Council awards
ballpark contracts
Posted July 24, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
Billings City Council made some financial
decisions in awarding the contracts to tear down
Cobb Field,
the home of the Billings Mustangs (rookie; Pioneer
League), and
replace it with a new ballpark on the same site.
The council awarded a construction contract to
Billings-based Langlas & Associates, which
submitted a bid of $11,467,000. City officials
said work will begin immediately on the new
ballpark. The contractor hopes to have
construction well under way by the time the 2007
baseball season wraps up in September. Magnum
Contractors LLC of Boise, Idaho, received the
$198,500 contract to tear down Cobb Field. The
wooden ballpark
will come down after the Billings Mustangs
complete their 2007 season in September. The
council trimmed $564,287 from the project in order
to bring expenses in line with money that's
available; a major change the Mustangs may regret
is the downgrading of the light system. Given that
more and more minor-league games are being
televised, the downgraded light system may be
something the team will regret in the future.
Other items that may be substituted for less
expensive equipment include vandal-resistant
lighting fixtures, cup holders attached to seats
and auto-flush toilets and urinals. Decorative
wrought-iron fencing can be replaced with less
expensive chain-link fencing. However, there's a
chance the scaled-back features may be restored if
Congress approves a $500,000 appropriation for the
ballpark. Sen. Conrad Burns championed the
appropriation before he was voted out of office,
but his replacement has vowed to carry on the
request.
RELATED STORIES:
City looks to cut cost
of ballpark;
Ballpark bids throw curve to officials;
City OKs ballpark bond bids;
Park plans head for home;
City, Mustangs watching ballpark plans;
Old-time ballplayers join groundbreaking for new
Billings ballpark;
Billings ballpark design allows future amenities;
Plan for new baseball park has sunken, realigned
field;
Planning for new Cobb Field gets on fast track;
Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear;
Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark;
Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark;
Join local teams in support for new ballpark;
Three groups, family pledge $200K for maintenance
of new Cobb Field;
New vote on an old park;
Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field;
Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement;
Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign;
Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings
ballpark;
Cobb backers unveil campaign;
Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field;
Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot;
Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field;
Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field;
Funding dominates Cobb discussion;
Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field
of dreams;
Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs;
Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs;
Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure;
Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal;
Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field;
Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate;
Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million;
HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation;
Cobb proposals narrowed to 2;
Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field
Drive bring
back a touch of Spartanburg's baseball past
Posted July 24, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
For
Dixie Pinson, it felt like old times. The Spartanburg Peaches were once again
taking the field, although this time in the form of the Greenville Drive (Low
Class A; Sally League). The Drive honored Spartanburg as part of its Upstate
Community Night series by wearing 1950s-style Peaches jerseys on Monday for
their game against the Savannah Sand Gnats at
West End Field. A silent auction was held for the Peaches jerseys worn by
Drive players and coaches during Monday's game with proceeds going to Friends of
Duncan Park, a nonprofit organization trying to preserve
the historic Spartanburg ballpark.
Recreation Park
drawing more fans
Posted July 24, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Attendance
is up at Recreation Park this season, but so is
the projected cost of improving the home of the
Visalia Oaks (High Class A; California League).
Improvements already in place -- including a new
Hot Corner Lounge and a "dugout suite" along the
third-base line -- have been big hits with fans,
Oaks owner Tom Seidler said. He projects 2007
attendance to top 80,000, more than a 30 percent
increase over that of previous years. Improvements
planned over the next two years -- including a new
grandstand -- should boost attendance even further.
Seattle fans
can take DS out to the ballgame
Posted July 24, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
We
covered this when it was first announced; here's
an account of how the system works in real life.
The Seattle Mariners introduced a wireless
electronic system to
Safeco Field allowing fans to order
concessions via a handheld Nintendo DS Lite. (The
Mariners are partly owned by Nintendo.) The
available concessions are limited -- no Ivar's
clam chowder, no Ichirolls -- but there are other
benefits, including instant-replay video and
games. Apparently you can also play non-baseball
games against other DS Lite users within the
ballpark; whether or not this is good news for
baseball remains to be seen.
Chiefs are
ready with red hots
Posted July 24, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Tonight
should be an epic event at
O'Brien Field,
the home of the Peoria Chiefs (Low Class A;
Midwest League): In addition to the regularly
scheduled free all-you-can-eat hot-dog and popcorn
night, two special guests will be on hand. Former
Cubs great Ernie Banks will be signing a limited
number of autographs, while pitcher Kerry Wood is
slated to throw in a rehab appearance. The Chiefs
are laying in a supply of 12,000 red hots; that
probably won't be enough.
Drillers coach
Coolbaugh killed after being struck by line drive
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Tulsa
Drillers (Class AA; Texas League) hitting
instructor and first-base coach Mike Coolbaugh
died Sunday night after a foul line drive struck
him in the head in the top of the ninth inning
during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at
Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock,
Ark. Coolbaugh, 35, was struck in the left temple
by a hard-hit line drive from Tulsa's Tino Sanchez
and immediately fell backward. Coolbaugh
reportedly lost consciousness and stopped
breathing. He was administered CPR on the field
and was taken by ambulance to Baptist Medical
Center in North Little Rock where he was
pronounced dead at 9:47 p.m., said Terry
Kuykendall, a spokesman for the North Little Rock
police department. The game was suspended at that
point. Coolbaugh had joined the Drillers staff on
July 3; he played 44 games in the majors, and a
broken wrist ended his playing career last season.
More from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
UPDATE 1: The Drillers have issued a press
release about the tragedy. "The entire
Drillers family is devastated by last night's
terrible tragedy," said team President Chuck
Lamson. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the
entire Coolbaugh family, but especially to his
wife Mandy and sons Joseph and Jacob.
"The Coolbaughs have been a big part of our organization,
with both Mike and his brother Scott playing for
us. I know that Mike was very excited to become a
coach and to begin this new chapter in his
baseball career. Even in his short stint with us
this year, he had provided a very positive
influence on our club. We also want to ask that
everyone please respect the team’s privacy at this
difficult and trying time."
Lamson also announced that the Drillers and Spirit Bank have
set up a memorial fund to benefit the Coolbaugh
family. Checks can be made payable to the Mike
Coolbaugh Memorial Fund and sent to:
Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund
c/o Spirit Bank
1800 S. Baltimore Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
Donations can also be made in person at any Tulsa area Spirit
Bank location. All proceeds collected will go
directly to the Coolbaugh family. Spirit Bank
began the fund with a $5,000 donation.
UPDATE 2: The Drillers and parent team
Colorado Rockies announced Monday evening that the
Drillers will resume their regular-season schedule
on Tuesday, July 24 in Wichita. "After consulting
with the Coolbaugh family, we have decided to get
back on the field as quickly as possible," said
Colorado Rockies Player Development Director Marc
Gustafson. "We feel it is the best way for the
team to start the healing process."
The Texas League, after encouragement from both the Rockies
and the Drillers, has decided to not continue
Sunday evening’s game that was postponed in Little
Rock when Coolbaugh was struck with a line drive.
The Drillers were batting in the top of the ninth
inning and were trailing the Arkansas Travelers
7-3. It will now be declared a final.
"I feel that it is in the best interest of all the players
and staffs on both clubs to declare the contest an
official and completed game," said Texas League
President Tom Kayser.
Yankee
Stadium cost up, mayors blamed: study
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
New York Yankees will get taxpayer subsidies worth $217 million more than first
estimated for a new ballpark, a civic
group said on Friday, blaming ex-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Mayor Michael
Bloomberg for the ballooning cost. City, state and federal taxpayers will pay
$663 million in today's dollars for development surrounding the new ballpark in
the Bronx, according to Good Jobs New York, a nonpartisan group. That is $217
million more than its April 2006 estimate. Some $69 million of this rise stems
from a decision by the city's Independent Budget Office to hike its estimate of
how much tax revenue the city, state and federal government lost by letting the
Yankees sell tax-free bonds. Some of the increased costs, however, were hailed
by the group as progressive: for instance, the increased costs include a new
Metro North train station that will encourage mass transit to the ballpark and
to the area -- the train station probably would not have been built without the
ballpark, but in the end the area will benefit from it. Much of this is misleading, however:
the Yankees are actually paying for the ballpark itself, while the city is
paying for infrastructure improvements and the cost of borrowing money.
RELATED STORIES:
Yankees, Mets won't
sell seat licenses; ballpark funds in place;
Whole new ballgame;
Willets Point's last man standing defiantly;
Naming rights are all about the money;
Boro buzzes with talk of new Mets ballpark;
Mets break ground on new ballpark;
New Mets ballpark to be called CitiField;
Yankees, Mets bond sales set, both teams rated
junk;
Bronx group goes to court vs. new Yankee Stadium;
New York City receives IRS approval on ballpark
bonds;
New York Agency approves ballpark financing for
Yankees, Mets;
MTA pressed to create shortcut to Shea;
Is Steinbrenner house, which Ruth built, poor?;
NY City Council easily passes Yankees, Mets
ballpark bonding bills;
Squeeze play on Mets ballpark;
Mets: Forget about naming new park after Jackie
Robinson;
New Mets ballpark deal is stalled;
Squeeze play on the Mets;
Strike one for new Mets ballpark;
Mets park's name will fetch millions;
Mets unveil plans for new ballpark;
Yankees, Mets closer to new ballparks;
City goes to bat for Yankees, Mets ballparks;
State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets
ballparks;
Ebbets' echoes in Queens;
At Mets' park, you'll think you're
in...Pittsburgh?;
State agency approves plans for Yankees, Mets
ballparks;
Mets to go old school in new park
Council
to review Billings ballpark bid
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Construction
on the new $12.5-million Billings Mustangs
(rookie; Pioneer League) downtown ballpark could start as soon as this week
if the City Council decides to award a construction contract during tonight's
council meeting. On July 10, the city opened three bids for building the new
ballpark and two bids for demolishing
Cobb Field.
Langlas & Associates of Billings submitted a bid of $11,467,000. That was the
lowest of the three bids submitted, but the city still has to reduce ballpark
costs by $564,287 in order to balance the budget. The cut list includes using
less expensive lighting fixtures, reducing the height of buildings included with
the ballpark, cutting back on landscaping and using less expensive building
materials. (More
on the proposed cuts here.) A proposal to eliminate cup holders from seats would save about
$5,600. Speaking of
Cobb Field:
here's a history of the grand old ballpark.
RELATED STORIES:
City looks to cut cost
of ballpark;
Ballpark bids throw curve to officials;
City OKs ballpark bond bids;
Park plans head for home;
City, Mustangs watching ballpark plans;
Old-time ballplayers join groundbreaking for new
Billings ballpark;
Billings ballpark design allows future amenities;
Plan for new baseball park has sunken, realigned
field;
Planning for new Cobb Field gets on fast track;
Cobb Field planning kicks into high gear;
Billings voters approve new Mustangs ballpark;
Donors pitch $210K more toward new ballpark;
Join local teams in support for new ballpark;
Three groups, family pledge $200K for maintenance
of new Cobb Field;
New vote on an old park;
Two more pitch in on new Cobb Field;
Musburger urges support for Cobb Field replacement;
Baseball fan boosts Billings ballpark campaign;
Gaming operator donates $1 million toward Billings
ballpark;
Cobb backers unveil campaign;
Lots to learn about new plan for Cobb Field;
Bond issue for Cobb Field replacement on ballot;
Burns backs federal aid for Cobb Field;
Potential gift could pare price of Cobb Field;
Funding dominates Cobb discussion;
Billings needs ballpark to be proud of, not field
of dreams;
Panel details ways to cut Billings ballpark costs;
Cobb Field panel pursues closer look at costs;
Billings panel asks for Cobb Field tax measure;
Forums planned on Cobb Field proposal;
Poll finds support for bonds for Cobb Field;
Council vote sets stage for Cobb debate;
Cobb Field replacement could cost $12 million;
HNTB selected for Cobb Field renovation;
Cobb proposals narrowed to 2;
Six proposals vie to study Cobb Field
Reds official sizes up Sarasota
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
A
top Cincinnati Reds official was in Sarasota last
week trying to figure out the next steps in what
appears to be an uphill effort to save the
$45-million spring-training deal. Cincinnati Reds
chief operating officer John Allen met with
business and community leaders and elected
officials to talk about the ballpark deal. Allen
said the team would hire a local firm to conduct
focus groups to determine residents' attitudes
toward the team and the proposed overhaul of
Sarasota's spring training complex. The original
plan has been scaled down from a new ballpark and
complex to a renovation of
Ed
Smith Stadium.
RELATED STORIES:
Replacement for Dodgers in Vero may be near;
Sarasota approves Ed Smith project vote;
Ballpark issues in Sarasota;
Reds spring ballpark plan hinges on 3 votes;
Significantly scaled-back plan is weighed for
Reds' spring home;
Why Sarasota may spurn baseball;
What is spring training worth to Vero Beach?;
Reds: We're interested in Vero Beach;
New Reds spring-complex deal on life support;
Delaying puts Reds spring complex in jeopardy;
Task force confident in Reds ballpark deal;
Finance plan for Reds spring-training facility in
place -- maybe;
Looking at a Plan B for new Reds spring complex;
Sarasota looking to cut spring-training complex
cost;
Fair officials respond with new spring-training
plan;
New Reds training facility in some doubt;
Florida finalizes five spring-training grants;
Pirates to get 30-year lease, lights at McKechnie
Field;
Florida makes preliminary decision on state
spring-training grants;
Bush signs bill funding spring-training complexes;
Reds sign 30-year lease to train in Sarasota;
Sarasota, county OK Reds ballpark pact;
Deal for new Reds spring-training facility close;
Sarasota ballpark hopes for home run;
Sarasota sends ballpark pacts to state;
Sarasota County agrees to tax increase to fund new
Reds spring facility;
County tees up for baseball hearing;
Sarasota ballpark plan stirs resistance;
Now the real hard part begins on new Reds ballpark;
For new Reds ballpark, cash crisis on deck;
Reds swing and miss;
New Reds' spring-training ballpark still $16M
short;
Price for new Reds training facility: $54 million
to $62 million;
Spring training ballpark, tourism compete for
Sarasota bed tax revenue;
Plan for a new Reds spring-training complex in
Sarasota move forward;
Details emerge on Sarasota County, city plan for
stadium, event center, ballfields;
Sarasota eyes ambitious plan to convert arena site
to keep Reds;
Reds, Pirates team up to seek better facilities
Charlotte OKs
design for major overhaul of Devil Rays facility
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
Tampa Bay Devil Rays' new spring-training facility
in Charlotte County will incorporate many of the
hottest new trends in stadium design, giving the
team and fans one of the top facilities in the
state. Plans for the $27-million ballpark
renovation feature a children's play area known as
the "Kid Zone" and a tiki bar in center field. The
two areas will be linked by a circular boardwalk
that allows fans to walk around the entire
complex. Other features -- including an "autograph
alley," a team store and individual seating -- are
all part of a fan-friendly design for the El
Jobean Road facility that team officials say will
enhance the spring-training experience. The Texas
Rangers formerly trained in Charlotte Sports Park;
the D-Rays expect to begin training there in 2009
and will likely move a High Class A Florida State
League team there as well.
Phillies' old
spring training home demolished
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Jack
Russell Stadium,
the Philadelphia Phillies' longtime
spring-training home and the former regular-season
home of the Clearwater Phillies (High Class A;
Florida State League), was demolished Saturday.
The Phillies played exhibition games at the quirky
ballpark from 1955-2003 before moving into
Bright House Networks Field. The destruction
of the stadium's main structure took almost 4
hours.
With
the demolition, we've removed Jack Russell Stadium
from our Endangered
Ballparks listings.
RELATED STORIES:
Memories linger at Jack Russell Stadium
Backers:
Minor-league franchise and ballpark on deck
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
A
group of Waterford businessmen say they are weeks
away from completing groundwork to bring an
independent Frontier League franchise and a
brand-new $10-million ballpark to Oakland County
in suburban Detroit. Long discussed about as a
potential solution for redeveloping the aging
Summit Place Mall area in Waterford Township,
Baseball Heroes of Oakland County LP says
professional baseball is a reality here, and
they'll be playing ball at Telegraph and Elizabeth
Lake roads by 2009. The new team will play in a
4,000-seat stadium, for now dubbed Diamond at the
Summit, which will offer eight corporate suites,
ticket prices ranging from $5-$10 and picnic areas
down both foul lines. The enthusiasm is admirable,
but there's an awful lot of work to be done in
terms of acquiring land and arranging financing.
Fremont council
to hear A's 'ballpark village' plans
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Facing
criticism from a former Fremont mayor about the
lack of public information on a proposed new
Oakland A's ballpark and adjoining "ballpark
village," A's owner Lew Wolff and his son Keith
are scheduled to preview their long-awaited
development plan Tuesday night at a Fremont
council meeting. In comments to reporters and a
recent e-mail to the City Council, former Mayor
Gus Morrison, who served on the council for a
quarter-century, accused Wolff of engaging in "an
active public relations campaign to sell the
project to the community" without actually
submitting a development plan the community could
evaluate. We don't think the criticism will derail
the plan, but we expect Fremont officials to give
it much, much more scrutiny.
RELATED STORIES:
Ex-mayor: Ballpark still makes no sense;
A's ready to make noise and not just ballpark
construction;
A's ballpark vision takes shape;
Wolff takes hands-on approach to A's Fremont
ballpark;
A's Wolff sees new ballpark as super site;
A's sign contracts for land in Fremont to build
new ballpark;
Entitlements key in funding Cisco Field;
Study: A's ballpark worth $109 million to economy;
Toxic hazard
creates bump in road to new A's ballpark;
A's tout Cisco Field in ticket mailer;
Will global warming swamp AT&T Park, new A's
ballpark?;
A's owner not sweating lack of BART at Fremont
ballpark site;
A's owner raises more questions than answers;
Wolff seeks tax rebate for new ballpark village;
Oakland A's owner buys office park near proposed
Fremont ballpark;
Fremont, A's continue talks for new ballpark;
If Selig's coming, A's must be going;
Wolff ready to go public on ballpark;
Cisco blending tech and baseball;
Records show evolving talks between A's, Fremont;
Are the A's worth it to Fremont's neighbors?;
More meetings with A's slated after new year;
Fremont kicks off negotiations with the A's;
A's detail Fremont
plans down to the letter;
San Jose still ponders illusory ballpark;
Transit teams try to solve Cisco Field
'challenges';
A's Fremont ballpark must field host of hurdles;
A's plan $400 million to $500 million ballpark
village in Fremont;
New A's ballpark would boast heavy Cisco tech;
The next big thing: the San Jose A's?;
A's ready to pull trigger on new Fremont ballpark;
Oakland City Council grants A's extension;
A's could move away;
A's owner Wolff buys prospective ballpark land in
Fremont;
Fremont looking more and more like future home of
Oakland A's;
A's not ready to slide out of Oakland yet;
A's pass on longer lease for McAfee Coliseum;
Owner gives up on moving A's to San Jose;
A's to decide ballpark fate by end of season;
Fremont's attempt to lure A's running into
obstacles;
'Let's plan for A's move,' Coliseum agency told;
San Jose voters jeer ballpark plan;
Wolff wants to keep A's in Bay Area;
A's, Fremont near deal;
A's must stay, Oakland mayor candidates say;
A's close to deal for Fremont ballpark, officials
say;
Rumors trail A's search for new ballpark;
A's owner in Fremont for meetings;
Wolff says there's land for new A's ballpark in
Fremont;
A's officials confirm interest in new Fremont
ballpark;
A's take long look at Fremont ballpark site;
The San Jose A's of Fremont?;
San Jose will buy land for A's ballpark;
Will smaller mean better for the A's?;
A's committed to intimate 34,000 park in '06;
A's owner's new plan for ballpark;
Talks for new A's ballpark sputter;
Soccer stadium throws curve at San Jose baseball
plan;
A's ownership group wants to buy MLS expansion
team for San Jose;
Athletics denied 3-year Coliseum lease extension;
A's ballpark: 'Baseball Village' in the vision
stage;
Planning ahead to get A's to San Jose;
San Jose buys first parcel of land for ballpark;
Land acquisition for San Jose ballpark may cost
$100 million;
San Jose goes to bat for ballpark property;
Fremont will consider a pitch for A's;
Wolff on the hunt for more A's fans, new ballpark;
Oakland ballpark village plan designed to win
allies, public funds;
Wolff's vision of ballpark raises questions;
Wolff unveils plans for 35,000-seat ballpark near
Coliseum;
A's owner to offer specific ballpark plan to keep
team in Oakland;
Have A's settled on new ballpark site?;
Smallball suits Lew Wolff just fine;
A's think small with stadium plans;
Fremont politicians make a pitch for A's;
A's say Coliseum lot isn't feasible;
Athletics announce committee
to plan new Oakland ballpark;
Another San Jose site eyed
for baseball;
The time has come for new
A's ballpark;
No specifics on new Oakland
ballpark, but plans in the works;
San Jose quits discussions
on cannery;
Wolff about to take over;
Going to bat for A's is big
opportunity for San Jose mayor;
Wolff: A's ballpark already
in works;
Deal near for San Jose
cannery site;
For A's, way to San Jose
paved with uncertainty;
San Jose baseball crusader
makes his pitch;
A's sale could happen
quickly;
Sale of A's to heighten San
Jose intrigue;
BART to the ballpark, what a
vision;
Another San Jose pitch for
baseball;
San Jose mayor makes his
pitch;
Q&A with A's new owner Lew
Wolff
City paying
more than developers for Harrison Square
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
city of Fort Wayne will pay more for Harrison
Square than developers of the $120.4-million
downtown project, which includes a new ballpark
for the Fort Wayne Wizards (Low Class A; Midwest
League). New figures compiled by Controller
Pat Roller showed public support for the project
now is $64.3 million. That includes funding from a
tax increment financing district and the county
economic development income tax, and some downtown
economic development revenue sources. Private
spending on the project will be $56.1 million. The
city now is responsible for more than 53 percent
of the total cost. Estimates released in April
showed the city paying about 49 percent of the
mixed-use development. The new ballpark will cost
$30 million, with the Wizards owners paying $5
million. There have already been some cost
overruns -- in response to heavy demand, four more
luxury suites have been added.
RELATED STORIES:
City pressed for more details on Harrison Square;
Hardball unveils more ballpark details;
A home run for downtown;
City ready to deal with developers;
6-3 vote favors new Wizards ballpark;
City offers details of Harrison Square deal;
Fort Wayne ballpark deal needs more private money;
Ballpark deadline looming in Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne City Council divided on downtown
ballpark;
Cheaper seats offered for new Fort Wayne ballpark;
Wizards' owner
steps up to bat for Harrison Square;
'A few more pros than cons';
Downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark: pro and con;
Developer
submits proposal for downtown Fort Wayne hotel;
Fort Wayne ballpark just a start in renewal
endeavor;
Ballpark's future subject to study;
Poll backs downtown development, not new ballpark;
Some on council aren't buying Fort Wayne ballpark
plan;
Ballpark's future is far from certain;
Building the public square;
Mayor calls ballpark plan opportunity of lifetime;
Fort Wayne unveils ballpark plans;
Top of the ninth in Fort Wayne;
Poll: Tax-funded downtown Fort Wayne ballpark is
unpopular;
Wizards set 2008 ballpark goal;
Enjoy downtown for what it is, not what you
remember;
Downtown Fort Wayne needs a full plan, including a
ballpark;
Playing ball downtown;
We need to build ballpark downtown;
Study supports downtown Fort Wayne ballpark;
Can downtown Fort Wayne ballpark be a boon?;
Learning by example from Dayton;
Fort Wayne looks at improvements to Memorial
Stadium;
A new(er) ballpark in Fort Wayne?;
Ballpark panel sees one diamond in future;
New owners bring fresh ideas to Fort Wayne;
Fort Wayne's baseball future may be downtown;
A new downtown castle?;
Memorial Stadium far from obsolete;
Fort Wayne Wizards sold;
Fort Wayne ballpark has 50 years of usability
left, says architect;
Debate begins on proposed downtown Fort Wayne
ballpark
Threat suspends
Mud Hens- Richmond game
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
In
the top of the sixth inning yesterday with the Mud
Hens leading Richmond 6-0 in Class AAA
International League play, fans and players were
evacuated from The Diamond after stadium workers
received a bomb threat. The stadium and parking
lot areas were searched, but no bomb was found,
authorities said. At 4:07 p.m., the fifth inning
was completed and Braves players had taken the
field to begin the sixth when the order was given
to evacuate.
Looking to
residents to step up to the plate
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
A
group that has worked for several years to build a
minor-league ballpark in Boston is now considering
a site in Charlestown on land controlled by Bunker
Hill Community College, even though the school's
board of trustees has already voted against the
proposal. The group, Boston Baseball Field of
Dreams, made its pitch for a 6,000-seat,
$50-million ballpark for either an independent
Atlantic League or Can-Am Association team at a
public meeting in Charlestown last Wednesday.
Going directly to residents after the college
rejects the idea probably won't work. We're also a
little curious as to how an Can-Am Association
team would generate enough revenue to justify a
$50-million ballpark.
More from the Boston Herald.
At Lakewood,
glimpse of IronPigs?
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
Allentown Morning Call continues its tour of area
ballparks, looking at FirstEnergy Park, home of
the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League)
and liking the experience: "The 7-year-old
FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, N.J., is major in
every way. There are tiered picnic areas up both
foul lines; a 360-degree concourse that takes you
by two grass seating berms in the outfield; two
more picnic areas in center field; a towering
scoreboard with a giant-screen TV; and two play
parks to entertain kids for hours. There also are
five oversized lifeguard chairs big enough to seat
three comfortably. All this is for a single-A
ballclub." The conclusion is that Joe Finley and
Craig Stein have done a great job in Lakewood;
they can be expected to do the same with the
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International
League) next season. In that same series the
Morning Call takes in a game at
Lackawanna County Stadium, home of the
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (Class AAA;
International League) and
Commerce Bank Park, home of the Harrisburg
Senators (Class AA; Eastern League).
Governments
push developers to go green
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Going
green is the biggest trend in sports facilities these days. The Washington
Nationals are going for LEED certification for their new ballpark, and while the
Minnesota Twins have scaled back their intent to go for LEED certification, they
still should end up with a very green facility.
Wreck the old
park; praise the new one
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Drew
Sharp argues that Tiger Stadium is a dilapidated
mess and should be torn down: "I don't care that
Babe Ruth once walked those hallowed grounds more
than 80 years ago. It's time to move on. As long
as Tiger Stadium still stands,
Comerica Park
will never be fully embraced as the Tigers' home.
It'll just be considered a second residence."
Perhaps that's true, but forcing folks to embrace
a new ballpark usually doesn't lead to business
success -- and we're guessing this is one reason
why Tigers fans were so slow to embrace the new
ballpark.
Shawn Windsor agrees that Comerica Park is a
better venue than Tiger Stadium. The debate
over the future of historic Tiger Stadium spills
onto the pages of the Free Press, where reporters
debate how good the ballpark really is (their
conclusion is that it could be better;
the Freep asked our opinion, and our conclusion
was that it's a middling ballpark). One
important reason to keep Tiger Stadium:
it served as a gathering place during racial riots
in the 1960s -- riots that almost tore Detoit
apart.
More on the battle over the future of Tiger
Stadium.
Tiger
Stadium is a prominent member of our Endangered
Ballparks listings.
RELATED STORIES:
Detroit City Council delays action on Tiger
Stadium demolition;
City: Revisit Tiger Stadium plans;
Today's video: The final days of Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium plan hits a snag;
Tiger Stadium's fate divisive;
Tiger Stadium: Up for auction?;
Tiger Stadium outta here by '08;
Time running out for Tiger Stadium;
Dave Wright: Time to let Tiger Stadium go;
Razing memories of 95-year-old Tiger
Stadium before demolition work begins;
Final farewell planned for Tiger Stadium;
Old house is hard to forget;
Once a baseball cathedral, Tiger Stadium now sits
in disrepair;
Memories of Tiger Stadium;
Tiger Stadium demolition delayed;
Progress is in the ballpark;
Developers didn't stand a chance with Tiger
Stadium;
Artifacts from Tiger Stadium to be auctioned off
under city plan;
Tiger Stadium to be razed: condos, retail to be
built on historic site;
Detroit should sell Tiger Stadium as is;
Historical marker at Tiger Stadium stolen;
Tiger Stadium would make fine vacation destination;
8 innings of words get us no closer to a Tiger
Stadium fix;
Documentary makes case for saving Tiger Stadium;
Plenty of options for Tiger Stadium;
Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick wants Tiger Stadium razed;
Hope fades for Tiger Stadium;
Detroit ignores calls to save Tiger Stadium;
Save Tiger Stadium as scaled-down ballpark;
City should tear down Tiger Stadium;
Is it the final out for Tiger Stadium?
Wall of fame:
Fans flock to where Aaron hit No. 715
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
For
a decade, baseball fans, especially
out-of-towners, have brought their cameras and
respect to the Atlanta marker where Hank Aaron
broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. This
summer, that trek captured the end of an era, as
Barry Bonds chased Aaron's star. It's an easy
stroll before a ballgame at
Turner Field
to the chunk of fence and wall from old
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium where Aaron blasted
his famous homer back in 1974. In fact, if you
arrive early enough, there's a good chance you
could end up parking close to the old
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium infield diamond,
with the outfield fence in close proximity.
Dodgers working
to improve their traffic game
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
When
the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled their new parking
system at the beginning of the season, we
predicted it would be a disaster. Apparently it
has been, so the Dodgers are taking some steps to
clean up the postgame gridlock. The biggest step
has been setting up a Transportation Center with
the aid of KFWB-AM (980), the California
Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles
Police Department. Traffic information will be
transmitted to drivers via KFWB and Dodger
Radio-AM (1610) every 10 minutes around game time.
To aid the effort, a significant number of cameras
have been installed to monitor all 255 acres of
the stadium's parking lots. This is a band-aid
solution; the better answer is to go back to the
old way of parking at
Dodger Stadium.
Xanadu signs
first tenants; no progress on ballpark
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
developers of the Meadowlands Xanadu complex ended
eight months of public silence Thursday by
unveiling several new attractions and additional
details about the $2 billion project. The most
pertinent detail for baseball fans: there's no
work being done on a new ballpark for the Bergen
Cliff Hawks (independent; Atlantic League), though
developers say they are definitely planning a
6,000-seat ballpark somewhere down the line.
Ballpark gets
mixed reviews for group accommodations
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
When
York City's Sovereign Bank Stadium was just a plan
on paper, supporters said the project would create
not only a site for family entertainment, but a
place where businesses and organizations could
hold their get-togethers and employee picnics. Now
that the ballpark is open, businesses and
organizations have been buying baseball tickets by
the dozen. But groups who have visited the
unfinished stadium have given mixed reviews; while
some have raved about the wonderful time they had,
one group representative said more than 70 members
of his organization didn't get the good time
they'd been expecting. Despite some problems,
work continues to proceed on the ballpark;
we'll be out there in August.
Diehard Expos
fans wax nostalgic
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
Ottawa Lynx's Tribute to the Expos day yesterday
brought out the diehards with their cherished
powder-blue paraphernalia one more time, for one
more goodbye, and the biggest crowd of the season
at Lynx Stadium. The irony, of course, was that
the fans wore their tri-colored caps in a city
whose own team also seems doomed to leave for
greener pastures. We used to love going to Expos
games at
Olympic Stadium; baseball is diminished
without a team of any sort in Montreal.
Quincy's
baseball treasure
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Here's
a look at QU Stadium, home of the Quincy Gems
(summer collegiate; CICL). With lime stone lining
the exterior and outfield walls, the ballpark
shows off its blue collar heritage. In addition,
the ballpark has become and identity for great
baseball. "It's amazing. Hank Bauer, Bruce Suter,
Tony Kubeck, Whitey Herzog, Kirby Puckett. You got
hall of fame guys who have played here in Quinc,"
said Quincy Herald-Whig sports writer Matt
Schuckman.
Money men
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Jon
Heyman of si.com ranks the best and worst owners
in baseball. We all know a column like this is
supposed to generate controversy and (presumably)
page views, but there's also a lot of B.S.
connected to this kind of rant. Ranking Detroit's
Mike Ilitch as the third-best owner in baseball in
laughable, and ranking Minnesota's Carl Pohlad as
the third-worst owner is even more laughable.
Look, we know Carl is tight with a dollar, but as
far as fans are concerned the Twins have been one
of the best teams to follow for the last five or
six years. One year of winning doesn't make Mike
Ilitch a great owner, and his utter contempt for
the future of Tiger Stadium should immediately
take him off the list.
Ground broken
for new Yankee Stadium train stop
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Baseball
fans in the suburbs should be able to ditch their
cars and take the Metro-North Railroad directly to
the new
Yankee Stadium by mid-2009, officials said.
State and city politicians grabbed ceremonial
shovels Friday to perform the official
groundbreaking for a $91 million Metro-North
station to be built at the new stadium in the
Bronx. It is expected to be ready about two months
after the Yankees move to their new home.
Man builds
ballpark to give back to community
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Stan
Keim decided his local Sabetha (Kan.) Legion team
needed a better home, so he stepped up and built
Somerset Park, complete with its expansive brick
walls, cozy setting and big-time look could easily
be considered northeast Kansas' version of
baseball heaven. Sabetha had a ballpark, one that
was functional and has served its purpose and
inhabitants well. Keim grew up playing on the
field, as did others in the community well before
him and well after. But at the same time, Keim
felt the city needed -- and deserved -- something
better.
A swing and a
hiss
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
Before
a Mets-Yankees game at Shea Stadium in May, ESPN’s
cameras caught a moment that quickly became
a YouTube classic. As a groundskeeper unrolled
a tarp, a black kitten with white paws that had
been hiding inside was flung into the air. Landing
spread-eagled but on its feet, the cat froze for a
moment, then bolted. Both cat and groundskeeper
looked slightly freaked out. While that particular
incidence was funny, there's a more serious issue
at play: between 20 and 40 feral cats live in
Shea
Stadium, and some animal activists are
wondering what will become of them once the
ballpark demolition begins. We expect many to set
up shop in
Citi
Field.
Legion ball
birthplace maintaining its tradition
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
northeastern South Dakota town of Milbank --
population 3,640 -- is regarded as the birthplace
of American Legion baseball in 1925. It says so on
road signs at the edge of town and on the granite
monument on the corner of "Unity Square." The city
office building, across the street from the aptly
named Legion Field, features a display case with
mementos of the town's baseball tradition. Legion
baseball is played by high school-aged kids in all
50 states. Many of the game's biggest names --
Yogi Berra, Frank Robinson, Ted Williams, Johnny
Bench, Roger Clemens and Albert Pujols -- all
graduated from Legion programs.
Ballpark Notes
Posted July 23, 2007 (feedback)
(submit
story)
(discuss)
The
Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International
League) set an unofficial Guinness Book of
World Records mark for largest number of
people simultaneously donning Groucho Marx
glasses, as 2,513 fans signed the roll denoting
participation in the mass wearing of the specs at
the end of the fifth inning of Saturday’s game
between the Braves and Toledo Mud Hens at The
Diamond. The current record of 1,463 people wore
the glasses at the Goreham, Maine Family Festival
on July 30, 2006. According to the Guinness Record
Book, participating fans had to wear the glasses
for a minimum of 10 minutes. The Braves will now
submit signatures of participants, video and
photos of the event, and notarized witness
statements to Guinness for verification of the
record....Super Splash Day was a huge
success in beating the afternoon heat, but the
Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low Class A; Sally
League) announced that their Guinness World
Record attempt fell short. Following a day
game last Monday, the Grasshoppers attempted to
break the Guinness World Record for the Largest
Squirt Gun Fight, inviting players, staff and fans
alike to take part in the action. The current
record of 1,173 participants was set on April
28th, 2005 at Loyola Marymount University in Los
Angeles, California....The Amarillo Dillas
(independent; United League Baseball) announced
that the game broadcasts of Dillas baseball will
now be streamed across the World Wide Web. Audio
Sports Online will simulcast the broadcast of 1010
AM The Canyon onto their website, which can be
accessed for free....Major League Baseball
drew 639,628 fans to Saturday's 16 games, the
second largest single-day attendance total in its
history, according to research. The record for
attendance for a single day was established on
July 3, 1999, when 640,412 fans attended 17
games....Former St. Louis Brown Rollie Stiles,
believed to be the oldest former major leaguer,
passed away in his sleep yesterday. He was 100. He
once pitched against the likes of Babe Ruth....