Recent
Visits |
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.
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Features |
2008 Ballparks
Billings
Forest City, N.C.
Grand
Prairie
Lehigh Valley
Springdale, Ark.
Southern Maryland
Washington, D.C.
2009 Ballparks
Avon, Ohio
Bowling
Green
Brownsville, Texas
Charlotte County, Fla.
Columbus, Ohio
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Glendale, Az.
Goodyear, Az.
Gwinnett County
Hannibal, Mo.
(renovations)
Kansas City
(renovations)
LSU (new Alex Box)
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Oakland County, Mich.
Reno
University of North
Carolina
University of South
Carolina
Winston-Salem
2010 Ballparks
Charlotte, N.C.
Laredo
Madison, Wis.
(renovations)
Minnesota
Twins
Normal, Ill.
Topeka
Tulsa
Pensacola,
Fla.
2011 Ballparks
Florida Marlins
Omaha
2012 Ballparks
Dodger Stadium
(renovations)
Oakland
Athletics
Tampa Bay Rays
Ballparks of the Past
Colt
Stadium
Crosley Field
Durham Athletic
Park
Ebbets Field
Griffith Stadium
Huntington Avenue
Grounds
Jack Russell
Jarry Park
L.A. Coliseum
Metropolitan
Stadium
Muehlebach
Field
Municipal Stadium
(Kansas City)
Sicks' Stadium
Tinker Field
War Memorial
(Greensboro)
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The Last Good Season
2007 Attendance
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2006 Attendance
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2005 Attendance
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2004 Attendance
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league
Combined
overall
2003 Attendance
MLB attendance
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League overview
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league
Combined
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2002 Attendance
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Fine Print |
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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
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Broadcasts |
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Archives:
March 3-9, 2008
Cubs would share the Cell if Wrigley
is remodeled
Posted March 8, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Chicago Cubs would share US Cellular Field
with the Chicago White Sox while
Wrigley Field
is being renovated under one scenario being considered by team, according to
Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney. This assumes the Illinois Sports Facilities
Authority, which already owns US Cellular Field,
will take control of
Wrigley Field
and oversee up to $400 million in renovations. We're not sure White Sox owner
Jerry Reinsdorf would be thrilled with this, but then again everyone has a
price. Kenney also says the team can change the lettering on the iconic marquee
at Clark and Addison, arguing the team will assert First Amendment rights to
changing the sign, which is protected via a historic preservation designation.
We're not lawyers, but we're a little dubious of the First Amendment in this
context, particularly since commercial speech -- and really, this is what we're
talking about here -- enjoys far fewer safeguards than do editorial entities, as
the right to assert commercial speech certainly is not absolute. Again, none of
this is particularly good news if you're a ballpark fan.
More
from the Chicago Tribune.
RELATED STORIES:
Daley not sold on
sale of Wrigley Field;
The rape and pillage
of Wrigley Field;
Why Wrigley Field
should retain landmark status;
Tunney:
Tribune Co. playing hardball with city;
State: City
must relax Wrigley Field landmark status if sold by Cubs;
Zell's
insistence on selling Cubs, park separately slowing sale;
Cubs: Wrigley should
pay for Wrigley Field naming rights;
Cubs sale probably won't happen until after end of season;
Tunney wary of Wrigley
deal;
Daley now open to idea of state ownership of Wrigley Field;
Selling Cubbies
priority for new owner;
Trib closes buyout; sale of Cubs, Wrigley Field to follow;
Wringing cash from Wrigley Field;
Cubs, state confirm
preliminary Wrigley talks;
State looks to buy
Wrigley Field
Dispute over spoils could derail new
Fish pond
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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We
alluded to this yesterday, and now there's more news about a dispute over what
local governmental unit gets to patrol a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins
-- a dispute that could delay or even derail the project. We're talking about
some serious spoils here, as law-enforcement agencies stand to make millions in
overtime pay from the Marlins. The fight is between City of Miami and Miami-Dade
County police departments, and so far the two sides are at an impasse.
Politically, it makes little sense for either government to back down,
especially when the local police unions carry a lot of clout. You're probably
thinking this is a silly issue and one that doesn't rise to the level of
threatening the project. It probably doesn't, but it certainly has the potential
to be a knock-down fight that could delay things. Remember, the agreement
between the local governmental units and the Marlins comprises only the broad
outlines of a deal: most of the fine details -- like this -- still need to be
negotiated, and there are a few others that could delay the ballpark as well,
such as whether the county will relax its environmental rules on new
construction.
More
from the Miami Herald.
RELATED STORIES:
Fish fans: Will new
ballpark lead to better team?;
Will fans flock
to new Fish pond?;
City, county approves
Marlins ballpark deal;
Marlins ballpark
inches closer to fruition; deal could be done by Thursday;
Marlins ballpark
plan hits parking snag;
More specifics
revealed on new Marlins ballpark proposal;
Miami mayor swings for
the fences with ballpark plan;
Vote on new Marlins
ballpark delayed;
Braman makes pitch against new Fish pond;
Marlins to seek state aid for new ballpark;
New ballpark could be
suite deal for commissioners;
Plan for Marlins ballpark gets support from Miami-Dade;
Marlins funding
closer to reality;
Marlins' ballpark
plan gets new life;
New Marlins ballpark
funding plan proposed;
Marlins: Ballpark
woes led to trade;
Marlins ballpark
negotiations continue;
Marlins' share key
to ballpark deal;
DuPuy: Marlins
ballpark top priority;
Ho hum: Marlins hand county yet another ballpark deadline;
Marlins may get $50 million for new ballpark;
DuPuy meets with Crist
about new Fish ballpark, says MLB will make use of Dodgertown;
Marlins about to bring
ballpark deal in from the bullpen;
Selig receptive to Orange Bowl site for new
Marlins ballpark;
UM exit from Orange Bowl paves way for new Marlins
ballpark;
Selig: Relocation an option if ballpark issue not
settled;
University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by '08;
Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?;
Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring
training;
Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark:
muted;
State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when
session ends;
Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins
ballpark;
Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix;
Vote on Marlins ballpark
financing again comes late in legislative session;
New Marlins ballpark bill
likely to strike out;
State House endorses $60
million for Marlins ballpark in Miami;
Marlins' pitch for ballpark
cash apt to fall short;
Dade lawmaker unsure about
Marlins subsidy
Deadline
approaching on Goodyear pitch to Reds
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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Next
Thursday marks the end of an exclusive negotiating period between the Cincinnati
Reds and the city of Goodyear over a potential move of the Reds to a new
spring-training facility in Arizona. The estimate for enlarging a facility
slated to be used by the Cleveland Indians beginning in 2009 is $32 million, and
the city must identify funding sources for the enhancement in order to lure the
Reds. It may not be easy to identify any revenue sources: development in
Goodyear has lagged in recent months, there's no money in the state fund for
spring-training facilities, and a plant to ask the state for money appears to be
a nonstarter. Meanwhile, Jeff Maultsby, who spearhead the attempt by the Reds to
obtain public funding of renovated Ed Smith Stadium,
has been hired by the city to work on economic issues -- like trying to retain
the Reds. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune quotes Reds officials as saying
the team will move if Goodyear can come up with the money
and says Sarasota may make a play for the Baltimore Orioles, whose minor
leaguers already train in Sarasota.
RELATED STORIES:
Sarasota County
offers $17.6 million toward Ed Smith Stadium renovation;
New Arizona
spring-training venues on schedule; Reds eye move west;
Sarasota delays
decision on Ed Smith Stadium improvements;
Reds ask about Lee County
as possible spring-training home;
Sarasota to woo Reds;
Reds exploring
spring move to Arizona;
Orioles on their way to
Dodgertown?;
Community must face up to future of Ed Smith Stadium;
New Dodgers/ChiSox
training facility still up in the air
Will new Gwinnett County ballpark
require tax hike? Maybe
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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story) (discuss)
Gwinnett
County officials have maintained public funding of a new ballpark for the
relocated Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) won't require any
property tax hikes, but records obtained by
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution indicate tax hikes were indeed discussed by
county officials and there's the chance the mill rate will be increased from .80
to 1.00 in 2009, the maximum under the law. We're looking at a lot of
technicalities here, but the bottom line is that the county is raising reserves
in the county recreation fund to help pay for the ballpark, and an increase in
the mill rate will be needed to fund ongoing operations and build back a
reserve. Budget
surpluses may negate the need for a tax increase. Still, locals are wondering
what other surprises are waiting for them once more details are released.
RELATED STORIES:
Gwinnett County
responsible for all ballpark maintenance;
Do the numbers add up on
new Gwinnett County ballpark?;
Gwinnett County
back to secret deals;
Wilder's take on move
troubles Braves official;
After Braves lease,
what happens in Richmond?;
It's official:
Gwinnett County building new ballpark for R-Braves;
R-Braves: Going, going,
gone?;
New Richmond plan:
tear down Diamond and build new ballpark -- but will the Braves be around?
Pirates unveil plans for new PNC
Park restaurant
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Pittsburgh Pirates unveiled renderings of the new restaurant entertainment space
located above PNC Park's left-field bleachers.
The club partnered with Aramark to transform the new space formerly occupied by
Outback Steakhouse into a game-day dining and bar option for all fans with a
ticket and a non-game-day event and entertainment destination. The new
left-field restaurant, which has not yet been named, will offer a casual dining
and sports bar atmosphere with wait service and will be open to all ticket
holders before, during and after games beginning with the Pirates' home opener
on April 7 at 1:35 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs.
Lights on at McKechnie Field tonight
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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Tonight
will be the first night game at McKechnie Field, the spring home of the
Pittsburgh Pirates. Crews were at the ballpark today making last-minute
adjustments to the lights, making sure the ballpark was evenly lit. McKechnie
Field is the last ballpark in the Grapefruit League to receive lights; it's part
of a renovation of the ballpark and Pirate City, where dorms have been
renovated. UPDATE: Rain marred the proceedings.
Dave Matthews Band to play some
ballparks this summer
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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It
doesn't look like there will be a mega ballpark tour from a high-profile
performing artist this summer (a la Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson), but the Dave
Matthews Band is performing in several ballparks this summer as part of a larger
tour:
Busch Stadium (June 7),
Joe Riley Park (July 4),
Louisville Slugger Field (Aug. 1),
AutoZone Park (Aug. 2),
AT&T Bricktown Ballpark (Aug. 13) and Raley Field (Aug. 25).
You can find ticket information here.
Jaxx sale still pending
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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The
sale of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Class AA; Southern League) is still pending,
as a Nashville ownership group is still putting together the final touches on
its agreement to buy the team, and it doesn't sound like anything will be
resolved before start of the season -- especially when baseball's governing
bodies still need to sign off on the deal.
Anti-ballpark group: Rays are
illegally lobbying St. Pete officials
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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We
have now officially reached silly season in discussions
of
a
new $450-million waterfront ballpark
for the Tampa Bay Rays
on the
Al Lang Field site. A local anti-ballpark
group, St. Pete
Preserve Our Wallets and Waterfronts, has raised the specter of illegal lobbying
by the Rays. What alleged backroom deals were made by the Rays and St. Pete
officials? There are none. The group is alleging illegal lobbying because the
Rays handed out T-shirts referencing a website listing Hines as working with the
Rays on a redevelopment of Tropicana Field. This amounts to illegal indirect
lobbying of the city. (You can read the
letter here.) There are lots of legitimate issues to discuss when it comes
to a new ballpark and a redevelopment of this magnitude, but to allege illegal
lobbying because of a website address on a T-shirt is just plain silly; it also
delegitimizes opposition to the ballpark.
RELATED STORIES:
Public
responds to Rays' ballpark proposal;
Rays sweeten pot for
new ballpark with additional upfront money;
Opposition to new
Rays ballpark growing?;
St. Pete newspaper:
errors plague Rays ballpark debate;
Proposal for Al Lang
park land conversion tabled for Rays ballpark plans;
City lays out vision for
Tropicana Field site;
So, let's say the Trop's
for sale....;
Opponents say Rays,
manatees don't mix;
Rays will not seek state
aid for new ballpark;
Rays brass willing to be
stakeholders in Trop site;
It's outta here! But
what's next?;
Parking for proposed
Rays ballpark an issue;
Key player in Rays
ballpark proposal won't show his hand;
Rays' land request for
ballpark may be hard to fill;
Rays unveil plans
for new ballpark;
Rays: New ballpark could
pump $1 billion into local economy;
Rays ballpark plan
kept secret for months;
Land under the Trop is
a developer's dream;
Tampa Bay ballpark cost
looms as curveball;
Rays on the bay?
Chiefs present marketing plan to
county
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Syracuse Chiefs (Class AAA; International League) presented its 2008 marketing
plan to Onondaga County -- a condition of the team's lease at
Alliance Bank Stadium --
and the plan was received without a comment from the board. It's the first time
in 11 years the Chiefs have submitted the plan. The team will be pushing the
installation of grass at the ballpark to fans, as the team scrapped artificial
turf in the offseason.
More from the Syracuse Post-Standard.
Bettman shoots down notion of
outdoor NHL game at Wrigley
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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Well,
that idea lasted all of a day. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was in Chicago for
meetings, and in a press conference he dismissed the notion of the Chicago
Blackhawks hosting a game at
Wrigley Field.
The NHL is not likely to hold more than one outdoor game a year, and there are
other teams who want an outdoor game: the New York Rangers are looking at a game
at
Yankee Stadium and the Detroit Red Wings are looking at a game at Michigan
Stadium. The
Yankee Stadium idea makes sense: the game could be held next winter after
the Yankees end their run there (eliminating any turf issues), and the old
ballpark could go down in history as being the only venue to host MLB, NFL and
NHL games before it's torn down.
More from the Chicago Sun-Times.
Reese: Charlotte is missing out with
new Knights ballpark
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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Developers
always engage in a little hyperbole in order to make a point, and Charlotte's
Jerry Reese is no exception. As you'll recall, Reese is the local developer
opposing a new ballpark for the Charlotte Knights (Class AAA; International
League), arguing that the city should instead push his vision of a
billion-dollar development featuring a 40,000-seat retractable-roof ballpark. In
this article from the
Charlotte Observer Reese lists the things the city will miss out on if the
Knights go ahead with their privately financed ballpark: a million square feet
of retail, over a million square feet of office space, a luxury hotel, a new
aquatic center, a renovated convention center, lots of new housing, and much,
much more. Who knew one little Triple-A ballpark was preventing such progress!
It's not, of course, and Reese is promising pie-in-the-sky plans in lieu of a
new Knights ballpark. The new Knights ballpark, by the way, is already in line
to host the ACC conference tourney.
RELATED STORIES:
Reese still believes
in big-league ballpark for Charlotte;
Reese files suit
against Knights ballpark project; county may countersue;
Study: local business
will buy into Knights ballpark plan;
Mecklenburg
County approves new Charlotte ballpark;
Reese offers to settle
lawsuits over new Knights ballpark;
Vote on new Charlotte
ballpark delayed;
Mecklenburg
County approves land swap for new Knights ballpark;
With lease deal
close, Knights ready ballpark plans;
Appeal filed in
Charlotte land-swap case;
Charlotte
ballpark lawsuit tossed;
Council action
aids Charlotte baseball deal;
Knights say downtown
site squeeze is OK;
Much up in air with uptown baseball plans;
County waves Knights toward uptown;
County details Knights ballpark numbers;
Knights now pushing to get ballpark in play by
2009;
Charlotte approves Knights ballpark deal;
Knights in talks on financing new ballpark;
Schools agree to role
in land swap for baseball;
County moves forward on Knights ballpark plan;
A new season for Knights, but same old battles;
More time wanted for Charlotte baseball deal;
Officials: Arts
sale not about sports;
Ballpark land swap
still in play for reshaping Charlotte;
Could new Charlotte
ballpark be delayed by lawsuit?;
Land deal for Charlotte ballpark advances;
Diehl plans fight over Charlotte ballpark;
Mecklenburg County set for baseball deal role;
Charlotte Council seeks answers on baseball;
Uptown park for Knights makes sense;
Charlotte council gets update on baseball plan;
Chamber: poll shows overwhelming support for
Knights ballpark;
Backers urge: Make noise for Charlotte ballpark;
A slow curve in Charlotte;
Charlotte ballpark land swap seen as feasible;
Charlotte Knights select Barton Malow to oversee
ballpark construction;
Hard days for Knights;
Knights see more fans, but lag league;
Knights select Odell Associates, HOK to design new
ballpark;
Knights meet with potential architects;
Competing plans for baseball parks in Charlotte;
The big pitch for uptown baseball in Charlotte;
Charlotte turns to funding plans for ballpark;
Will Charlotte ballpark be magnet for growth?;
Third Ward residents object to new Knights
ballpark;
Uptown baseball in Charlotte may cost city $5
million;
Charlotte ballpark plan now turns to question of
real estate;
Arts package heads the agenda for city funding,
but baseball is now up to bat with a new plan;
Uptown ballpark plan has some rally-killers;
Deal in works for uptown Charlotte ballpark
Rosenblatt defenders give Omaha
mayor an earful
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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Over
300 residents of south Omaha showed up for a public forum featuring Mayor Mike
Fahey over the plan to dump
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in favor of a new downtown ballpark, and most of
them weren't pleased with the plan. There's a lot of passion for
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in south Omaha, and many residents have been
attending the College World Series for decades. So far the city is moving ahead
with the ballpark plans: MECA, the organization that runs the Qwest Center, will
be approaching the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and Creighton
University over new leases. Still a big problem: where to find overt $40 million
in private donations..
More from SW Iowa News.
RELATED STORIES:
Omaha
formally commits to 24,000-seat downtown ballpark;
Should Omaha
tell to NCAA to live with Johnny Rosenblatt?;
Committee
recommends new downtown Omaha ballpark;
MECA formally
opposes new ballpark on its land;
Is Omaha ballpark plan
falling apart?;
O-Royals ready to bail on
new downtown ballpark?;
Downtown
ballpark remains choice of Omaha officials, despite higher price tag;
Nebraska
Legislature enters Omaha ballpark fray;
Lot C emerges as frontrunner
for new Omaha ballpark site;
Two sites emerge as
frontrunners for new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha ballpark
panel picks architects to evaluate sites;
Save Rosenblatt
Committee wants representative on mayor's ballpark committee;
NCAA's feelers out
for CWS sites;
Omaha mayor's public
pitch for ballpark begins;
More options
introduced for new home of College World Series;
Skeptics of Omaha
ballpark proposal look for return on funding;
Public to have say on
Omaha ballpark proposal;
Omaha restaurant
owners vow opposition to ballpark tax;
Omaha mayor unveils
$117-million ballpark plan;
Rosenblatt group
sends petitions to NCAA;
Omaha and the CWS: City
bids for 20-year deal;
Omaha Royals support
plan for new ballpark;
NCAA ties College World
Series to new ballpark;
Today's video:
Kevin Costner: Save Rosenblatt Stadium;
Costner: Save
Rosenblatt Stadium;
New downtown Omaha ballpark would be near Qwest;
Rosenblatt fans try to draft Costner;
Rosenblatt demolition among Omaha ballpark
suggestions;
Royals president says two baseball facilities can
work;
Petition drive aims to save Rosenblatt;
Could Indy someday be host for CWS?;
New Omaha ballpark could feature other pastimes;
Coaches reminisce as talk turns to proposed
downtown ballpark;
Plan B: Fix up Rosenblatt;
Omaha wants at least 10-year CWS extension before
ballpark work;
Mayor: NCAA shows interest in new Omaha ballpark;
Omaha floats new ballpark for CWS, O-Royals
All-you-can-eat plans at ballpark
gain momentum
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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How
many of you eat every meal at an all-you-can-eat buffet at a ballpark? Not many
past some folks in the front office, we're guessing. So that's why
this article in USA Today is supremely silly, quoting dieticians about the
dangers of gorging yourself at a ballpark. Of course the buffets of burgers and
hot dogs aren't good for you. Neither are the steaks at Morton's, the soft
serves at Dairy Queen and the triple Whoppers at Burger King. No one is saying
those should be a staple of any daily diet, and no one is saying a fan should
get every meal from the gorging stations at the ballpark.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 7, 2008 (feedback)
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The
Charleston RiverDogs announced the hiring of two new staff members:
Jamie Ballentine assumes the role as the first director of mascot
development, while Danny Reed takes over as the new assistant director of
media relations. A 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a
degree in marketing, Ballentine served as the school’s celebrated mascot,
"Cocky," for four years, and was named the Capital One Mascot of the Year in
2003. Since 2005, he has played the character “Smart Cat” for South Carolina
Educational Television (SCETV), which promoted physical education for the
state’s child contingent. He has also garnered experience in the business world
as the marketing director at Chick-fil-A restaurants in Columbia, helping the
franchise gain national attention for possessing one of the top 10 mascot cows
in 2007. Reed will be responsible for hosting the pre- and post-game radio
broadcasts for ESPN Radio 910 AM as well as serving as the team’s media
relations assistant. He graduated summa cum laude from Waynesburg University
(Pa.) in May 2007 with a B.A. in communication....Joe Buck is walking
away from any play-by-play duties for the St. Louis Cardinals. It will be
the first time in 47 years there's no Buck in the Cards' broadcast
booth....Kirk Goodman is now GM of the Quad Cities River Bandits
(Low Class A; Midwest League) He already was vice president of its baseball
operations for Main Street Iowa, owners of the team. He replaces Ben Burke,
who has left the team....
Ballpark Teaser: Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium /
Charlotte 49ers
Posted March 4, 2008 (feedback)
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The Charlotte 49ers spent
last season on the road, so you can expect the
returning players were eager to open a home
schedule at their new ballpark, Robert and Mariam
Hayes Stadium. Our Jim Robins was on hand for
opening weekend;
here's a short look at the new facility.
Plans in place to raze Yankee
Stadium
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback)
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New
York City officials are finalizing a plan to raze the current
Yankee Stadium after
the new Yankee Stadium opens, though
no formal dates has been set. Officials with the city's Department of Parks and
Recreation expect it to be a low-key affair, to be sure, and officials from the
National Baseball Hall of Fame don't expect to see a lot of treasures from the
old place. Why? Because most of the current
Yankee Stadium dates back to the 1970s when it was basically rebuilt.
Treasures from the original Yankee Stadium, including Babe Ruth's locker, are
already in Cooperstown. Also, many of the historic elements of the ballpark,
like the iconic outfield monuments, are going to
the new Yankee Stadium.
To be sure, there will be plenty of tears shed when the current
Yankee Stadium is torn down to make way
for three baseball fields. But the current
Yankee Stadium isn't quite the historic gem that some thing -- which is why
New York City preservationists (who are among the most passionate in the world)
never rallied to keep it.
More from USA Today.
RELATED STORIES:
Updated cost of new
Yankee Stadium: $1.3 billion;
Activists decry
development plans around Yankee Stadium;
New Yankee Stadium goes
up, but Bronx still seeks benefits;
Yankee Stadium
parking fees to double by 2010;
For Yankees, the
numbers game goes on;
Taxpayers footing
bill for Yankees' lavish spending, group says;
Sponsorships
available -- inside the ballpark, that is;
Approach of winter a
big factor in NYC ballpark race;
Finales set for
Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium;
Progress report: New York's new ballparks;
The stadium chase;
Yankees, Mets won't
sell seat licenses; ballpark funds in place;
Whole new ballgame;
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
This week's podcast: Oink,
oink
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This
week we're heavy on the pork, as we discuss the
Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Marlins' new
Manatees dance line. We also discuss the latest in
Wrigley Field news, visit Hayes Stadium, the new
home of the Charlotte 49ers, and look at the
prospects of minor-league ball in an unlikely dome.
Publisher Kevin Reichard and Senior Editor Dave
Wright discuss the hot topics in the baseball and
ballpark worlds in the weekly Ballpark Digest
podcast. To directly subscribe to the feed using
Firefox or Internet Explorer,
go to this page and click on the "Subscribe Now"
button, or use any of
the many
tools for subscribing to a podcast,
which are listed here.
(The most popular subscription method now: iTunes.)
Comments are welcome.
You can listen directly to the podcast on your own
PC via this link
(it's a standard MP3 file).
Clippers ballpark construction
delayed again by lawsuits
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Contractors
in the Columbus area apparently are a litigious bunch, as construction of
Huntington Park, the new $55-million home of the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA;
International League), could delayed once again because of threatened lawsuits
from spurned bidders. The latest lawsuit comes from a contractor rejected in
their bid to land the painting contract. The Painting Co., a nonunion shop, says
in the lawsuit Franklin County commissioners are using rules written by unions
in an unlawful attempt to bar nonunion shops from the project. The county,
meanwhile, says its rules about barring firms cited for not paying prevailing
wages are clear. It's the fourth lawsuit against the county for its bidding
guidelines. Meanwhile, a local state rep -- who happens to be a Republican -- is
calling for the state to withdraw its $7 million in aid for the ballpark to
punish the county board of commissioners -- which happens to be controlled by
Democrats. It's hard to see the state pull the grant so late in the process.
RELATED STORIES:
Judge: County has
discretion in awarding ballpark contracts;
Judge blocks Columbus
ballpark contract;
Judge won't stop ballpark contract;
Ballpark bidding challenged again
Pima County tentatively approves
expanded ballpark funding
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback)
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Arizona's
Pima County tentatively approved a plan to expand the taxing ability of the
local stadium authority in an attempt to keep spring training in Tucson.
Currently the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies train
in Tucson, but the White Sox plan a move to the Phoenix area, which would free
the Rockies and the Diamondbacks to consider a move as well. Renovating Hi
Corbett Field, the spring home of the Rockies, to the tune of $20 million is a
stated priority for the authority, while there's also been talk of a new
downtown ballpark -- something that may interest the Triple-A Pacific Coast
League after the Tucson Sidewinders move to Reno. Still, there are a lot of
hurdles to be overcome in keeping spring training in Tucson: it's all about the
facilities and the ability to generate revenues for MLB teams.
More from AP.
RELATED STORIES:
Pima County
considers authority to retain spring training
Daley not sold on sale of Wrigley
Field
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback)
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Chicago
Mayor Richard Daley, a key player in the proposal by the Chicago Cubs to sell
Wrigley Field
to a state ballpark authority, didn't sound too pleased about the prospect of
removing the ballpark's historic designation to make it easier to make changes
there. He also didn't sound too pleased about giving up sales-tax revenues in
order to help finance the project put more money into the
Tribune Company's pockets. If Daley opposes the deal, there's little chance it
will happen -- and it doesn't sound like he's enthusiastic, to say the least.
More from the Chicago Tribune and
the
Chicago Sun-Times. Meanwhile, the Illinois Sports Facilities
Authority says it would spend $400 million to upgrade
Wrigley Field,
including upgrades to concessions, luxury suites and entertainment areas. It
also sounds like the Tribune Co. is backing down on its plan to keep
naming-rights revenues before selling ballpark.
More from the Chicago Tribune.
RELATED STORIES:
The rape and pillage
of Wrigley Field;
Why Wrigley Field
should retain landmark status;
Tunney:
Tribune Co. playing hardball with city;
State: City
must relax Wrigley Field landmark status if sold by Cubs;
Zell's
insistence on selling Cubs, park separately slowing sale;
Cubs: Wrigley should
pay for Wrigley Field naming rights;
Cubs sale probably won't happen until after end of season;
Tunney wary of Wrigley
deal;
Daley now open to idea of state ownership of Wrigley Field;
Selling Cubbies
priority for new owner;
Trib closes buyout; sale of Cubs, Wrigley Field to follow;
Wringing cash from Wrigley Field;
Cubs, state confirm
preliminary Wrigley talks;
State looks to buy
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field eyed for outdoor NHL
game
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The
NHL is itching to hold an outdoor hockey game in Chicago, and currently league
commissioner Gary Bettman has his eyes set on
Wrigley Field.
There would be some history in the making -- as far as we can tell it would be
the only facility to ever host MLB, NFL and NHL games -- but we're not entirely
sure the Wrigley Field
groundskeepers would be thrilled with the potential turf damage, and then
there's the whole issue of opening the old facility in the midst of winter. The
better venue would be Soldier Field, and the NHL did try to schedule a game
there before being rebuffed by the Chicago Park Board. One plus: the president
of the Chicago Blackhawks, John McDonough, formerly held the same position with
the Chicago Cubs.
More from the Canadian Press.
Hannibal tentatively approves work
on Clemens Field
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The
Hannibal City Council gave initial approval to Hannibal Sports and Entertainment
LLC to lease Clemens Field and bring in a Central Illinois Collegiate League
franchise. The group, which includes former MLB GMs, will spend about $2 million
to upgrade the facility for use this season.
More
from the Quincy Herald Whig.
Increased renovation costs cause
Wausau officials to look at new ballpark
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Increased
renovation costs at Athletic Park, the home of
the Wisconsin Woodchucks (summer collegiate; Northwoods League), is causing
Wausau officials to consider the possibility of building a new ballpark for
roughly the same cost. The Marathon County Health Department is already forcing
the team to move concession stands to permanent structures, and with some issues
with the facility's restrooms, the city is looking at almost $600,000 for very
basic changes. With other changes needed to the historic facility, a new
ballpark may be in the works.
More from the Wausau Daily Herald.
Fish fans: Will new ballpark lead to
better team?
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Baseball
owners tend to be a little deceitful when it comes to pushing for public funding
for a new ballpark: one reason always cited is that the increased revenues from
the facility will lead to higher payrolls, which in turn should lead to better
teams. But really, there's no link between team records and the newness of the
facility: the Florida Marlins managed to win two World Series in
Dolphin Stadium
(that would be two more than the high-payroll New York Mets have won in recent
years), and in the last five years the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland
A's have sported better records than the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati
Reds. So that's why we feel a little sorry for Florida Marlins fans, who expect
to see a huge payroll increase when a new ballpark opens. Will there be one?
There's nothing in the Marlins' lease to force the team to put more funds toward
payroll, and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has been pretty explicit about not
putting more money toward players until the new ballpark opens. We're not sure
Loria won't be tight with a dollar even when there are more of them in his
hands.
Greg Cote is skeptical. Miami Today points out the Marlins ballpark deal
isn't final and could collapse
if the
team tries to overplay its hand in negotiations and
there's
continued opposition from local police officials.
RELATED STORIES:
Will fans flock
to new Fish pond?;
City, county approves
Marlins ballpark deal;
Marlins ballpark
inches closer to fruition; deal could be done by Thursday;
Marlins ballpark
plan hits parking snag;
More specifics
revealed on new Marlins ballpark proposal;
Miami mayor swings for
the fences with ballpark plan;
Vote on new Marlins
ballpark delayed;
Braman makes pitch against new Fish pond;
Marlins to seek state aid for new ballpark;
New ballpark could be
suite deal for commissioners;
Plan for Marlins ballpark gets support from Miami-Dade;
Marlins funding
closer to reality;
Marlins' ballpark
plan gets new life;
New Marlins ballpark
funding plan proposed;
Marlins: Ballpark
woes led to trade;
Marlins ballpark
negotiations continue;
Marlins' share key
to ballpark deal;
DuPuy: Marlins
ballpark top priority;
Ho hum: Marlins hand county yet another ballpark deadline;
Marlins may get $50 million for new ballpark;
DuPuy meets with Crist
about new Fish ballpark, says MLB will make use of Dodgertown;
Marlins about to bring
ballpark deal in from the bullpen;
Selig receptive to Orange Bowl site for new
Marlins ballpark;
UM exit from Orange Bowl paves way for new Marlins
ballpark;
Selig: Relocation an option if ballpark issue not
settled;
University of Miami might leave Orange Bowl by '08;
Is there room for Marlins in South Florida?;
Moss to seek changes in Marlins' name, spring
training;
Marlins' reaction to no state funding of ballpark:
muted;
State funding for Marlins ballpark dies when
session ends;
Senate leader: no deal with slots, Marlins
ballpark;
Slots, Marlins ballpark financing in tax-bill mix;
Vote on Marlins ballpark
financing again comes late in legislative session;
New Marlins ballpark bill
likely to strike out;
State House endorses $60
million for Marlins ballpark in Miami;
Marlins' pitch for ballpark
cash apt to fall short;
Dade lawmaker unsure about
Marlins subsidy
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 6, 2008 (feedback)
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The
independent South Coast League named its managers for the 2008 season.
Chad Parker is the new manager of the Macon Music; he was the team's
bench coach and director of operations last season. Reggie Harris is the
new manager of the Anderson Joes. Gregg Mucerino is the new
manager of the Aiken Foxhounds; he was an assistant with the Bradenton Juice
last season. Buddy York, a coach for the team last season, is the new
manager of the South Georgia Peanuts.....Devin McIntosh is the new
manager of the Thunder Bay Border Cats (summer collegiate; Northwoods
League)....Joe Loncarich is the new manager of corporate marketing for
the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League). Joe, a
Davenport native, joins the River Bandits from the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics
and the WNBA's Seattle Storm, where he worked in the inside sales
department. Joe also is a writer for KFFL.com's fantasy baseball division....Desi
Wilson will replace Ricardo Medina as hitting coach for the Peoria
Chiefs (Low Class A: Midwest League). Medina will need shoulder surgery
which leaves him unable to throw batting practice during the season so he will
stay in Arizona to work with the young minor leaguers.....Ryan Levendoski
and Erich Pfohl have joined the coaching staff of the Mankato MoonDogs
(summer collegiate; Northwoods League)....
The rape and pillage of Wrigley
Field
Posted March 4, 2008 (feedback)
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A
game plan for the state of Illinois to obtain
Wrigley Field
is emerging, and it's not a pretty picture if you're a ballpark fan or an
Illinois taxpayer. Former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson, head of the Illinois
Sports Facilities Authority, says the state will make an offer on the Friendly
Confines next week, but he's not sure what the offer will be: he's waiting to
hear from owner Sam Zell what that price will be. Zell, for his part, is
shopping around naming rights -- there's word of him asking $400 million over 20
years -- and will pocket that money before selling
Wrigley Field.
The state then would buy the ballpark and oversee renovations. Thompson isn't
exactly saying what renovations are needed -- there are probably some structural
issues that need addressing; after all, we're talking about a 94-year-old
ballpark -- and how the state plans to pay for those renovations after Zell
sucks all the money from the naming-rights deal. (Speaking of naming rights:
Thompson sounds like a realist after admitting the
Wrigley Field
name will be retained in some
fashion. There's a lot of risk for any company affixing its name to
Wrigley Field.)
The way this deal is structured is a
guarantee there will be
opposition: Thompson wants to see the city relax its historic-landmark
designation for the ballpark and give up future sales-tax revenues generated
there. There are plenty of ways to update a classic ballpark to generate more
revenue while retaining all the charm of the original (see
Fenway Park for a perfect example), so the
notion of renovating
Wrigley Field
in and of itself isn't too terrible, but the notion that preservation guidelines
must be relaxed is a red flag the state may be foreseeing some changes that
don't fit within the Wrigley Field ethos. There
are so many hurdles before the state assumes ownership of
Wrigley Field:
Wrigleyville residents must be persuaded to relax their opposition to dropping
the historic designation, Mayor Richard
Daley and the Chicago City Council must be persuaded to abandon historic
designation and sales-tax revenues, and the state General Assembly must be
persuaded to actually pay for the acquisition. Messing with an icon is serious
business, and we're not sure Zell -- who must do business in town with his
continued ownership of the Chicago Tribune and WGN -- has shown sound business
judgment in pursuing this path. Privately, we've heard at least one potential
ownership group think they think the Cubs will be worth less than Zell
anticipates if
Wrigley Field
is not part of the deal.
More from the Chicago Sun-Times.
More from the Chicago Tribune on the perils of selling naming rights.
RELATED STORIES:
Why Wrigley Field
should retain landmark status;
Tunney:
Tribune Co. playing hardball with city;
State: City
must relax Wrigley Field landmark status if sold by Cubs;
Zell's
insistence on selling Cubs, park separately slowing sale;
Cubs: Wrigley should
pay for Wrigley Field naming rights;
Cubs sale probably won't happen until after end of season;
Tunney wary of Wrigley
deal;
Daley now open to idea of state ownership of Wrigley Field;
Selling Cubbies
priority for new owner;
Trib closes buyout; sale of Cubs, Wrigley Field to follow;
Wringing cash from Wrigley Field;
Cubs, state confirm
preliminary Wrigley talks;
State looks to buy
Wrigley Field
Ballpark Teaser: Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium /
Charlotte 49ers
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The Charlotte 49ers spent
last season on the road, so you can expect the
returning players were eager to open a home
schedule at their new ballpark, Robert and Mariam
Hayes Stadium. Our Jim Robins was on hand for
opening weekend;
here's a short look at the new facility.
McHenry
County College officials: new ballpark is dead
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We
were under the impression McHenry County College was not interested in pursuing
a ballpark for an independent Frontier League team, but apparently investors say
they have a shot at persuading Lake Crystal officials to approve a plan. College
officials, on the other hand, say they don't plan on pursuing a ballpark; they
are appealing the Lake Crystal decision to block development of campus land that
could include the facility.
More from the Northwest Herald.
Condo
slowdown might affect MerchantsAuto.com Stadium finances
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The
big trend in ballpark finances these days is to dedicate money from non-baseball
sources toward paying debt on a new or renovated facility, but there's a danger
in being too optimistic in budgeting -- something they're finding out in
Manchester, where tax revenues from condos was dedicated toward paying down debt
on MerchantAuto.com Stadium, the home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Class
AA; Eastern League). Chinburg Builders has only sold 14 of 24 luxury townhouses
adjacent to the ballpark and is postponing plans to build more. The resulting
tax-revenue shortfall may cause city officials to cover debt service on the
ballpark.
More from the Union Leader.
Kansas City
to withdraw Truman Sports Complex funding?
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Kansas
City officials are looking at withdrawing the city's annual payment of $2
million toward the Truman Sports Complex, which contains
Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City
Royals. Technically, the ballpark isn't even in the same county as Kansas City,
but the entire complex is predicated on the belief that it benefits the entire
region, hence the regional funding. The funding is present in the 2008 city
budget; any changes would be for 2009.
More from the Kansas City
Star.
Pima
County considers authority to retain spring training
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The
Pima County Board of Supervisors County is looking to create a sports and
tourism authority in an attempt to keep spring training in Tucson. There's
currently a stadium authority in Tucson, but it basically pays off the debt on
Tucson Electric Park. A new authority would levy
new taxes in order to build new facilities and potentially renovate existing
ones. Currently three teams train in Tucson -- the Colorado Rockies train at Hi
Corbett Field and the Chicago White Six and Arizona Diamondbacks train at
Tucson Electric Park -- but the White Sox plan a
move to Phoenix (exactly when is up in the air) and the Rockies have discussed a
move to Goodyear. Renovating Hi Corbett Field to the tune of $20 million is a
stated priority for the authority, while there's also been talk of a new
downtown ballpark -- something that may interest the Triple-A Pacific Coast
League after the Tucson Sidewinders move to Reno, though we suspect the Golden
Baseball League will have a team in Tucson minutes after the Sidewinders leave.
There are a lot of hurdles toward keeping spring training in Tucson, as there's
no doubt the White Sox are leaving. (Leases with the Diamondbacks and the
Rockies allow the teams to leave if only two teams remain in Tucson.) The 110 or
so miles between Phoenix and Tucson is seen as a detriment. Also, the limited
air service to Tucson is also a negative; the Reds and the Indians both rejected
potential moves there because of the lack of direct service between their cities
and Tucson. It will take more than a renovation of Hi Corbett Field for Tucson
to keep spring training; Pima County officials had better think big or go home.
More from the Arizona Daily
Star.
Fans flood
ticket lines for Nats tickets
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Nothing
like a new ballpark to revitalize interest in a lagging franchise, as fans
flooded ticket-ordering lines yesterday in search of ducats to
Nationals Park, the new home of
the Washington Nationals. Demand was high
enough to knock out the phone lines, and Opening Night did indeed sell out.
We're not entirely sure the interest in the new ballpark is translating to the
team -- attendance at spring training has been fairly iffy.
More from the Washington Post.
RELATED STORIES:
Crews pick up pace to renovate Metro
station;
Nationals ready for opening of new ballpark;
Land acquisitions push up price of new Nats
ballpark;
Parking to be limited near new Nats
ballpark;
Nationals to open regular season at home on March 30;
DC ballpark neighbors
fear fan inundation;
PNC Bank buys naming
rights for Nationals' seats;
Nats to open new ballpark
March 29;
Photo tour of new Nats
ballpark;
Nationals make effort to address parking woes at new
ballpark;
On deck: Playing field for
new Nats ballpark;
Goals unmet on ballpark
construction jobs for D.C. workers;
RFK is full of concrete
memories;
Nationals choose
Centerplate to manage concessions at new ballpark;
Lessons for the Lerners:
what to steal from other ballparks;
Nats ballpark to have extensive seating for
wheelchairs;
Metro, District and Nationals talking possible
'ballpark fare';
Signing off on the last beam;
Top price for ducats at new Nats ballpark: $400;
Nationals' transition extends off field;
National crisis: Capital franchise in turmoil;
Ballpark brings hope but no guarantee;
Nationals ballpark 'on time, on budget' for 2008
opening;
Future
distinctly on rise for Nationals;
District not over park cap;
New Nats ballpark to feature cherry blossoms
beyond left-field fence;
As ballpark rises, battles over land continue;
For Nats' home, a rapid ascent;
Nats ballpark cost tops cap, council members say;
Nats owners to pay $20 million for ballpark
upgrades;
With new Nats ballpark, name of the game is money;
D.C. Council approves ballpark parking garages;
The D.C. ballpark parking debate;
Severe penalties await city if parking garages
aren't provided, Gandhi warns;
Ballpark garages proposal rejected;
Fenty promotes aboveground parking to end fight
over new Nats ballpark;
New Nats ballpark construction on schedule for
2008 opening;
Cropp pushes for decision on parking at DC
ballpark;
Mayor proposes lifting cap for DC ballpark parking;
DC ballpark to be first LEED-certified ballpark in
country;
Legislation would revive condo and garage
development at new DC ballpark;
New focus at D.C. ballpark: parking;
D.C. parking issue threatens budget;
Development plan near new Nats ballpark falls flat;
Garage plan at new D.C. ballpark at risk
Dominican Republic officials: give us WBC games or we'll stay home
Posted March 4, 2008 (feedback)
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Baseball
officials from the Dominican Republic told
ESPN Desportes
reporters they want to host games in any round as a condition of their
participation in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. That appears to be news to WBC
officials, who are on track to awards first-round games to non-U.S. cities
(Mexico City, San Juan, Tokyo and Toronto are the early favorites to land
games), with the second and final rounds slated for California. What seems to
irk Dominican officials is that their request to host games was ignored
completely.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 4, 2008 (feedback)
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Akron
Aeros (Class AA; Eastern League) Chief Financial Officer Bob Larkins
announced his resignation last week, ending a 14-year career with the franchise.
Larkins is leaving to take a sales job with Pioneer Manufacturing in Cleveland.
Originally from Three Rivers, Michigan, he joined the Aeros in 1994 following
two years in Butte, Montana. He graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1990
with a degree in Sports Management/Marketing, and was a linebacker on the Polar
Bears football team for three seasons. In a related move, the Aeros promoted
Ken Fogel to Assistant General Manager. Fogel joined the Aeros staff in
October as the Director of Public Relations and Corporate Sales and will
continue to oversee those departments....The Jacksonville Suns (Class AA;
Southern League) announced the club’s front office staff for the 2008 season.
The 2008 front office features a number of off-season promotions and new hires.
Ed Attalla rejoins the Suns as Director of Field Operations after a brief
stint with the University of Florida. Attalla returns to the Baseball Grounds as
a four-time winner of the Southern League Field Turf Manager of the Year award
(2003-2006). Promoted in the offseason were Amy Delettre, Victoria
Eure, Matt Glancy, and Casey Nichols, all Administrative
Assistants in 2007. Delettre moves to Box Office Manager after spending prior
seasons with the Suns as Box Office Assistant and Sunbeam. Eure, a recent
graduate of Southeastern University in Lakeland with a BS in Journalism and
Public Relations, is now Director of Merchandise. Glancy, a New Jersey native
and graduate of the University of North Florida with a degree in Sport
Management, takes the role of Director of Stadium Operations. Nichols, who
attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and received a BS in
Management, assumes the role of Director of Sales and Promotions. New additions
joining the Suns staff are Director of Community Relations, Katherine Jeschke,
and Director of Food & Beverage, Chris Peters. Jeschke, from Albany, GA,
graduated in 2007 from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Sport
Management. She spent the 2007 season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Peters, from Clearwater, FL, has a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a
Masters degree in Sport Management from the University of Florida, and most
recently worked with the Ft. Myers Miracle. Also joining the front office this
season are Account Executive Charles Smith and Administrative Assistants Joseph
Vitale and Kim Watson....The Gateway Grizzlies (independent; Frontier
League) announced the NCAA Division II Men’s Baseball Championship will
be held at their home facility, GCS
Ballpark in Sauget, IL. May 24-31, 2008. The NCAA Division II
Championships Committee has approved the recommendation of the NCAA Division II
Baseball Committee that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the
University of Missouri-St. Louis co-host the event in conjunction with the
Grizzlies and the Village of Sauget.
St. Pete mayor: Patience required on
new Rays ballpark
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
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St.
Petersburg Mayor Rich Baker has been fairly quiet during public deliberations of
a
new $450-million waterfront ballpark
for the Tampa Bay Rays
on the
Al Lang Field site, and in
an opinion piece for the St. Pete Times he advises more patience.
Development projects like this take time to complete, and Baker is right to
point out there's one huge piece of data needed before anyone can make an
informed opinion: whether a redevelopment of Tropicana Field will yield enough
revenues to partially fund the new ballpark. If it's close, we would expect the
Rays to up the ante and close the gap, but if it's not close, then another
source of revenue will need to be identified -- and that could mean a request to
taxpayers. It's smart politics for Baker not to embrace the Rays' proposal too
tightly -- and we don't expect any quick decisions about the fate of the new
ballpark.
RELATED STORIES:
Public
responds to Rays' ballpark proposal;
Rays sweeten pot for
new ballpark with additional upfront money;
Opposition to new
Rays ballpark growing?;
St. Pete newspaper:
errors plague Rays ballpark debate;
Proposal for Al Lang
park land conversion tabled for Rays ballpark plans;
City lays out vision for
Tropicana Field site;
So, let's say the Trop's
for sale....;
Opponents say Rays,
manatees don't mix;
Rays will not seek state
aid for new ballpark;
Rays brass willing to be
stakeholders in Trop site;
It's outta here! But
what's next?;
Parking for proposed
Rays ballpark an issue;
Key player in Rays
ballpark proposal won't show his hand;
Rays' land request for
ballpark may be hard to fill;
Rays unveil plans
for new ballpark;
Rays: New ballpark could
pump $1 billion into local economy;
Rays ballpark plan
kept secret for months;
Land under the Trop is
a developer's dream;
Tampa Bay ballpark cost
looms as curveball;
Rays on the bay?
Gwinnett
County responsible for all ballpark maintenance
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
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The
deal struck by the Richmond Braves (Class AAA; International League) and
Gwinnett Country just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter for the R-Braves as more
details are released. Today's sweetness concerns maintenance on the ballpark as
well as a possible circumvention of the lease. The R-Braves originally wanted to
sign only a 15-year lease for the ballpark, but Gwinnett County officials
squashed that idea (one of the few they did, apparently), saying the bonds
required to finance construction needed to be set at 30 years. So, in an
apparent compromise, the pair came to an agreement on a maintenance plan calling
for the county to spend at least $500,000 (on average) annually on ballpark
maintenance, with the R-Braves making requests to be approved by the county
board. Now, given that every penny the county is receiving from the
ballpark is going back into debt service (and we do mean every -- there
will a budget crisis if there's any sort of revenue shortfall), that money needs
to come from somewhere else, and county officials seem to be a little cavalier
about identifying that revenue source. If the maintenance comes up short, the
R-Braves have the right to move the team in 15 years, and as of right now the
wording on this point is a little vague, saying the county must maintain a
"high-quality" venue. Interestingly, a final agreement between the R-Braves and
the county is still not completed, and this area is one where the county expects
to see firmer language in place.
RELATED STORIES:
Do the numbers add up on
new Gwinnett County ballpark?;
Gwinnett County
back to secret deals;
Wilder's take on move
troubles Braves official;
After Braves lease,
what happens in Richmond?;
It's official:
Gwinnett County building new ballpark for R-Braves;
R-Braves: Going, going,
gone?;
New Richmond plan:
tear down Diamond and build new ballpark -- but will the Braves be around?
Why Wrigley Field should retain
landmark status
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
The
issue of Wrigley Field
possibly losing its landmark status is beginning to be a contentious issue in
architecture-conscious Chicago, where preservationists are starting to line up
against Sam Zell's proposal to drop the designation so changes can be made to
the Friendly Confines. Zell's proving to be quite the barbarian when it comes to
the Cubbies and Wrigley Field; his position
basically is that the pair are assets to be auctioned off to the highest bidder
and to hell with the feelings in the local community. But Zell is coming close
to turning fans off the Cubbies, a team sold on charm as much as anything else,
and he hasn't figured out he runs the danger of devaluing the team.
Jim Litke rips Sam Zell for being, well, stupid. Zell's proposal to mess
with the name of the ballpark has also caused locals to question his integrity,
but this columnist says
naming-rights changes are inevitable. No, they're not, and
Wrigley Field
is one of the great brands in all of American marketing, not just baseball: this
weekend we caught a telecast of Wonder Pets (for those of you without
children, it's a show for toddlers) set at Wrigley Field
, and the assumption was that a three-year-old would know that
Wrigley Field
is where baseball is played. Neil Hayes
naively argues Commissioner Bud Selig and other MLB owners won't have much of a
say as to who lands the Cubs. Right.
RELATED STORIES:
Tunney:
Tribune Co. playing hardball with city;
State: City
must relax Wrigley Field landmark status if sold by Cubs;
Zell's
insistence on selling Cubs, park separately slowing sale;
Cubs: Wrigley should
pay for Wrigley Field naming rights;
Cubs sale probably won't happen until after end of season;
Tunney wary of Wrigley
deal;
Daley now open to idea of state ownership of Wrigley Field;
Selling Cubbies
priority for new owner;
Trib closes buyout; sale of Cubs, Wrigley Field to follow;
Wringing cash from Wrigley Field;
Cubs, state confirm
preliminary Wrigley talks;
State looks to buy
Wrigley Field
Silverdome to be converted to ballpark?
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
The
Pontiac Silverdome, the former home of the Detroit Lions (NFL), would be
converted to a ballpark under a proposal from Nikco Riesgo, who played four
games for the Montreal Expos in 1991. The city of Pontiac is soliciting
redevelopment plans for the now-shuttered facility, and Riesgo is pitching the
idea of using it as the base of a new international baseball league, Global
Baseball, while sharing revenues from the venture with the city in lieu of rent.
Riesgo's plan calls for the sale of naming rights to the facility, as well as
the sale of broadcast and Internet rights. Hey, it's worth a shot; he can put a
team in Olympic Stadium while he's at
it. More
from the Detroit Free Press.
Almost
30,000 attend college games at PGE Park
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
We're
seeing more and more college baseball games played at pro venues; this is also
the time of year when we see a lot of tourneys. The most successful
college-baseball event so far this season in a pro venue may be the inaugural
Papé Grand Slam, which drew 29,332 fans to Portland's
PGE Park over a three-game series between the
Oregon State and Georgia baseball teams. Sunday’s game attracted a series-high
11,166 fans to PGE Park, as the typical,
early-spring weather gave way to sunny skies for the closing contest. The
special series, which opened Friday evening, drew an average of 9,777 fans per
game as Portland-area baseball enthusiasts and Oregon State backers
overwhelmingly responded to the unique opportunity to watch the pair of
top-level collegiate teams in action.
Ybarra
proposes new ballpark complex in Sterling
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
Larry
Ybarra, a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, is
proposing a ballpark complex in Sterling, located in west-central Illinois. The
plans for the for-profit facility are in the early stages, but his tentative
plan is to first build the facilities for a baseball academy and soccer fields
and then add the ballpark later on. He's discussed this with Frontier League
Commissioner Bill Lee, who sounds pretty noncommittal: with a total budget for
the entire complex set at $8 million, it's hard to say that a facility suitable
for minor-league ballpark could be built, and you need to go a long ways out
from Sterling to reach a population of 100,000.
More from SaukValley.com.
Midwest League All-Star Game sold
out
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
The
final 500 tickets to the 2008 Midwest League All-Star Game, to be held at the
Dow Diamond, have been sold yesterday
morning during the Loons’ Ticketpalooza, an event held at
Dow Diamond to kick off the first day of
single-game ticket purchases. "I continue to be impressed and grateful for the
support shown by the community for our organization," said Loons President and
General Manager Paul Barbeau. "The 2008 All-Star Game, powered by Dow Corning is
going to be a tremendous event for our community and we appreciate the
outstanding support shown by our fans for the event."
Moores: Daughter will someday own
team
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
John
Moores, the owner of the San Diego Padres,
sat down with the San Diego Union-Tribune to discuss his tenure as owner of
the team and what lies in the future. He sounded pretty enthused about the state
of things, saying the team was profitable and that
Petco Park had made a difference in downtown San Diego. He also reiterated
his belief that daughter Jennifer will someday own the team, though that feeling
is somewhat clouded by his ongoing divorce proceedings.
Ballpark Notes
Posted March 3, 2008 (feedback)
(submit
story) (discuss)
Chris
Marx, a student assistant Coach at the University of Southern Indiana,
has been hired as an assistant coach for the Fayetteville SwampDogs
(summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League). Marx played for the SwampDogs in the
2005 season, Manager Darrell Handelsman’s first, starting 24 games at second
base....The River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) are pleased
to announce their partnership with Blue Sky Creamery as the "Official Ice
Cream" for the 2008 season. Lucky dogs; we're big fans of the brand....
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