ISFA: Boy, did the White Sox get a sweet lease for The Cell
The Chicago White Sox may have a valid lease for U.S. Cellular Field running though 2029, but that’s not stopping the Illinois Sports Facility Authority from reevaluating its relationship with the team. The team’s lease is pretty simple: the team pays $1.5 million a year and controls all revenue from ticket sales, concessions, parking and […]
UCLA expanding Jackie Robinson Stadium
Here’s one reason why you want a successful baseball program: success is causing UCLA to expand Jackie Robinson Stadium in anticipation of postseason play. UCLA’s baseball program has always been decent, but in the past few years the school has moved to the upper echelon of NCAA baseball, sending high-level prospects to the pros and […]
McCourt looted $189 million from Dodgers: MLB
Frank McCourt has raided Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium financial coffers improperly to the tune of $189.16 million, according to MLB attorneys, in anticipation of bankruptcy-court proceedings next week. The battle lines are emerging in the Delaware bankruptcy proceedings: MLB attorneys say McCourt isn’t fit to run and own the team; Fox opposes McCourt’s […]
DiBella to Richmond: Commit to new ballpark, or we move
Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella says it’s time for the city to commit to a new ballpark; otherwise, he’ll look to move the team. UPDATED! In fact, he’s even brought up the possibility of a move with MiLB President Pat O’Conner, though he’s come short of actually seeking permission to […]
With MLB realignment, it looks like the Astros
With MLB Commissioner Bud Selig saying he wants realignment by 2013 and Jim Crane negotiating a price break on his purchase of the team, it’s all but certain the Houston Astros are moving to the American League West. Selig made his comments about realignment during his annual World Series press conference, held before Game Four. […]
Mets already reconfiguring Citi Field: report
The New York Mets aren’t wasting any time in reconfiguring the outfield fences at Citi Field, moving them in and taking out some of the irregular quirks in the fenceline, according to a published report. MetsBlog is reporting the new distances have already been laid out on the Citi Field turf, with the fences moved […]
Marlins unveil premium area at new ballpark
The Florida Marlins (for now) announced a premium-seating area at the new Marlins ballpark, The Clevelander, featuring poolside seating, select table service and entertainment next to the Marlins bullpen. The Clevelander is a recently renovated South Beach hotel/entertainment complex. The ballpark area will feature dancers and DJs live from the pool area of the original […]
Dodgers lower season-ducat costs for 2012
The Los Angeles Dodgers, operating under a cloud as owner Frank McCourt and MLB fight it out in court, go on the offensive by lowering season-ticket pricing for 2012. That 2011 was a very miserable year for one of baseball’s flagship franchises is an understatement: announced attendance was down some 18 percent, to 36,236 per […]
Weber stepping down as C-Tigers GM
Andrew Weber, who oversaw the move of the Connecticut Tigers (short season A; NY-Penn League) from Oneonta to Norwich, is stepping down as the team’s GM. Current vice president of operations, C.J. Knudsen, will replace Weber as vice president and general manager. Eric Knighton will be promoted to vice president and assistant general manager. “Andrew […]
P-Nats expand ballpark search area
The search for a new Potomac Nationals (High Class A; Carolina League) ballpark is expanding to Loudoun County and Fairfax County, as owner Art Silber seeks a site on either I-95 or I-66. That’s not to say the ballpark won’t be in Prince William County, where Pfitzner Stadium, the team’s current home, is located and […]
State turns down Reno ballpark tax appeal
Because the Reno Aces (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) have a year-round lease on Aces Ballpark, owners can’t seek a property-tax reduction based on partial ballpark usage, according to a state panel. The Aces ownership had sought a reduction in property values using a unique argument: because the ballpark is being used only part of […]
Columbia sells Capital City Stadium; Wal-Mart on the way
The writing is on the wall: Columbia (S.C.) has sold historic Capital City Stadium to a development group with close ties to Wal-Mart, leading locals to wonder about the ballpark’s fate. Capital City Stadium, home of the Columbia Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), was sold for $1 million to Atlanta-based Bright-Meyers LLC. The sale […]
Catching up with Don Klein, former Voice of the Seals
Here’s your hunk of nostalgia for today: an interview with Don Klein, a play-by-play re-creator and the last voice of the San Francisco Seals (Pacific Coast League). Klein re-created games in a Hawaii studio before landing the Seals gig in 1949, calling games at Seals Stadium until the team folded in 1957 upon the arrival […]