Lee County to pitch Nats again on City of Palms Park
Though there are no funds for renovations, Lee County will once again pitch the Washington Nationals on a move to City of Palms Park after Osceola County rejected a new Kissimmee spring-training complex. There’s nothing new in the Lee County/Fort Myers approach to luring the Nationals; with tourism funds devoted to the new Boston Red […]
Fredericksburg: We have deal to bring in Hagerstown Suns
A day after Hagerstown officials pitched a new downtown ballpark, Fredericksburg (Va.) officials say they have a conceptual deal to bring the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) to their city. The timing isn’t coincidental: both sides are bringing forward their best offers in what’s perceived as the final stretch to determine the future […]
New life for Eugene’s Civic Stadium?
Eugene’s Civic Stadium, facing a death sentence more than once over the years, may find new life as a professional soccer venue. The former home to Eugene Emeralds franchises in the Pacific Coast League and Northwest League, Civic Stadium has sat empty since the Ems moved to PK Park. The local school board owns the […]
Feeding frenzy begins on siting potential Rays ballpark
The Tampa Bay Rays haven’t even received permission to explore new-ballpark sites in the region, but some Hillsborough County officials are pushing alternative sites to a downtown Tampa location. Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist is already pushing a new ballpark at the former Tampa Greyhound Track site off I-275, which could also include a new […]
Bill “Spaceman” Lee plays all nine positions for Pacifics
Quite the promo for the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; Pacific Association): 66-year-old Bill “Spaceman” Lee played all nine positions last night in a loss to Na Koa Ikaika Maui. “I made a bad play at second but I played first well. I caught, I had an assist on a foul tip and another assist when […]
Nashville: Bring baseball back to Sulphur Dell
Planning for a new Nashville Sounds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark has shifted from the riverfront to the old Sulphur Dell site, as Mayor Karl Dean is now pushing a mixed-use development. The Sounds has pursued a riverfront site for years as a replacement for Greer Stadium, though there was always sentimental support of […]
Mud Hens unveil ballpark expansion plans, neighborhood investment
The Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) are working on an expansion of Fifth Third Field that would also invest in the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. The total cost of the project would be between $10 million and $15 million. Within the ballpark, the Swamp Shop store could be expanded, and both a […]
LumberKings players, coaches to shave heads to support childhood-cancer foundation
This seems to be the day for poignant stories: Clinton LumberKings (Low Class A: Midwest League) players and coaches will shave their heads this Friday to support St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising funds for research for childhood cancer. Players Tyler Pike, Brock Hebert and Steven Ewing along with Hitting Coach Mike […]
Fightin Phils to give away Jaguar, complete with cassette deck
The Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) are holding an unusual promo: the team is giving away a 1991 Jaguar owned by first baseman Jim Murphy. The raffle will benefit Baseballtown Charities and its Baer Park Rehabilitation Project. Instead of driving the car back to his home state of Washington after the end of […]
Consultant: Biloxi ballpark site would be a winner
This is quite the endorsement: Charles Johnson IV of Johnson Consulting calls a proposed Biloxi ballpark a sure winner, with average baseball attendance and above-average event attendance. The recipient of a $25,000 contract from the city, Johnson pegs the ballpark’s economic impact at $34 million annually (with the average game/event attendee spending $70 during each […]
Hagerstown: Yes, we really do want a downtown ballpark
Changing course once again in a last-minute attempt to retain affiliated baseball, a majority of Hagerstown City Council members now support a new downtown site preferred by the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League). Suns ownership had set their sites on a new downtown ballpark that would anchor additional development. But the City Council […]
IronPigs funeral promo turns poignant
A tongue-in-cheek promo turned poignant when the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) and a local funeral home awarded a free funeral package to a local man diagnosed with ALS. The package, sponsored by Reichel Funeral Home and valued at nearly $10,000, covered all the services normally associated with a funeral — casket, professional […]
Slammers invite fans to redeem any ticket at upcoming game
The Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) are throwing the World’s Greatest Ticket Exchange Policy in Sports promo tomorrow night, where fans are invited to redeem any ticket for admission. Fans can redeem their ticket stubs from any sporting event (used or unused) for free admission to watch the Joliet Slammers take on the Frontier Greys […]