A milestone of sorts last week in Chattanooga, where Engel Stadium, the former home of the Chattanooga Lookouts (Class AA; Southern League), marked its 82nd birthday amid efforts for renovation. One of the great old ballparks of baseball, Engel Stadium was opened by the entrepreneurial Joe Engel in 1930, beginning with a series of exhibition […]
Tag Archives | southern league
BayBears, Blue Wahoos unveil Bay to Bay Series
The beginning of a nice rivalry: The Mobile BayBears and Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) are launching a Bay to Bay Series, with events at both team homes this season. Fans can expect several rivalry themed promotions at both ballparks this year, including BayBears fans versus Blue Wahoos fans in-game contests, promotions and […]
BayBears, D-Backs extend PDC
The Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League) and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their player-development contract (PDC) for two more years, through the 2014 season. “The D-backs are elated to be affiliated with the Mobile BayBears organization and the Mobile community for an additional two years,” said Diamondbacks Director of Player Development Mike Bell. “Bill Shanahan […]
Developers lining up to take advantage of new Barons ballpark
It looks like one rationale for a new downtown Birmingham ballpark — attracting economic development — is already coming to fruition, as several developers negotiate land deals in the immediate area. The new home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) has already attracted one sale of land to a developer, with several other […]
Blue Wahoos make mark by paying rent upfront
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League) had a pleasant surprise for city officials: the team paid its entire 2012 rent — $175,000 — in advance. The team was slated to pay the Pensacola CMPA with a rent check of $35,000 at its March meeting, per the team’s lease, Instead, Blue Wahoos President Bruce […]
It’s Kazoo for the Blue Wahoos
We have a mascot for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League): Kazoo, the result of a name-the-mascot contest. “Kazoo was a huge hit,” said Blue Wahoos vice president of community relations Julie Borshak. “He has a very unique design and he’s extremely eye catching with his bright colors which we kept consistent with […]
Smokies offer dollar ducats for Opening Night
To celebrate the team’s President’s Award last season, the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) are offering dollar tickets for Opening Night. For the next 160 hours, the team is offering the “President’s Award Ticket Special,” In appreciation of the Smokies being named the Minor League Organization of the Year in 2011. Fans can purchase […]
In memoriam: Don Mincher
Former Southern League president, Huntsville Stars owner and Major Leaguer Don Mincher passed away last night after a long illness. He was 73. Mincher retired last fall as president of the Class AA Southern League due to the health problems. The league is still searching for a replacement. A Huntsville native, Mincher began his career […]
Birmingham: Design of new ballpark still evolving
Though final demolition plans for a new Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark site are now set, the final design of Regions Field won’t be presented for approval until April. This means the pretty renderings we’ve been showing from HKS are conceptual at this point. But that’s OK: readers of this site seem to […]
Your next sign of spring: Pensacola scoreboard goes up
Your next clue that the 2012 season will be here sooner than expected: the scoreboard went up at Blue Wahoos Park, new home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League). Really, we have nothing else to add. The new ballpark, designed by Populous, will open on Pensacola’s waterfront this April 5. The nice […]
Another milestone in Pensacola: let there be light
Another milestone in the construction of Blue Wahoos Park, new home of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League): the ballpark lights were tested and are working properly. The new waterfront ballpark is slated to open April 5. Photo courtesy of the Blue Wahoos. RELATED STORIES: Pensacola Blue Wahoos unveil logo, look; Blue Wahoos […]
New for 2013: Regions Field
Regions Bank will keep its naming-rights deal with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), as the team’s new downtown ballpark will be known as Regions Field when it opens in 2013. The Barons had a naming-rights/branding deal with Regions Bank at their current home, Regions Park in suburban Hoover. That relationship will continue at […]
Looking back at 125 years of New Orleans baseball
It’s been 125 years since the first pro baseball game was played in New Orleans — and in that time some great players and managers have worn the uniforms of the Pelicans and Zephyrs. That first pro game was played in 1887 by the New Orleans Pelicans, a team that became a mainstay in the […]