The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rosenthal says one way to raise funds for a Wrigley Field renovation is selling shares to the public. There are two huge reasons why this will never happen: Major League Baseball would never allow it and the public doesn’t have $200 million sitting around to benefit the Tom Ricketts family. In […]
Tag Archives | renovations
Decision on SWB Yanks fate delayed
The International League Board of Directors met without reaching a final decision on the fate of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees for the 2012 season, as negotiations are still ongoing between team management and potential hosts. The SWB Yankees are in need of a new home for the 2012 season when PNC Field undergoes an extreme renovation […]
SIU pitching $4.9 million ballpark renovation
Southern Illinois University is pitching a $4.9-million renovation of Abe Martin Field — Ancient Abe, as it’s known locally — that would add a new grandstand and take out some bleachers that came from the original Sportsman’s Park in St. Louis. Abe Martin Field is the oldest ballpark in the Midwest Missouri Valley Conference, and […]
Covaleski Stadium renovations complete
Renovations to Covaleski Stadium, home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League), are now complete, as the ballpark now features a wraparound concourse and lots of new fan-friendly amenities. The renovations, which ended up costing around $8 million, added a new center-field entrance, a new scoreboard and audio system, a new […]
Amarillo decision: Build new or renovate existing ballpark
With little movement on a new downtown ballpark and Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium in desperate need of repair, Amarillo Sox (independent; American Association) officials are exploring renovation plans — just in case. Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium — the former Amarillo Dilla Villa and Potter County Stadium — is the second-oldest ballpark in the […]
Gammons rips Wrigley Field, defends Ricketts
Usually Peter Gammons is the smartest guy in the room when it comes to baseball, but comments he made about Wrigley Field being a “dump” and Cubs owner Tom Ricketts not knowing the true renovation price of the ballpark are ridiculous — and are generating lots of heat in the Windy City. Gammons, now an […]
Texas Tech to upgrade Dan Law Field
Texas Tech announced a $5 million upgrade to Dan Law Field, as the school will install shading, new chair-back seats, ten suites and a new gated entryway to the mix. The renovations will be totally funded with private contributions to the baseball program. “This is a tremendous day for Red Raider Baseball,” said director of […]
Bells announce upgrades to Joe Martin Field
The new-look Bellingham Bells (summer collegiate; West Coast League) are continuing their 2011 makeover with upgrades to their home ballpark, Joe Martin Field. The changes include new seating and two new group areas. The fixed, “bucket” seats along the first and third base line are being replaced with new fold-down stadium seats. The 64 new […]
Hinchliffe Stadium up for $500K preservation grant
Historic Hinchliffe Stadium, once home to the New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans of the Negro Leagues, has been nominated for a $500,000 preservation grant by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the first crucial step in the award process. The nomination comes after the Paterson City Council voted to move forward with […]
Sims Legion Park in midst of facelift
Renovations are currently underway at Sims Legion Park, home of the Gastonia Grizzlies (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League), with a new concourse, complete with new ticket booth and two new entrances, under construction for the 2011 season. In addition, all three grandstands and the box seats have been painted, and fans are installed in the […]
Rainiers unveil renovated Cheney Stadium
Ben Cheney was positioned in his familiar seat, his smiling face watching the proceedings on the field. But everything else about Cheney Stadium was different last night, as the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) unveiled a renovated ballpark before a large crowd. You may know the story of Cheney: the Pacific Northwest lumber […]
FirstEnergy Stadium renovations: thumbs up
After an opening night that saw fans cram FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Phillies (Class AA; Eastern League), one thing is clear: the ballpark renovations are a hit with the R-Phils fans. Fans were lining up well in advance of the 4 p.m. opening of the gates, eager to see how the $10 million […]
Cubs notch lowest attendance since 2002
The Chicago Cubs have been a box-office machine in recent years, but yesterday Wrigley Field saw its smallest crowd in nine years, with only 26,292 showing up for a matinee against the Arizona Diamondbacks on a chilly, windy Monday. Harbinger or aberration? Of course, many teams would be happy with announcing 26,292 fans in the […]