As promised, Birmingham is moving forward with a Negro Leagues museum adjoining Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), according to city officials. The $2 million project, which has already received $400,000 in city funding, is slated to open in 2014. Organizers will need to privately raise the remainder of the […]
Tag Archives | southern league
Consultant: Biloxi ballpark site would be a winner
This is quite the endorsement: Charles Johnson IV of Johnson Consulting calls a proposed Biloxi ballpark a sure winner, with average baseball attendance and above-average event attendance. The recipient of a $25,000 contract from the city, Johnson pegs the ballpark’s economic impact at $34 million annually (with the average game/event attendee spending $70 during each […]
Biloxi: Let’s slow down new-ballpark plan
The Biloxi City Council took a step back from funding a new Class AA Southern League ballpark and decided to analyze whether the investment makes economic sense. The Council had previously agreed to spend $21 million on the new $35-million ballpark for a relocated Southern League team, to be owned by veteran MiLB operator Ken […]
New Biloxi ballpark could slip to 2015
Given that it’s almost August and there’s no ballpark financing in place, much less ground broken on a new facility, it’s increasingly looking like the Southern League won’t be arriving in Biloxi until 2015. True, there’s been a lot of work on the project behind the scenes: the city has solicited bonds to pay for […]
Generals eye field upgrades for 2014 season
The Jackson Generals (Class AA; Southern League) are proposing upgrades to the playing field at the Ballpark at Jackson, including a total replacement of the playing field. The outfield turf dates back 16 years, when the ballpark opened. From the Jackson Sun: Monday’s doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves was postponed due to unplayable field conditions, […]
Touring Rickwood Field
Yeah, we know we’re a few weeks out of the Rickwood Classic, but you can still see what makes Birmingham’s Rickwood Field so awesome in videos from Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) broadcaster Mick Gillispie. We’ve attended the Rickwood Classic in the past and had a ball, so we’d highly recommend the event for […]
Stars scrap gun raffle, will still celebrate Second Amendment
Minor League Baseball and Southern League officials stepped in to persuade the Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) to scrap a gun raffle set for July 3, but the Second Amendment promotion will go on as scheduled. The Stars were working on the promotion with a local gun shop to give away two Ruger rifles […]
Can promotions go too far?
Two recent promotions from MiLB teams involving controversial subjects drew some criticism from outside the baseball world, raising the question of whether promos can go too far. The Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) are drawing some attention for “2nd Amendment Night” at Joe Davis Stadium on July 3. The team is working with a […]
Tennessee Smokies sold
The Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) have a new owner, as Randy Boyd, founder and CEO of Knoxville-based Radio Systems Corporation, has reached an agreement to purchase the team from the current ownership group. The deal has been under discussion since January and an agreement was reached in March, followed by the application and […]
Biloxi petition drive falls short; council to study bond rates
A petition drive to force a referendum on city spending on a new Bixoli ballpark has fallen short, with the City Council voting today to move ahead with gather rate information on a potential bond sale. The Steps Coalition, a group seeking to put the question of bonding to voters in a fall election, gathered […]
Proposed Biloxi ballpark draws opposition; rally set for today
A proposed Biloxi ballpark for a Class AA Southern League team has hit some more opposition, as some councilmen want to see it located elsewhere in the city, and more opponents seek public input. We already once covered the effort by the Steps Coalition to force a referendum on the ballpark-funding issue; leaders of that […]
Biloxi group wants referendum on new ballpark
A local group is seeking to ask voters to approve public funding of a new Biloxi ballpark and will work to gather 1,500 signatures to force a referendum. The Steps Coalition has announced it will work to force the referendum, but it must be done quickly: 1,500 signatures must be gathered by June 18. If […]
Blue Wahoos announce staff promotions
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) announced four staff promotions from all areas of the organization, including grounds, merchandise, community relations, and clubhouse management. Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer said that the promotions came after each staff member demonstrated leadership, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to grow and improve professionally. “What […]