We have a name for the newest member of the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League): Rookie, son of team bat dog Derby and grandson of original bat dog Chase. Thunder fans submitted 1,164 different names during a 10-day submission period, then thousands of fans voted for one of eight finalists during a week long […]
Tag Archives | rookie
New for 2014: Bristol Pirates
No surprise here: with a change in affiliation to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bristol Baseball, Inc. announced that Bristol’s team in the rookie Appalachian League will officially be known as the Bristol Pirates. “We are excited about adopting our big league club’s name as our own, especially with the success of Pittsburgh this season and the […]
Grand Junction Rockies receive inaugural John Henry Moss Community Service Award
More awards: The Grand Junction Rockies (rookie; Pioneer League) are the winners of the first John Henry Moss Community Service Award for their ongoing commitment to charitable service and their support and leadership within the Grand Junction community and the baseball industry. The Rockies are committed to make an ongoing annual gift to the NJCAA […]
Pirates enter new affiliation with Bristol
You can expect a new team name and branding, as the Bristol Sox (rookie; Appalachian League) entered into a new player-development contract (PDC) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bristol joins the organization’s system as a ninth MiLB affiliate for the 2014 season. It becomes the Bucs’ second rookie-level team, with the Gulf Coast Pirates. The agreement […]
Mustangs on the block
The Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) are on the block, as an unidentified buyer has approached the community ownership group about a purchase. It would be a hard sale, but team president Woody Hahn has been authorized to discuss a potential sale of what’s considered one of the top franchises in the Pioneer League. These […]
Arizona League teams upgrade to spring ballparks
Not quite sure whether this is due to the popularity of games or wanting to give players a more realistic game experience, but four rookie Arizona League teams are playing home games in the big-league parks and not practice fields. The four teams and their homes: The AZL Angels are playing home games at Tempe […]
Reds, Mustangs marriage hits 40-year anniversary
It’s one of the longest-lasting relationships in pro baseball: the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer League) have been an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds since 1974 — and it’s still going strong. In these days, affiliations are a lot more fluid than they once were, and partnerships once assumed solid can turn sour quickly. But in […]
E-Twins bus involved in crash; no players injured
A bus transporting the Elizabethton Twins (rookie; Appalachian League) from Florida to Tennessee for the home opener was involved in a crash this morning, which killed the driver of the other vehicle. The bus was on the road near Jacksonville when a driver came down I-295, going the wrong way. The bus driver attempted to […]
No osprey at Osprey games this season
Canada geese have displaced an osprey nest at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, meaning no birds of prey close to the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) this season. In past years osprey nested on a platform beyond the outfield fence, occasionally providing some entertainment to fans after snaring a fish from the […]
MiLB: Baseball game is affordable family fun in 2013
With the average cost for a family of four to attend an MiLB game this season totaling $62.52 in 2013, Minor League Baseball continues to be affordable family entertainment. “When stacked up against other professional sports leagues and family entertainment options, Minor League Baseball proves year after year that it provides the most bang for […]
Greeneville Astros unveil new logo, branding
The Greeneville Astros (rookie; Appalachian League) updated the team’s logo and branding for the first time since entering the Appy League in 2004, matching the look of parent Houston Astros. The new look, based on a blue and orange color scheme — the same colors that will be worn by the Houston Astros. — was […]
McGonagle named 2012 King of Baseball
A well-deserved honor: Bluefield Blue Jays President George McGonagle, who has been with the rookie Appalachian League club for more than 50 years, was named 2012 “King of Baseball” tonight at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet. The “King of Baseball” is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball salutes a veteran from the […]
B-Royals embark on field upgrades
Burlington Royals (rookie; Appalachian League) players should be happier next season, as the team is in the midst of a turf upgrade at Burlington Athletic Park this offseason. The city is spending around $30,000 on the field upgrade, which involves removing the existing turf, leveling the field and then installing new turf. The ballpark sees […]