Squirrels ballpark plan includes hotel, apartments, grocery UPDATED!
A $200-million proposal for a Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark development will include a hotel, 750 apartment units and a Kroger store, under a plan to be unveiled by Mayor Dwight Jones today and already opposed by local activists. Also part of the plan: a heritage site to commemorate one of the […]
Sounds, Nashville reach agreement on new ballpark
Sulphur Dell will once again host baseball, as the Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the city of Nashville — led by Mayor Karl Dean — reached agreement on a funding plan for a new ballpark. The specifics of the deal are expected to be announced on Monday. It’s actually a three-way partnership […]
Sewell-Thomas upgrades receive preliminary approval
A proposed upgrade to Sewell-Thomas Stadium, home of the Alabama Crimson Tide, received preliminary approval from a Board of Trustees physical properties committee. The agenda item didn’t receive too much in the way of spirited debate, per the Tuscaloosa News: The renderings for the expansion and renovation of Sewell-Thomas Stadium were among a series of […]
Will new Chihuahuas ballpark be haunted?
Right field at the new El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark will allegedly sit on top of one of the city’s oldest graveyards, Camposanto — a “spirits park.” Researchers say people were buried at Camposanto beginning in the 1830s. As the city grew and matured, the site was abandoned as a cemetery, […]
Shockoe Bottom plan for new Squirrels ballpark on agenda: Report
Despite the threats of protest and a lack of enthusiasm from fans, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones reportedly will unveil plans for a Shockoe Bottom ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) on Monday. There have been two competing visions for a new Richmond ballpark: a new facility built next to The Diamond, […]
2013 Best Ballpark Renovation Over $1M: McKechnie Field
The oldest ballpark in spring training received a dramatic facelift for 2013 that benefited both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders, earning recognition from Ballpark Digest for Best Renovation (Over $1 Million) of the season. It’s the most historic venue in spring training, a place where Roberto Clemente worked his way into shape, Henry Aaron […]
Grand Junction Rockies receive inaugural John Henry Moss Community Service Award
More awards: The Grand Junction Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League) are the winners of the first John Henry Moss Community Service Award for their ongoing commitment to charitable service and their support and leadership within the Grand Junction community and the baseball industry. The Rockies are committed to make an ongoing annual gift to the NJCAA […]
RailRiders mark 25 years of pro ball in SWB
Another milestone to note: the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League) are celebrating 25 years of MiLB in SWB this coming season. “Year one of the RailRiders was one of success and fun,” said RailRiders president/GM Rob Crain. “But 2014 will allow us to reflect on 25 great seasons as NEPA’s modern-day pro baseball franchise. […]
Astrodome renovation plan shot down by voters
A $217-million bond issue for Houston Astrodome renovations was rejected by Harris County voters, leading to the possible demolition of the historic facility. The proposal would have converted the former home of the Houston Astros to a convention and event center. The vote Tuesday wasn’t particularly close — 53 percent against, 47 percent for — […]
Flying Squirrels celebrate five seasons in Richmond
It seems like the move happened only yesterday, as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) are marking their fifth season at The Diamond with a series of events and a commemorative logo. The logo, which was designed by Brandiose, will be incorporated by the team in a variety of ways throughout the 2014 […]
Mexican League’s Escalante nabs Warren Giles Award
One more nice award to pass on: Mexican League President Plinio Escalante is the winner of the 30th annual Warren Giles Award, which honors outstanding service as a league president. Escalante is the first Mexican League president to win the Giles Award and just the third from a foreign-based league in the award’s history. This […]
AFL’s McGrath named Woman Executive of the Year
Another nice award: Arizona Fall League senior administrator Joan McGrath will be awarded the 37th Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award at this year’s Baseball Winter Meetings. As one of the Arizona Fall League’s five original staff members, Joan is the only remaining staff member and her resume boasts 22 seasons of continued service […]
Personnel moves in Tennessee, Reading, Charleston
We have some changes in the front offices of the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League), the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) and the West Virginia Power (Low Class A; Sally League). First: the Power announced the hiring of Ken Fogel as executive vice president. Fogel most recently served as assistant general manager […]