Hudson Valley PA announcer calls it in via Skype
Talk about phoning it in: Rick Zolzer of the Hudson Valley Renegades (short season A; NY-Penn League) became the first P.A. announcer to perform his duties from home via Skype. Zolzer delivered every player introduction, announcement and between-inning contest while sitting poolside at the comfort of his own home. “We are always looking to use technology in […]
Wilmington ballpark opponents won’t challenge petition rejection; site negotiations begin
Opponents of public spending on a new Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark won’t challenge a rejection of their petition drive, while city officials have begun negotiations for a waterfront site. The city rejected a petition from a group led by Josh Fulton and Ben McCoy, which would have changed city rules to prevent any public money spend […]
Life on the road for SWB Yankees: Living out of a suitcase
It’s rare that you see an affiliated team spend an entire season on the road, but Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) players seem to be taking it in stride. Though the SWB Yankees are marginally headquartered in the Rochester area — playing 17 games at Frontier Field and a handful more in nearby Batavia […]
Will affiliated ball return to Ottawa?
Ottawa would seem to be a great market for affiliated baseball, but issues with the ballpark — and the fairly high cost of bringing it up to modern standards — may end up killing any relocation efforts. More than one MiLB owner directly told us they’d passed on a plan to move an Eastern League […]
Binghamton, Mets expect to renew PDC
The Binghamton Mets (Class AA; Eastern League) and the New York Mets are expected to renew their PDC for at least two years and maybe four, according to team president Michael Urda. Urda recently met with Mets GM Sandy Alderson about the future of the relationship and came away optimistic that it would continue. “We had […]
Selig: Rays attendance is “inexcusable”
Taking a shot aimed more toward apathetic fans than the forces preventing a new ballpark, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the Tampa Bay Rays attendance — or lack thereof — is “inexcusable.” Speaking at his annual press conference during All-Star festivities, the commissioner noted the Rays were 29th in MLB attendance (20,582 fans a game) […]
Demolition ending on SWB ballpark; next up is construction
The demoliton of the second level of PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), is drawing to a close, with framing for the new suites level set for August. The ballpark is being fundamentally transformed this year: the old steep second deck is almost done, to be replaced by a more […]
Where retro began: 25 years of Coca-Cola Field
It’s a great story: the ballpark that began the retro era — Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) is hosting the Triple-A All-Star Game in its 25th year. The game should be close to a sellout and can be seen nationally on the MiLB.tv website, but the big story here is […]
Saints, Huskies ballparks pitched for Minnesota state funds
Proposals for a new St. Paul Saints ballpark and renovations to Wade Stadium, home of the Duluth Huskies, have been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED has $47.5 million to spend on capital improvements across the state as a result of the bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature in the […]
Twins waiting for word on 2014 All-Star Game
With the 2012 All-Star Game in the books and the 2013 game slated for Citi Field, the fate of the 2014 match — eyed by the Minnesota Twins for Target Field — will be a continuing font of discussion. We won’t see MLB Commissioner Bud Selig make a decision about 2014 for several months, though […]
Wilmington ballpark to go before voters this fall
Wilmington (N.C.) voters will be asked to approving bonding for a new ballpark this fall, as officials throw out a controversial petition that would bar city spending on a facility. Voters will be asked to approve $42 million in bonding for all the costs of a new ballpark for the relocating Lynchburg Hillcats (High Class […]
Silver Hawks, Pioneers set attendance marks
The South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League) and Elmira Pioneers (summer collegiate; Perfect Game League) hit important attendance milestones this week. In South Bend, the Silver Hawks have already attracted more fans this season to Covaleski Stadium than in all of 2011. After Monday night, the Silver Hawks have drawn 115,137 fans […]
Coach barred from Cal League dugouts for unusual game strategy
Todd Steverson has been barred from California League dugouts after calling an unusual game strategy while serving as temporary coach of the Stockton Ports: forfeiting via balk. Steverson is a hitting coach in the Oakland organization and was serving as temporary coach of the Ports while Webster Garrison was on vacation. On June 23 the Ports’ game […]