Moores puts San Diego Padres back on the market
Following Jeff Moorad’s failed attempt to buy the team, San Diego Padres owner John Moores has hired investment bankers to advise him on another sale of the franchise. Unless something goes dramatically wrong with the sale this time, the delay will end up paying off for Moores: the team is undoubtedly worth more after a […]
Nitz returns as Voice of the Explorers
One of our favorite broadcasters returns: Dave Nitz is back as the voice of the Sioux City Explorers (independent; American Association) for the 2012 season. The 2012 season will mark Nitz’s 31st year in baseball broadcasting, his fourth as the Voice of the X’s. A radio broadcast veteran, Nitz has been calling collegiate and professional […]
Dodgers sale expected to be approved Friday
Absent any major opposition from MLB and Fox Sports — save some minor requests for clarification — the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium should be approved on Friday. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross is scheduled to review the final disposition of the sale of the team, the ballpark and associated assets […]
Mandalay, Braves to pursue private financing for new Wilmington ballpark
Mandalay Baseball Properties and the Atlanta Braves will pursue private financing for a new waterfront Wilmington (N.C.) ballpark, though some public money may end up being part of the deal. At a press conference this morning, Mandalay’s Rich Neumann and the Braves’ Mike Plant announced they’d be working on primarily private financing for the ballpark […]
Games twice as nice in Buffalo
Nice promo: With the prospect of bad weather for today’s Buffalo Bisons (Class AAA; International League) season opener, the team is a free ticket for anyone braving the cold. The deal is simple: anyone attending today’s game can redeem the used ducat at the box office for a ticket to any other game in the […]
Sea Dogs to honor Burke throughout 2012 season
The Portland Sea Dogs (Class AA; Eastern League) will honor team founder and former owner Dan Burke, as well as throughout the team’s 2012 home opener on Thursday. Burke passed away on October 26, 2011. In the spring of 1992, Burke, then the CEO of Capital Cities/ABC, applied for one of two expansion franchises available […]
Ports unveil Banner Island Ballpark improvements
The Stockton Ports (High Class A; California League) announced a number of improvement for their home, Banner Island Ballpark, for the coming season. Banner Island Ballpark, which opened in 2005, is the recipient of some updates for 2012, including updated signage all around the ballpark. This includes a new Welcome sign, an updated standings board, […]
H-Sens: Taking a walk on Opening Day
Nice promo: staff of the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) will walk the concourses at tomorrow’s season opener and continue walking if the team loses. Starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow, members of the Senators front office will continuously walk around the Capital BlueCross Boardwalk at Metro Bank Park in shifts until the conclusion of […]
Dodgers to mark 50th anniversary of Dodger Stadium in tonight’s season opener
Fresh off a tumultuous offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping tonight’s 50th anniversary of the opening of Dodger Stadium will give the troubled franchise a fresh start. The Dodgers first played at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, April 10, 1962, 50 years to the day before Opening Day 2012, against the Cincinnati Reds. Along with […]
Red Sox mark Fenway Park’s 100th anniversary with ballpark events
Fenway Park hits the century mark this month, and the Boston Red Sox are planning a series of events to mark the momentous occasion. The festivities actually began yesterday, when the Harvard University baseball team commemorated an exhibition game between the Red Sox and Harvard on April 9, 1912 by taking batting practice and working […]
Illinois guv: no public money for Wrigley Field renovations
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn laid down the law today: no way the state contributes to an effort to spend public money on a renovation of the privately owned Wrigley Field. “Our state has severe fiscal challenges so the very idea of the state of Illinois spending millions and millions of dollars on Wrigley Field, I […]
Fielders launch shocker: no 2012 season on tap
With no ballpark, no league, no front office and no sales force, the Lake County Fielders made it official: no 2012 season for the team. It’s not exactly a shocker, but the Fielders decided to go ahead and issue a press statement today confirming the team is on hiatus for the coming season: “With no […]
Curve to host parent Pirates in 2013
We have our first event for Spring Training 2013: the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) will host parent Pittsburgh Pirates in an exhibition match. The 2013 exhibition will mark the second time the Pirates have played in Altoona and the first since 2000. The Major League club played the Curve at Blair County Ballpark […]