The Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. “We have been with the Arizona Diamondbacks since they were granted an expansion franchise and we see no reason to end that relationship now,” said Matt Ellis, Osprey Executive Vice President, via press release. “We feel […]
Tag Archives | rookie
More fallout from Missoula ballpark financing
Four prominent Missoula residents who backed loans on a new ballpark for the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) are being sued by the bank calling in the notes. A little background. When a community group, Play Ball Missoula, was putting together the financing deal for Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, 19 community members signed notes of […]
Milwaukee, Helena extend PDC
The Milwaukee Brewers and the Helena Brewers (rookie; Pioneer League) announced a two-year player development contract extension through the 2014 season. “We are excited to extend our player development contract with the Helena franchise,” said Reid Nichols, Brewers Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Player Development/Training Center. “The Helena front office, led by President/General […]
Casper Cutthroats open season; will it be a short tenure?
The Casper Cutthroats (summer collegiate; Mountain Collegiate Baseball League) made their debut last night at Mike Lansing Field to a big crowd — which may attract MiLB interest. As you’ll recall, Mike Lansing Field was available this summer after the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) were purchased by the Monfort brothers (owners of the Colorado Rockies) […]
Pioneer League back to Casper?
Representatives from an unnamed rookie Pioneer League team are visiting Mike Lansing Field, former home of the Casper Ghosts, to discuss a possible move for 2013. The Ghosts moved to Grand Junction, Col. this offseason after the team was purchased last year by the Monfort brothers, the owners of the Colorado Rockies. The visit is […]
Baby Blue Jays unveil new logo, unis
The Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League) unveiled a new logo and new uniforms to match the new look of parent Toronto Blue Jays. The logo was introduced by General Manager Chris Maxwell at a press conference held at the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce. New uniforms and cap design were unveiled as well. “We are […]
Monforts moving Ghosts to Grand Junction?
It sounds like the Monforts are ready to pull the trigger on a move of the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) to Grand Junction’s Suplizio Field for the 2012 season, bringing player development closer to the Denver home base. No surprise the Monforts are reportedly pulling the trigger: they were eying Grand Junction even before […]
Missoula closes on purchase of Osprey home
The Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, the home of the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League) for $3.55 million, bailing out the nonprofit Play Ball Missoula and providing a solid base for the ballpark’s future. The city is using $2 million in city redevelopment funds and issuing $1.55 million in new […]
Missoula buying Osprey ballpark for $2 million
Play Ball Missoula is running out of money, so the Missoula City Council is buying Ogren Park at a pretty deep discount — $2 million — and turning over management of the downtown ballpark to the Missoula Osprey (rookie; Pioneer League). Play Ball spent years getting the ballpark built, fighting financial issues to raise construction […]
Baby Blue Jays set to fly tomorrow
Baseball didn’t change much in Bluefield up to now, but 2011 sees some huge changes at Bowen Field: the Bluefield Blue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League) are now in town after 53 seasons of the Bluefield Orioles occupying the ballpark. The Orioles maintained an Appy League team in Bluefield from 1957 to 2010 before pulling out […]
Maxwell new GM in Bluefield
Chris Maxwell, the former general manger of the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) is moving southeast: he’s the new general manager of the Bluefield Bue Jays (rookie; Appalachian League), overseeing the first season for Toronto as parent of a Bluefield team. The city had been home to the Baltimore Orioles for 53 years prior to […]
Upgrades on tap for Grand Junction’s Suplizio Field; MiLB to follow?
The Grand Junction (Col.) City Council reviewed expansion plans for Suplizio Field that include a new two-story hospitality space and press box, as the city prepares for more of the Junior College World Series — and maybe a rookie Pioneer League team. It’s no secret new Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League) owners Dick and Charlie […]
Rockies owners buy Casper Ghosts
Colorado Rockies General Partners Dick and Charlie Monfort have completed the purchase of the Casper Ghosts (rookie; Pioneer League), as the transaction has been approved by the Pioneer League and Minor League Baseball — but it remains to be seen how long the team remains at Mike Lansing Field. “We are very happy to have […]