A vote by the Birmingham City Council approving a new downtown ballpark may have been an important step in the process, but the real work is just beginning: finalizing the financials and coming to a lease agreement with the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League). The Barons are key to the ballpark actually being built; […]
Tag Archives | southern league
Cook joins revamped Barons front office
Big changes in the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League) front office this offseason, as John Cook leaves Minor League Baseball to join the staff as Director of Sales. Cook previouslt was Senior Vice President of Business Ops at St. Pete; previously he was general manager of the Clearwater Threshers (High Class A; Florida State […]
Birmingham approves new downtown ballpark, but second vote needed
The Birmingham City Council gave preliminary approval to a proposed downtown ballpark funded by a hike in hotel taxes, but because the vote was not unanimous, the measure must again be approved by the council next week. The plan calls for the city to raise the hotel tax rate by 3.5 percentage points, with the […]
New Birmingham ballpark could create $3.8 billion in economic activity: study
A new downtown Birmingham ballpark could generate $3.8 billion in direct and indirect spending, according to a study created by a research professional and local economics professor, presented to the Birmingham City Council yesterday. The study, created by Conventions Sports & Leisure and economist Keivan Deravi of Auburn University at Montgomery, concluded that the city […]
Birmingham City Council to vote on new ballpark next week
The Birmingham City Council is expected to vote on a proposed new downtown ballpark next week, but before then the city will hear a report on the potential economic impact of a new facility. As city approval comes closer, we’re receiving further specifics about the project. First, the ballpark would actually be built by a […]
Birmingham City Council: We support ballpark tax, but we want team first
The Birmingham City Council today passed a resolution expressing support for a doubling of the city’s hotel tax rate to pay for a new downtown ballpark — but in the process added a crucial condition to the deal. The condition: that the hotel tax wouldn’t kick in and construction wouldn’t begin on the ballpark unless […]
Stars, Brewers extend PDC — by default
The Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) and the Milwaukee Brewers were the two left standing at the end of the dance, so they’ll extend their player-development contract — reluctantly — through 2012. It’s not been announced, though we received an email from a Brewers staffer about the deal. An announcement is expected in the […]
Birmingham OKs initial ballpark funding plan
A Birmingham City Council committee today gave preliminary approval to a plan presented by Mayor William Bell that would more than double the city’s hotel tax rate to partially pay for a new ballpark — and move a planned baseball museum away from historic Rickwood Field. The plan would hike the city’s hotel rate from […]
New for 2011: Jackson Generals
The West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) played their last game this weekend; the team will be known as the Jackson Generals beginning next season. According the Kevin McCann, author of Jackson Diamonds–Professional Baseball in Jackson, “the name Jackson Generals has a rich history of unusual plays and colorful players. Some of the […]
Uncertain times in Huntsville for the Stars
It’s all but certain that the Huntsville Stars (Class AA; Southern League) will be back at Joe Davis Stadium next year, with Buck Rogers at the helm. Past that, it’s all up in the air, as several cities are seeking a Southern League franchise and current parent Milwaukee is ready to shop around. Joe Davis […]
Marlins extend PDCs with New Orleans, Jacksonville
The Florida Marlins locked up the two top teams in their farm system for the next two seasons by signing new PDCs with the New Orleans Zephyrs (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League). “We are pleased to continue our relationship with the Florida Marlins,” said Mike Schline, […]
Regions Park to host ESPN documentary premiere on Michael Jordan
Regions Park, the home of the Birmingham Barons (Class AA; Southern League), will host the world premiere for ESPN Films’ Jordan Rides the Bus on Sunday, August 22 following the Barons game against the Huntsville Stars. The Ron Shelton documentary is a part of ESPN Films’ film series 30 for 30 and will debut on […]
Five cities to battle Hoover, Barons for SEC tourney
Five pro ballparks will be entering the bidding to host the SEC baseball tourney, now drawing large crowds at Birmingham’s Regions Park. The five: AutoZone Park, home of the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League); Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, home of the Jacksonville Suns (Class AA; Southern League); Coolray Field, home of the […]