Council to Vote Tuesday on New $60.8 Million Ballpark Contract

The El Paso City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to increase the price tag for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tuscon Padres (Pacific Coast League) by $8-million to pay for additional seating and amenities.  Read more here.

Long-Term Lease Extension for Navigators

The Lynn (MA) Stadium Commission on Tuesday approved a new long-term lease extension for the summer collegiate North Shore Navigators (Futures Collegiate Baseball League) to continue using Fraser Field for the next seven years through 2020.  Read more here.

Cubs vs. Rooftop Owners

Don Babwin from the Associated Press takes a detailed look at the emergent battle between the Chicago Cubs and rooftop owners outside Wrigley Field over the team’s proposed improvements/ signage that could negatively impact views.  Read more here.

A Single-A Option for Ottawa?

An Ottawa city committee heard that there is at least one team ready to submit a proposal to bring baseball back to the city, pending $10 million to $30 million in funding for Ottawa Stadium upgrades.  Single-A ball is reportedly a possibility.  Read more here and here.

More Teams for Houston Suburbs?

Opening Day Partners (OPD) Chairman Frank Kirk said the indy pro Atlantic League is looking to add up to two new minor league baseball teams around Houston to begin building a four-team western division for the circuit.  OPD owns and operates the league’s Sugar Land Skeeters 25 miles southwest of Houston.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Amicable Lease Termination for Diablos

The El Paso (TX) City Council on Tuesday will consider approving an agreement reached between the city and the indy pro El Paso Diablos (American Association) for early termination of the club’s lease at Cohen Stadium.  Under the terms of the deal, the Diablos will receive about $300,000, which includes a fee to promote the coming Triple-A team at Cohen through the rest of this baseball season.  Read more here.

Northwoods League Coming to Kalamazoo

You knew this was eventually going to happen.  The Kalamazoo (MI) City Commission on Monday approved a contract with Kalamazoo Baseball LLC to bring a summer collegiate Northwoods League franchise to Homer Stryker Field in 2014.  The team will pay $35,000 per year to lease the ballpark.  Read more here.

City Staff Recommend Issuing New RFO for Ottawa Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – In a report to be released this afternoon, City staff recommend that a new Request for Offers be issued to find a long-term tenant for the Ottawa Stadium. Staff are also recommending that the Ottawa Stadium be opened for community use this summer. The staff report will be considered at a meeting of the Finance and Economic Development Committee on June 4.

Perfect Game League Expands to Saugerties (NY)

The summer collegiate Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) is expanding to Saugerties (NY) and will begin play at a newly lighted Cantine Memorial Field starting in 2014.  Saugerties Parks and Recreation Superintendent Greg Chorvas had this to say about negotiating a deal with the PGCBL:

Unhappy Concession Workers Call for Strike Authorization Vote Today

Roughly 750 union-represented concession workers at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, have called for a strike authorization vote Saturday.  They are  unhappy over the progress of negotiations for a new contract with the stadium vendor, Centerplate Inc.  The employees have reportedly been working without a contract for three years.  Read more here.

City Renews DBAP Lease with Bulls

The Durham (NC) City Council has renewed its agreement with the Triple-A Durham Bulls (International League) to lease and operate Durham Bulls Athletic Park, also known as the DBAP.  The agreement with the Bulls extends until 2033, with two additional five-year options for renewal.  Read more here.

A Summer Bid for Ottawa Stadium

Marketing Breakthroughs CEO Steve Klein and former Ottawa Fat Cats GM Duncan MacDonald have made an unsolicited pitch to the City of Ottawa to manage vacant Ottawa Stadium over the summer and open the space up to youth and amateur ball clubs.  So far, the pair have not received a response from the city.  Read more here.

Homestead Seeks to Evict Operator From ‘Pink Elephant’

The city of Homestead (FL) has filed suit to evict La Ley Sports from Homestead Sports Complex, alleging the organization failed to pay the city $161,382 for utilities, $100,667 in property taxes and $89,248 for property insurance.  The city terminated the lease on March 12 but La Ley refused to surrender the property, according to the lawsuit.

Sun Devils to Make Move Official Today

Arizona State baseball’s move to Phoenix Municipal Stadium from Packard Stadium will become official Tuesday when the school formally announces an agreement with the City of Phoenix that begins in 2015.  Read more here.

O’Fallon Locks In Rascals Long Term After Dramatic Drop in Annual Lease Payment

The city of O’Fallon (MO) and indy pro River City Rascals (Frontier League) have agreed to a new long-term contract for the use of T.R. Hughes Ballpark.  Under the deal, the Rascal’s rent will drop from $175,000 in 2012 to $50,000 in 2013.  The payment will then gradually increase over the next nine years but stay below the 2012 number.  Read more and view news clip here.

New Owner of Skylands Explores Options, Lower Annual Property Tax Bill Should Help

Mark Roscioli Jr., owner of real estate investment firm 17 Mile LLC, continues to explore his options for a primary baseball tenant at Skylands Park after finalizing a deal to purchase the facility for $950,000.  After learning that the park’s annual property tax liability has been lowered from $120,000+ to $30,000, we have more confidence in this effort.  Read more here.  Thanks to Johnny Regan for the story.

Curve Renew PDC With Pirates, Franchise Awarded 2014 Eastern League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Altoona Curve have extended their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2018 season, the two sides announced today prior to the Pirates-Curve Exhibition Game in Altoona.  The announcement was made by Curve owner Bob Lozinak, Curve General Manager Rob Egan, Pirates President

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Saying Goodbye to HoHoKam Stadium (Mesa, AZ)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com visited HoHoKam Stadium in Mesa (AZ) for one last time before the Chicago Cubs pack their bags for their new $99 million spring-training facility — Riverview Park — a mere three miles away.  HoHoKam is expected to be reborn as the new spring-training facility for the Oakland A’s in 2015.  Read more and view photos here.

Arizona Fall League’s Desert Dogs Franchise Moving to Camelback Ranch

PRESS RELEASE – The Arizona Fall League, Major League Baseball’s annual graduate school for the game’s top prospects, announces the relocation of its Desert Dogs franchise to Camelback Ranch-Glendale, the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning in 2013.

UAB Blazers Could Be Playing Games at New Regions Field

The Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern League) are in talks with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) about hosting Blazers home game at the new Regions Field.  Read more here.

Two Other Leagues Interested in Skylands Park

It didn’t take long after the sale of Skylands Park in Sussex County (NJ) to real estate investment firm 17 Mile LLC for leagues beyond the pre-sale rumbling from the indy pro Atlantic League (or ABL2) to show interest in playing at the currently vacant facility.  The summer collegiate Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League and newly revived indy pro

Skylands Park Sold

In positive new for the possible return of baseball to Sussex County (NJ), the sale of Skylands Park to Ardmore (PA)-based real estate investment firm 17 Mile LLC indeed closed on Friday, March 15.  The facility sold for $950,000, plus $160,000 in overdue taxes and related fees.  Skylands is the former home of the Single-A New Jersey Cardinals (New York-Penn League) and indy pro Sussex Skyhawks

North County Cannons Sever Ties AWBL, Will Not Play in 2013

PRESS RELEASE – The North County Cannons, a new minor league baseball team, will not be playing this summer.  Team owner and president, Jim Hoynes, confirmed that stadium use negotiations with Cal State San Marcos were concluded without success and every effort to locate an alternate playing location has turned up negative.

City Shuts Off Water, Power to ‘Pink Elephant’

The city of Homestead has turned off the electricity and water service to Homestead Sports Complex, saying La Ley Sports has not paid a utility bill since Sept. 7.  The city says the company owes $143,000 in utility payments, including electricity, water and trash.  La Ley Sports took control of the facility two summers ago and filed a class action lawsuit against the city last May, claiming that

El Paso, Union Pacific Reach Deal

The city of El Paso (TX) and Union Pacific Railroad have reached a deal whereby the city will give Union Pacific some property near Union Depot in exchange for a parcel of railroad land abutting the site for the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League).  The city council is expected to be presented with the final agreement by April.  By this time, the Insights

A’s Reach 20-Year Agreement to Train in Mesa Beginning in 2015

PRESS RELEASE – The Oakland Athletics and the City of Mesa have reached a 20-year agreement for the team to train in the East Valley city, beginning in February 2015. The A’s, who also hold two five-year options that could extend the contract to 30 years, will conduct workouts at Fitch Park and play their Spring Training games at Hohokam Stadium, the current home of the Chicago

Another Run at Double-A Ball in Ottawa?

The Ottawa newspaper is reporting that Mandalay Baseball Properties and Professional Sports Catering are jointly working with Ottawa mayor Jim Watson’s office on a deal to completely renovate and operate Ottawa Stadium while bringing an existing Double-A Eastern League franchise to the capital city.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Sale of Skylands Park Called Off

After coming to terms earlier this month on the pending transfer of ownership of Skylands Park, the parties to the deal said last Thursday that the sale of the 4,200-seat ballpark, which was scheduled to be  finalized on March 1, is apparently a no go.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the story.

Aviators Take Over Marinelli Field, Foresters Will Play On the Road

The indy pro Rockford Aviators (formerly Rockford RiverHawks) (Frontier League) have signed a one-year lease agreement (with one-year options for the next four years) with the Rockford (IL) Park District to operate Marinelli Field.  As a result, the summer collegiate Rockford Foresters (Midwest Collegiate League), which

Playing Politics in Kenosha?

Kenosha (WI) Common Council Aldermen Kevin Mathewson (a newbie) and David Bogdala, who voted against the Simmons Field renovation project and lease agreement that will bring a new summer collegiate Northwoods League team to town, are stirring the pot by bringing into question a $798 motor-coach trip taken last summer by local elected officials and others to Madison (WI) to check out

AWBL Signs Agreement with Nogales (AZ), Ownership Group Announced

PRESS RELEASE – Embark Holdings, Inc subsidiary American West Baseball League today announced that they have signed an agreement with the City of Nogales and an Ownership Group has agreed to own and operate the team in Nogales, Arizona. The ownership group consists of MLB Players and business professionals. The new team will play at War Memorial Stadium and start this 2013 season.

Nogales Not Out Yet

Despite being given the cold shoulder during a Nogales (AZ) City Council meeting back on Feb. 6, the developing indy pro American West Baseball League was back at the table Thursday afternoon trying to convince local baseball powers to allow the circuit to bring a new team to War Memorial Stadium.  Progress was reportedly made.  Read more here.

Lease Approved for New Vallejo Team

The Greater Vallejo (CA) Recreation District (GVRD) board voted 5-0 Tuesday night to allow the indy pro Vallejo Admirals (Pacific Association) to play at Wilson Park, beginning this season.  The team will give the ballpark a facelift and pay $5,000 to use it.  The GVRD will pick up the tab for utilities and garbage removal.  Read more here. View Wilson Park images here and here.

Sun Devils to Move to Phoenix Municipal Stadium

The Arizona Board of Regents has approved Arizona State University’s 25-year lease agreement with the City of Phoenix to move the Sun Devils from Packard Stadium to Phoenix Municipal Stadium in 2015.  Read more here.

Baseball to Return to Skylands Park

While the deal is not yet finalized, Ardmore (PA)-based 17 Mile LLC plans to buy vacant Skylands Park in Sussex County (NJ) for $950,000.  The group is reportedly in negotiations with two separate baseball outfits to find a team to play at the stadium beginning in 2014.  Read more here.

SwampDogs Sign Long-Term Lease Extension

PRESS RELEASE – The SwampDogs are here to stay! The Fayetteville SwampDogs announced today they have agreed to terms with Cumberland County for a new lease extension to continue playing at J.P. Riddle Stadium through the 2020 season.

Canadians, Blue Jays Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club and Toronto Blue Jays agreed to extend their Player Development Contract through 2016. The announcement came as part of the Canadians 3rd Annual Hot Stove Luncheon presented by Scotiabank at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Friday.

Loggers Negotiating Lease Extension

After 10 successful seasons as one of the top two or three summer collegiate clubs in the country, the  LaCrosse Loggers (Northwoods League) are working to extend their lease at Copeland Park.  The franchise was launched in 2003 after the near downtown field next to the St. Croix River was improved with a new grandstand and other amenities.  Read more here.

Edinburg Chooses Most-Recent Tenant Over Ventura Sports Group

The city of Edinburg (TX) in November put the lease to Edinburg Stadium up for bid, after the owner of the indy pro Edinburg Roadrunners (North American League/United League) were late in making lease payments.   In the end, the city decided to stick with the Roadrunners over Ventura Sports Group, the owner of the indy pro Laredo Lemurs (American Association).  Read more here.

Long-Term Lease Deal on Deck for Rascals

The indy pro River City Rascals (Frontier League) and the city of O’Fallon (MO) have reportedly reached a “general consensus” on a new 10-year agreement for the use of  T.R. Hughes Ballpark, which would replace the current lease set to expire after the 2014 season.  The new deal could result in lower lease payments and stadium improvements, including a video scoreboard and installation of artificial turf.  Read more here.