Sale still pending for SWB Yankees; could team depart?
Lackawanna County is still negotiating the sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA; International League) — but could the team be on the move? That things are taking so long is a little surprising. First, we already know what the sales price will be: $14.6 million, per an earlier agreement. We know the team will […]
DLR lands Golden Gopher design gig
The DLR Group landed the design contract for the new University of Minnesota replacement for Siebert Field, with PCL Construction Services inked to build it. The first phase of construction, slated to open in 2013, will include a new grandstand (with concessions and restrooms), new seating and a new plaza to the south uniting the […]
Revolution to share the bling this season
The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) are sharing the bounty of two consecutive championships, giving a ring to a lucky fan as part of a promotion. As part of a May 1 pregame championship ring ceremony, the team will give away a real 2011 championship ring to a random fan present at the game. The […]
New for 2013: Estadio Sonora
A noteworthy ballpark south of the border designed to host the Caribbean Series, the Hermosillo Naranjeros and potentially some MLB exhibitions or World Baseball Classic games: Estadio Sonora. The new 15,000-seat ballpark will replace Hector Espino Stadium as home of pro baseball in the Mexican city. It’s a city that’s supported baseball: the Arizona Diamondbacks have […]
Big Ten tourney up for grabs
The Big Ten baseball tournament is up after this year’s tourney in Columbus, with several ballpark operators already submitting bids — including two in Omaha. The tournament is held in late May, with the winner awarded an automatic NCAA tourney bid. Since moving to a neutral site the tournament has been held in Columbus, with […]
Dodgers sale complicated by McCourt’s decision to keep land surrounding ballpark
The decision by Frank McCourt to hang onto the parking lots and land surrounding Dodger Stadium is already complicating the sale of the team and caused one high-profile group to withdraw from the bidding process. Developer Rick Caruso and former Dodgers manager Joe Torre decided to pass on bidding for the Los Angeles Dodgers and […]
P-Nats unveil revamped field at Pfitzner Stadium
After years of issues with poor field conditions, the Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) unveiled a new playing surface at Pfitzner Stadium. Over the course of the offseason, the diamond at the Pfitz underwent a total transformation. Immediately following the last out of the 2011 season, the old surface was completely removed. Carolina […]
FM RedHawks announce new videoboard for 2012
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (independent; American Association) will have a major change to Newman Outdoor Field for 2012: a new videoboard. “We couldn’t be more excited to give this video board to our fans,” said RedHawks Owner & President Bruce Thom. “We are entering our 17th season and we want to continue to make the stadium […]
Vispoli, Boesch trade spots in broadcast booths
Alex Vispoli is the new voice of the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League), with Brian Boesch moving from Frisco to replace him as the voice of the Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League). In addition to serving as the team’s liaison to the media, Boesch (pronounced “BUSH”) will broadcast all 140 Dash games […]
Triple-A lands Gildan as major sponsor
Triple-A Baseball — encompassing the Pacific Coast and International leagues — announced a three-year deal with Gildan as an official national sponsor. In addition to its three-year sponsorship across all 30 Triple-A clubs, which makes the outfitter the supplier of t-shirts, activewear, underwear and socks, Gildan will be the title sponsor of the Gildan Triple-A […]
RiverHawks: Ballpark foreclosure won’t affect season
Even though their home is going through a bank foreclosure, the owners of the Rockford RiverHawks (independent; Frontier League) say their 2012 season will go on. The ballpark was developed by Kurt Carlson, who owned a previous incarnation of the RiverHawks, which played in the independent Frontier and Northern League. Last season a group led […]
Ramapo ballpark $300K shy of projected revenues
Provident Bank Park, the home of the Rockland Boulders (independent; Can-Am League), fell short of financial projections by more than $300,000, generating $734,100 in revenue in 2011 instead of an expected $1.1 million. The gap is important: taxpayers are on the hook for any gaps between actual revenues and projected revenues. The ballpark generated $421,600 […]
Edmonton out of North American League
The Edmonton Capitals have pulled out of the independent North American League, saying only three other Northern Division teams are committed to the circuit for 2012. The team’s presence in the league was seen as iffy by insiders after it became apparent travel mate Calgary Vipers were not going to field a team this season. […]