Zoo Unveils Rosenblatt Stadium Memorial

The Omaha Zoo on Friday held a ceremony unveiling the new “Johnny Rosenblatt’s Infield at the Zoo,” a memorial paying tribute to the stadium that played host to the College World Series for 60 years and the Triple-A Omaha Royals (Pacific Coast League).  Read more and view photo gallery here.  View Action 3 News photo gallery here.

A Walk in the (Dehler) Park

For the fourth year, Dehler Park in downtown Billings (MT), home of the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs (Pioneer League), will be open to the public from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays throughout the summer to allow folks to get their exercise during lunchtime strolling around the stadium’s wraparound concourse.  Read more and view news report here.  Nice outreach.  Nice idea.

Talking About America’s Most Scenic Ballpark

U-T San Diego sportswriter John Maffei takes a look at the ballpark once dubbed America’s Most Scenic Ballpark.  As described by Maffei, “Perched on the cliffs in Point Loma (CA), Carrol B. Land Stadium on the campus of Point Loma Nazarene University has a breathtaking overlook of the Pacific Ocean.”  Read more here.  View photo gallery here.  View video here.

Rapids Unveil Element Mobile ‘Rat Trap’ Fan Deck

The summer collegiate Wisconsin Rapids Rafters’ (Northwoods League) new fan deck is open for business. Partnering with Element Mobile, the “Rat Trap” as the deck is called, was built using re-purposed steel from an old building.  Read more here.

The new Element Mobile “Rat Trap” fan deck – Element Mobile Facebook Page

New Renderings of Ballpark Village Released

The St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday released the latest detailed renderings of the $650 million Ballpark Village project.  The Cards broke ground on the project in February and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2014.  Read more and view slideshow here.

Fuego Get New Scoreboard

It’s not quite one of those fancy new videoboards of today, but the city of Santa Fe (NM) installed a new scoreboard Wednesday at Fort Marcy Ballpark, home of the Santa Fe Fuego (Pecos League).  The scoreboard was donated by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe.  Read more and view photos here.

Hoover Met Gets More Upgrades

The Hoover (AL) City Council Monday night approved spending another $352,000 on Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, the former home of the Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern League).  Hoover officials are hoping to lure some “A-list” concert acts with electrical upgrades and more.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the link.

Mallards Finish Brand New Ticket Office

PRESS RELEASE – The Madison Mallards recently opened their brand new Feldco Ticket Office. The 1,600-square foot building was added on to the existing office at the “Duck Pond.”

New Lights, Video Scoreboard for Cal Bears

PRESS RELEASE – Evans Diamond, which has served as the home of Cal baseball since 1933, received a major upgrade with the installation of a new lighting system, and a new scoreboard is scheduled for the Friday, May 10 contest versus Arizona State (6 p.m.).

Patriots Go Green With Solar Panels

Somerset County (NJ) Improvement Authority has completed their solar initiative on the site of TD Bank Ballpark, home of the indy pro Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League), with the installation of the 3,465 solar panels.  Read more here.

Bearkats Getting New Video Board

PRESS RELEASE – Bud Haney and Don Sanders, both Bearkat alums, have made possible the addition of a new video/scoreboard at Sam Houston State’s modern baseball facility. Installation of the top-of-the-line board by Daktronics is set to begin this summer to be ready for the 2014 Bearkat baseball season at Don Sanders Stadium.

Cubs Threaten Move

We think there is a little  huffing and puffing here, but Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts is threatening to move the team out of Wrigley Field if ownership doesn’t receive approval from the city for upgrades, including more signs in the outfield and a giant video scoreboard.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

Kettleers Get Ballpark Upgrades

Lowell Park, home of the summer collegiate Cotuit Kettleers (Cape Cod League), has gotten a bit of a makeover in the off season with a newly remodeled and expanded Kettleer Kitchen, upgraded and larger restrooms, and a new trophy and memorabilia case.  Read more and view photo here.  Below are renderings courtesy of Point-5 Productions:

Northwoods League to Live Stream Games Via Own YouTube Channel

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwoods League is pleased to announce it is launching a YouTube channel this summer that will provide fans with more than 560 NWL games streamed live during the 2013 regular and post season on the Northwoods League YouTube channel and through a YouTube video player on northwoodsleague.tv. The partnership was announced by Dick Radatz, Jr., Northwoods

Mallards Installing New Video Board This Morning

PRESS RELEASE – The Madison Mallards new Zimbrick Honda Video Board will be installed at 9:30 am tomorrow (Thursday) morning at the “Duck Pond.” All members of the media are invited to watch the crane hoist the video board into place.

Flood Waters Won’t Stop Bandits

The Mississippi River is rising again this spring in Davenport (IA), as crews worked Friday to build an elevated pedestrian walkway into Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League).  Like last year, the completed path will take visitors over the temporary flood wall, which has been built to 22 feet above flood stage outside the stadium.  Read more and view news clip here.

Bandits Adding Amusement Rides for 2013

PRESS RELEASE – The Modern Woodmen Park experience is about family-friendly fun, and this season Main Street Amusements is enhancing the ballpark to a whole new level. The Quad Cities River Bandits are set to become the first team in Minor League Baseball to bring a Ferris wheel inside its ballpark. But they are not stopping there. The River Bandits will also be adding a dual

Real Time Ballpark Weather Updates

There seems to be a smartphone app for just about everything, and now there is one for the baseball fan who wants to monitor the weather before or after heading to the ballpark on gameday.  RainAware on Thursday released its new Ballpark Weather app.  For the fan without the fancy phone, the website www.Baseball-Weather.com offers real time baseball weather data.

River Bandits Pondering Addition of 4-D Theater

Dave Heller, owner of the Single-A Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League), wants to add a small 4-D theater to the menagerie of attractions at Modern Woodmen Park that will, by the end of the current season,  include a Ferris wheel, two 300-foot zip lines, a carousel and a Froghopper ride for children.  Read more here.

Not to Be Outdone by the IronPigs, Senators Have Urinal Fun Taking on Rivals

The urinals at the home of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators (Eastern League) may not provide high-tech video game entertainment for fans like they do at the home of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (International League), but blasting low-tech urinal cakes sporting the brands of your enemies can provide seconds of restroom entertainment too while energizing support

Mallards Announce Addition of Video Board, Unveil First-Ever Community Impact Report

PRESS RELEASE – The Madison Mallards announced two improvements to the “Duck Pond” at their annual First Pitch event today at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.  The Zimbrick Honda Video Board and the TRICOR/West Bend Club Four-Top Tables will be new additions in 2013.

Isotopes Unveil Humidor for Baseballs

At the request of the parent Los Angeles Dodgers, the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (Pacific Coast League) have installed a humidor at Isotopes Park in which to store the team’s baseballs.  Because of the high altitude and dry climate at the ballpark, balls travel farther off the bat than they would at sea level.  Read more and view photo here.

Improvements to Municipal Stadium for 2013 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The San Jose Giants unveiled today a number of improvements to Municipal Stadium designed to enhance player development and fan experience at the ballpark. Built in 1942, Municipal Stadium has been a place for families to gather and watch professional baseball for over seventy years, while it has served as the home for top San Francisco Giants prospects since

SeaWolves Unveil New Features for 2013 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Erie SeaWolves, Double-A Affiliate of the American League Champion Detroit Tigers, will unveil a series of new and exciting features for the 2013 season, which begins on Thursday, April 4 when the team hosts the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates).

Mayor Gives Thumbs Down to St. Paul Parking Idea

St. Paul (MN) Mayor Chris Coleman said Monday that reusing part of the vacant Gillette/Diamond Products factory for parking below St. Paul’s future Lowertown ballpark for the indy pro St. Paul Saints (American Association) won’t work, for both cost and design reasons.  Read more here.

Dodgers Prepare to Unveil $100M in Stadium Upgrades

The Los Angeles Dodgers are racing to complete $100 million in renovations to Dodger Stadium in time for Opening Day on April 1 against the San Francisco Giants.   Read more and view photos here.

Wingnuts Ditch Long-Time Cashless Payment System at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The Wichita Wingnuts announced Wednesday that Lawrence-Dumont Stadium will be accepting cash at all events for the 2013 season.

IronPigs Home to Feature ‘Urinal (Pee-Controlled) Gaming System’

PRESS RELEASE – Coca-Cola Park will be the first sports venue in the world to feature a brand new revolutionary “Urinal Gaming System”, allowing fans to interact with the world’s only truly hands-free urinal game controller, when the Lehigh Valley IronPigs open their 2013 season this April. The p-controlled video game systems will be featured within all men’s restrooms at Coca-Cola Park and are

Stadium Improvements Highlight Mavs’ Offseason

PRESS RELEASE – In preparation for the 2013 California League season, the High Desert Mavericks have made several major improvements to their home park to provide a new and enhanced experience for fans, players, front office staff and all guests at Mavericks Stadium.

Home of Martha’s Vineyard Sharks Getting Makeover

The home for the summer collegiate Martha’s Vineyard Sharks (Futures Collegiate Baseball League) is getting a few upgrades before the season begins in June, including installation of lights and stadium-style seating from Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.  Read more here.

Loan for New Ferris Wheel Signed with THE National Bank

PRESS RELEASE – The new Ferris wheel coming to Modern Woodmen Park is a step closer to its new home in the Quad Cities, as the Quad Cities River Bandits announced approval of a five-year loan from THE National Bank to fund the project that will bring an iconic addition to the ballpark and riverfront.

Fans Turn Out for Spring Training at Renovated McKechnie

McKechnie Field, the summer home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Single-A Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League), has undergone a $10 million renovation, and the spend appears to be paying off.  Attendance is up four percent over last year, and a record 8,541 turned out for a St. Patrick’s Day game Sunday between the Pirates and

New Videoboard to Enhance Fan Experience

A giant new videoboard is now in place at Hank Aaron Stadium, as the Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern league) prepare for their home opener against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on April 10.  The old videoboard had donned the outfield since the ballpark opened in 1997.  Read more and view photos here.

Stadium Upgrades Will Greet Reds Fans on Opening Day

The Cincinnati Reds are finishing up $2 million in upgrades to Great American Ball Park, including renovation of  the Reds Team Shop outside the entrance and Machine Room restaurant in left field, and the addition of a Budweiser Bow Tie Bar above the visitors’ bullpen.  Read more and view photo gallery here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

River Bandits Introduce Newly Renovated Business Center Powered by Bradfield’s

PRESS RELEASE – In recent years, Modern Woodmen Park has rapidly transformed into a versatile venue for hundreds of events year-round, and the ballpark will soon open another unique space for groups and businesses in the Quad Cities community. The Quad Cities River Bandits will host a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, to unveil the newly renovated Bandits Business Center powered by

Rafters Unveil Plans for New Elevated Deck

PRESS RELEASE – The Rafters have partnered with Element Mobile to unveil plans for a new deck at historic Witter Field in 2013.  The new deck area will be a steel structure, lofted approximately ten feet above ground level. It will serve as a group hospitality area during Rafters games while also providing cover for the current third base courtyard.  This will provide another great

New Hops Ballpark to Feature Interactive Art Sculpture

The new stadium for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) will feature an interactive art piece called the “Barometer” that will light up when there is sound, and includes steel musical instruments.  Read more and view design here and here.

Charlotte Knights Tap Technology Firm to Enhance Visual Experience at New Park

PRESS RELEASE – The Charlotte Knights have hired TSE Services to consult new technologies being incorporated into BB&T Ballpark, scheduled to open Spring 2014 in uptown Charlotte, NC. With their vast experience and expertise integrating audio and visual technology throughout the country, TSE will be responsible for the oversight and purchasing of nine state-of-the-art LED displays, along

Horned Frogs Show Off Lupton Upgrades

Texas Christian University’s Lupton Stadium underwent a few upgrades during the off season, which were unveiled to fans during the Horned Frogs’ opening series this past weekend.  Read more and watch video here.

Football, Baseball Seating Design Approved for New Vikings Stadium

After a nearly month-long impasse that threatened to delay construction of the new stadium for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, a deal was approved Friday on a seating design for the facility that allows the Vikings to put their fans close to the action, while ensuring a workable baseball field configuration for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.  Read more and view rendering here.