It’s official: Groundbreaking at new WVU ballpark
The ceremony is final: West Virginia University, Monongalia County and Morgantown officials were on hand for the groundbreaking of a new ballpark to house Mountaineers and NY-Penn League baseball. The ballpark, slated to open in 2015, will cost $16.2 million and is part of a larger $96-million development. With West Virginia University moving to the […]
Ballparks we have seen from high
Apropos of absolutely nothing save the near end of the baseball season, The New York Times posted a slideshow of old ballparks as seen from aerial shots. Enjoy. You can see the slideshow from here. Pictured above: Forbes Field. From the article: But from up high, way up high, a different kind of stadium can […]
Saints, St. Paul reach initial agreement on ballpark lease
A new-ballpark lease between the city of St. Paul and the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) calls for an expected rent of $600,000 annually, with profit-sharing in the mix. Though the final details still need to be ironed out, there is a framework in place to be presented to the St. Paul City Council […]
Pirates enter new affiliation with Bristol
You can expect a new team name and branding, as the Bristol Sox (rookie; Appalachian League) entered into a new player-development contract (PDC) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bristol joins the organization’s system as a ninth MiLB affiliate for the 2014 season. It becomes the Bucs’ second rookie-level team, with the Gulf Coast Pirates. The agreement […]
Elsewhere on August Publications: Oct. 18
We know most of you are here to read the latest on baseball and ballparks, but we produce several websites under the August Publications name, and here’s a look at the latest news from all. On Spring Training Online this week: We brought readers an exclusive sneak peak at the Chicago Cubs spring-training facility. The […]
RailRiders, Sea Dogs, Riversharks announce staff changes
Three baseball teams — the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League), the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) and Camden Riversharks (independent; Atlantic League) — announced staff additions and promotions. For the RailRiders, Mike Trudnak, Bob McLane and Kelly Cusick have been named vice president of sales, director of ticket sales and senior inside […]
Progress report on new Charlotte ballpark
Work continues on BB&T Ballpark, set to open next season as the new home of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League), with the field and seating in the midst of installation. The photo above shows the construction of the infield, with red clay added to the pitcher’s mound and basepaths. The photo below shows […]
Hot Rods invite Rally Bear to Bowling Green
Sounds like a great time: the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) have invited the Rally Bear, banned from Dodger Stadium, to the 2014 season opener. Makes sense: the Hot Rods mascot is Axle the Bear, so we’re looking at a little early-season bear love here. As you’ll recall, A self-appointed bear […]
Ovations lands new El Paso ballpark concessions deal
Ovations Food Services has landed the concessions contract at the new downtown El Paso ballpark scheduled to house a Triple-A team next season. “Ovations is one of the largest, most-respected food service companies in the country, and we are proud to have them as our food and beverage partner at El Paso’s ballpark,” said Alan […]
Nolan Ryan leaves Rangers under cloudy circumstances
Big change in the Texas Rangers front office: Nolan Ryan, has left as team CEO in developments deemed by the local paper as being “awkward.” The official line from the Rangers is that Ryan “retired” as CEO. The phrase used by Nolan in a hastily assembled press conference was “resigned.” In any case, the change […]
Rally Bear banned from Dodger Stadium
A self-appointed bear mascot who jumped atop the St. Louis Cardinals dugout in Game 3 of the NLCS and led the Dodger Stadium crowd in cheers has been banned by the team for six months. Mark Monninger of Rancho Cucamonga, the “Rally Bear” who decided the Dodgers really needed a mascot a la the Rally […]
Developers already anticipating Sulphur Dell ballpark site
The sale of properties in the nearby Germantown neighborhood indicates a belief that a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark will bridge the gap between there and downtown, driving economic development. The city has already floated a plan to build a new ballpark for the Sounds at the Sulphur Dell site, the […]
Activists: Ballpark not best use for Shockoe Bottom
Efforts to bring a new ballpark for the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA: Eastern League) in Shockoe Bottom must be balanced with an awareness of the sad history of the slave trade in the area, according to activists opposing the project. Though there’s no proposal formally on the table, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones has been […]