More hearings slated for new WVU ballpark
Two more hearings are scheduled for a discussion of a proposed new Morgantown ballpark for the West Virginia University Mountaineers and potentially a Minor League Baseball team. The hearings are set for tomorrow, at 10:30 a.m. at 7:30 p.m., hosted by the Monongalia County Commission. The issue before the commission: whether to move forward with tax-increment […]
Grueser in, Day out in Lansing
A change in the front office for the Lansing Lugnuts (Low Class A; Midwest League), as Nick Grueser replaces Patrick Day as general manager of the team. A native of western Massachusetts, Day had served as Lugnuts general manager since February of 2007. From all accounts it was an amicable parting of the ways. No […]
El Paso council to debate new ballpark tonight
The El Paso City Council tonight will discuss a funding plan and possible term sheet for a new downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The proposal calls for a 2 percentage point hike in the city’s hotel tax, raising it to 17.5 percent — a move that’s drawn the ire […]
Hillsboro expected to reach lease agreement with Bears tonight
The Hillsboro (Ore.) City Council is expected to approve a lease for a new ballpark with the Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) after meetings tonight. The council is scheduled for a work session to discuss changes to a proposed lease and ballpark agreement with the Bears, who would move to a new facility […]
Thunderstorm rips through Richmond’s Diamond
Severe weather hits The Diamond, home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) during a Monday matinee, causing significant damage to the outfield fence. The game between the Squirrels and the New Britain Rock Cats was called in the eighth, with the Rock Cats winning 6-2. Then came the deluge: 60-mph winds tore […]
No beer for Rippers fans; owner seeks unique solution
Lacking approval to sell beer at Labatt Park, the owner of the London Rippers (independent; Frontier League) has an unusual solution: he challenged the license owner to a winner-take-all playoff. The London Majors, a semi-pro team in the Intercounty Baseball League, hold the liquor license for the ballpark. Since law dictates that only one liquor license […]
MLB: Attendance could hit 80M this season
Attendance at Major League Baseball games is up some 8.1 percent this season, and there’s an outside chance the sport could set an all-time record for attendance. Right now MLB teams are on a pace to draw the most fans since 2008, with the chance of reaching 80 million for the first time in history. […]
FSL teams recovering from Tropical Storm Debby
Some Florida State League teams expect to resume play tonight after Tropical Storm Debby wiped out most of yesterday’s schedule — but field conditions may not be perfect. In fact, teams will be using every minute possible to prepare fields for safe play. At Hammond Stadium, the Fort Myers Miracle scrapped plans to pay two seven-inning […]
Municipal Stadium / San Jose Giants
Built as a WPA project in 1942, Municipal Stadium — home of the San Jose Giants (High Class A; California League) — is a beautiful old ballpark in a suburban setting. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 1942Capacity: 4,200 (2,900 in 1942)Dimensions: 341L, 383LC, 391C, 395RC, 340RSurface: Baby Bermuda GrassOwner: City of San JoseWebsite: sjgiants.comOnline Ticket Sales: […]
The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford
This, to the best of our knowledge, is a first: the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) are wearing uniform sponsor logos for every game, in a straight sale of sponsorship rights. We’re not counting auto racing, golf or MLS soccer and don’t want to embark on a discussion of whether these are major sports; for the […]
Target Field generated $170M in economic activity in 2010: study
Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, generated at least $169.3 million in economic activity in its first year of operation and contributed to a 40 percent rise in liquor-tax revenues. That’s just a part of the economic impact of the $555-million facility, which also includes $4.8 million in payroll taxes on Twins players in […]
In Savannah, don’t underestimate Freier when it comes to new ballpark
He pulled off new-ballpark construction against some daunting odds in Fort Wayne, so don’t underestimate efforts by Sand Gnats owner Jason Freier to build a new facility in Savannah. Those of us with longer memories can recall the obstacles faced by Hardball Capital’s Freier as he put together a funding plan for Parkview Field, the home […]
Bridgeport Bluefish approaching franchise milestone: 1,000 wins
Nice milestone coming up for the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League): the team is approaching its 1,000th win in franchise history. Bridgeport is a charter member of the Atlantic League, now in its 15th season. During that time the Bluefish have compiled a 999-857 record under several owners. There was a time or two when the team’s […]