Fox, Turner retain MLB broadcast rights; NBC shut out
Fox Sports and Turner Sports are retaining rights to broadcast MLB games in 2014 and beyond, with Fox using an expanded portfolio of games as the cornerstone of Fox Sports One, a sports network to be built off the existing Speed Channel. The New York Times is reporting the deal, but doesn’t have any information on […]
Cedar Rapids to Twins, Kane County to Cubs
Two big affiliation deals in the Low Class A Midwest League were announced this afternoon: The Cedar Rapids Kernels hooked up with the Minnesota Twins, while the Kane County Cougars signed a new deal with the Chicago Cubs. For the Cougars and the Cubs, a new two-year player-development contract brings the MLB’s Low Class A […]
Legends to announce parent tomorrow
The Lexington Legends (Low Class A; Sally League) have called a press conference for tomorrow to announce the team’s new parent for 2013 and beyond. The Legends have been the Low Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros since the Lexington team began play in 2001. However, with the Astros saying that the team will […]
Frederick looking at naming-rights deal for Harry Grove Stadium
The city of Frederick is looking at working with a Rockvile (Md.) firm on a naming-rights deal for Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League). If approved, Team Services LLC will be awarded ta $53,000 contract to market the naming rights to the field; the name of the ballpark […]
Local businessman buying Oneonta Outlaws
Local businessman Gary Laing is in the process of buying the Oneonta Outlaws (summer collegiate; Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League) from Keith Rogers and Dan Scaring. The Outlaws play at Damaschke Field, the longtime home to Minor League Baseball in the city. Rogers and Scaring moved a NYCBL team to Oneonta once the Oneonta Tigers (short season […]
No, Erie’s not moving to Ottawa
We were pitched this story and passed because we know it’s not true, but apparently there’s enough talk to make it worth covering elsewhere: No, the Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) are not moving to Ottawa. An original, erroneous report in the Ottawa Citizen had the Mandalay Baseball Properties-owned SeaWolves as being a team […]
Lease officially approved in Wilmington
Though both sides had agreed to the terms, a lease for a new Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark with Mandalay Baseball Properties and the Atlanta Braves was officially approved by the City Council. As you’ll recall, the three announced last Friday that all sides had agreed to a lease that called for a Braves-owned Wilmington team to […]
Chiefs, Cards sign four-year PDC
Another change on the affiliation front: the St. Louis Cardinals and the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A; Midwest League) have signed a new player-development contract, through 2016. The Cardinals had been affiliated with the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League); the Chiefs are coming off a long-term relationship with the Chicago Cubs. […]
Boulton, Atlantic League looking at new feeder circuit
It’s not a new idea, but it’s back up for planning: the independent Atlantic League is once again looking at starting a second circuit that would focus on smaller venues and funnel players to the existing league. At one point there were discussions with the independent Can-Am League about serving this purpose, but the parameters of […]
El Paso ballpark approval squeaks through
By a narrow 4-3 margin, the El Paso City Council approved a proposed lease with MountainStar Sports for a new $50 million downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), but don’t assume the issue is settled — yet. After hours and hours of public input on the new ballpark, the […]
Daytona, Cubs: Let’s stay together
Though there really wasn’t any doubt about it, the Daytona Cubs (High Class A; Florida State League) and the Chicago Cubs signed a two-year extension to their player-development contract (PDC), through 2014. Apparently the two sides agreed to a deal and are only now getting around to announcing it. Actually, there have been no press […]
Design/build team announced for new Saints ballpark
The design/build team for a new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) has been chosen: Ryan Companies, AECOM and Julie Snow Architects. “We are very excited to design and build the next great addition to the city of St. Paul,” said Mike Ryan, director of architecture and engineering for Ryan, via press release. “Ryan is committed […]
Electric-vehicle charging stations installed at AT&T Park
Fans of the San Francisco Giants can now attend a game at AT&T Park and juice up their electric vehicles at the same time, as four charging stations have been installed at the ballpark. The four new electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations are the result of work by the City of San Francisco, the San Francisco […]