In memoriam: Patricia Bertman Mazoh
Patricia Bertman Mazoh, daughter of Joe Bertman, the creator of the iconic Bertman Ball Park Mustard originally served at Cleveland’s League Park, has passed away. She was 83. Joe Bertman, who began manufacturing brown mustard in the 1920s at his house in the Kinsman neighborhood in Cleveland and selling it in glass gallon jars to League […]
Residents seek more input in new Hagerstown ballpark
A group seeking public input into the decision to build a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League) presented 910 signatures to the city council last night. The group opposes a new downtown ballpark for two reasons: taking on new debt during lean times makes little financial sense, and it […]
Breighner: Tornadoes are in good financial shape
Saying there’s no chance he’ll explore bankruptcy, Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) owner Todd Breighner says the team’s balance sheet is in good shape and he will rebound from financial setbacks. The team was locked out of offices earlier this week after the local Hilton Garden Inn went to court to satisfy a $32,562 bill. This follows […]
Cedar Rapids approves new ballpark spending
Veterans Memorial Stadium, home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Low Class A; Midwest League), will see $3 million in improvements after approval of a $1.5 million grant from the city. The money will be spent over 10 years. Besides the $1.5 million from the city, the local stadium commission will contribute $1 million and the […]
League may take over Tornadoes
The independent Can-Am League may take over the Worcester Tornadoes a day after employees were locked out of offices and the team shop to satisfy a lien. Usually it’s the last gasp of a team when personnel are locked out of the office, so it’s no surprise Miles Wolff and crew are mapping their next […]
ESPN doubling rights fees for MLB
ESPN will double the amount it pays to Major League Baseball for cable, radio and international rights in a new eight-year deal totaling $5.6 billion, according to multiple reports. The current deal, which runs through 2013, brings $350 million annually to MLB teams; the new deal ups that to $700 million. The new deal is […]
Big announcement tomorrow means one thing: Twins land 2014 All-Star Game
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will be at Target Field tomorrow for a big announcement, which can mean only one thing: the Minnesota Twins have landed the 2014 All-Star Game. It’s been a foregone conclusion among MLB types in recent weeks that the Twins would land the event at Target Field: we’ve been told the only […]
Ginning up ballpark opposition
There’s always some level of opposition to a new ballpark; NIMBY folks usually aren’t hard to find. But sometimes the media goes out of its way to find them, as we’re seeing in Prince William County and El Paso. Take, for example, this report from the Examiner. The headline holds lot of promise: “New stadium […]
New turf set for McCormick Field
One big offseason improvement is set for McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists (Low Class A; Sally League): a new turf will be laid down. The turf has been an issue at McCormick Field for a long time, but it’s now being addressed. The Asheville City Council is expected to approve a new turf […]
Canadians set another attendance mark
Good news coming out of one of our favorite ballparks: for the second year in a row, the Vancouver Canadians (short season A; Northwest League) set a team attendance record at Nat Bailey Stadium. The team drew 164,461 fans this season — better than last year’s record 162,162 fans. It’s the fifth straight year of increased […]
NWL’s Bob Richmond announces retirement
Bob Richmond is retiring as president of the short-season-A Northwest League at the end of the calendar year, according to the league directors. For 30 years, Richmond has overseen the growth of the Northwest League as it developed into one of Minor League Baseball’s most diverse and profitable entities. “For 30 years, I have been […]
Tornadoes locked out of offices, team shop
After losing team uniforms to satisfy a lien, Worcester Tornadoes (independent; Can-Am League) offices and team store were seized by a creditor, with the team locked out. The seizing came this afternoon after papers were served against the team and owner Todd Breighner over nonpayment of a $32,562 debt against the Hilton Garden Inn. The Inn won a judgement […]
Freedom Baseball League scraps playoffs, lays off staff
The independent Freedom Baseball League has scrapped the four-team postseason playoffs and has reportedly laid off staff in anticipation of the end of the regular season. The four-team league, which plays at various ballparks in the Phoenix area (including Scottsdale Stadium and Peoria Stadium), has had a rocky first year; seems Arizona baseball fans may […]