Cubs: Following the Fenway Park recipe for renovations
The Chicago Cubs have been following the Fenway Park blueprint save one major difference: the Ricketts sought public money for the project. Will that doom Wrigley Field upgrades? Emulating what Boston has done isn’t a bad move for the Cubs: under the John Henry ownership group, the Red Sox have put winners on the field […]
Milwaukie: We expect ballpark deal by end of July
Milwaukie (Ore.) officials say they’re progressing on a deal for a new ballpark opening in 2014 and expect to have a plan in place by the end of July. City officials were in the hunt for a short-season A Northwest League team along with Hillsboro in recent months, but Hillsboro managed to pull the trigger […]
New West Virginia ballpark green-lighted by Monongalia County
With Monongalia County signing off on a funding plan for a new West Virginia ballpark, the next step is approval from a state agency, followed by the legislature in coming months. The county commission formally agreed yesterday to send a request for a TIF district to the State Development Office. If approved, a TIF district would be established for […]
Texas League gathers, celebrates stability
This just may be the most solid circuit in Minor League Baseball: The Texas League gathered for its All-Star Game in Tulsa with eight solid markets and no clouds on the horizon. When talking recently to owner/GM types recently about the El Paso attempt to bring back affiliated ball to that city, the consensus was that […]
San Jose: A’s ballpark land is safe — for now
San Jose took measures to protect land worth $25 million — dedicated to a new Oakland Athletics ballpark — from a state takeover of redevelopment agencies, and the land appears safe for now. Flash back to last year, when the California Assembly and Gov. Jerry Brown were looking for ways to balance the state budget. […]
Pecos League pulls Invaders from Roswell
Citing increased hotel costs, decreased fan support and an expensive ballpark lease (relatively speaking), the independent Pecos League has pulled the Invaders out of Roswell. The website for the Roswell Invaders brags about how the team paces the Pecos League in attendance and merchandise sales, but apparently things have gone quite sour this year for […]
New Wilmington ballpark: uncertainty reigns
Wilmington (N.C.) officials are debating whether to ask voters to approve funding for a new ballpark, as there are plenty of specifics — price, location, lease — still to be determined. To be placed on the fall ballot, a referendum question need to be completed by August 1, so there’s some time to settle these […]
Former Winnipeg Whips/Goldeyes home will be new home to Target
Though details aren’t final, it looks like Canad Inns Stadium, the former home to International League and Northern League baseball in Winnipeg, will be torn down to make way for a Target store. Mayor Sam Katz — who, by the way, owns the Winnipeg Goldeyes (independent; American Association) and brought an independent Northern League team […]
Yankees Old-Timers’ Day set for Sunday
It’s one of the great events in Major League Baseball: The New York Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day is scheduled for this coming Sunday, July 1. Though most MLB teams invite former greats back for ceremonies like this one, none is as emotionally resounding as the Yankees event; there’s something very special when the likes of Yogi Berra, […]
Medford takes initial steps toward WCL team
A summer-collegiate West Coast League team could set up shop in uncompleted Harry & David Field if Medford (Ore.) city officials agree to a lease. Reps from the league, the potential ownership group (Consolidated Sports Holdings International, led by Gary Gelinas, an experienced minor-league-hockey operator) and the Medford Youth Baseball Society announced the plan yesterday. Harry & David Field […]
Decision on TIF for new Morgantown ballpark delayed a day
Monongalia County Commissioners put off by a day a decision whether to move ahead with a request to form a tax-increment financing district for a new West Virginia University ballpark. The commissioners heard testimony from interested parties at two forums yesterday regarding the creation of a TIF district for University Town Centre, where a developer […]
Lake Monsters, Oakland expected to extend PDC
The Vermont Lake Monsters (short season A: NY-Penn League) and the Oakland A’s are expected to announce an extension of their player-development contract today. A press conference has been scheduled for 5 p.m., with Ted Polakowski, director of minor league operations for the Athletics, scheduled to attend. It’s been a good year so far for Ray […]
One last chance: celebrate with us!
Our 10th anniversary is just around the corner, and we want you to be part of the celebration. We’ve posted this before, but we wanted to give you one last shot to take in our anniversary party. Ballpark Digest launched on July 2, 2002, under the ballparkwatch.com name. Since then we’ve had a great time covering the fascinating world […]