SwampDogs giving away cars left and right
An insured promotion where the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) and a local dealer give away a new car if a player steals home has resulted in two free autos for fans this season. The promotion, “Steal of a Lifetime,” is sponsored by a local car dealership, Stewart Nissan, and has run for […]
Mallards to welcome two-millionth fan in team history tonight
The Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) will welcome their two-millionth fan in team history tonight, as a big crowd should be there to mark the milestone and wish team president Vern Stenman a happy birthday. The 137th fan to walk through the Warner Park gates tonight will be the Mallards’ two-millionth fan and win a […]
El Paso group: We’re one step closer to buying PCL team
A group seeking to bring a Pacific Coast League team to a new El Paso ballpark says they’re one step closer to acquiring a team after being asked by the league to submit a Preliminary Application Review. The group, MountainStar Sports Group, was asked to submit the review after PCL officials reviewed materials relating to El Paso […]
Midseason at Albert Park: How is the NAL doing?
The Albert Park Advisory Committee will be conducting a midseason review of the operations of the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) next Monday; we’ll do the same for the entire league now. Going forward with a 2012 season after the defection of several teams was a pretty gutsy move for the league owners: […]
Window on the past: When the PCL shot for the majors
A recently discovered newsreel shows the state of the post-war Pacific Coast League in 1946, as the eight-team circuit prepped for a move to a major league with legends like Casey Stengel and Lefty O’Doul in the dugouts. After the end of World War II, the minor leagues — which shut down as part of […]
Twins, Lee County negotiating over player dorms, naming rights at spring-training complex
A renovation of Hammond Stadium and the Lee County Sports Complex, spring home of the Minnesota Twins, may or may not feature player dorms and naming rights, as the two sides negotiate a new lease covering some $30 million in improvements. It’s an unusual situation. In order to qualify for $15 million in state funds […]
Olerud adds VP title at P-Nats
Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) General Manager Josh Olerud has been promoted: he’s now vice preident/general manager of the team, as announced by President Lani Silber Weiss. “Josh has just been wonderful in trying to find ways to amplify the in game experience for our fans,” says Silber Weiss. “His management and leadership skills […]
Hillsboro: We never thought to ask for upfront money from Yakima Bears
A comparison of proposed leases between Hillsboro and the Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) reveals something interesting: despite a team offer to pay up front toward a proposed Clark County ballpark, no such demand was issued by Hillsboro. Not that it would have made a difference anyway: with Northwest League president Bob Richmond […]
Blue Rocks, Royals extend PDC
The Wilmington Blue Rocks (High Class A; Carolina League) and the Kansas City Royals extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We are thrilled to once again renew our affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Royals,” said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. “They have been a first-class organization to work with and […]
Cubs, Mesa break ground on new spring-training facility
The Chicago Cubs and the city of Mesa yesterday broke ground on a new $99-million spring-training complex, slated to open for the 2014 season. Take a peek at the new renderings. The ballpark, to be designed by Populous, will hold 15,000 fans and include a videoboard, shaded seats and luxury suites. The new complex will also include […]
Blue Jays looking east for new Triple-A farm team?
It’s the time of year when MLB teams are reevaluating their MiLB affiliates, and the Toronto Blue Jays will probably explore a deal with the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) — which could ultimately profit both teams. The Bisons are currently affiliated with the New York Mets, an arrangement wholeheartedly embraced by the Bisons […]
More weather follies: Tennessee Smokies Tarp-Nami
It’s been a rough year on the weather front for some grounds crews, as the staff of the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) found out when laying down tarp during a storm. It was pretty rough on July 5, when a nasty storm rolled through Smokies Park and East Tennessee. You can see the […]
New Canadian pro league forming?
Rumors of a new Canadian independent baseball league are surfacing, as the region’s distance from existing circuits is forcing potential owners to stay close to home in search of markets. Several independent leagues — the Northern League, the Golden Baseball League and the North American League — have tried to work on schedules that included […]