LaGrave Field, Fort Worth
Cats
It is one of the most unique facilities in pro
ball: LaGrave Field, the home of the Fort Worth
Cats (independent; American Association), sits
where the original LaGrave Field sat from 1926
through 1967. The dimensions are the same as in
the original facility, home plate sits in the same
place, and the dugouts of the old ballpark have
been converted to dugout suites. And, being Texas,
there's a hitching rail beyond the outfield for
folks riding to the games on horseback.
Doug Kingsmore Stadium,
Clemson Tigers
Before its thorough makeover and renaming in 2003,
“Beautiful Tiger Field” described the home of the
Clemson Tigers. Not surprising, and not an
overstated moniker. While the ballpark and other
athletic facilities are closely connected to the
western edge of campus, the grandstand view
features an appealing pastoral feel, and although
the ballpark is now named for Tigers alum and
contributor Doug Kingsmore, it's still a beautiful
field.
QuikTrip Park at Grand
Prairie, Grand Prairie AirHogs
The aviation theme is strong
at QuikTrip Park at Grand Prairie, the new home of
the Grand Prairie AirHogs (independent; American
Association), but it's not overwhelming and
gimmicky. We were there opening night: it's an
impressive facility that raises the bar for indy
facilities and should allow the team to be
competitive in the increasingly crowded
Dallas-Fort Worth market.
Obligatory legal information:
This site is copyright 1998-2008 Kevin Reichard/August
Publications. All rights
reserved. My wife is a lawyer, so she will come and chop off
your hand in a legal fashion if you rip off this site
in any form. All logos are the property of their respective
owners.
Broadcasts
Virtually every MiLB team now streams broadcasts over the
Internet, which makes it easy to follow your favorite team when
you're on the road. In addition, you can catch MLB game broadcasts at
MLB.com or via XM Radio.
More
on Internet radio and TV broadcasts here!
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 19, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss) Stewart
Sports Group has announced it has retained three new clients to its
Six-Week Surge program. The Stewart Sports Group Six-Week Surge program
provides their clients the benefit of having trained executives with a focused
calling program that focuses on select ticket packages to boost ticket sales
in-season. The new additions to the growing sports marketing agency include the
Everett AquaSox (short season; Northwest League), Lancaster JetHawks
(High Class A; California League) and the Lake County Captains (Low
Class A; Sally League)....The St. Louis Cardinals renamed the street in
front of Busch StadiumStan Musial Drive....Peter Magowan
has retired as managing general partner of the San Francisco Giants. Of
course, the construction and financing of AT&T Park has to be considered
to be his greatest achievement....
Local group
steps forward in Richmond
Posted May 15, 2008 (feedback)
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A
local group has stepped forward to express
interest in owning a team in Richmond, Va., after
the Richmond Braves (Class AAA: International
League) alight for Georgia's Gwinnett County at
the end of the season. The group is led by Brian
Bostic, who has a fairly impressive lineage: his
grandfather, Ed Phillips, help bring in the
Richmond Virginians in the 1950s. Bostic met with
MiLB officials during a recent visit and
reiterated he and his group were ready to move
forward on team ownership and work for a downtown
ballpark. The group does lack a big assets -- a
team -- and knows they may need to settle for a
Class AA team, as no Class AAA International
League teams are on the market. Not having a team
is a big deal, obviously.
MiLB issued a statement that, quite honestly, doesn't say a
whole lot, but does seem to verify the future of
Richmond is now tied to Class AA ball: "With the
anticipated relocation of the Richmond Braves to
Gwinnett County, Georgia, it was important to
begin a preliminary dialogue with the leadership
of the region so that an appropriate succession
plan would be in place when the Braves and the
International League relinquish the territory.
"We felt it was a productive preliminary session for our
organization and were encouraged by the interest
shown by those with whom we met. We anticipate
more talks in the weeks and months ahead as we
explore the possibilities for keeping professional
baseball in the Richmond area.
"Our great game has a long history in the region and we are
very interested in maintaining that into the
future.
"While our meetings were very preliminary in nature, this
week was a good start for all of us. Further
information will be made available when conditions
dictate." RELATED STORIES:
MiLB officials venture to Richmond
Today's video:
San Angelo Colts commercial spot
Posted May 15, 2008 (feedback)
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This
commercial highlights the opening of the season
for the San Angelo Colts (independent; United
League Baseball). It's not flashy, but it does the
job, and the cracking picture tube is a nice
touch. We'll be showing videos daily for the next
several days, including two from the Clearwater
Threshers (High Class A; Florida State League) and
the Tri-City ValleyCats
(short season; NY-Penn League). We'd love to share
your video with the baseball community, you can
send them
directly to us at
editors@augustpublications.com.
PBUC signs deal
to assign umps to Coastal Plain League
Posted May 15, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Professional Baseball Umpire Corp. (PBUC) has entered into a working agreement
to provide its reserve umpires to the summer-collegiate Coastal Plain League.
The agreement allows reserve list umpires to continue to develop their skills in
a competitive environment, while waiting for the call from PBUC to work Minor
League Baseball games.
"This is the first of its kind agreement and we are pleased
to be working with the CPL in this
capacity," said PBUC Executive Director Justin Klemm. "Future PBUC umpires will
benefit
greatly from gaining valuable experience in a Minor League-like setting, while
performing
umpiring duties for collegiate all-stars also looking to showcase their skills.
Our evaluators
will be out in force to ensure these individuals are receiving proper training
as they continue
on the path of becoming professional umpires."
PBUC is responsible for the training, evaluation and recommendation for promotion,
retention or release of all umpires in the Minor League Baseball system
throughout the
United States and Canada.
Ballpark Preview:
Alex Box Stadium, LSU
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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LSU's Alex Box
Stadium, which opened in 1938, has always been one
of the most-loved college-baseball venues, and the
new Alex Box Stadium, slated to open next season,
is designed to be the worthy successor to the
historic original. At 8,550 seats, it's about 10
percent larger than the older facility, but more
importantly it provides the key behind-the-scenes
facilities so necessary these days in college
baseball. For starters, it features 6,000
additional square feet of locker and meeting room
space and new batting cages.
More information
and renderings here. This past weekend over
100 LSU baseball alumni were on hand
to commemorate the closing of the original Alex
Box.
More from the Shreveport Times
and the Advocate.
City
proposes Fenway Park protection zone; neighbors object
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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The
city of Boston is proposing a special ballpark protection zone outside
Fenway Park -- we assume with the full support
of the Red Sox ownership -- but neighbors see it as a level of bureaucracy that
will drive down property values and give the Red Sox an unofficial veto in what
happens in the surrounding area. The district would extend 260 feet from the
sidewalk outside Fenway Park and the adjacent
buildings. The Red Sox already control a lot of property in the area, but there
are some prime lots -- like the Twins Enterprises building directly across from
the ballpark and a nearby Howard Johnson's slated for redevelopment -- whose
owners are concerned the proposed district would restrict their ability to
redevelop some pretty run-down buildings.
More from the Boston Herald.
Fort Myers newspaper:
Don't go nuts to keep Red Sox
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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We're
not sure the folks in Fort Myers realize how close
they are to losing the Boston Red Sox as a spring
neighbor;
this editorial argues the city or Lee County
shouldn't do a whole lot to keep the team from
relocating spring operations to Sarasota. The
latest plan we've heard from Fort Myers officials
calls for the city to buy property surrounding
City of Palms Park and offering it to the Red Sox,
but no specific properties have been identified,
no price tags have been set and no funding sources
have been identified -- not a good situation for a
city $150 million in debt. However, another team
besides the Baltimore Orioles has been identified
making the rounds of Florida cities: as we
reported earlier, the Milwaukee Brewers are indeed
looking at a spring shift to Florida and met with
officials in several communities (including Vero
Beach and Lee County communities) to get the lay
of the land.
MiLB officials venture to Richmond
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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Officials
from Minor League Baseball held meetings in
Richmond, Va., to evaluate the baseball situation
there and begin planning what happens to the
market in the future. While there's no doubt the
market can support Triple-A baseball, the fact the
International League has no teams looking to
relocate could mean it becomes a Double-A
territory, and we'd expect at least two teams --
the Erie SeaWolves and the Connecticut Defenders
(both Eastern League) -- to
look seriously at a relocation. The other big
issue is the suitability of The Diamond; it was a
prime reason the Richmond Braves (Class AAA;
International League) decided to move, and so far
city officials have been quiet about any
replacement plans. We continue to hear MiLB will
keep tight control over the market once the
International League gives it up; you won't see a
feeding frenzy a la Greenville.
More from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Bringhurst
Field endangered?
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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As
the Alexandria Aces (independent; United League Baseball) prepare for their
season opener, the big question is whether 75-year-old Bringhurst Field is ready
for another decade or two. The ballpark has hosted every level of baseball over
the years, including barnstorming major-league teams heading back home from
spring training. It would take a lot of work to bring the facilities to modern
standards, including new clubhouses and dugouts, the replacement of wooden
bleachers, and a new scoreboard.
More from the Town Talk.
Mariners
fighting small crowds at Safeco Field
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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Things
aren't going well for the Seattle Mariners on the field (the team has the worst
record in the American League) or at the gate, as the eight of the 10 smallest
crowds at Safeco Field have been recorded this
season to date. Having a great ballpark as an attraction will only last you so
far; the Mariners have neglected the player-development end of the business for
years now, and the team's bad record is coming home to roost.
More from AP.
Laredo approves
new ballpark
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Laredo Broncos (independent; United League Baseball) will have a new ballpark
after city officials ended their dithering and gave initial approval to a new
$7.5 million ballpark. Funding will come from a sports venue tax, and the city
will have the use of the new facility for most of the year, with the Broncos
paying $100,000 annually to use it during baseball season. Final plans for the
new ballpark are expected in November, with an opening tentatively planned for
2010.
Frontier League
group finalizing sites in McHenry, Lake counties
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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A
group of investors led by Peter Heitman is finalizing potential ballpark sites
in McHenry and Lake counties in northwest Illinois for an independent Frontier
League team. As you'll recall, the group tried to partner with McHenry County
College for a ballpark site, only to see it withdrawn after city objections to
the plan. The group will be seeking financial assistance from the host community
and county.
More from the Northwest Herald.
New for 2008:
Ottawa Rapidz Stadium
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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Goodbye
Lynx Stadium, hello Ottawa Rapidz Stadium, as the new owners of the Ottawa
Rapidz (independent; Can-Am Association) continue to overhaul operations in the
Canadian capital. The new owners have instituted a new ticket-sales service
(bilingual, to boot) and are lowering concession prices by 20-some percent.
More
from the Ottawa Sun.
Youth awaiting
charges in ballpark death
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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High-school
senior Taylor Buckley is in jail awaiting word whether prosecutors will file
charges against him in the death of 18-year-old Anthony Giraudo during a scuffle
outside the center-field gates at AT&T Park.
After Friday night's San Francisco Giants game Buckley and Giraudo, a local
Redwood City college student, were arguing and Buckley punched Giraudo, causing
him to fall backwards and hitting his head on the concrete floor. Giraudo was
later pronounced dead after suffering brain injuries. Prosecutors are reviewing
police reports before deciding whether to file charges.
More from the San Francisco Chronicle.
C.O. Brown Stadium
needs upgrades: city
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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The
city of Battle Creek and the leadership of the Michigan High School Athletics
Association has figured out what many of us have figured out:
C.O. Brown Stadium is in need of
repairs and upgrades. The MSHAA holds its annual baseball tourney there, but
isn't committing to Battle Creek past this year's tournament next month, as
other cities -- like Midland -- have expressed interest in hosting the games.
The city is responsible for maintenance and is doing some small things, such as
removing field-level boxes, but anything more serious and lasting will require
more money.
Ballpark
renovations on hold in Frederick
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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The
city of Frederick has been slow to put money into improvements at Harry Grove
Stadium, the home of the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League), even
though it has received $5 million in hand. It seems a little wrong -- and
perhaps a little illegal -- to accept $2 million in state funding for ballpark
improvements and then just pocket the money, but so far the city has held back
on any improvements at all (the Keys paid for clubhouse and concourse
improvements) and is debating whether to spend a little over $300,000 on
lighting improvements.
More from the Frederick News-Post.
Development
slow around Gary ballpark
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
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One
of the big selling points around city funding of the $45-million U.S. SteelYard,
home of the Gary-SouthShore RailCats (independent; Northern League), was the
potential of the ballpark to spur development in the area. So far there's been
little development activity: except for a new restaurant going in, the area
around the ballpark remains off the tax rolls. Except for an apartment rehab --
which has stalled -- the area is quiet.
More from AP.
Ballpark Notes
Posted May 13, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss) Vanna
White, the co-host of one of the most popular television game shows of
all-time, Wheel of Fortune, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch
prior to the 2008 California vs. Carolina League All-Star Game at BB&T
Coastal Field, the home of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Originally from
North Myrtle Beach, White will be making her first appearance inside BB&T
Coastal Field....