A report indicates that a push to bring Major League Baseball to Portland is gaining traction, with a potential ownership group in contact with city officials. (more…)
Tag Archives | portland
Manfred: Yeah, Why Not Portland?
Not quite sure how enthusiastic this response was, but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says Portland would be on a list of future expansion markets after the Oakland and Tampa Bay ballpark situations are settled. (more…)
How to Lure MLB to Portland? An All-Wood Ballpark
The ever-enterprising Lynn Lashbrook has an intriguing plan for luring Major League Baseball to Portland: he’s pitching the idea of building an all-wood ballpark at the site of the old Vaughn Street Park, former home of the Portland Beavers (Pacific Coast League). (more…)
The Ballparks That Never Were
The boom of new ballparks in Major League Baseball during the 1990’s and early 21st century resulted in some of the finest facilities around. It brought about the trend of retro parks, state-of-the art retractable roof venues, and thorough incorporations of modern amenities. (more…)
New for 2014: Ron Tonkin Field
We have a naming-rights deal for the home of the Hillsboro Hops (short season; Northwest League): Ron Tonkin Field, named after the Tonkin car dealerships in the greater Portland area. “The City of Hillsboro is delighted that we have reached a ten-year agreement with the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships to rename Hillsboro Ballpark, Ron […]
Lashbrook: Hillsboro could temporarily host relocating Oakland A’s
If the Oakland Athletics were to leave the Coliseum for Portland, Hillsboro Ballpark — home of the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League) could serve as a temporary home, according to Lynn Lashbrook. Lashbrook, president of Sports Management Worldwide, took a tour of the 4,500-capacity ballpark and proclaimed it could be expanded to the […]
MLB to Portland? Not likely, says mayor
Despite some passionate supporters, it’s highly improbable Major League Baseball will land in Portland any time soon — and that assessment comes from those who should know, including Mayor Charlie Hayes. Tracy Ringolsby wrote a piece for MLB.com indicating some support for Major League Baseball in Portland: organizers have identified a waterfront site near the […]
Hillsboro approves bonding for new Hops ballpark
Hillsboro officials approved $12.5 million in bonds backed by the city’s general fund to build a new ballpark for the Hillsboro Hops (short season A; Northwest League). You don’t often see cities issuing ballpark bonds backed by nothing but “full faith and credit,” as the term goes, rather than dedicated revenue streams like sales taxes; […]
New for 2013: Hillsboro Hops
The name of the newest team in the short-season A Northwest League has been unveiled: the Hillsboro Hops. The name of the former Yakima Bears was announced today. “The name ‘Hops’ recognizes Hillsboro’s proud agricultural heritage and the fact that Oregon is the second largest hop producing state in the United States,” said K.L. Wombacher, […]
Hillsboro looking at riskier financing for new ballpark
Hillsboro (Ore.) officials are looking at using general city funds, instead of a standard municipal bond, to fund a new ballpark for the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League). Engaged in a race with Milwaukie to bring Minor League Baseball back to the greater Portland area, Hillsboro officials made an offer to the Bears ownership […]
Milwaukie has week to decide ballpark fate
Milwaukie (Ore.) has a week to decide if a new ballpark for a summer-collegiate West Coast League team is in the city’s future — or whether a team is unable to justify the revenue necessary for a large-scale project. Spurned by the short-season Northwest League, the city has turned to the WCL as a possible […]
In memoriam: Johnny Pesky
He was an integral part of the Boston lineup, hitting over .300 as a member of the Red Sox and serving the team faithfully after retirement. Johnny Pesky passed away yesterday at the age of 92. His baseball career spanned over 60 years, beginning in Portland where he broke in . And even though he […]
Hillsboro approves naming-rights deal with Bears
No surprise: the Hillsboro (Ore.) City Council unanimously approved a naming-rights deal with the relocating Yakima Bears (short season A; Northwest League), where the team has 60 days to launch marketing. The proposal, negotiated separately from the lease that is bringing the Bears to the Portland suburb next season, calls for the team ownership to sell naming […]