Bowling Green, Rays extend PDC
The Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Midwest League) and the Tampa Bay Rays extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We are very pleased to continue our relationship with the Rays,” said Art Solomon, Hot Rods owner. “Tampa Bay continues to be a top-notch organization that consistently supplies us with high-character […]
Nats: We’re still interested in Fort Myers — if spring complex is upgraded
Washington Nationals front-office personnel told Lee County reps the team was interested in moving spring-training operations to City of Palms Park — if the ballpark was upgraded, to the tune of $45 million or more. With the Nats unwilling to commit to Viera’s Space Coast Stadium and openly seeking a new spring home, a move […]
Crosscutters, Phillies extend PDC
The Williamsport Crosscutters (short season A; NY-Penn League) and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years, through 2014. The formal announcement was made at Historic Bowman Field prior to the August 31 game. “Williamsport is an integral part of the Phillies player development ladder and we’re very happy to extend […]
Can-Am League revokes Breighner’s membership, takes over Worcester market
That was quick: the independent Can-Am League has revoked Todd Breighner’s membership in the circuit and is seeking a new owner to play in the Worcester market. Like many independent leagues, the Can-Am League is based on a membership structure (akin a private country club), where team owners are members — as opposed to Minor […]
Hillsboro ballpark groundbreaking set for Sept. 21
The groundbreaking for a new Hillsboro (Ore.) ballpark for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) is set for Sept. 21, as well as an announcement of the new team name. The 4,500-seat ballpark at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex is set to open for the 2013 season. Team owners and other city officials […]
Romney carries the day in Bobblection 2012
Good news if you’re a Mitt Romney supporter: in a tally of bobblehead choices in 10 minor-league ballparks, Romney carried the day with six wins and won the total selections by 7.1 percentage points. The Goldklang Group produces the most extensive election bobblehead promotion in minor-league baseball, working with 10 teams over seven dates on Bobblection 2012. The promo […]
Uecker statue to be unveiled at Miller Park today
No cheap seats today: a statue of Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker will be unveiled at a special ceremony today at Miller Park. The statue will be revealed at its home near Miller Park’s Home Plate Plaza. Bob Costas will serve as emcee. Uecker’s statue will join those of Hank Aaron, Robin Yount and MLB Commissioner […]
El Paso moves forward with ballpark planning
The city of El Paso is moving forward with planning on a new Class AAA ballpark, hiring Populous to produce conceptual designs for the downtown location. The issue addressed by these designs: whether a new ballpark would fit on a small five-acre footprint current occupied by City Hall. The answer: yes, it will. From a […]
More bidders emerging for MLB TV rights?
CBS could end up being part of a new package of rightsholders for MLB broadcasts or Fox could use an expanded rights buy to launch a new sports channel, as talks continue. With ESPN doubling its financial commitment to MLB broadcasts, the bar was set for what MLB will expect from other bidders when the […]
No Wilmington ballpark deal — yet
Negotiations between the city of Wilmington (N.C.) and Mandalay Baseball Properties for a new Class A Carolina League ballpark continue, with a deal expected by Sept. 18. It’s taken far longer to reach a deal than city officials anticipated, but it sounds like the delays were due more to logistics than anything else: with three […]
San Jose ballpark land deal under formal review
The transfer of land destined for a new San Jose ballpark is officially being reviewed by California Controller John Chiang to determine whether it was done legally. California municipalities were warned in early 2011 that assets of city and county redevelopment agencies would be transferred to the state in order to balance the budget. For the […]
Yankees returning to WCBS for 2013
New York Yankees radio broadcasts will continue at WCBS 880 in 2013, with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman expected to return to the booth. WCBS 880 provides nighttime coverage to more than 30 states, will carry all regular and postseason games, as well as broadcast select spring training contests. WCBS 880 has been the team’s […]
Champaign to move forward with ballpark study
City staff in Champaign (Ill.) has been instructed to move forward with a study of the potential of minor-league baseball, but stopped short of authorizing any money toward the task. A report issued by the Illinois Business Consulting group, a student-run organization operating under the University of Illinois College of Business, concluded that the area could support professional baseball […]