Despite the immense popularity of the Chicago Cubs, more than half the Chicago voters polled by the Chicago Tribune and WGN oppose public funding of renovations to Wrigley Field. The Cubs proposed earlier this year for the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to borrow $250 million for Wrigley Field renovations, with the bonds repaid by growth […]
Tag Archives | renovations
Eagles removed from Ed Smith Stadium lights
The Baltimore Orioles had an unusual expenditure during the ongoing renovations to Ed Smith Stadium, the team’s Sarasota spring-training home: paying a private firm to remove two American eagles and their eggs from the right-field lights. The eagles decided to nest within the lights high above the ballpark this fall, despite ballpark renovations that brought […]
State funding of Wrigley Field renovations dies as Assembly adjourns
Tom Ricketts’ proposal to have the State of Illinois fund $250 million in upgrades to Wrigley Field died yesterday when the General Assembly adjourned out of veto session yesterday — but expect it to return when the 2011 session opens in January. The hope was that the Assembly could consider funding during the veto session, […]
Vote on South Bend ballpark renovations delayed
The South Bend Common Council delayed a vote on a $10.2 renovation of Covaleski Stadium, the home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League), because of concern over a conflct of interest with a council member. The conflict: Whether Council President Derek Dieter, a supporter of the project who works off-duty […]
NECBL adds Groton team
Bristol Collegiate (summer collegiate; NECBL) will be moving to Groton, Ct. and set up shop at Fitch High School, thanks to a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor for a ballpark upgrade. The donation will be used to install lights, press box, seating, fencing and restrooms to the high-school field. Bristol Collegiate played last season […]
Olsen Field expansion on tap for Texas A&M
A $7-million gift from executives at Blue Bell Creameries is leading the way for a renovation of Texas A&M‘s Olsen Field; as a result, the expanded ballpark will be known as Blue Bell Park. The gift comes from former Texas A&M students Ed. and Howard Kruse of Brenham, whose father started the Brenham Creamery Company […]
Cheney Stadium renovation deadline extended
Changes to the renovation plan at venerable Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) are pushing back the completion date, but construction manager Mortenson says work should be completed in plenty of time for the season opener. The renovation, which began right after the regular season and forced the Rainiers […]
First look: Warner Park renovations, Madison Mallards
One important thing to know about the front office of the Madison Mallards (summer collegiate; Northwoods League): they move quickly. Within a short period of city approval for a makeover of Warner Park, Vern Stenman, Conor Caloia and crew were out tearing down the Muskies-era bleachers to make way for new seating from Oriole Park […]
Baltimore, MSA outline 2011 improvements to Orioles Park
The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority outlined a second year of enhancements to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, including more renovations on the club level, additional seat replacements and a slightly smaller capacity, creating a more intimate environment. Last off-season, all seats in the lower level from foul pole to foul pole were […]
New at Target Field for 2011: More signage and free WiFi
The Minnesota Twins unveiled a host of improvements to Target Field for the 2011 season, including more signage visible from areas unable to see the main scoreboard, more local foods, free WiFi and more. The biggest change fans will see at Target Field, the 2010 Ballpark Digest Ballpark of the Year, will come in the […]
South Bend poised to spend almost $10M on The Cove
The South Bend Redevelopment Commission today approved spending almost $10 million on renovations to Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium (The Cove), the home of the South Bend Silver Hawks (Low Class A; Midwest League). Under the plan, the following renovations would be made by July 4, 2011: A new centerfield entrance, ticket office and concessions area. […]
The next big thing: Artificial turf
Forget about the old days of AstroTurf, the artificial turf with practically no padding, the stuff that killed careers — or certainly impacted them, as Andre Dawson can attest. Today’s artificial turf is making a resurgence in indy and college ballparks, as the product has improved significantly in recent years. It wasn’t that long ago […]
Orioles release 2011 spring-training schedule
In what is undoubtedly the wave of the Grapefruit League future, the Baltimore Orioles released a 2011 spring-training schedule today that’s heavy on games against local opponents, with no visits to or from Treasure Coast teams. You can view the full schedule here. As you can see, the schedule is heavy on Gulf Coast teams, […]