Whitaker Bank Ballpark / Lexington Legends
It is a ballpark that pays homage to the rich horse-racing traditions of the region while not forgetting that baseball is the main attraction at a ballpark. It’s also a facility where there are plenty of diversions, but not so many that you won’t keep en eye on the diamond action. Welcome to Whitaker Bank […]
Competing ballpark plans in Portland
We have a second ballpark plan emerging in suburban Portland, as Milwaukie (Ore.) officials are working with a former PGE Park vice president on a 4,000-seat ballpark for a short-season A Northwest League team. The plan from Milwaukie calls for 4,000-seat, $20-$30 million ballpark to be built on the Portland-Milwaukie light-rail corridor at a a […]
Return of MLB to Montreal draws debate — mostly negative
Talk of a return of Major League Baseball to Montreal certainly is drawing a lot of passionate responses, though we’re surprised to hear from many folks who love the city declare the prospect to be a dead issue. Specifically, there are two responses that have been a little surprising. First, the Montral Gazette comes out […]
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League launched on the West Coast and Arizona with a unique business model: teams would begin play after the college-baseball season and in most cases play in college ballparks. That plan was augmented with the addition of Canadian and other Western teams before the league became part of the North American League […]
North American League
The North American League debuted in 2011 with teams formerly part of the Golden Baseball League, the Northern League and United League Baseball. Independent / 2011-present Current TeamsCalgary Vipers, 2011-presentChico Outlaws, 2011-presentEdinburg Roadrunners, 2011-presentEdmonton Capitals, 2011-presentLake County Fielders, 2011-presentMaui Na Koa Ikaika, 2011-presentMcAllen Thunder, 2011-presentRio Grande Valley White Wings, 2011-presentSan Angelo Colts, 2011-presentYuma Scorpions, 2011-present […]
Atlantic League
The Atlantic League is one of the two most successful independent leagues in existence, with a stable lineup and a planned expansion to Texas in 2012. Independent / 1998-present Current TeamsBridgeport BluefishCamden RiversharksLancaster BarnstormersLong Island DucksRoad WarriorsSomerset PatriotsSouthern Maryland Blue CrabsYork Revolution Teams (in alphabetical order)Aberdeen Arsenal, 2000Atlantic City Surf, 1998-2006Bridgeport Bluefish, 1998-presentCamden Riversharks, 2001-presentLancaster […]
Frontier League
The Frontier League goes back to 1993 as an early independent league; after some early struggles and uncertainty in some markets, it’s now an established league with little franchise turnover and a unique emphasis on young player development. Independent / 1993-present Current TeamsEvansville OttersFlorence FreedomGateway GrizzliesLake Erie CrushersJoliet SlammersNormal CornBeltersRiver City RascalsRockford RiverHawksSouthern Illinois MinersTraverse […]
Last days to submit nominees for Ballpark Digest Awards
We’re coming up on the deadline for submitting nominees for the 2011 Ballpark Digest Awards, with a deadline of end of business Monday, Aug, 1, fast approaching. As always, we’d love to hear from you about who and what should be honored. The awards are open to all levels of baseball: affiliated, independent, summer-collegiate and […]
New Portland-area ballpark could provide economic bump: study
A new ballpark in Clark County for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League) could generate $206.5 million over a 20-year lease, according to a study commissioned by the Columbia River Economic Development Council. The study indicates the Bears would generate $4.6 million annually from the Bears via ballgames and other events, $4 […]
Boise ballpark search to focus on downtown site
The search for a new Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) ballpark site by local business leaders will focus on downtown Boise, as a third feasibility study will compare potential sites for review by the city and the team. The group of local business leaders, Better Boise Coalition, unveiled their plan yesterday. It’s pretty […]
Coastal Plain League welcomes 5-millionth fan
The summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League drew its 5-millionth fan to league ballparks last night and will hold a drawing to crown an honorary “Five Millionth Fan” from recent game attendees. “This is a great achievement for the Coastal Plain League and its member clubs – both past and current,” said CPL Assistant Commissioner Justin Sellers. […]
Green Man hits Duck Pond; bailed out by Yellow Man
Yeah, we’re pretty sure this is staged — but, to be honest, we don’t care, either. Here’s a humorous clip from last night’s Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) game, where a Green Man charged the field and artfully eluded his captors. You know the meme: the guy in the green Lycra comes from Fox’s […]
Boise in search of new ballpark site
Yet another baseball study is underway in Boise, as the Better Boise Coalition will embark on a search for an appropriate location for a new Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) ballpark, but there’s really one obvious location: downtown. The Hawks have been playing at Memorial Stadium since it opened in 1989, a rather […]