Patriots Host Ballpark Comic Con

The indy pro Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League) hosted the first ever Ballpark Comic Con at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday, May 18.  Read more here.  View photo here.

A custom made comic con keepsake poster designed by Sam Guerrero from Engine [9] Studios – Somerset Patriots Facebook Photo

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.

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.

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.

New Look for Atlantic League

The indy pro Atlantic League has launched a new website at www.atlanticleague.com, as the circuit begins its 16th season of operation.  Thanks to IndyFan for the heads up.

Atlantic League Coming to Fort Worth?

Opening Day Partners chairman Peter Kirk has confirmed his ownership group is in talks with Fort Worth about putting an indy pro Atlantic League franchise at LaGrave Field, the current home of the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League).  Kirk classified the ballpark as half-finished by Atlantic League standards and would need to be upgraded to make it work.  Read more here.  Thanks to Karl for the link.

Briefing Today on Virgnia Beach Application for Atlantic League Membership (UPDATED!)

A group that wants to bring professional baseball to Virginia Beach (VA) plans to announce Monday the results of its application to join the indy pro Atlantic League as an expansion team.  Read more here. UPDATE: Virginia Beach group granted conditional approval for an ABL expansion franchise.  Read more here.

Councilman: Loudoun Ballpark Approval No Obstacle for Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg (VA) Councilman Matt Kelly said this past week’s approval by Loudoun County (VA) officials to build a stadium for an independent professional baseball team poses no obstacle to bringing pro baseball to Fredericksburg.  Read more here.

Loudoun County Approves Ballpark Plan

PRESS RELEASE – Following this evening’s vote by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, professional baseball and soccer will come to Loudoun County, Virginia, in 2014. The Board voted unanimously to approve the request to build the privately financed facility in Ashburn within the One Loudoun development at the interchange of Route 7 and Loudoun County

Loudoun County Ballpark Proposal Scheduled for Vote

A plan to build a new 5,500-seat ballpark at One Loudoun for the expansion indy pro Loudoun Hounds (Atlantic League) is scheduled to be voted on by the Loudoun County (VA) Board of Supervisors on April 3.  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 Deal to Close Next Thursday, Patriots Chairman Rejects Idea of ABL2 Feeder Circuit

As real estate investment firm 17 Mile LLC looks to close next Friday on a deal to acquire Skylands Park, Steve Kalafer, chairman of the indy pro Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League), firmly dismissed any notion of an ABL feeder team coming Sussex County.  More broadly, according to the New Jersey Herald, Kalafer issued a statement late Thursday saying “there is no value at this

Planning Commission Approves Hounds Ballpark Proposal, Board of Supervisors Up Next

The Loudoun County (VA) Planning Commission has voted to approve plans to build a new baseball stadium at Ashburn’s One Loudoun for the expansion indy pro Loudoun Hounds (Atlantic League).   The proposal now heads to the Board of Supervisors for final action.  Read more here.

Loudoun Ballpark Supporters, Opponents Sound Off

It was a packed house Tuesday night during a meeting before the Loudoun County (VA) Planning Commission, as supporters and opponents of the proposed new ballpark at One Loudoun for the indy pro Loudoun Hounds (Atlantic League) and a pro soccer team had their say.  Read more here.

Proposed Loudoun Ballpark Faces Public Hearing Today

The plan to build a new stadium at One Loudoun for the indy pro Loudoun Hounds (Atlantic League) with face both supporters and opponents during a public hearing scheduled today before the Loudoun Planning Commission today.  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.

Talking New Ballpark in Virginia Beach

A group called Virginia Beach Professional Baseball is proposing to build a new 5,000-seat baseball stadium in Virginia Beach (VA) for an indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more and view news clip here.

Malden Ballpark Proposal a Hit with Most Residents

During a public meeting hosted by the Mayor’s office and the Malden (MA) Redevelopment Authority on Monday to allow residents to share their opinions about the $50 million, 6,300-seat ballpark proposal being put forth by Boston Baseball Field of Dreams LLC, the majority of folks who spoke gave the project a thumbs up.  Read more here.

Barnstormers Announce Stacked Promotional Calendar

PRESS RELEASE – Coming off of a record setting season, the defending Freedom Division Champion Lancaster Barnstormers plan to make the 2013 season a real blast.

Atlantic League Partners with Maroon PR

PRESS RELEASE – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc, and Maroon PR, a national sports marketing and public relations agency, today announced a partnership that will include working together on a variety of expansion and branding plans for the League. Formed in 1997, The Atlantic League is considered the highest level of minor league baseball, with on-field play

Managing the Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium

Ed Snyder, stadium operations manager for the indy pro Lancaster Barnstormers (Atlantic League), keeps busy during the winter overseeing the Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium.  Ice skaters and spectators can enjoy the facilities every weekend from now until Presidents’ Day.  Read more here.

Mayor Announces Public Hearing on Ballpark Project

PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, February 4th, Mayor Gary Christenson and the Malden Redevelopment Authority will hold a Public Hearing in the City Council Chambers, Malden Government Center, 200 Pleasant Street, from 6:00-8:00 PM, to seek input from residents and businesses on the proposal for a professional baseball ballpark in Malden.

Clipper Magazine Extends Ballpark Naming Rights Agreement

PRESS RELEASE – The Lancaster Barnstormers and Clipper Magazine jointly announced today that the Barnstormers home will continue to be called “Clipper Magazine Stadium” through 2019, and perhaps beyond.

Middlesex County NJ to Explore Building New Baseball Stadium

During a freeholder meeting last week, Middlesex County (NJ) Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano said the county will explore the possibility of building a new minor-league ballpark in the southern part of the county at no cost to the taxpayers.  The county would model the project after the highly successful indy pro Somerset Patriots (Atlantic League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Malden Mayor to Discuss Ballpark During Forum

Malden (MA) Mayor Gary Christenson will be holding his first online forum of the new year on Monday, January 7 from noon to 1:00 p.m.  One of the main topics he will be discussing is the developing new $50 million, 6,400-seat stadiium in Malden for an expansion indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more here.  To take part in the forum, visit www.cityofmalden.org.

Blue Crabs Appoint New General Manager

PRESS RELEASE – Fresh off their 5th anniversary season and fourth consecutive playoff appearance, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have announced the appointment of Patrick Day as new general manager of the franchise. Day will focus on providing strategic direction and assist the Blue Crabs in maintaining their status as a community leader, as well as focus on the day-to-day operations

Parties Sign Letter of Intent for Malden Ballpark

A host of state and local elected official were in Malden (MA) Monday to sign off on a deal that would allow Boston Baseball Field of Dreams led by attorney Alex Bok to take the next steps in building a new $50 million, 6,400-seat ballpark for an expansion indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more here and here.

Long Island Ducks Stadium to Get New Roof

Suffolk County (NY) officials are expected to soon approve spending $600,000 for a new roof for Bethpage Ballpark, home of the indy pro Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League), which was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.  The money would be drawn from the facility’s capital improvement fund.   At least one elected official is confident funds spent would be recouped from FEMA.  Read more here.

Skylands Park Saga Continues

As we posted last week, Skylands Park in Frankford Township (NJ) is going on the auction block today to cover $57,277 in back taxes owed by Millennium Sports Management.  However, Millennium is expected to pay the taxes and redeem the property, as the organization has apparently found a potential buyer for the property.  In addition, the indy pro Atlantic League is still exploring the facility for use by

The Loudoun Ballpark Debate

There is not a lot new here, but Tom Jackman who writes the State of NoVa blog appearing in The Washington Post takes a look at the debate over the proposed new ballpark at One Loudoun in Loudoun County (VA) for an expansion indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  If you haven’t been paying close attention, Jackman’s article is worth a read to catch you up. From our perspective, the debate is being overblown

Parties Agree to Lease Terms for New Atlantic League Ballpark in Malden

The Malden (MA) Redevelopment Authority has reached agreement with National Grid and Boston Field of Dreams LLC led by developer Alex Bok on the terms of a 40-year lease to build a $50 million minor league baseball stadium on the site of a former gas distribution facility on Commercial Street for an indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more here.

Loudoun One Ballpark Opponents Launch Website

Opponents of the new ballpark planned at One Loudoun for the indy pro Loudoun Hounds (Atlantic League) have launched a website at www.nostadiumon7.org.  Noise, traffic, safety and process are all cited as concerns by the group.  Read more here.

Lease Deal for Malden Ballpark Project Close at Hand

The Malden (MA) Redevelopment Authority is finalizing negotiations with National Grid to lease 6.4 acres of land that the organization will turn around a lease to Boston Baseball Field of Dream for a new $51 million ballpark for an expansion indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more here.

Barnstormers’ Successful Season in Review

PRESS RELEASE – The 2012 Lancaster Barnstormers will long be remembered as one of the greatest teams in the franchise’s eight year history. Numerous records were set during the 2012 season both on and off the field.

Futures League Makes Move on Worcester, Atlantic League on the Radar Too

While the indy pro Can-Am League works to hold the market held by the terminated Worcester Tornadoes with a replacement franchise at Hanover Insurance Park, John Creedon Jr., the owner of a Worcester-based catering and tent-rental company, says he has secured the rights to bring a summer collegiate Futures Collegiate

Atlantic League Feeder League on Deck, Caribbean on the Horizon?

As was raised last month in relation to Atlantic City, the indy pro Atlantic League is indeed looking at creating a short-season feeder league called ALBP2 that could begin play in 2014.  Read more here.  Beyond the ALBP2, Peter Kirk, chairman of Opening Day Partners, is eyeballing Atlantic League penetration into the Caribbean.  Read more here.

Malden Ballpark Project Delayed

Alex Bok, chief executive officer of Boston Baseball Field of Dreams LLC, the development group proposing to build a new $50 million, 6,372-seat stadium on the former National Grid gas distribution site in Malden (MA) for an expansion indy pro Atlantic League franchise, says negotiations are taking longer than expected, which could delay the park’s opening until April 2015.  Read more here.

Loudoun Hounds’ New Ballpark to be Built at One Loudoun

PRESS RELEASE – One Loudoun Holdings, LLC, a joint venture of Miller & Smith and North America Sekisui House, LLC (NASH) announces today plans to make One Loudoun the new home for the Loudoun Hounds, a professional baseball club located in Ashburn, Virginia. Development plans include the construction of a new ballpark with capacity for up to 10,000 fans including 5,500 fixed seats.

Bluefish Name Forma Assistant GM

PRESS RELEASE- The Bridgeport Bluefish have announced the hiring of veteran minor league baseball executive Jared Forma as the team’s new assistant general manager.

Sugar Land War Chickens Take the Field

The indy pro Sugar Land Skeeters (Atlantic League) finished up their regular season on Sunday, but not before donning Sugar Land War Chickens uniforms on Saturday for “What Could Have Been Night.”  The game-worn jerseys were auctioned off for charity via a silent auction held on the stadium’s concourse during the game.  Read more here.

Sugar Land Skeeters Facebook Photo