CPL shoots for 5-millionth fan
Nice way to mark a milestone: Today the summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League launches a Five Millionth Fan contest in all league ballparks, as the circuit will collect registration cards from fans nightly to crown a winner. Once the CPL reaches five million fans, the league office will collect all registration cards from that night’s games […]
Suns-GreenJackets game scrapped after light falls on field
Tonight’s Hagerstown Suns-Augusta GreenJackets (Low Class A; Sally League) was cancelled after a light stanchion fell on the field of play when heavy rains and winds whipped through Municipal Stadium. It’s caused the Suns front office to improvise. Down a light, the team will play tomorrow’s game against the Greenville Drive at 3:05 p.m. instead […]
Judge: Dodgers must accept MLB loan
A Delaware bankruptcy judge held that the Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt must negotiate with MLB over the terms of a loan, citing the more favorable terms of the deal. McCourt had arranged $150 million in Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing from a JP Morgan hedge fund, Highbridge Capital, under some pretty onerous terms — 10+% interest, […]
Two new suspects arrested in Dodger Stadium beating
Police have arrested two new suspects connected to the beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, while also concluding a previously arrested suspect was not involved. Giovanni Ramirez, who has been held by the Los Angeles Police Department on a parole violation unrelated to the beating, has […]
Orange County rejects Yankees farm-team ballpark
Saying she had doubts about promises a relocated Tampa Yankees (High Class A; Florida State League) would draw 3,500 fans a game, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs rejected a plan to use county land for a proposed ballpark. Armando Gutierrez Jr. and Orlando Baseball Ventures had proposed a $47-million ballpark, Yankees museum on 12 acres […]
Omaha’s Mendoza loses no-hitter two days later
Luis Mendoza, whose no-hitter for the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) was an on-again, off-again thing is now off-again after the PCL office ruled Tyler Greene indeed doubled and did not reach base on an error. The request for league review came from the opposing Memphis Redbirds. On Monday night Mendoza went […]
Introducing the 2011 Ballpark Digest Awards
It’s that time of year when we start preparing for the 2011 Ballpark Digest Awards. Actually, it’s never been that time of year before so early in the season; we’re moving up the awards this year to let honorees bask in the glory of their accomplishments while play is still ongoing. And we’ve made some […]
Rangers to make changes at ballpark in response to tragedy
Despite meeting code, the Texas Rangers will make changes to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, including raising of the height of all rails in front of seating areas to the highest standard in the country. The current minimum code for railings at the end of a walkway is 42 inches. In front of fixed seats, the […]
St. Pete mayor: There’s nothing wrong with the Trop
The simmering debate over the worthiness of Tropicana Field as the home of the Tampa Bay Rays continues, as broadcaster John Kruk and manager Joe Maddon all take shots at the place, with St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster declaring it fit for MLB. The latest incidents: a bank of lights went out Monday night, causing […]
Futures League adds Wachusett to lineup for 2012
We have a new franchise in the summer-collegiate Futures Collegiate Baseball League, as commissioner Chris Hall announced that the addition of the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs as the league’s fifth franchise, playing out of Leominster, Mass. Owning the team: local businessman John Morrison, president of a privately held polymer lens manufacturer, Fosta-Tek Optics. “My family and […]
San Rafael delays decision on NAL ballpark, as citizens clash over merits
A proposed independent North American League ballpark at San Rafael’s Albert Field is on hold after a contentious City Council meeting where opposing sides almost came to blows in a rather heated discussion. The proposal from Centerfield Partnership would add 800 temporary seats to the city-owned park and upgrade restrooms and clubhouses while adding temporary […]
NAL soap opera continues; Johnson, LaCock walk away second time
Tim Johnson and Pete LaCock left the independent North American League for a second time, as an attempt to join Jose Canseco with the Yuma Scorpions was thwarted by league officials. The back story: Johnson was manager and LaCock coach with the Lake County Fielders (independent; North American League) when that team went through early-season […]
Saints: Tweet your wiener with us
Never let it be said the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) let a good scandal go to waste: In honor of National Hot Dog Day, the team is offering Tweeting Wiener Boxers Saturday night. Obviously inspired by Rep. Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former Congressman whose career went down in a string of naughty tweets, […]