The El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the San Diego Padres announced an extension of their player development contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. The announcement was made a press conference today. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Padres,” said Alan Ledford, MountainStar Sports Group President. “They are a […]
Tag Archives | tucson padres
Freedom Baseball League pitches Pima County on Kino Stadium lease
Pima County and the independent Freedom Baseball League are at loggerheads over a potential lease for Kino Stadium, which now sits empty after the move of the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). Joe Sperle, president and partner in the Freedom Baseball League, has pitched county officials on a lease at $1,300 per game. […]
Mike Feder joins Diamondbacks
Nice hire: The Arizona Diamondbacks have hired as their Coordinator of Southern Arizona Special Projects Mike Feder, former GM of the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and more. “We have been looking to expand our presence throughout Southern Arizona and the opportunity to add Mike to the organization was a great way for […]
United League Baseball: We’re interested in Tucson
The independent United League Baseball circuit is interested in placing a team in Tucson’s Kino Stadium this season, as John Bryant makes an offer to Pima County for a lease. The offer calls for a team playing at Kino Stadium as well as control of the ballpark’s concessions. From the Arizona Daily Star: “We wish […]
Why the Chihuahuas name works: It’s fun!
The PCL’s franchise in El Paso, formerly Tucson, revealed its nickname last week, immediately provoking reactions to the El Paso Chihuahuas branding. If you heard the news, it’s likely you had an immediate opinion as well; Jesse Goldberg-Strassler shares his. Your thoughts? The national reaction — the loudly shouting, negative, incredulous folks who could not […]
Owners: Chihuahuas name a hit
Despite some initial criticism, it looks like the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) name has been a hit in terms of interest and merchandise sales. The name received national media attention and among the top-10 national trending topics on Twitter. (It was a top story on Ballpark Digest as well.) “We are […]
The Week That Was: Sept. 1-6, 2013
Lease negotiations in Anaheim, a potential extension of pro ball in Tucson, attendance records going by the wayside, and more. The top stories this week on Ballpark Digest, as measured by page views. Angels casually threaten move during lease negotiationsMountainStar Sports Group extends Kino Stadium leaseBrown leaving River Bandits, Modern Woodmen ParkAliens take in Canadians […]
MountainStar Sports Group extends Kino Stadium lease
Calling it insurance if a new El Paso ballpark is not completed in 2014, MountainStar Sports Group has extended the lease for Kino Stadium with Tucson for next season. MountainStar Sports Group purchased the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and plans to move the team to El Paso next season. Now, no one […]
Final home game tonight for Tucson Padres
Tucson’s latest run at Triple-A baseball ends tonight, as the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) play their final game at Kino Stadium before a departure to El Paso. This time the departure is a little different; the T-Padres were always a short-term plant at Kino Stadium, so while there was hope the team […]
Future of Cohen Stadium in play with departure of Diablos
Cohen Stadium, home to two incarnations of the El Paso Diablos, may end up staying intact as the City Council reviews redevelopment plans for the surrounding area. The independent American Association Diablos wrapped up their season and history this weekend, as the Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be relocating next season to […]
Diablos close out El Paso tenure
The second incarnation of the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) came to an end yesterday, as the team wrapped up its season and history at Cohen Stadium. The original Diablos and flamboyant owner Jim Paul are still remembered fondly in some Minor League Baseball circles: an aggressive promoter whose approach to giveaways and promote […]
New El Paso ballpark set for April 11, 2014 opening
The new Triple-A Pacific Coast League El Paso ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres is set for an April 11, 2014 opening, according to team and city management. The season opener for the new franchise is scheduled for April 3, giving team officials some precious time to make sure operations are set. Ballpark construction moves […]
Higher interest rates impact El Paso ballpark debt
Higher-than-anticipated interest rates on city-backed bonds is raising the long-term cost of a new El Paso ballpark by $17 million, as the City Council approved the deal yesterday. City officials had anticipated a rate of 5 percent for nontaxable bonds and and 5.75 percent for taxable bonds. That didn’t attract any bond buyers, so the […]