Judge hears plea to put El Paso ballpark to vote
A U.S. District Court judge heard arguments alleging the process to move ahead with a new downtown El Paso ballpark was the result of racial prejudice, with a decision expected before the end of the month. The lawsuit, filed by former Mayor Ray Salazar, David Ochoa and Jesús Ochoa (no relation), asks Judge David Guaderrama to […]
Ports release alt uniforms, logos
The Stockton Ports (High Class A; California League) released alternate logos and uniforms to be work on Fridays, with the new look combining city history with a popular food item sold at Banner Island Ballpark. “This is truly an exciting way for the Ports to re-affirm our commitment to Stockton. We feel this new logo […]
New for 2012: Reading Fightin Phils
At the end of the day, we’re pretty sure the fuss was unwarranted, but that doesn’t mean the new look is a success: the Reading Phillies are now the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League), as the team opts to brand with an ostrich and a moniker ostensibly missing an apostrophe — while also […]
Bisons to unveil new logo for 2013 and beyond
A new parent means a new logo, as the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) will celebrate a new PDC with the Toronto Blue Jays via a new logo. The unveiling is set for next Tuesday at Pettibones Grille at the ballpark, where the team will also introduce the new manager. The new affiliation deal […]
Seattle unveils plan for biggest HD scoreboard in MLB ballparks
Safeco Field will have the largest high-definition video-display system in all of baseball and among the largest in all of sports, as the Seattle Mariners prepare a serious ballpark upgrade for the 2013 season. The new video screen replaces the scoreboard that was built in 1999, the inaugural season of Safeco Field. Measuring 56.7-feet high […]
Ocala, Tampa Yankees talking new ballpark
The Tampa Yankees could be moving north to Ocala in coming years, as the Yankees organization and city officials discuss a new ballpark for the Florida State League franchise. The Tampa Yankees currently play out of Steinbrenner Field, the spring home of the New York Yankees. It’s a large facility for Minor League Baseball, and […]
Pecos League at ten for 2013
The independent Pecos League will go with ten teams in 2013, after the decision was made to add the Raton Osos to the circuit instead of moving some Trinidad Triggers games there. The lineup: in addition to Raton and Trinidad, the league will field the following teams: Alpine Cowboys, Las Cruces Vaqueros, Las Vegas (N.M.) […]
Barons update parking plan for new ballpark
Seeking to allay concerns about parking near Regions Field, the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) unveiled an agreement with Children’s Hospital for the use of three surface lots within a two-block radius of the new downtown ballpark. Additionally, fans will have access to street parking spaces and other public parking locations within two blocks […]
Could Aces end up leaving Reno?
With the Reno City Council rescinding a plan to pay $30 million toward Aces Ballpark debt, a threat made by team owner Herb Simon is thrust back into the spotlight: Would be follow through on a plan to move the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League)? Simon is a multibillionaire, worth approximately $2.2 billion, […]
Clark sells stake in San Rafael Pacifics
Brian Clark has sold his majority stake in the San Rafael Pacifics and Sonoma County Grapes (independent; North American League) to the team’s minority investors: Steve Allen, Eugene Lupario and Mike Shapiro. Shapiro was the face of the Pacific this past year, when the team drew around 700 fans a game to Albert Park in a […]
News Corp. negotiating majority share in YES Network
News Corp. is negotiating a deal to buy 66 percent of the YES Network, with the New York Yankees retaining its minority share and the network’s investors selling out to Rupert Murdoch and crew. To say there’s a cozy relationship between MLB and News Corp. via Fox is an understatement: many teams receive a large […]
Brevard County Manatees, Rollins College talking new ballpark
We’ve reported several times about efforts by the Brevard County Manatees (High Class A; Florida State League) ownership seeking a move to Orlando, and now we have the details: the team is working on a ballpark plan witb Winter Park’s Rollins College. Baseball is a big thing at Rollins College, but the team’s current home […]
Reno withdraws funding plan for Aces Ballpark
Elections have consequences: the new majority on the Reno City Council voted to rescind a deal paying $1 million annually for 30 years to address debt on Aces Ballpark, home of the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The vote wasn’t close — 6-1 — and it came after new members of the City […]