Repairs sought for Dutchess Stadium
Deteriorating conditions are causing Dutchess County officials to ask for a million dollars in repairs to Dutchess Stadium, home of the Hudson Valley Renegades (short season A; NY-Penn League). County Executive Marc Molinaro is asking the state to bond $1.01 million in improvements to the ballpark. From the Daily Freeman: Molinaro said there is currently […]
Vallejo in, Sonoma County out in Pacific Association
The Vallejo Admirals would replace the Sonoma County Grapes travel team in the independent Pacific Association if a proposed lease is approved by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District. The team would play at Wilson Park, a rather modest 500-seat facility that would need some upgrades to reach 500-600 seating for pro baseball. Redwood Sports and […]
Politico: Let Rays look throughout region for new ballpark after paying fee
A St. Petersburg City Council member says the Tampa Bay Rays should be allowed to talk to other cities in the region about a new ballpark — but only after paying a $1.4 million fee, and without assurances the current Tropicana Field lease could be ended. The fee wouldn’t allow the Rays to leave the […]
Marlins Park: The gift that keeps on giving
Not only did Miami-Dade County agree to a Miami Marlins ballpark financing plan that will end up costing taxpayers over a billion dollars, the project ended up coming in under budget — with the Marlins pocketing the savings. Well, maybe not pocketing. But the fact is the Marlins and not the county will benefit from […]
Redbirds still on the market entering 2013
The Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are still for sale, according to officials with the Memphis Redbirds Foundation, as the front office preps for the 2013 season with little changing from past years. The Redbirds went from being one of MiLB’s big success stories to a team mired in debt, with the team […]
More football slated for Wrigley Field
Football is returning to Wrigley Field, as the Chicago Cubs and Northwestern University are expected to announce the scheduling of future games as well as an expansion of a business relationship between the pair. Renovations to Wrigley Field over the next few years are expected to allow for some field reconfigurations, which would give the […]
Ballpark Village construction to begin in February
Better late than never: the groundbreaking for the Ballpark Village project, next to Busch Stadium, is set for Feb. 8, as the St. Louis Cardinals and Cordish Cos. are ready to move ahead. Ballpark Village, envisioned as a multi-use retail/office/entertainment complex, didn’t open when Busch Stadium did, as the floundering economy forced the team and […]
Reno approves $30M bailout of Aces Ballpark; county is up next
The Reno City Council approved spending $30 million over the next 30 years to address debt on Aces Ballpark, home of the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), with the matter now going before the Washoe County Commission. SK Baseball had sought the public money to address a $55-million construction loan on the ballpark. […]
New Barons ballpark starting out in the hole — literally
A 100-foot-deep sinkhole at the entrance to Regions Field, the new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), has city officials scrambling to pay for repairs. In terms of impact, the real impact will be felt on the ledger, not the ballpark. Crews have already filled the sinkhole, but the location is forcing […]
Knights go 1990 retro style in 2013
This was high fashion in 1990: The Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) are reviving their black pinstripes for new “Flashback Fridays” series, which is set to commemorate 24 years of history at Knights Stadium. The 1990 throwback jerseys during each of the club’s 10 Friday night home games this season. “With this being our […]
TinCaps unveil upgrades to Parkview Field for 2013
The Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) announced a new $800,000 private investment in Parkview Field with the new 400 Club in dead-center field. The project will include replacing the existing batter’s eye with a 75-foot-long “wall of windows” directly on top of the existing center-field wall at Parkview Field. The windows will be […]
Marano new Lakewood BlueClaws GM
A personnel move to note: Brandon Marano has been promoted to general manager of the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League), replacing Geoff Brown. Marano, previously the team’s Assistant General Manager of Operations, becomes the second General Manager in team history. The promotion was announced by BlueClaws President Joe Finley. He takes over for […]
Avista Stadium renovation unveils hidden treasure: floor safe
The $2.8 million upgrade of Avista Stadium, the home of the Spokane Indians (short season A; Northwest League), has yielded an unexpected surprise: a sealed floor safe. Alas, the Indians won’t be opening the safe any time soon — insert your own Geraldo Rivera joke here — but it will be left uncovered, so fans […]