Rippers pull out of Frontier League; to be replaced by road team
Facing financial problems, the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) ownership is withdrawing its membership in the circuit as of midnight tonight, replaced by the Road Warriors, with any home games moving to the opponent’s ballpark. The word comes from league officials, who have been presented with a steady deterioration in the team’s finances, a deterioration […]
Giants expected to re-up with Augusta — but with hesitations
The San Francisco Giants and Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) will probably renew their player-development contract, but the Giants warn they want to see better facilities in the Georgia city. The condition of Lake Olmstead Stadium is a matter for debate by locals, who see nothing wrong with the basic facility. But that’s […]
In memoriam: Louise Nippert
Louise Nippert, a part-owner of the Cincinnati Reds since 1966 and widow of Louis Nippert, passed away yesterday. She was 100 years old. The Nipperts joined 12 other Cincinnati investors to purchase the Reds and began a 46-year ownership interest in the club that is the longest in franchise history. The Nipperts received the team’s […]
McKechnie Field upgrades set for 2013
Upgrades to McKechnie Field, spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Bradenton Marauders (High Class A; Florida State League), are set for next season. The upgrades include the addition of a wraparound concourse, outfield tiki bar, upgraded seating and more. (You can see the full details at our sister site, Spring […]
Success on the field equals the best year ever at box office for Rangers
It’s been an amazing year for the Texas Rangers: besides fighting it out with the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball, the team has already set one attendance record and on pace for another. The Rangers are just a half game behind the Yankees for the best record in baseball (57-38 for […]
Visiting Edenton’s Hicks Field
Used as a pro, spring-training and summer-collegiate ballpark, Hicks Field in Edenton, N.C., has quite the interesting history — a history that dates back to 1723, when the site was first used for sporting events as a racetrack. Funded with WPA money, the ballpark has been maintained through the years and is now home to […]
Scrappers on verge of welcoming 2-millionth fan
Another milestone to note: the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (short season A: NY-Penn League) will welcome the 2-millionth fan in team history at some point during an upcoming homestand. Heading into the next homestand beginning Wednesday, the Scrappers are only 6,710 fans away from two million. The two millionth fan entering Eastwood Field will receive a […]
Whose ballpark roof is open the most? Seattle
Despite the reputation of Seattle’s climate as being cool and damp, the roof at Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, is open the most among covered ballparks in Major League Baseball, according to a local meteorologist. The roof at Safeco Field was closed around 19 games a season (making for 23 percent of the […]
Organizers to make another run for baseball in 2020 Olympics
International organizing groups for baseball and softball are joining forces to bring the two sports back to the Olympic Games in 2020. Baseball and softball were dropped from the Olympics after the 2008 games in Beijing. The relatively high expense of a venue and the lack of any big-name stars on the field were the […]
In memoriam: Bob Blum
Former Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) broadcaster and front-office member Bob Blum has passed away. He was 91. Blum worked for the 51s — the Las Vegas Stars at the beginning of his tenure — for almost 30 years, and was the team’s broadcaster from 1985 to 2005 and 2008 to 2010. “Blumer […]
Developer: I can build new A’s ballpark with private financing
Hard to say how realistic this is, but a developer says he can build a privately financed ballpark for the Oakland Athletics at the current Coliseum site — provided Lew Wolff wants to keep the team in Oakland, that is. Developer Rick Tripp told the Press-Democrat he can tap into foreign and domestic investors to […]
Boston Rob ready for Yankee challenges
This coming offseason may be the most important one ever for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), but we’re thinking new president/GM Rob Crain will be up to the challenge. Crain, tapped earlier this month to lead the franchise, certainly has a lot on his plate. First, he’ll need to oversee the re-opening of […]
The Week That Was: July 22
MiLB history, affiliation shifts, Ebbets Field plans and the return of the Albuquerque Dukes for one night. Here are the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Pete Rose, hot girlfriend to hit reality TV this fall Webb makes MiLB history: first female league president Could Blue […]