this season,” said Fightin […]
Stompers set to pitch city council again on ballpark lease
With the fate of the 2014 season at stake, the ownership of the Sonoma Stompers (independent; Pacific Association) will once again propose a lease for Arnold Field. Tonight’s City Council of Sonoma agenda includes a proposal by the Stompers to rent the ballpark, bringing pro baseball back to the Sonoma Valley for the first time […]
Moreno: Angels committed to Anaheim, but checking out alternatives
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno says he’s serious about investing hundreds of millions into Angel Stadium and surrounding development, but the city’s reluctance to commit has him talking new ballpark with other communities. Moreno and the Angels have presented a plan where the team would fund $150 million in Angel Stadium improvements […]
Personnel news in Omaha, Northwest Arkansas
We have personnel news today from the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Class AA; Texas League). Rob Sternberg joins the Storm Chasers as the new Marketing and Promotions Manager. Sternberg will head all marketing efforts, oversee the Promotional Calendar, lead all in-game production and have involvement in […]
Yanks, Marlins add spring series at Panama’s Rod Carew Stadium
Bringing MLB to Panama for the first time since 1947, the New York Yankees and the Miami Marlins have scheduled a two-game series at Panama City’s Rod Carew Stadium on March 15-16. Dubbed the “Legends Series,” the games were pushed by former Yankee great and Panama native Mariano Rivera, the game’s all-time saves leader. Rivera […]
New mayor lays out plan for Tiger Stadium site
New Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan wants to see a new vision for the old Tiger Stadium site and will direct city staff to issue an RFP for redevelopment of the area. The plan is to preserve the historic playing field — albeit with smaller dimensions, according to Tom Lewand, the city’s new Executive of Jobs […]
Aberdeen debates future of Ripken Stadium area
The area near Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (short season A; NY-Penn League), was pitched as a mixed-use neighborhood, and city officials want to see that plan carried out. So far the vision of an Integrated Business District — residential, office and retail — around the ballpark has failed ro materialize, and developers […]
Stompers woo locals on use of Arnold Park
Apparently it’s not a done deal that the Sonoma Stompers (independent; Pacific Association) will play at Arnold Field, so the team has scheduled a community meeting to pitch the plan. The meeting is set for Sonoma Community Center, on Saturday, February 15, from 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. From the team’s press release: In an effort to […]
Cubs, Mesa dedicate new spring-training ballpark
Nice milestone in Mesa, as the city and the Chicago Cubs this morning dedicated Cubs Park, a new spring-training complex and a rebuilt and enhanced Riverview Park on a 146-acre site. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Cubs Park, Cubs board members Tom and Laura Ricketts, front office executives Crane Kenney and Theo Epstein and Hall […]
Salvi Sports, Viano honored by Pitch and Hit Club
Schaumburg Boomers (independent; Frontier League) and Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) Owner Pat Salvi and President/General Manager Andy Viano were honored by the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago at its annual Awards Banquet. Salvi Sports Enterprises, the parent company for both the Boomers and the RailCats, was honored with the 2014 Organization of […]