Pacifics launch season tonight
It will either be a unqualified success or an amazing crash, as the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League) open team history tonight at Albert Park. We’ll give the Pacifics ownership big props for gutsiness: down to two years, they and Bob Young, owner of Maui Na Koa Ikaika, went out and added two […]
“Free” land not so free in Wilmington
So how much are free road improvements worth in Wilmington (N.C.)? About 35 acres of land, apparently, as the offer of “free” land for a new ballpark looks worse with each passing minute. As you’ll recall, the Cameron family — in a really weird and twisted way — made an offer of 35 acres of […]
Garbage, Flaming Lips to headline inaugural Pondamonium
You can add another high-profile concert to the ballpark schedule this summer: the Flaming Lips and local heroes Garbage are headlining Pondamonium at Madison’s Warner Park. The concert, hosted by the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), features two bands known to put on a good show. The re-formed Garbage is the biggest musical act […]
Kasten: Dodger Stadium renovations could hit nine figures
Saying the renovations could end up costing hundreds of millions, Stan Kasten outlined some of the physical improvements new owners have planned for Dodger Stadium. While Dodger Stadium is a crown jewel of Major League Baseball ballparks — now the third oldest, after Fenway Park and Wrigley Field — it’s also been steadily neglected since it was […]
Handelsman, Wilderman on the mend
Good news out of North Carolina: Darrell Handelsman and Mark Wilderman of the Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) are recovering after a gas-grill explosion at the ballpark. Team co-owner/GM/coach Handelsman, SwampDogs operations manager Mark Wilderman and intern Jonathan Wilson-Daughtner were hospitalized after a May 24 propane explosion at J.P. Riddle Stadium. A gas leak on a commercial-grade grill caused an explosion […]
Comedian Maher buys chunk of Mets
Calling it a “great investment,” comedian/political satirist Bill Maher has purchased a minority share of the New York Mets. “First of all, I think it’s a great investment,” Maher said in a statement. “People sometimes forget that there’s only one National League franchise in New York City and they’re not making anymore. I’m a Met […]
Streakers hit Walla Walla ballpark
Boy, here’s a blast from the past: one male and one female streaker interrupted Friday night’s opener for the Walla Walla Sweets (summer collegiate; West Coast League) at Borleske Stadium. The pair ran onto the field and raised a fuss before they were chased down by staff. (No, no pictures.) Logan Mace Emlet, 20, of Walla […]
Spikes: We’re ready to dump Pirates
Tired of fielding losing squads, management of the State College Spikes (short season A; NY-Penn League) say they’re ready to dump their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. You normally don’t see such frank talk when it comes to player-development contracts and affiliation deals, but Spikes GM Jason Dambach was pretty blunt about his unhappiness with the […]
Hillsboro set to vote on new ballpark; Milwaukie will delay decision
In the ever-changing status of affiliated baseball in Portland, Hillsboro is set to vote on a new ballpark for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League), with Milwaukie shooting for 2014. A few weeks ago it was Hillsboro retrenching and Milwaukie moving forward in the race to bring pro baseball back to the […]
Chinooks set to open home season Monday
The Lakeshore Chinooks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) will have a lot of starpower behind the team as it opens home play tomorrow night at brand-new Kapco Park. If the team doesn’t make it, it won’t be because of a lack of local media exposure. You can’t sit through a Milwaukee Brewers TV broadcast without seeing […]
New Rox open season in St. Cloud
it was a sellout crowd last night at Joe Faber Field, as the revamped St. Cloud Rox (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) opened a new chapter in team history with a loss to the Mankato MoonDogs. The old St. Cloud River Bats were sold by owner Joel Sutherland this off season to local businessmen Gary Posch and Joe Sexton, who […]
The Week That Was: June 3
Retro bullpen carts, NCAA tournament baseball and ballpark delays all made news this week. The top stories on Ballpark Digest for the past week, as measured by page views. Retro bullpen cart a hit in Sugar Land Wolff meets with Knauss, has clear message: A’s not for sale NCAA baseball tourney field announced Marlins, county […]
Endangered: First pro ballpark hosting night games under the lights
We may be on the verge of losing a little history: the Independence (Kan.) ballpark where pro baseball was first played under the lights is slated for demolition. The Independence Producers (Class C; Western Association) are important for one historic fact: they hosted the first official, regular-season pro baseball game played under the lights. On April […]