No reason to worry about gap in Saints ballpark financing — yet
City officials are nervous about a $2-million “shortfall” in funding for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark, but such hand-wringing is just silly, silly talks from folks inexperienced in building ballparks. The issue: only $52 million has been allocated by the state, city and the Saints for the ballpark, demolition work on […]
Southern Maryland lands 2013 Atlantic League ASG
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and Regency Furniture Stadium are hosting the 2013 Atlantic League All-Star Game on July 10, 2013, as the Liberty Division and the Freedom Division clash. “It is truly an honor for the Blue Crabs and the Southern Maryland community to be hosting this event,” said Blue Crabs President Keith Lupton. “The […]
Quad Cities, Astros announce affiliation
The Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the Houston Astros announced a new player-development contract this afternoon. The River Bandits and the St. Louis Cardinals parted ways, leaving the MiLB to seek a new partner. Team ownership talked with the three available MLB parents — Astros, Angels and A’s — and […]
2012 Baseball Attendance by Average
Here is the Big Kahuna of attendance rankings: we’ve combined our rankings of affiliated, independent and summer-collegiate attendance rankings into one, huge, 388-team list. This covers every affiliated, most independent and most summer-collegiate teams. A few indy leagues don’t report attendance, and many smaller summer-collegiate leagues either don’t charge for admission or track attendance. Still, […]
2012 Independent Attendance by Average
Our final independent-baseball attendance ranking of the day: Here are 2012 independent attendance numbers, listed by average. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of multiple independent teams, with […]
2012 Independent Attendance by Total
More attendance goodness for you today: here are the 2012 independent-league attendance rankings, listed by total. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of multiple independent teams, with the North […]
2012 Independent Attendance by League
With the independent-baseball regular season wrapping up yesterday, it’s time to parse the attendance numbers for 2012. Here are 2012 independent attendance numbers, listed by league. These numbers are for the top indy league who actually report attendance figures; there are others who do not. (Yeah, we’re looking at you, Freedom and Pecos leagues.) This season saw the loss of […]
Front-office changes in Bluefield, Bridgeport
Some front-office changes to report today: Jeff Gray is the new GM of the Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League), while Ken Shepard is new GM of the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League). Gray has front-office experience with the Dunedin Blue Jays (High Class A; Florida State League) and was associate general manager of the U.S. […]
Sea Dogs installing new turf, irrigation system
Big changes for 2013 at Hadlock Field, home of the Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League): a new irrigation system and playing field, with Maine- and New England-based companies completing the work. The playing surface at Hadlock Field will be completely replaced, including both the infield and outfield. The field will be re-grated and […]
Up today: more affiliation news
We’re down to just a few teams needing to reach player-development deals for the 2013-2014 seasons, and we expect the logjam to break when the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League) announce their affiliation deal later today. There are three teams without affiliation deals in the Midwest League — the River Bandits, […]
Aces, Washoe County continue debate over property taxes
Owners of the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Washoe County continue to debate over property taxes owed on Aces Ballpark. Technically, the Aces owe the county $1.6 million in back property taxes, including $1.2 million in penalties. The Aces, meanwhile, say the county has overvalued the ballpark, so property taxes should be […]
Opponents: El Paso ballpark debate not over
Though the fat lady is warming up her vocal cords off to the side, opponents of a new El Paso ballpark say they’ll make one last effort at a petition drive to kill the deal approved this week. The El Paso City Council approved a lease this week for a new $50-million ballpark with MountainStar […]
For Tucson, El Paso ballpark deal is bad news
While ballpark developments this week have pleased El Paso baseball fans, they represent bad news for Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) fans, who once again must deal with the loss of affiliated ball. It’s been no secret that the T-Padres were a short-term play at Kino Stadium; Jeff Moorad and crew were working […]