The first year of the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) has been mostly a success, but players are learning one new way of baseball life: some grueling road trips. Of course, spending hours on an airplane is infinitely better than spending many, many more on a bus. And this year may be the worst […]
Tag Archives | peter kirk
Skeeters to launch Constellation Field tonight
Peter Kirk tells us Constellation Field is the most spectacular ballpark he’s opened, and we’re guessing Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League) fans will concur at tonight’s opening. Kirk is an expert at new-ballpark openings: he’s launched 15 over the years, both in affiliated ball and independent ball. In recent years there’s been a certain […]
Tal Smith joins ODP as special advisor
A personnel move to note: Tal Smith, longtime member of the Houston Astros front office, has been named special advisor to Opening Day Partners (ODP), owners of several independent Atlantic League teams. ODP’s newest team is the Sugar Land Skeeters, and Smith will be advising Opening Day Partners on that team as well as new locations […]
Shipley joins Revolution ownership
Bill Shipley has joined the York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) ownership group and will serve as the team’s vice chairman. He joins team president and general manager Eric Menzer and Chairman Peter Kirk as a member of the ballclub’s senior management. Shipley is the fourth-generation leader and CEO of Shipley Energy, Central Pennsylvania’s largest family-owned […]
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 […]
First milestone: Groundbreaking for new Skeeters ballpark
Construction has officially begun on StarTex Power Field, the new home of the Sugar Land Skeeters (independent; Atlantic League), as Peter Kirk and crew were in town to dig up some dirt with the likes of Bob Watson (former Astros GM) and Joe Klein (former Rangers GM, now with the Atlantic League). The new ballpark […]
Frederick Keys sold?
Multiple sources tell us the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) have been conditionally sold, with the transaction going through only if the franchise successfully wins a bid situation for Harry Grove Stadium for next season and beyond. The Keys are currently owned by Maryland Baseball Holding, LLC, led by Ken Young, the owner […]
Keys: We want to stay in Frederick
The management of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) issued an open letter to local baseball fans today, calling for public support of the affiliated franchise at a time when the city is planning to let the lease to Harry Grove Stadium up for bid. If the ballpark lease is put up to […]
Frederick: Affiliated team to have advantage in ballpark bidding
An affiliated team will have an advantage in the bidding for Harry Grove Stadium, currently the home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League), according to city officials prepping the bid package. The city has been working on a bid specification since the beginning of the year, and it’s a tightrope: on the […]
Frederick to put ballpark lease to bid; Keys on market
City officials in Frederick, Md. are preparing specifications in anticipation of letting the lease to Harry Grove Stadium, home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League), out to bid for 2012 and beyond — inconvenient timing, considering the team is now for sale. City officials say they’re finishing the specs for the ballpark, […]
Kirk pitches Frederick on AtL ballpark lease; will settle for Keys
Atlantic League mogul Peter Kirk has pitched Frederick (Md.) officials on taking over the lease at Harry Grove Stadium for an independent-league team — but will settle for buying the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) as a consolation prize. Kirk certainly is one of the more interesting people in baseball, and he’s seizing […]