Hudson new GM for Inland Empire 66ers
The Inland Empire 66ers (High Class A; California League) have a new general manager: Joe Hudson, who has been a part of the 66ers organization since 2001. “I am extremely excited and honored at the opportunity given to me by Dave (Elmore) and Donna (Tuttle),” Hudson said. “I am a native of San Bernardino and […]
Minor upgrades pitched for Pohlman Field
Beloit is looking at allocating $100,000 toward minor improvements to Pohlman Field, the home of the Beloit Snappers (Low Class A; Midwest League), but the long-term future of baseball in southern Wisconsin remains fuzzy. The proposal: The city will spend $80,000 on new outfield turf and another $20,000 on new concrete and asphalt in the […]
Hillsboro approves bonding for new Hops ballpark
Hillsboro officials approved $12.5 million in bonds backed by the city’s general fund to build a new ballpark for the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League). You don’t often see cities issuing ballpark bonds backed by nothing but “full faith and credit,” as the term goes, rather than dedicated revenue streams like sales taxes; […]
Out of playoffs, Rangers embark on ballpark improvements
Unceremoniously dumped from the MLB playoffs, the Texas Rangers have embarked on improvements to Rangers Ballpark instead of hosting postseason games. The Rangers had planned on some $10 million in improvements to the ballpark, including the addition of a new row of luxury seats behind home plate and some concessions upgrades in the concourse. The […]
NYC still grappling with white-elephant parking ramps at Yankee Stadium
A plan to tear down unprofitable parking ramps near Yankee Stadium has collapsed, leaving New York City to basically wait for the parking vendor to default on $240 million in bonds. When Yankee Stadium was planned, the decision was made by Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation to back parking ramps near the ballpark, with the […]
New for 2013: Hillsboro Hops
The name of the newest team in the short-season A Northwest League has been unveiled: the Hillsboro Hops. The name of the former Yakima Bears was announced today. “The name ‘Hops’ recognizes Hillsboro’s proud agricultural heritage and the fact that Oregon is the second largest hop producing state in the United States,” said K.L. Wombacher, […]
Wolff: We want to be back in Worcester in 2013
With other independent and summer-collegiate leagues pitching Worcester officials on a Fitton Field lease, Can-Am League Commissioner Miles Wolff is working on a plan to keep the city in his circuit. It’s no secret other leagues, such as a startup feeder league from the independent Atlantic League, would like to be playing out of Fitton […]
Front-office changes in Klamath Falls, New Bedford
We have a couple of personnel changes to note: Grant Wilson is the new GM of the Klamath Falls Gems (summer collegiate; West Coast League), while Mike Friar is new GM of the New Bedford Bay Sox (summer collegiate; NECBL). Wilson was formerly GM of the Cowlitz Black Bears in the same circuit. He’s the […]
Opponents file TRO to halt work on new Saints ballpark
Groups opposing a no-bid design/build contract have now filed for a temporary restraining order (TRO), asking that all work be stopped on a new downtown St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark. Last week the Taxpayers League and a local conservative activist announced plans to challenge the decision by St. Paul officials to award a […]
Joliet approves Slammers lease
A new lease with lowered rent has been approved by the city for the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League), clearing the way for a new ownership group to buy the team from businessman Alan Oremus. The deal, approved last night by the City Council, is along the lines set down earlier: it lowers the base […]
Frontier League at 13 teams for 2013
The independent Frontier League will be at 13 teams, plus a travel squad, for 2013, as the circuit releases a schedule for next season. The Frontier League will again consist of 14 total teams with two, seven-team divisions. The East Division consists of the Evansville Otters, Florence Freedom, Frontier Greys (travel team), Lake Erie Crushers, […]
The Week That Was: October 14
The future of Richmond baseball, spring training, new ownership in affiliated and indy ranks, and the new-ballpark efforts in Tampa Bay. The top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Coca-Cola Field / Buffalo Bisons Glendale: We need to rework spring-training leases Spat between Cubs, Mayor Rahm continues Canal […]
Missoula ballpark backers: We won’t make good on pledges
Three of the community leaders signing a pledge to back Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League), say they were coerced into backing the deal and are refusing to pay. When nonprofit Play Ball Missoula began fundraising for Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, local business leaders were asked to […]