Hotel and motel owners are opposing a hike in the local hotel tax to help pay for a new downtown El Paso ballpark housing a Pacific Coast League team, but it’s not clear whether they have the political muscle to kill the proposal. Taxing visitors via hotel and car taxes is always a popular way […]
Tag Archives | tucson padres
Pacific Coast League expected to decide El Paso bid for baseball this week
The Pacific Coast League is expected to decide this week whether to allow the sale of the Tucson Padres to a group seeking to move the franchise to a new downtown El Paso ballpark. The principals behind MountainStar Sports Group made their pitch to PCL officials less than two weeks ago, laying out their plans for […]
T-Padres back in Kino Stadium in 2013
The Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) will be back in Kino Stadium for 2013, as the team signs a one-year lease for next season. With no ballpark developing in Escondido — the presumed ultimate destination when Jeff Moorad bought the Portland Beavers from Merritt Paulson — and no new ballpark opening in El […]
El Paso approves ballpark for Triple-A team
The El Paso City Council moved forward on a new-ballpark plan for a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team, signing a term sheet with MountainStar Sports Group LLC. With the passage, the council directed the city manager to move forward on a term sheet, detailing the ballpark construction and funding plan. With that term sheet in hand, MountainStar Sports […]
El Paso council to debate new ballpark tonight
The El Paso City Council tonight will discuss a funding plan and possible term sheet for a new downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). The proposal calls for a 2 percentage point hike in the city’s hotel tax, raising it to 17.5 percent — a move that’s drawn the ire […]
El Paso Diablos to Socorro?
If the El Paso Diablos (independent; American Association) are booted from their Cohen Stadium lease, there’s the possibility ownership will build a new ballpark in nearby Socorro. The Diablos are owned by the Tigua tribe, who are seeking to preserve ther million-dollar-plus investment in the franchise and Cohen Stadium upgrades. The team’s future is threatened by […]
Downtown ballpark planning moving forward in El Paso
The El Paso City Council is set to discuss a proposed downtown ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). A few financing plans for a new El Paso ballpark have been floating around in recent months, ranging from a privately financed facility to one funded from the proceeds of a large […]
Hawks: We proposed moving to Hillsboro
Though the Yakima Bears ultimately won the right to move to a new Hillsboro (Ore.) ballpark, the Boise Hawks asked for the move and prompted a vote among short-season Northwest League owners. The owners ultimately voted 7-1 to allow the Bears to move to Hillsboro in 2013 (presumably the Hawks were the only vote against), […]
As Hawks open season, new Boise ballpark still in limbo
As the Boise Hawks (short season A; Northwest League) prepare for the 2012 season, there’s been little talk of a new downtown ballpark, with the future of pro ball in the city on hold. Memorial Stadium is a very basic ballpark in an era where fans and players expect a whole lot more; as Hawks […]
Ballpark bond issue on table in El Paso
The El Paso City Council may ask city voters to approve a massive bond issue that could reach $835 million, including up to $55 million for a new ballpark for a Class AAA Pacific Coast League team. Last night the Council was presented a wish list of projects from groups seeking funding approval. A group […]
T-Pods, Curve go bottoms-up with new beer system
The Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League) are the latest teams to implement the flashy Bottoms Up beer system and promote its use — surprise! — on Thirsty Thursday. We’ve written about this unique beer dispenser before, when we first learned about it and then during […]
Escondido revives ballpark plan for one last pitch
Escondido officials are working to revive a $50-million plan for a new ballpark for the relocating Tucson Padres (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) by wooing foreign investors. The North County Times is reporting the move, which was also recently tried unsuccessfully by Oakland officials to attract capital for a downtown Oakland A’s ballpark. It calls […]
Cubs: We’ll drop Boise affiliation without new ballpark
As Boise discusses a new downtown ballpark, the Chicago Cubs became a player in the ballpark debate by proclaiming the team would walk away from Idaho if a new facility isn’t in the works by September. During a public forum last week Bill Buckner, a resident of Boise now working for the Cubs, said his […]