Historic McBride Stadium, the WPA-era home of the Richmond River Rats (summer collegiate; Prospect League), will need repairs to its press box and other structural elements, according to an engineering firm inspecting the facility. The ballpark, already damaged last summer by high winds, will need more structural repairs, such as either a new support system […]
Tag Archives | wpa
North American League eyes Prescott
Mark Peterson, managing director of Strategic Pathways and former CFO of the Phoenix Coyotes, is in talks to bring an independent North American League team to Prescott’s Ken Lindley Field. The proposal isn’t new — Peterson pitched Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall last summer on his idea to place a team at the classic WPA ballpark […]
Another WPA ballpark to bite the dust
Al Krueger Field, a Perham (Minn.) WPA ballpark that’s hosted Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (independent; American Association) exhibitions, is slated to be torn down because of unsafe conditions. Some background. In 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) launched as an initiative from the Roosevelt Administration to bring financial relief necessitated by the Great Depression. It expanded on […]
Duluth Huskies unveil renovation plan for Wade Stadium
Duluth’s historic WPA-era Wade Stadium would be extensively renovated under a game plan unveiled yesterday by the Duluth Huskies (summer collegiate; Northwoods League). It’s a pretty cool plan, one that keeps the historic nature of the ballpark while upgrading the mechanicals and overhauling fan spaces. For the fans, a new parking-lot-side entry would be added, […]
Waterbury debates Municipal Stadium renovation
Eighty-two-year-old Municipal Stadium would be renovated under a $7-million plan currently under debate by Waterbury (Ct.) Board of Aldermen. The ballpark, formerly home to the Eastern League professional and independent-league baseball teams (including the charmingly named Waterbury Timers), is deteriorating rapidly. Under the plan, the ballpark’s stone facade would be restored, the press box would […]
Vikings stadium debate could help Saints, Huskies — but unlikely to happen
A proposed new St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association) ballpark and a renovation of Duluth’s Wade Stadium could be part of any bonding bill for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium — but the Legislature is unlikely to meet in special session to consider the issue. The state of Minnesota made national headlines with a 20-day […]
Holman Stadium just right for summer-collegiate ball
Nashua’s Holman Stadium, where independent teams struggled in recent years, has a tenant this season managing to draw decent crowds: the summer-collegiate Nashua Silver Knights. True, the Silver Knights are averaging only 749 fans per game — lower than what the pro teams drew but enough to lead the startup Futures Collegiate Baseball League in […]
Eugene: We’re not spending money on Civic Stadium
The Eugene City Council rejected a proposal to spend $200,000 on Civic Stadium, saying tight budgets and the lack of a solid financial plan to save the historic facility make an investment imprudent at this time. The preservationist group Save Civic Stadium, with the support of two councilors, had hoped to secure two $100,000 payments […]
Developer: We’ll move Civic Stadium if that’s what it takes
The developers seeking to put a strip mall and Fred Meyer store at Eugene’s Civic Stadium site say they will pay to move part of the historic WPA-era structure to another site in the city if that’s what it takes to win approval for the development. Steve Master and Peter Powell offered a bid for […]
Eugene residents: Save Civic Stadium
The vast majority of residents testifying before the Eugene City Council last night over the fate of Civic Stadium had an overwhelming message: Don’t let the local school district replace the historic ballpark with a run-of-the-mill Fred Meyer grocery store in a strip mall. The school district, which owns the ballpark site, has been debating […]
Another option emerges for Civic Stadium: strip mall!
A third redevelopment bid for Civic Stadium, the former home of the Eugene Emeralds (short season A; Northwest League), has emerged: a developer is proposing it be torn down in favor of a strip mall, anchored by a Fred Meyer store. The bid came in before the Tuesday deadline, presented to the Eugene School District. […]
Wilson Tobs sold
The Wilson Tobs (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) have been sold to Richard Holland and Greg Suire, the owners of the Thomasville HiToms in the same circuit; James Wolfe is the new GM of the team. All familiar names, to be sure. Wolfe was formerly the general manager of the Forest City Owls (summer collegiate; […]
Fraser Field / North Shore Navigators
Built in 1940, Fraser Field has hosted Eastern League and independent baseball; it’s now home to summer-collegiate ball. FAST FACTS Year Built: 1940 Capacity: 3,804 Dimensions: 320L, 400C, 320R Parking: There is some limited street parking in front of the ballpark, but beware: there are some inconsistent restrictions on parking in the area, and the […]