Keys lease raising debate in Frederick
Several Frederick Board of Aldermen members want to see more information about the bidding process for Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League), saying the city passed on a better bid from the independent Atlantic League. One board member, Karen Young (wife of Ron Young, the former Frederick mayor […]
SwampDogs named CPL organization of the year
Nice award for Lew and Darrell Handelsman and crew: The summer-collegiate Fayetteville SwampDogs have been named 2011 Coastal Plain League Organization of the Year for the second time in franchise history. As Director of Operations, Darrell Handelsman always proclaims, “each night we try to host a party at J.P. Riddle Stadium that fans will remember forever.” […]
Another potential AA defection: Shreveport-Bossier exploring options
Disappointing attendance and the potential to occupy better markets is causing Southern Independent Baseball to look at other options for the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (independent; American Association). The issues: the deteriorating condition of Fair Grounds Field and the inability of the local market to support professional baseball. The team owners came close to scrapping the Captains […]
2011 Logo of the Year: Joliet Slammers
It was an edgy design that embraced, rather than ignored, Joliet’s penal history. In the end, a distinctive logo and look helped catapult the Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League) to a successful inaugural season and garnered recognition from Ballpark Digest for 2011 Logo of the Year. Setting up operations at Silver Cross Field was going […]
Nine players, 125 fans in Zion
Last night’s Lake County Fielders-Kenosha County Fielders game in Zion was a matchup of minimums, with 125 fans on hand to cheer on nine players in home uniforms. The game was billed as a replacement for the regularly scheduled Lake County-Maui North American League matchup, scrapped after Na Koa Ikaika Maui shut down for the […]
H-Sens prep festivities for 6-millionth fan
The Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) are hitting a major milestone this weekend: unless the Market Street bridge to City Island collapses, the team will welcome the six-millionth fan in team history at some point during a weekend series against the Erie SeaWolves. It should be a festive time, especially with the Senators in […]
2011 Renovation of the Year: Warner Park / Madison Mallards
It’s awards season at Ballpark Digest! This was the Year of the Renovation in the ballpark world, so we’re kicking things off with an award for best ballpark renovation under $10 million. A blueprint for any city seeking to improve their ballpark can be found in Madison, where Warner Park is the clear choice for […]
Missoula closes on purchase of Osprey home
The Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) for $3.55 million, bailing out the nonprofit Play Ball Missoula and providing a solid base for the ballpark’s future. The city is using $2 million in city redevelopment funds and issuing $1.55 million in new […]
Mahoning Valley lands 2012 NY-Penn All-Star Game
Mark it on your calendars: The Mahoning Valley Scrappers have been named host of the 2012 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, to be played in mid-August 2012 at Eastwood Field. The official date will be determined once the 2012 New York-Penn League schedule is released in the fall. This will be the first time the […]
Weirdness bubbles to surface in Dodgers bankruptcy
A lawyer representing five Los Angeles Dodgers season-ticket holders — including the Frank Sinatra estate — is asking a Delaware bankruptcy court to force the team to pay for her representation of fans in the court proceedings. The Sinatra heirs control eight primo season tickets at Dodger Stadium. Bankruptcy attorney Robbin L. Itkin is asking […]
Budget issues postpone Squirrels ballpark to 2015 at earliest
The earliest a new Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) ballpark could open in 2015, as political and budgetary considerations will delay debate of a regional funding plan until 2012 at the earliest. The issue: some of the counties in the general Richmond area expected to contribute to the funding of a new ballpark […]
Ricketts: Boise’s Memorial Stadium is substandard
Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts may have done the Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) a huge favor by coming to the Treasure Valley and ripping Memorial Stadium as being a substandard facility. Ricketts was in town to review the Hawks operations and speak to the Boise Chamber of Commerce. He was pretty pointed […]
Indians extend Snow Days promotion with Buckeyes-Wolverines hockey bash
The Cleveland Indians struck gold last winter with a Snow Days promotion that turned Progressive Field into a winter wonderland, and the team is poised to do much more after scheduling a Ohio State-Michigan hockey game at the ballpark. The Indians drew over 50,000 fans to the ballpark for “Snow Days” last winter by bringing […]