Hillsboro Hops Unveil Uniforms

The Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) unveiled their official home, road, and BP uniforms on Thursday at their new ballpark at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.

Hillsboro Hops Facebook Photo

Hillsboro Hops Facebook Photo

Ems and VooDoo Doughnuts in a Food Fight

PRESS RELEASE – The Emeralds are competing against 63 other minor league clubs to crown the best ballpark food item in the land. The Emerald’s contest entry is the new Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Brat which was unveiled to rave reviews at the May 4th ticket release party at PK Park.

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.

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.

Boise Hawks Unveil New Unis, Enhanced Branding

The Single-A Boise Hawks (Northwest League) unveiled their new uniforms and enhanced branding at Big Al’s in Meridian (ID) Monday, April 1, 2013.  View photo gallery here.

Boise Hawks to Unveil Minor Branding Makeover and New Uniforms April 1

PRESS RELEASE – Your Boise Hawks are undergoing a mild facelift and brand refresh that will be released to the public April 1. The Hawks have worn the current colors and logos since 2007. The team marks will not change drastically but there is an addition of a much anticipated logo feature.

Budget for Hillsboro Ballpark Up Another $350K

Because of unforeseen costs and proposed enhancements to the new $15.2 million ballpark under construction for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League), an additional $350,000 will be sought to complete the project.  Read more here.

Higher Price Tag, Fewer Seats for New Hillsboro Park

Hillsboro’s (OR) new $15.2 million baseball facility for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) will be more expensive and have fewer permanent seats than originally planned, according to city officials.  Read more here.

Rich Burk Named ‘Voice’ of the Hops

PRESS RELEASE – The Hillsboro Hops announced today that longtime baseball broadcaster and Hillsboro resident Rich Burk will serve as the broadcast voice for the franchise. The Hops also announced that all 76 of their regular season games plus playoffs will be broadcast on Fox Sports AM620 Portland.

BridgePort Brewing Company Named Official Beer of the Hillsboro Hops

PRESS RELEASE – Bring me some peanuts and…IPA? The Single-A baseball Hillsboro Hops announced a multi-year partnership with BridgePort Brewing Company based in Portland, Ore. As per Hillsboro Hops team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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.

Foul-Ball Rule Faces Challenge in Idaho

The Idaho Supreme Court decided not to impose the “Baseball Rule” of liability in the lawsuit brought by a man who lost an eye after being struck by a foul ball during a Single-A Boise Hawks (Northwest League) game.  Instead, a jury will decide if watching baseball is an inherently dangerous activity done at the spectator’s own risk.  Read more here.

City Agrees Hillsboro Stadium Won’t Pay for Itself

The city of Hillsboro (OR) appears quite comfortable concluding that the new $12 million, 4,500-seat stadium under construction for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) will not be a revenue generator for the city but a valuable community asset/quality of life amenity that will have to be subsidized.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Avista Upgrades Progressing, Secret Safe Unearthered

Built in 1958, Avista Stadium, home of the Single-A Spokane Indians (Northwest League), is undergoing a $2.8-million facelift that includes replacing the main concession building, upgrading the administration building, creating a new team store, updating restrooms, and repaving the entire outer concourse.  During the construction process, a yet-t0-be-opened secret floor safe was

Hillsboro Stadium on Track, But Little Surprises During Excavation

The new 4,500-seat, $15 million ballpark under construction in Hillsboro (OR) for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) is on schedule to be completed in time for the team’s inaugural home opener in June, but the discovery of existing utilities that had to be moved and unstable soil during excavation will increase the cost of the project.  Read more here.

‘Squatch Out! Ems Release New Look

PRESS RELEASE – The Eugene Emeralds Baseball Club, single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, unveiled their new identity tonight. The official Logo Release Party was held at the Ninkasi Brewing tasting room at 272 Van Buren Street on Tuesday, November 27 starting at 5:30pm.

Countdown to Logo Release Party

PRESS RELEASE – The Eugene Emeralds Baseball Club, single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, announced today that the team will be releasing a new logo and color scheme this week. Fans and media are invited to the Logo Release Party at the Ninkasi Brewing tasting room at 272 Van Buren Street on Tuesday, November 27 starting at 5:30pm.

Hillsboro Issues Bonds for Ballpark, Moody’s Gives Rating

The city of Hillsboro (OR) issued $12 million in full faith and credit bonds last week for the new 4,500-seat, $15.2 million ballpark for the Single-A Hillsboro Hops (Northwest League) now under construction at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.  Moody’s Investors Service has given the bond deal an ” Aa3 raing.”  Read more here.

City Declares ‘Vancouver Canadians Day’

PRESS RELEASE – The City of Vancouver and Mayor Gregor Robertson welcomed Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney along with team President Andy Dunn and General Manager Jason Takefman to City Hall on Wednesday to proclaim November 7th, 2012 as ‘Vancouver Canadians Day’.

Northwest League Chooses New President

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwest League of Professional Baseball Board of Directors have chosen Michael Ellis, an executive with 20 years of experience in Minor League Baseball, as the next President of the Northwest League, effective January 1st, 2013. Ellis succeeds Bob Richmond, who retires after serving as League President for 30 years.

Construction Underway at Avista Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – Spokane County and the Spokane Indians, in conjunction with ALSC Architects and Kilgore Construction, have begun work on Avista Stadium improvements that will be completed in advance of the 2013 regular season.

Aerial View of Concourse

As We Predicted, It’s the ‘Hillsboro Hops’

PRESS RELEASE – Short Season, LLC announced today that it has selected the name Hillsboro “Hops” for its Single-A baseball team. The Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate begins play in a new state-of-the-art stadium in Hillsboro in 2013 and will play 38 home games from mid-June to early September.

Big Day In Hillsboro Today: First the Name, Then the Funding

As the owner of the relocated Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) prepares to “hop” into next season with the unveiling of the team’s new branding at 9:00 a.m. (PDT) this morning, the Hillsboro (OR) City Council is expected to authorize the issuance of $12.5 million in bonds at a meeting later today as part of the financing plan for the club’s new $15.2 million ballpark.  Read more here.

Klamath Falls Gems Sold

PRESS RELEASE – Jerry and Lisa Walker of the San Francisco Giants’ Class A affiliate, Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have purchased ownership of the Klamath Falls Gems.  The transfer of the team and franchise from an ownership group comprised of various West Coast League executives and local owners will be immediate.

Hillsboro Team Name Coming Next Week

We think we already have it pegged, but Hillsboro (OR) Professional Baseball announced yesterday on its Facebook page that the new name and logo for the relocated Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) will be unveiled on Tuesday, Oct. 16.  View Facebook page here.

Hillsboro Groundbreaking Today, Brand Unveiling Delayed (But We Think We Know)

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new $15.2 million stadium being built for the relocating Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) is today at 11 a.m. Pacific.  There was also supposed to be an unveiling of the team’s new name a logo, but that’s been delayed for a few weeks.  Read more here.  That said, there is strong evidence that the brand will have a beer connotation that could actually

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Nat Bailey Stadium (Vancouver, BC)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill visits Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Single-A Vancouver Canadians (Northwest League).  Read more and view photos here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Everett Memorial Stadium (Everett, WA)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill visits Everett Memorial Stadium, home of the Single-A Everett AquaSox (Northwest League).  Read more and view photos here and here.

Hillsboro to Use Full Faith and Credit Bonds to Pay For New Ballpark

The City of Hillsboro (OR) is expected to finance the new $15.2 million ballpark for the relocating Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) with full faith and credit bonds rather than general obligation bonds.  The former is paid for via general funds (no direct funding source) and requires no voter approval.  The latter is usually tied to a new tax or taxes requiring voter approval.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Yakima County Stadium (Yakima, WA)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill visits Yakima County Stadium, home of the Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League), before the team relocates to Hillsboro (OR).  Read more and view photos here and here.

Yakima Bears Say Goodbye, Talks With West Coast League Continue

The Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) played their final regular-season home game Saturday night at Yakima County Stadium.  The Bears still have a shot at the league championship in the playoffs, but the team said goodbye last night by playing a montage of highlights from past seasons on the stadium’s video board.  Next season, the team will take up residence in a new

Hillsboro Team Name to Be Announced at Groundbreaking

The owners of the soon-to-be-relocated Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League) plan to announce the name of the new Hillsboro (OR) team during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex at 11 a.m. on Sept. 21.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: PK Park (Eugene, OR)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill visits PK Park, home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League).  Read more and view photos here and here.

Northwest League President to Retire

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwest League of Professional Baseball and its directors announce that Bob Richmond will step down as President at the end of the calendar year.

Historical Name Talk in Hillsboro

As the Single-A Yakima Bears prepare to make the move to a new ballpark in Hillsboro (OR), at least one local is exploring the community’s baseball past to come up with a new name for the team.  Her sentimental favorite is the “Hillsboro Cardinals.”  We think something more original is in order.  Read more here.

Milwaukie Pulls Plug On Ballpark Project

The City of Milwaukie (OR) has decided shelve a plan to build a new baseball stadium, after time ran out to provide a needed economic feasibility study for building a more modest facility for a summer collegiate West Coast League franchise, after talks broke down with the Single-A Northwest League.  Read more here.

Milwaukie Set To Consider Proposal for WCL Ballpark Next Tuesday, Deadline Looms

After voting 3-2 to consider building a more modest ballpark for the summer collegiate West Coast League after talks with the Single-A Northwest League broke down, the Milwaukie (OR) City Council will review next Tuesday an updated economic impact study and architectural plans for a 2,000-seat baseball stadium.  Read more here.  The city is reportedly facing an Aug. 23

Hillsboro Council to Consider Proposed Ballpark Naming Rights Deal

The City of Hillsboro (OR) has reportedly negotiated the terms of a ballpark naming rights agreement for the 4,500-seat stadium to be built at the Gordon Faber Recreational Complex for the Single-A Yakima Bears (Northwest League).  The proposed deal, worth $150,000 annually, is expected to come before the city council Tuesday.  Read more here.

West Coast League Steps Up to Plate in Milwuakie

Now that talks between Milwuakie (OR) and the Single-A Northwest League have collapsed, the summer collegiate West Coast League has taken a seat at the negotiating table.  Read more here.  Read statement from the mayor here.

Dilapidated Outfield Fence Comes Down at Old Civic Stadium

With permission from the Eugene School District, which owns the property, volunteers from Save Civic Stadium took down the weathered and rotting outfield fence at Civic Stadium, the former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League).  The group felt the fence was an eyesore and inhibited the ability of Eugene residents to truly envision the redevelopment plan they are pushing for the property.  Read more here.