Cal to San Jose: Slow down on new ballpark
The state of California is casting a covetous eye at San Jose land envisioned for a new Oakland A’s ballpark, arguing it was improperly shielded from the state takeover of redevelopment agency assets. This is a process story, to be sure, and one that has more to do with state politics than the building of […]
New for 2012: Sonoma County Grapes
The promised Sonoma County team in the independent North American League will be known as the Sonoma County Grapes, with tryouts scheduled for coming weeks. The Grapes won’t be solely a traveling team: they’ll play plenty of games at Albert Park, the home of the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; North American League), which will own […]
More Oakland ownership options for Athletics
Local business leaders want to retain the Oakland Athletics and say they’ll look at buying the team rather than losing it to another market. Though Lew Wolff has clearly stated the team is not for sale, that’s not stopped potential suitors from stepping up, with the intention of keeping the team in Oakland. We’ve already […]
Blue Jays expected to re-up with New Hampshire
The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to extend their PDC with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class AA; Eastern League), as hopes for an Ottawa Eastern League team fade fast. Kevin Gray reports on the love between the Jays and the Fisher Cats. No surprise here: the Fisher Cats front office is one of the […]
Northern League lives on — in court
The independent Northern League may be no more, but it lives on in a Cook County courtroom in the form of a lawsuit against the circuit’s former law firm. The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that the league’s original law firm, Chicago-based Gozdecki, Del Giudice, Americus & Farkas, failed to adequately draft a […]
Planning commission: We expected more from Kapco Park
The Mequon Planning Commission will review the state of affairs at Kapco Park at Wisconsin’s Concordia University, as officials there acknowledge what was built doesn’t match the original design. The ballpark, which will also house the Lakeshore Chinooks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), was originally pitched as a $3.5-million, 1,200-seat facility, with a million dollars coming from Kapco […]
KC Cougars officially dedicate Fifth Third Bank Ballpark
The Kane County Cougars (Low Class A; Midwest League) held a dedication ceremony for Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, becoming the fourth MiLB team to sell naming rights to the banking chain. The team held a dedication ceremony last night to officially mark the name change. The Toledo Mud Hens (Class AAA; International League) and the […]
One benefit of new Birmingham ballpark: driving down open industrial space
Here’s one benefit to a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark no one saw coming: the downtown industrial real-estate occupancy rate went way up. In fact, the vacancy rate is down to a current 11.9 percent from 16.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, reports the Birmingham Business Journal. Causing the huge […]
County to help fund new Hagerstown ballpark
Washington County and the city of Hagerstown have pledged $16 million over 20 years for a new downtown ballpark for the Hagerstown Suns (Low Class A; Sally League), but other obstacles remain. The downtown ballpark is expected to cost $30 million, so the combined city/county contribution accounts for over half of the funding. That leaves […]
New Dodgers owners: We need to upgrade fan experience
The new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers met the press and made one concrete promise: to improve the fan experience at Dodger Stadium. Not exactly a groundbreaking or unexpected promise regarding Dodger Stadium: any new owner of the team would make the same pledge. But this one may may actually have some heft behind it. […]
With May rains comes another Marlins ballpark issue: leaks
It’s a vicious circle. With rains forcing the Marlins Park roof to be closed often — affecting grass growth — another issue has emerged: leaks in the ballpark’s retractable roof. You’ll remember our earlier story on the new home of the Miami Marlins, where heavy late April/early May rains have forced the roof to be […]
New owners take control of Los Angeles Dodgers
The new owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers took control of the franchise and Dodger Stadium today, ending Frank McCourt’s tumultuous term as owner of the flagship franchise. The sale became final today after Guggenheim Baseball wired a final payment to McCourt. A press conference is expected tomorrow, with Magic Johnson and Stan Kasten serving […]
Adelanto: Yes, we want the Mavericks
After years of apparent apathy toward the High Desert Mavericks (High Class A; California League), Adelanto officials now say they want the team to commit to a longer-term lease at Stater Bros. Stadium. Why the change of heart? Money. The ballpark was once viewed as a drain on city resources and the site of potential redevelopment, […]