New owners, old problems: another beating at Dodger Stadium
Though there are new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, old problems persist at Dodger Stadium, as police deal with a fan being assaulted as he left the parking lot. The case is different than the beating of Bryan Stow last season, when Dodgers and Giants fan clashed after the season opener. Yesterday it was […]
Freedom Baseball League begins play
Independent baseball is going to be a hard sell in the Arizona desert, and the first game for the Freedom Baseball League drew a small crowd at Scottsdale Stadium. An announced of 637 was on hand at Scottsdale Stadium to see the Copper State Prospectors defeat the Arizona Centennials, 5-3. It’s a little hard to get any […]
New fences at Citi Field not a big factor — yet
Bringing in the fences at Citi Field hasn’t made much of an impact in the home-run and pitching stats for the New York Mets and opponents, but the season is still young. As you’ll recall, the Mets made some changes to their outfield fences this offseason, bringing them in (particularly in the power alleys) and […]
RailCats: U.S. Steel Yard needs upgrades
After a decade, U.S. Steel Yard is starting to show its age, and the management of tenant Gary SouthShore RailCats (independent; American Association) wants to work with the city on improvements. Gary is in the same situation as many other cities: tax revenues are down and city coffers are empty. And while the city has […]
The Week That Was: May 20
Tearing down ballparks, Chicago politics of all sorts and the future of the Oakland Athletics made the list of the most popular stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. WSJ: Tear down Wrigley Field now! Upper deck of PNC Field coming down this week Logos released for NAL’s Sonoma […]
Self-serving promotion: The Minor Leagues Report
Here’s today’s self-serving promotion: check out The Minor League Report, where three outstanding Minor League Baseball broadcasters completely outclass Ballpark Digest publisher Kevin Reichard. Here’s a link to the podcast. It’s also available on iTunes. The Minor League Report is put together by three of the best broadcasters in Minor League Baseball: Trenton’s Jay Burnham […]
Salvi joins Murray, Schley as owner of Martha’s Vineyard Sharks
A lot of familiar names here, as Pat Salvi — owner of the Schaumburg Boomers, the North Shore Navigators and Gary-SouthShore Railcats — joins the ownership team of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Salvi joins some pretty big names in the Sharks ownership group, which includes Van Schley and actor Bill Murray. (Nice to see Van’s name […]
Boomers, Rippers debut in Frontier League
The two newest teams in the independent Frontier League — the Schaumburg Boomers and the London Rippers — made their debuts last night, both on the road. Four Boomers pitchers combined to shut out the Lake Erie Crushers, 4-0, at All Pro Freight Stadium. The Boomers scored in the top of the first and never […]
Giants: Nothing would tempt us to give up Silicon Valley territory
San Francisco Giants ownership made one thing abundantly clear at this week’s MLB owners meetings: they have no intention of ever giving up their territorial rights to Silicon Valley. The background: Oakland A’s owner Lew Wolff wants to build a new downtown San Jose ballpark but is being blocked by the Giants ownership, who retain […]
Lemurs successfully launch new ballpark
A big crowd of almost 6,000 was on hand last night to see the Laredo Lemurs (independent; American Association) open their new ballpark, Uni-Trade Stadium. Laredo baseball fans had to wait a while to see the sport return to the city; the market went without baseball last year while the new ballpark was under construction. […]
Sally League All-Star game to feature unusual home-run derby: on a flight deck
When the Charleston RiverDogs host the 2012 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, the traditional home-run derby will be held on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown. The competition, set for June 18, will feature Sally League sluggers launching drives into the Charleston harbor. The USS Yorktown is a historic venue: the decommissioned aircraft carrier is the […]
New Flyers owner to pay off Fullerton debt?
Cal State-Fullerton officials would welcome the Orange County Flyers back to Goodwin Field — but only if the team’s new owners, Godfather Media, pays off the team’s $75,000 debt. Before the final version of the Flyers folded, the owners owed $75,000 in back rent at Goodwin Field. That debt has remained unpaid, but as Godfather […]
Fort Myers Miracle set to welcome 2-millionth fan to ballpark
The Fort Myers Miracle (High Class A; Florida State League) are approaching a huge milestone: the team expects to welcome its 2-millionth fan to Hammond Stadium on Monday. “Monday will be a very special night for us,” said Miracle general manager Andrew Seymour, “and we want to make it extra-special for our two millionth fan as […]