Populous awarded Twins spring-complex design project
The contract to design upgrades to Lee County Sports Complex and Hammond Stadium, spring home of the Minnesota Twins, has been awarded to Populous. The Lee County Board of Commissioners approved the deal with Populous to design the $42.5 million renovation. The ballpark also serves as home to the Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; […]
Unique public art slated for new Hops ballpark
We suspect we’ll see this in other MiLB ballparks: a 15-foot-high public sculpture at the new home of the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League) will feature color-changing, sound-activated LED lights. Devin Laurence Field, a regional artist, has been commissioned to create “Barometer,” designed to reflect the mood of the park According to Field, […]
Rafters adding party deck to Witter Field
Another seating option for fans of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (summer collegiate; Northwoods League): a new party deck will be installed at Witter Field down the third-base line, in the area shown above. The deck, which already has a sponsor, will be a steel structure, lofted approximately ten feet above ground level. It will serve […]
New Bush Stadium apartments hit the market
The conversion of Indianapolis’s Bush Stadium to loft-style apartments is underway, with apartments expected to be ready for occupancy this summer. Core Redevelopment and its management company are taking applications for studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments built on the grounds of the former home of Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League). From the Indianapolis Recorder: […]
Developer pitches new Winter Park ballpark
A developer is pitching Rollins College and the Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) on a new privately financed ballpark in Winter Park as part of a larger development. The new ballpark would be part of the mixed-use Ravaudage development at U.S. Highway 17-92 and Lee Road, near Winter Park Village. It’s […]
Searching for Italian sausage in Cedarburg UPDATED!
After a heavy night of barhopping, the Italian sausage outfit used in Milwaukee Brewers promotional sausage races has turned up missing, with cases of mustard offered as a reward. The costume of Guido the Klement’s Racing Italian Sausage was announced missing by owner Klement’s, the Milwaukee purveyor of fine meat products. It was rented out […]
Knights add hotel to new-ballpark plan
A 125-room hotel with underground parking is the latest component of BB&T Ballpark, slated to open in April 2014 as the new home of the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League). Chris Semmens, vice president of sales for the Knights, made the announcement at a Charlotte Chamber of Commerce-Metro event today, as well as the […]
Hops hold topping-out ceremony for new ballpark
It might have been a cloudy day, but spirits were high on Feb. 22 when the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League) and the city of Hillsboro held a topping-out ceremony for the team’s new ballpark. On hand for the ceremony: Hops ownership and management, city officials, and rep from the SRG Partnership design […]
New for 2013: Nogales Desert Ghosts
We have a name for the newest team in the independent American West Baseball League: the Nogales (Az.) Desert Ghosts. The team will play at War Memorial Stadium beginning this season, with former major league player Jolbert Cabrera (brother of Orlando Cabrera and son of scout Jolbert Cabrera) signed as manager. The rather extensive ownership […]
Did bidding process save money on new Saints ballpark? City says no
Though the end contract with Ryan Companies to design and build a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark came in $500,000 under original estimates, St. Paul officials say a competitive bid process didn’t actually save any money. City of St. Paul officials initially awarded the design/build contract to Ryan on a no-bid basis, […]
New turf installed at QuikTrip Park
A new million-dollar-plus synthetic-turf field has been installed at QuikTrip Park, home of the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American Association), and is ready for action. The installation of the $1.1 million project was completed by Hellas Sports Construction. The project began in November. “The field looks great,” said AirHogs president Scott Berry. “I think the […]
Compromise reached on baseball at new Vikings stadium
There will be a workable baseball field at the new Minnesota Vikings stadium for college, amateur and high-school baseball after architects made changes to the seating design. The Vikings had argued for one of the most intimate stadium designs in the NFL, with the goal to place fans as close to action as possible. Good […]
Rockford Foresters to play as road team in ’13
The Rockford Foresters (summer collegiate; Midwest Collegiate League) will play as a road team in 2013 after losing the lease for Marinelli Field to the Rockford Aviators (independent; Frontier League). The Foresters played at Marinelli Field for three seasons (2010-2012). No word on what baseball will be played at the former home of Midwest League […]