Thanks
Ballpark Digest had its second-best month ever in terms of page views in May, and we want to thank each and every one of you for supporting this website. As we approach our 10th anniversary — how time flies! — it’s very rewarding to run a website still growing. May 2011 marks the 21st consecutive […]
Referendum on horizon for new Wilmington ballpark
A group opposing public funding of a new Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark says it has enough signatures to force a referendum on the issue; meanwhile, an expected offer of free land has come through. As expected, the Cameron family has offered up to 35 acres of land along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to the city […]
Indians, Pirates extend PDC through 2014
The Indianapolis Indians (Class AAA; International League) and the Pittsburgh Pirates extended their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2014 season. “We are very pleased to be able to extend our relationship with the Indians organization and the City of Indianapolis,” said Pittsburgh Pirates Director of Minor League Operations Larry Broadway. “This is truly a […]
Monongalia County approves WVU ballpark
Monongalia County approved a tax-increment financing (TIF) district for Morgantown, paving the way for a new West Virginia University ballpark that could also house a short-season team. The district applies to University Town Center, a development from Mon-View LLC. A new $20-million ballpark for the Mountaineers would be in the mix, with most of the […]
Mickelson joins potential Padres ownership group
Golfer and San Diego native/resident Phil Mickelson has joined Peter O’Malley’s group in their pursuit of the San Diego Padres ownership. Mickelson, second only to Tiger Woods in career earnings since 2004, earned about $61 million last year between tournament wins, appearances and sponsorships, per Sports Illustrated. So he brings some serious backing to the […]
Nasty details emerge in Dodger Stadium beating hearing
It could up being an ugly sight: a judge is deciding whether to move forward with a trial against the pair accused of beating Bryan Stow in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Day 2011. You’re aware of the story: San Francisco Giants fan Stow was jumped after the Dodgers/Giants opening match in the […]
For Wildcats, move to Hi Corbett Field pays off
As the University of Arizona prepares to host an NCAA Regional, one thing is clear: the move to Hi Corbett Field this season has paid off handsomely for the Wildcats program. The Wildcats have always been a power in college baseball, but Sancet Stadium — a nice little ballpark literally in the shadows of the […]
New Loudoun County ballpark delayed
A new ballpark for the Loudoun Hounds (independent; Atlantic League) is on hold while issues related to access are being resolved, with 2014 now eyed as an opening date. Here’s the statement from the Hounds’ Bob Farren via the team’s Website: With the fact that construction of the road system cannot begin for several more […]
Marlins, county sparring over team contribution to new ballpark
Miami-Dade County officials are challenging some $1.7 million in expenses claimed by the Miami Marlins toward the construction of the team’s new ballpark, Marlins Park. The issue: under the 2009 agreement that established the ballpark, the team is able to deduct expenses it incurred toward construction of the new facility. Those so-called “soft costs” covered […]
Target Field lands Big Ten baseball tourney
Target Field, home of the MInnesota Twins, will host the 2013 Big Ten baseball tournament, as the event moves out of Columbus for the first time since 2008. It’s also the first time the event will be played at a Major League Baseball facility. In most of the tournament’s history it was played at the […]
Wilmington ballpark sites down to three; poll indicates support
National Sports Services has narrowed down the potential number of ballpark sites in Wilmington (N.C.) to three, while a poll indicated support for public funding of the facility. The poll of 970 residents found 47 percent of respondents in favor of public funding of a new ballpark for an Atlanta Braves farm team, the relocating […]
RedWolves moving to FMU ballpark
The Florence RedWolves (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) will be doing something highly unusual: moving to a new home in the middle of the season. It’s not official, but owner Kevin Barth says the team will probably move to Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on the Francis Marion University campus. The team currently plays at American Legion […]
SwampDogs open season sans Handelsman
The Fayetteville SwampDogs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) opened their 2012 season on the road with a 4-3 loss to the Florence RedWolves with owner Darrell Handelsman still hospitalized. Team owner/GM/coach Handelsman, SwampDogs operations manager Mark Wilderman and intern Jonathan Wilson-Daughtner are still listed in serious condition at UNC Hospital after a propane explosion last Thursday at J.P. Riddle Stadium. A gas leak […]