Despite taking a hit on the weather front and losing 100 games to weather, Minor League Baseball announced today that its 176 clubs in 15 leagues drew 9,221,023 fans in July, bringing the season total to 31,567,709. “It is encouraging that our attendance remains ahead of last year, despite losing more than 100 games to […]
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MiLB attendance up again in June 2012
Minor League Baseball continued a strong 2012 on the attendance front after attracting 8,407,103 fans last month, bringing the industry’s season total to 22,346,686 through June — up 4.2 percent from June 2011. The 176 clubs in 15 leagues attracted 901,800 more fans than they did through June last year. “Our attendance remained strong through […]
Nine MiLB teams to participate in MLB diversity summit
It’s a good start: Representatives from nine MiLB organizations will join executives from Major League Baseball’s Central Office and all 30 MLB teams at the inaugural MLB Diversity Business Summit in Chicago on July 24. MLB and the Chicago White Sox are co-hosting the event. MiLB teams at the summit: Brooklyn Cyclones (short season A; […]
MiLB attendance remains strong in May 2012
The good year for Minor League Baseball attendance continues, as a total of 13,939,583 fans at ballparks through May represents a 6.3 percent increase over 2011. In total, the 136 clubs in 11 full-season leagues attracted 824,448 more fans than they did through May last year. “I am encouraged by our clubs’ attendance figures, not only in […]
MiLB attendance up 11.2 percent in April
Good weather, new Mexican League teams and some popular franchise shifts accounted for an 11.2 percent attendance increase among Minor League Baseball teams in April. MiLB clubs attracted 6,401,632 fans through the end of April, an 11.2 percent increase over the same time period last year. The total number of fans is the second highest […]
In memoriam: Bill Cutler
Bill Cutler, former MiLB team owner and president of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, passed away peacefully at his Mesa, Az. home after a long illness. He was 92. Cutler was a popular figure as president of the PCL from 1979 to 1997, the final touch to a 50-year career in baseball. “What a special […]
O’Conner, San Diego make news in slow Winter Meetings
During an unusually slow Winter Meetings, two events made headlines: Pat O’Conner was re-elected unanimously as Minor League Baseball president and San Diego was awarded the 2014 event. We’re talking slow in terms of activity among owners: normally there’s plenty of chatter about teams on the market and potential buyers, but this year the talk […]
O’Malley: Don’t expect spring training to return to Vero Beach
Peter O’Malley says that the business focus for the former Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach will remain on youth tournaments and visiting teams, not professional baseball. O’Malley invested in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. O’Malley will be one of five equal partners in VBSV management: MiLB will retain a share, while the […]
Murphy, Terranova Vickers honored by MiLB
Florida State League President Chuck Murphy and Montgomery Biscuits General Manager Marla Terranova Vickers are this year’s recipients of the Warren Giles and the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year awards. Murphy and Terranova Vickers will be honored during the Baseball Winter Meetings at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. The Warren Giles Award annually […]
Peter O’Malley back in baseball — in Vero Beach
Peter O’Malley, who last week announced his intention to bid on the Los Angeles Dodgers, is back in baseball — in Vero Beach, as an investor in Vero Beach Sports Village (VBSV), formerly known as Dodgertown. Peter is the 73-year-old son of Dodgers scion Walter O’Malley, who moved the team from Brooklyn to California and […]
Tennessee, Lake Elsinore snare MiLB organizational honors
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) snared the 2011 John H. Johnson President’s Award, while the Lake Elsinore Storm (High Class A; California League) won this year’s Larry MacPhail Award, as MiLB unveiled yearly honors. The Smokies and Storm will receive their major awards at the Baseball Winter Meetings Annual Banquet on Thursday, December […]
Richmond: Yes, we really do intend on building a new ballpark
A day after comments from Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) President Lou DiBella suggested frustration with the lack of progress on a new ballpark, Mayor Dwight C. Jones reiterated the city’s commitment to a new facility. DiBella suggested the team would look for a new home because it looked like a new ballpark […]
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 […]