Property Consulting Group to market MiLB
Minor League Baseball has hired Property Consulting Group (PCG) for sponsorship and strategic consulting in support of its ongoing marketing efforts, with particular focus on the Project Brand initiative. “My first role in the sports business was selling tickets in Minor League Baseball, and I feel this relationship is a bit of a homecoming,” said […]
Ports, Athletics extend affiliation through 2016
The Stockton Ports (High Class A; California League) and the Oakland Athletics extended their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. Prior to this new two-year extension, the A’s and Ports had signed a two-year agreement April 15, 2010 for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. “It is great to see so many former Stockton […]
Savannah columnist: Let the Sand Gnats go
If Savannah loses professional baseball in the form of the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low Class A: Sally League), it won’t be because team ownership didn’t work to bring the community a new ballpark. This harsh column by Adam Van Brimmer of Savannahnow.com shows a fairly parochial attitude toward efforts to bring a new ballpark to […]
Osceola rejects new Washington Nationals spring-training complex
Fierce opposition from the local tourism industry caused the Osceola County Board of Commissioners to reject a $98-million spring-training complex for the Washington Nationals. The proposal would have used tourism funds to build the complex near the current Osceola County Stadium, currently the spring home of the Houston Astros. The funding formula: $88 million from […]
New El Paso ballpark set for April 11, 2014 opening
The new Triple-A Pacific Coast League El Paso ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres is set for an April 11, 2014 opening, according to team and city management. The season opener for the new franchise is scheduled for April 3, giving team officials some precious time to make sure operations are set. Ballpark construction moves […]
Frederick eyes ballpark signage to raise funds
To lessen the city subsidy for Harry Grove Stadium, Frederick officials are looking at selling signage outside the home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League). The issue: the city pays $42,000 to subsidize operations at the ballpark, and finding a way to cut that amount has been a goal of city officials […]
Metrodome roof to be reborn as duffel bags
The original roof of the Metrodome — the one that spectacularly collapsed three years ago — will see new life as duffel bags as Duluth Pack has prepped products based on the Teflon-coated fiberglass. As you’ll remember, the Metrodome roof collapsed in 2010 under the heavy weight of melting snow. A replacement roof was brought […]
Pacific Coast League unveils 2014 realignment
The franchise is moving only 300 or so miles, but the addition of an El Paso team in 2014 is causing the Class AAA Pacific Coast League to plan a divisional realignment. The makeup of the PCL conference divisions for 2014: Pacific Northern – Fresno Grizzlies, Reno Aces, Sacramento River Cats, Tacoma RainiersPacific Southern – […]
Startup Diamond League postponed to 2015
The startup independent Diamond League won’t launch until the 2015 season, as finding six open ballparks for next season proved to be a difficult task for founder Frank Boulton. Here’s the statement issued by Boulton today: The Diamond League of Professional Baseball will not start in 2014 with the contemplated 60-game schedule. Although I am […]
Selig: Time to resolve Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation
Despite some recent breakthroughs in the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig may intervene to find out “what the hell is going on.” To say it’s been a long slog toward a new home for the Rays is to underestimate the time of a long slog: Tropicana Field was outdated a decade […]
Expanded instant replay on tap for 2014
Major League Baseball is planning a major expansion of replay for the 2014 season, using the findings of a replay committee as the blueprint for a new streamlined appeal system. The plan, from a committee consisting of MLB vice president Joe Torre, Atlanta Braves president John Schuerholz and former manager Tony La Russa, will allow […]
2013 Summer-Collegiate Attendance by Average
We conclude our listings of 2013 summer-collegiate attendance with a look at average attendance — perhaps the most accurate way to measure the health of a franchise. Because of the small number of games in many leagues, the attendance can vary greatly year to year, so you’re going to see more fluctuations here than in, […]
2013 Summer-Collegiate Attendance by Total
The second in our roundup of summer-collegiate attendance statistics now that the regular season is done: this time we rank teams by total. We list the regular-season numbers for 2013 and 2012 to give you an idea of how teams fared year to year. This isn’t a list of every summer-collegiate team. In many leagues, […]