Biloxi Ballpark Site Called the Best

Tim Bennett, owner of Overtime Sports charged with bringing pro ball to Biloxi (MS), considers the site chosen for the new minor league stadium on U.S. 90, across from the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, among the best in the country.  Read more here.

El Paso Ballpark Groundbreaking Set for May 30

The city of El Paso and the MountainStar Sports Group announced on Monday that the groundbreaking for the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) will be held on May 30.  Read more here.

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.”

Colorado Springs Newspaper Endorses Downtown Ballpark Plan

In an editorial over the weekend, the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper endorsed a proposal to build a new downtown ballpark for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Pacific Coast League) as a “big move” to spur downtown revitalization.  Read more here.

Lights On in Hillsboro

Construction is nearing completion on the new ballpark for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex in Hillsboro (OR).  The lights were turned on for the first time on Wednesday, but work remains on the artificial turf, scoreboard, outfield berm, and other finishing touches.  Read more here.  View stadium photo here.

North Augusta Pitches New TIF Plan for Ballpark

North Augusta (SC) City Officials made their second pitch to the Aiken County School Board on Tuesday night to try and sell them on a TIF (tax increment financing) plan for Project Jackson that would include a new ballpark for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Rendering Shows Gophers Playing at New Vikings Stadium

Renderings of the new Minnesota Vikings stadium were unveiled on Monday, including one showing the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers playing on the stadium’s versatile playing surface.  During bad weather in the spring, the Gophers will play their home games at the glacier-looking facility.

HKS Sports Rendering – Minnesota Vikings Website

Poll Provides No Boost for Cubs, Rooftop Owners

Nearly half of the voters in a Chicago Tribune/WGN poll said they side with neither the Chicago Cubs nor the rooftop owners in the ongoing debate to renovate Wrigley Field.  The team’s efforts were backed by 28 percent of voters, while the rooftop owners were backed by 21 percent.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the Cubs have launched a new website for their renovation push.

Survey to Measure Interest in New Downtown Ballpark

At the request of Mayor Steve Bach, the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Pacific Coast League) and the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance have emailed surveys to their fans and organization members, respectively, soliciting input on a possible new downtown baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Biloxi Intends to Borrow $21M for New Ballpark

The Biloxi (MS) City Council voted 5-2 today to announce its intent to borrow $21 million to be used toward building a new Double-A baseball stadium.  Read more here and here.

Study Gives Fredericksburg Thumbs Up to Hosting Professional Baseball

As expected, representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey presented to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority today the positive results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-use baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

Some Oppose New Ballpark in Summerlin

It is no surprise here, but some residents of Summerlin (NV) are not happy with a proposal to build a new ballpark there for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s (Pacific Coast League).  Read more and view news report here.

El Paso Ballpark Impacting Election Outcomes?

The mayoral and three city council races in El Paso (TX) are headed toward a run0ff election on June 15, as none of the candidates for these offices received a majority of the vote on Saturday.  With so many candidates running, it is hard to tell if the new downtown ballpark project played a significant role in the voting.  Read more here.

Olsen Family at Odds Over Blue Bell Park Signage

Steven Olsen fears the name of his grandfather, Pat Olsen, is on the brink of being lost to future generations of Texas A&M Aggies, after $24 million renovation of Olsen Field last year spurred by a $7 million gift from Blue Bell Creameries.  The stadium is now known as “Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.”  While the Olsen name appears on certain locations of the facility, only “Blue Bell Park”

The Wrigley Debate

Bob Nightengale from USA TODAY Sports has written a comprehensive and informative piece about the neighborhood battle raging over proposed plans to renovate Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.  It’s a good read.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

Preliminary Ballpark Study to be Presented in Fredericksburg

Representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey will present to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority on Monday the preliminary results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-purpose baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

‘Bama Seeking Ballpark Upgrades

The University of Alabama athletic department intends to present plans to the board of trustees for $30 million in upgrades for the school’s baseball facilities, including Sewell-Thomas Stadium.  Read more here.

Contractor Chosen for Simmons Field Renovations

PRESS RELEASE – Construction bids for the renovation of historic Simmons Field were opened to the public at 2 pm Thursday at Kenosha City Hall. Out of four bidders, Camosy Construction of Kenosha, was awarded the project after submitting the low bid for the City of Kenosha Public Works project.

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.

New Morgantown Ballpark: Making It Happen

WVUsports.com baseball blogger John Antonik takes an interesting look at the ins and outs of securing the developing new ballpark in Morgantown (WV) for the West Virginia University Mountaineers baseball team and Single-A New York-Penn League franchise.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

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.

Upgrades Progressing at Medford’s Harry & David Field

Planned upgrades to Harry & David Field, home of the expansion summer collegiate Medford Rogues (West Coast League) appear to be coming along nicely with new, expanded seating in place.  Check out these photos below from the Rogues’ Facebook page:

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.

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.

Stadium Redefining Greenville’s West End

Opening in 2006, Fluor Field, home of the Single-A Greenville Drive (South Atlantic League), has played a key role in redefining Greenville’s (SC) industrial West End neighborhood.  Beyond the economic impact of the eight-year-old stadium, it appears the Drive are being very good neighbors too.  Read more here.  Take a video tour of Greenville here.

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:

Talking Lawsuit in San Jose

As the four-year impasse drags on over the proposed move by the Oakland A’s to a new ballpark in downtown San Jose, frustrated business leaders eager to tap an anticipated fan spending windfall have begun exploring the idea of suing Major League Baseball and the San Francisco Giants for holding it up.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

Flood Waters Recede From Field at Clemens

Mississippi River flood waters have receded from the playing surface at Clemens Field, home of the summer collegiate Hannibal Cavemen (Prospect League), but there is plenty of standing water around the ballpark.  Read more and view photo gallery here.  View photo of Clemens head deep in water.

New Ballpark Designs Released, Site Passes Environmental Muster

The city of St. Paul has finalized an environmental assessment of the Lowertown site for the new $54 million, 7,000-seat ballpark for the indy pro St. Paul Saints (American Association). Meanwhile new preliminary designs of the developing stadium have been released.  Read more here.

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.

Mayoral Candidate on Ballpark: ‘There’s Going to be (Parking) Chaos’

Tim Holden is a small business owner and political novice who has been inspired to run against St. Paul (MN) Mayor Chris Coleman because of the chaotic and tragic parking situation he says will occur in Lowertown St. Paul when the new ballpark for the indy pro St. Paul Saints (American Association) is built.  Read more here.

Warner Robins (GA) Feasible

As a follow up to a story in February, a feasibility study performed by National Sports Services says that Warner Robins (GA), a city about 20 miles south of Macon, could support a Single-A Minor League Baseball franchise.  A group is exploring the idea of building a new baseball stadium via a public-private partnership to lure an affiliated baseball team.  Read more and view news clip here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Hagerstown: Ballpark Feasibility Study In, Sites Being Explored

As the city of Hagerstown (MD) digests the 56-page Ripken feasibility report for building a new $22-$25 million ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), city officials are pondering a number of site options for locating the facility.  Read more and watch news clip here.

Legislature Approves Ballpark Bill in Special Session

Just when you think the proposed new ballpark in Morgantown (WV) for the West Virginia University Mountaineers and a Single-A New York-Penn League franchise is a no go, a special session of the state legislature makes it happen by approving the tax-increment financing (TIF) bill for the project.  Read more and view news clip here.

New Hillsboro Ballpark 80 Percent Complete

Hillsboro (OR) Parks & Recreation Director Wayne Gross has informed city officials that construction on the new $15.5 million ballpark for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) is 80 percent complete.  Installing the scoreboard, field turf, concessions and completing the concourse between the ballpark and Hillsboro Stadium remain on the to-do list.  Read more and view slideshow here.

‘The Wade’ Gets a Little Love in House Bonding Bill

The Minnesota House of Representatives has proposed $250,000 in bonding for the city of Duluth (MN) to design improvements for historic Wade Stadium, home of the summer collegiate Duluth Huskies (Northwoods League).  The Minnesota Senate has yet to unveil its bonding proposal.  Locals are working toward a multi-million dollar renovation project.

 

Cubs, City Reach Deal on Wrigley Renovations

The Chicago Cubs have reached a deal with the city of Chicago to give Wrigley Field a $500 million facelift, which will include the installation of an electronic video screen that is nearly three times as large as the hand-operated scoreboard currently atop the center-field bleachers.  Read more here.  Rooftoppers are a tad concerned.  Read more here.

Johns Hopkins Raising Funds for Renovating Ballpark

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (MD) is in the process of raising approximately $4.2 million to improve its baseball facility.  The new home for the Blue Jays will include an artificial turf field, new dugouts, a 290-seat grandstand and press box, and a plaza area with permanent restrooms and concessions.  Read more and view rendering here.

Elkhart County (IN) Baseball Stadium Project Back on Track?

A $12 million ballpark project in Elkhart County (IN) for a summer collegiate Northwoods League team was derailed three years ago because of the economy, but a project revival appears to be on track with a land-use permit hearing scheduled before the Elkhart County Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday.  Read more here.  Read 2010 article here.

Woodchucks, City of Wausau Announce $2.7M Stadium Renovation Project

PRESS RELEASE – The Wisconsin Woodchucks and the Macdonald Family, in partnership with the City of Wausau will announce plans today to renovate Athletic Park and develop a Neighborhood Park adjacent to the Stadium.