Virginia Beach awarded Atlantic League franchise — but financing for ballpark remains
A group seeking to bring pro baseball to Virginia Beach has received conditional approval from the independent Atlantic League, but financing for the $25-million ballpark/youth baseball project is still up in the air. The group, Virginia Beach Professional Baseball, LLC, is looking to build a 6,000-seat ballpark near the existing Sportsplex. The ballpark would be […]
Mallards announce Warner Park improvements for 2013, will host league showcase
The Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) unveiled two Warner Park improvements for the coming season, including the installation of a new videoboard in left field. The new videoboard replaces the old, smaller one. The new board will be four times larger than the old board and greatly improve the fan experience at the Duck […]
Cubs, Chicago close to Wrigley Field accord
The Chicago Cubs and the city of Chicago are close to finalizing a $500-million Wrigley Field renovation plan that preserves views for local rooftop owners, adds more video signage and includes a new 300-capacity parking garage. The deal, expected to be finalized for an announcement at Monday’s season opener, gives the Cubs the right to […]
And they’re off!
It’s opening day for full-season Minor League Baseball leagues, with fans flocking to ballparks across the country to see their favorite teams in action. Well, most ballparks, anyway. Bad weather caused some games in the East to be cancelled — Richmond, Norfolk, West Virginia, Memphis, Gwinnett — and fans certainly bundled up in other cities. […]
Another year, another big ‘Topes check to city
The Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) did it again: ownership will pay $1,521,967.02 to the City of Albuquerque at city-owned Isotopes Park, in the annual ceremony of handing over a check on Opening Day. The payment will be made at tonight’s season opener. The payment represents the basic rent sum plus surcharge amounts […]
Barons announce first Opening Day sellout in over 20 years
What can’t a new ballpark do? The Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) have sold out Opening Day for the first time in more than 20 years, as fans are flocking to Regions Field. The team previously played at Regions Park, a rather spacious (10,000+ capacity) venue that was always a challenge to fill. Not […]
Alomar, Martinez, Metkovich this year’s PCL Hall inductees
Sandy Alomar Jr., Edgar Martinez and George “Catfish” Metkovich are the Class of 2013 in the Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame. Sandy Alomar Jr., born on June 18, 1966, in Salinas, Puerto Rico, played in parts of four seasons in the Pacific Coast League with the Las Vegas Stars (San Diego Padres,1988-89), Colorado Springs […]
Could parking ramp clinch Wrigley Field renovation plan?
Wrigleyville leaders are suggesting the Chicago Cubs could break a political logjam by adding a new parking ramp to a Wrigley Field renovation plan, as city and team official continues discussing the issue. Alderman Tom Tunney, who represents Wrigleyville, says adding a new, large parking ramp at Clark and Grace (north of Wrigley Field) would […]
Isotopes install baseball humidor in Albuquerque
At the request of parent Los Angeles Dodgers, the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have installed a baseball humidor for the 2013 season in an effort to keep more balls in the ballpark. It’s no secret that the ball flies out of Isotopes Park: the numbers don’t lie. It’s also no secret that […]
RailRiders ownership spat likely to go to court
An unfortunate decision right before the debut of renovated PNC Field today: it looks like the dispute over who receives the proceeds of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Class AAA; International League) sale will end up going to court. As you’ll recall, Lackawanna County and Luzerne County are in a dispute over the $14,6 million received after […]
Marek new Voice of the Swampdogs
Nick Marek is the new Voice of the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League). Marek is a senior studying journalism and mass communication at Arizona State University. Despite going to school out west, Marek has lived in Chapel Hill since he was four years old. While at Arizona State, Marek co-founded the Walter Cronkite Sports Network (WCSN) […]
Peek into the past with Old Ballparks
The premise behind our newest offering is simple: one picture of an old ballpark, posted daily. Check it out. We set it up on Facebook. You can see it here. Today’s photo is from Ebbets Field in 1913, with the New York Yankees’ Ray Caldwell warming up before an exhibition game. —- Share your news […]
New Hounds ballpark approved
A new ballpark for the Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) was approved unanimously last night by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, clearing the way for the team to begin play with the 2014 season. The new ballpark at the One Loudoun development at the interchange of Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway will be […]