Moorad withdraws application to buy Padres
Faced with reported opposition from other MLB owners, Jeff Moorad has withdrawn his application to buy the San Diego Padres — a move that could prove to be merely temporary. The issue, as reported in a Padres press release, was a desire by the team to expedite the finalizing of the team’s new broadcast deal […]
Escondido revives ballpark plan for one last pitch
Escondido officials are working to revive a $50-million plan for a new ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) by wooing foreign investors. The North County Times is reporting the move, which was also recently tried unsuccessfully by Oakland officials to attract capital for a downtown Oakland A’s ballpark. It calls […]
The Week That Was: March 11
A new spring-training ballpark, the passing of a respected baseball figure and more debate about a potential Oakland A’s move. Here are the top stories of the past week on Ballpark Digest, as measured in page views. JetBlue Park at Fenway South / Boston Red Sox MLB: No, there’s been no decision on Oakland A’s […]
High Desert Mavs unveil new logos for 2012
The High Desert Mavericks (High Class A; California League) unveiled new logos and colors for the 2012 season. “After 21 seasons in the Victor Valley, we felt it was a great time to introduce new logos which reflected both the Mavericks team identity and our strong connections to the High Desert community,” said General Manager […]
Economics of new Charlotte ballpark questioned
Though an economist spoke favorably of an uptown Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International League) ballpark, it didn’t take long for other economists to question his findings. UNC-Charlotte professor John Connaughton told the Charlotte City Council last week that a new uptown ballpark would create 490 jobs annually (along with a couple-hundred construction jobs) and bring […]
JetBlue Park at Fenway South / Boston Red Sox
The ballpark has been open for less than a week, but JetBlue Park, the new spring home of the Boston Red Sox, is drawing praise for easy accessibility and a Florida-themed design. FAST FACTS Year Opened: 2012Capacity: 11,000Budget: $77.8 million (includes $20 million for land and $7.2 million for design)Architect: PopulousConstruction: Manhattan Kraft ConstructionConcessions: AramarkDimensions: […]
Poll: Wilmington residents overwhelmingly oppose public financing of new ballpark
A poll of 300 registered voters in Wilmington, N.C., indicated broad opposition to city financing of a new ballpark for an Atlanta Braves farm team — but don’t take it too seriously just yet. The proposal calls for a $40-million waterfront ballpark in downtown Wilmington, as part of a larger development. A High Class A […]
Memphis looking at buying AutoZone Park
The city of Memphis is reviewing a pitch to buy AutoZone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), from the nonprofit foundation that owns it. The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that the city’s Housing and Community Development department has a proposal to buy the ballpark from the Memphis Redbirds Baseball […]
Apartment complex pitched for BB&T Ballpark site
You could live next to BB&T Ballpark, home of the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League), if a proposed apartment complex is approved by the city. A development company owned by Dash owner Billy Prim has proposed a five-story, 200-apartment building on Peters Creek Parkway, to the west of the ballpark. It’s been approved by […]
Could SWB ballpark shift to downtown Scranton?
More swirls of intrigue regarding the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League), as Lackawanna County officials unconvincingly shoot down rumors that PNC Field would be replaced by a downtown Scranton ballpark. Why do we say unconvincingly? Because the rationale is blatantly false: they say $40 million isn’t enough money to build a downtown ballpark. Which […]
Red Sox announce Minor League games at Fenway Park
The Boston Red Sox have announced this year’s Futures at Fenway doubleheader at Fenway Park, when Lowell takes on Hudson Valley and Pawtucket hosts Buffalo on August 18. The Lowell Spinners (short season A; NY-Penn League) last appeared in the Futures Game in 2010, falling to the Jamestown Jammers in a rain-abbreviated game. The loss […]
York Revolution unveil new logos, uniforms
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) unveiled new logos and uniforms today, overhauling the team’s image after five years in business. “Our previous logo did not reflect the essence of York as a special and unique manufacturing town,” said Revolution President & General Manager Eric Menzer. This new one embraces that. “We’ve also taken our […]
PA announcer prevails in Fielders lawsuit
P.A. announcer Gregory Koeppen won his lawsuit against the Lake County Fielders (independent, North American League) over unpaid payments for game-day work after team officials failed to attend Lake County Circuit Court hearings. In December, Koeppen filed suit against the Lake County Fielders and ownership Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment. “This court victory wasn’t so […]