So, Let’s Talk About Ballpark Naming Rights

As the Double-A Altoona Curve (Eastern League) prepare to formally unveil the team’s ballpark naming rights deal with Peoples Natural Gas, the Altoona Mirror has tried to pin down the possible financial take for the club by talking with industry experts.  We generally agree with the stated six-figure annual payments spread over 10 to 15 years for deals at this level, but ballpark naming rights

New Logo and Character for Baseballtown

PRESS RELEASE – After ten years, the iconic look of Baseballtown is changing. In conjunction with the Reading Phillies, Baseballtown Charities has announced a re-branding of the organization, including a newly designed logo and character. The re-branding will help better represent the organization’s spirit and identity, while also making a transition to a bold, new era.

IBL Pushes Back Launch Until 2013, Far-Flung Pacific Northwest an Apparent Target

The upstart Interstate Baseball League, formerly Gulf Coast Baseball League, has pushed back its inaugural launch until 2013.  In other exciting league news, the IBL has apparently had contact with a former friend of the failed Southwestern States League, as the Pacific Northwest seems to be on the radar for expansion:

Giants Name Orum President and CEO

PRESS RELEASE – The Board of Directors of the San Jose Giants announced today that Daniel Orum has been named president and CEO of the San Jose Giants. Orum replaces interim president Bill Schlough, who has returned to his full-time position as senior vice president and chief information officer for the San Francisco Giants after splitting his time between the two organizations since

Hagerstown Considers Funding Ballpark Study

The City of Hagerstown (MD) and Washington County are considering funding a feasbility of study for renovating Municipal Stadium, home of the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), or building a new park elsewhere.  As you know, the Suns have been talking with Winchester (VA) about relocating to a potential new park there, which has obviously lit a fire under Hagerstown.  Read more here.

New Chiefs Lease to Include Option to Buy

The new lease on deck for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) to use Alliance Bank Stadium. would include an option to buy the 15-year-old ballpark for $3.05 million, if approved by Onondaga County at a meeting on Feb. 7.  The original cost to build the stadium was $29.5 million.  Read more and view news clip here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Copeland Park (LaCrosse, WI)

Digital Ballparks visits Copeland Park, home of the summer collegiate LaCrosse Loggers (Northwoods League).  Read more and view photos here.

American Association Exploring Joplin

Charlie Meyer, president of the indy pro Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association), was in Joplin (MO) on Wednesday to take a close look at Joe Becker Stadium as a potential location for a new  franchise.  Everyone agrees that the facility would have to be renovated to be workable.  Meyer serves as the American Association’s expansion director.  Read more here.

Neighborhood Revitalization Renovation on Deck for Cleveland’s League Park

Wake up, Detroit!  The Cleveland City Council has approved spending $5 million to restore League Park (1891-1946), the former home of the Cleveland Spiders, featuring legendary pitcher Cy Young, and the Cleveland Indians.  Plans include restoring the ticket house and bleacher wall, creating a Major League-size diamond in the same place as the original, and constructing a community

Redbirds Unveil 2012 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Memphis Redbirds released the confirmed promotions for the 2012 season today. The schedule includes 12 firework shows, nine giveaways and five different entertainment appearances, along with Mother’s Day: Pink in the Park, sponsored by DeVry University on May 13 and Faith and Family Night on June 16.

Colts Name Riggs New Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – The San Angelo Colts have named David Riggs as their Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the 2012 season. Riggs will broadcast every Colts game on the radio this summer. Riggs was chosen to replace Ira Liebman, who became the Event Marketing Manager for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Liebman

Boomers to Unveil New Video Scoreboard on Opening Day

The indy pro Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) plan to unveil a new 450-square-feet Daktronics HD video scoreboard during the team’s inaugural opening day on May 25.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Principal Park (Des Moines, IA)

LittleBallparks.com visits Principal Park, home of the Triple-A Iowa Cubs (Pacific Coast League).  View photos here.

Mayor, Potential AA Team Owners: One-Week Delay Not a Concern

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is saying that a one-week delay from Feb. 7 to Feb. 16 for city staff to report on the future of minor league baseball at Ottawa Stadium will not harm chances for Double-A ball in the capital city.  The potential Double-A team owners apparently agree.  In an effort to keep the pressure on, Ken “The Bulldog” Gray has continued to chomp at the city’s heels clamoring

Florida Ballparks: Havens for the Homeless?

There is apparently a little-known law on the books in Florida that requires publicly-funded professional sports stadiums to operate as homeless shelters on nights when no official events are taking place.  The law has pretty much been ignored, but a couple of legislators are sponsoring bills to force operators to repay public funds if they are unable to prove they have been making room for the

Champaign Mayor Finally Appoints Ballpark Exploratory Committee

Champaign (IL) Mayor Don Gerard has finally appointed an exploratory committee to determine the feasbility of building a new minor league ballpark, after announcing the idea last summer.  The group, led by software executive Tony Johnston, will begin discussions on Monday, Jan. 30.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

City of Palms Park Needs New Roof

The Boston Red Sox have departed City of Palms Park for the new JetBlue Park at Fenway South as the team’s Spring Training home, which is one reason some folks in Lee County are not too keen on the idea of spending $300,000 for a new roof needed to maintain the 20-year-old trade in.  Read more and view news clip here.

Chanticleers Getting New Digs

The State of South Carolina has given approval to a $10.2 million renovation of Coastal Carolina University’s baseball and softball complexes.  Construction is expected to be completed in time for the 2014 season.  Read more here.  View renderings here.

Marlins Choose Three Shops for Exterior Plaza

The Miami Marlins announced today that La Baguette, Holiday Bakery and YoBlendz have been selected as food vendors to take up residence in the exterior West Plaza at the new Marlins Park.  The three new shops will be accessible year-round.  Interestingly, the plaza, which is designed to be a gathering area for fans before and after games, will be covered when the ballpark’s retractable

Sweets Launch Hat Club for 2012 Season

PRESS RELEASE – With the start of the 2012 season of Walla Walla Sweets baseball just around the corner the team is introducing a fun new option for fans. Lou’s Lid Alliance will be the official hat club of the Sweets, and will feature a new custom, fitted cap every three months. Each unique hat will be available only through membership in the club.

Dirt Dawgs Hire New Marketing and Events Manager

PRESS RELEASE – The Wachusett Dirt Dawgs today announce the appointment of Matthew “Matt” Berthiaume as the team’s Manager of Marketing and Events.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Coolray Field (Lawrenceville, GA)

LittleBallparks.com visits Coolray Field, home of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves (International League).  View photos here.

Saints Unveil 20th Season Logo

PRESS RELEASE – Bill Clinton was President. Microsoft introduced their first version of Windows, Windows NT 3.1. Pebbles Flintstone and Bam Bam Rubble wed. Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” topped the charts. And the current version of the St. Paul Saints played their first game at Midway Stadium. The year was 1993 and one of these is about to celebrate a huge milestone.  The St.

Astros Ponder Name Change

The new owner of the Houston Astros, Jim Crane, said that he is not only considering a uniform change as the team prepares to move to the American League, but a name change too.   No decision has been made, but the issue will be studied in coordination with marketing consultants.  Crane made reference to the Colt .45s, the team’s name when it was established in 1962.  Read more here.

Parkview Field Ranked #1 MiLB Experience

PRESS RELEASE – Stadium Journey, sports travel publication and website, released their Top 100 sporting venues. Parkview Field was ranked as the #1 ballpark in all of Minor League Baseball and the #13 venue in all of professional sports in their “Best of 2011″ publication.  [View Top-10 list below.]

Kohls Joins Rafters Front Office

PRESS RELEASE – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced today that Kyle Kohls has joined the front office as the team’s Director of Group Sales and Marketing.  In his new role, Kohls will work with non-profit groups to create fundraising and group outing opportunities, oversee the Rafters reading program, as well as manage the ballpark entertainment on game days.

Winchester EDA Seeks Land for New MiLB Ballpark

The Winchester (VA) Economic Development Agency is seeking 12-acres of land in Jim Barnett Park from the city for a new baseball stadium for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  The Suns are reportedly in discussions with the city about possible relocation.  Winchester is less than one hour south of Hagerstown (MD).  Read more and view aerial map here.

New Ballpark Naming Rights Partner for Curve?

Blair County Ballpark, home of the Double-A Altoona Curve (Eastern League), will apparently be renamed after Pittsburgh-based Peoples Natural Gas.  An official announcement about the corporate sponsorship is expected on Tuesday,  Jan. 31.  Read more here

Deadline Day for Dodgers

The deadline to submit initial bids for the Los Angeles Dodgers is today.  To help clarify the process, the Los Angeles Times has provided a little Q&A for fans.  Read Q&A here.  Learn more here from Bloomberg.com.  Click here for a timeline of the Dodgers’ storied history.

RailCats New GM: Development Needed Around Ballpark

Kevin Spudic, the new president and general manager of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association), is now knee-deep in the job doing what is necessary to keep the team’s brand strong and growing the fanbase, but the lack of development around U.S. Steel Yard remains one of his concerns.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Hunter Wright Stadium (Kingsport, TN)

LittleBallparks.com visits Hunter Wright Stadium, home of the Rookie-level Kingsport Mets (Appalachian League).  View photos here.

Mayor Puts Brakes on New Downtown Ballpark for Stars

While a new downtown ballpark for the Double-A Huntsville Stars (Southern League) is still on the radar, Mayor Tommy Battle‘s concerns about the current ownership and their ability to maximize the club’s performance at the gate has given him pause.  The Stars’ attendance was an abysmal 1,582 per game in 2011.  Read more here.

Gems Voted Business of the Year

PRESS RELEASE – The Klamath County Chamber of Commerce honored the Klamath Falls Gems with the 2011 Business of the Year on January 21 at the Chamber’s 91st Annual Awards Gala. The honor was voted to the Gems by a committee of peers, and awarded to Gems General Manager Chuck Heeman by Debra Gisriel of Fisher Nicholson Realtors and Gems Owner Eric Baker. The Gala took

RailCats Bowling League…Yes, Bowling League…Strikes Up Again

PRESS RELEASE – The RailCats Family Bowling League returns in February to Stardust Bowl II in Merrillville. The league includes great giveaways for all bowlers and the first place team will win a free night in a Luxury Suite at a RailCats 2012 home game!

Women in the Baseball Workplace

Long hours and lousy pay are just a few of the downers baseball’s front office personnel have to deal with, but there are a few extra challenges for women in an industry dominated by men.  MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill takes a look at women in baseball in his most-recent Minoring in Business column.  Read more here.

Finish Restoring Municipal Stadium

The Republican-American’s Joe Pappadino makes the case for funding Phase III of the restoration of historic Municipal Stadium in Waterbury (CT).  The estimated cost is $4 million.  The stadium was the home of the indy pro Waterbury Spririt (Northeast League/Northern League) from 1997-2000.  Read more here.

Apodaca Park Grandstand Finally Coming Down

The nearly 62-year-old grandstand at Apodaca Park, home of the indy pro Las Cruces Vaqueros (Pecos League), is finally being dismantled after the announcement last season that it needed to come down for safety reasons.  The new, slightly-smaller grandstand set to be installed over the next few months will reduce the ballpark’s capacity to 902.  Read more here.  View photo here.

Miners Hire New Radio Voice

PRESS RELEASE – The Southern Illinois Miners have announced the hiring of their new radio voice, Mike Ventola. Mike comes to the Miners after spending the past season with the Triple A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate.

Suns Announce New Play-by-Play Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – The Jacksonville Suns are proud to announce that 14-year Major League veteran, Steve Kolbe has signed on to be the Jacksonville Suns Play-by-Play Broadcaster, for the 2012 Southern League season. All Suns games will broadcast on Sports Radio 930 AM, most of them live.

Brice Heads to Gwinnett, Abzug Promoted to GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Burlington Royals are proud to announce the hiring of Ben Abzug as the team’s new general manager. He has been promoted after having spent the previous two seasons on the club’s staff in the capacity of director of operations (2010) and assistant general manager (2011). Abzug, 24, came to Burlington after spending his first two summers in baseball as an intern for the minor league