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.

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.

Sale of GreenJackets Finalized

PRESS RELEASE – The sale between Ripken Baseball and Agon Sports & Entertainment has been completed and approved by the South Atlantic League, Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. Now the new era of GreenJackets baseball begins.

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.

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.

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.

NewBridge Bancorp Extends Ballpark Naming Rights Agreement

NewBridge Bancorp and the Single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers (South Atlantic League) said Wednesday that the bank has extended its naming rights agreement for the Grasshoppers’ baseball stadium for an additional four years through 2021.  Read more here.

Suns Send Relocation Overtures to Fredericksburg

As Fredericksburg (VA) explores building a new baseball stadium and hosting a team, the Single-A Hagarstown Suns (South Atlantic League) have expressed an interest in being at the discussion table if invited.  Read more here.

Intimidators Host NHRA vs. NASCAR Charity Softball Game

PRESS RELEASE – The race is on as drivers from NASCAR and NHRA will take the field in a charity softball game at CMC-NorthEast Stadium, home of the Kannapolis Intimidators – Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, on Wednesday, April 17. An hour-long pre-game autograph session begins at 5 p.m. with first pitch at 7:00 p.m. The game will be followed by a concert

Beer Shakes and the Peanut Butter & Pepper Jelly, Jalapeno Bacon Burger Highlight New RiverDogs Menu Items

PRESS RELEASE – The Charleston RiverDogs are well known for their diverse and tasty concession offerings, which have in recent years drawn Food Network star Rachel Ray and Man v. Food celebrity Adam Richman to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to sample the variety of delicacies. Whether it’s at the Doghouse

County Rejects Extending TIF District for North Augusta Ballpark Project

The Aiken County (SC) Council vote 4-2 Wednesday to reject a proposal to extend the tax increment financing district to the proposed site for a $160 million riverfront development project in North Augusta (SC) that would include a new stadium for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Suns Announce Personnel Promotions

PRESS RELEASE – The Hagerstown Suns would like to announce three promotions of key front office personnel. Bob Bruchey will assume the position of Interim General Manager for the 2013 season following the resignation of current General Manager, Bill Farley. Farley steps down from the position he held for three years in order to pursue new opportunities at the end of February.

BlueClaws to Wear ‘Restore the Shore’ Jerseys Opening Weekend

PRESS RELEASE – Opening Weekend at FirstEnergy Park will have a decided Restore the Shore theme. BlueClaws players and coaches will be wearing special Restore The Shore jerseys April 4th – 7th, with the jerseys to be auctioned off to benefit BlueClaws Charities Restore The Shore efforts.

Rome Braves Announce New Broadcaster, Front Office Changes

PRESS RELEASE – The Rome Braves announce that Ben Poplin will call the games in 2013 on 95.7 FM the Ridge. The broadcast will also be heard online at romebraves.com in addition will complement televised home games available to fans at milb.tv.

Marano Promoted to GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A Affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) have announced the hiring of Brandon Marano, who takes over as the team’s new General Manager, effective immediately. The announcement was made Wednesday by Team President Joe Finley.

North Augusta Votes to Support Ballpark Plan

The North Augusta (SC) City Council voted 5-1 on Tuesday night for a resolution supporting “Project Jackson,” a large riverfront development that includes a new stadium for the Single-A Augusta Green­Jackets (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

BlueClaws GM Accepts Job with Rutgers Athletics

PRESS RELEASE – BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown, who has served that role for the team for the duration of their existence, has accepted the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Marketing Officer for Rutgers Athletics and will start work there on February 11th.

BlueClaws Announced First Wave of 2013 Promotions

PRESS RELEASE – With Opening Day less than three months away, the BlueClaws have unveiled the first wave of 2013 promotional nights, which include special autograph signers, giveaways, entertainers, and an expanded fireworks schedule.

War Memorial Stadium Not Out of Woods Yet, But…

The city of Greensboro (NC) has hired a consulting firm to explore ways to fund a project that would pair restoration and preservation of historic War Memorial Stadium, former home of the Single-A Greensboro Bats (now the Greensboro Grasshoppers) (South Atlantic League), with a broader restoration of the surrounding neighborhood and the future expansion of North Carolina A&T

Rome Braves Unveil Best-Ever Promtional Calendar

PRESS RELEASE – The Rome Braves announce exciting and new promotions for the 2013 season. The promotional calendar features three fireworks extravaganzas, two bobble head giveaway nights, a soccer ball giveaway, plus appearances by Zooperstars, Birdzerk, and Captain America. “This is by far our most exciting and lucrative promotional schedule in the ten year history of the Rome Braves

Power Management Transition

PRESS RELEASE – The West Virginia Power announced that Executive Vice President Andy Milovich will be leaving the organization in mid-January to accept a similar position with a higher level South Carolina baseball franchise.

Murray, Veeck Take Part in RiverDogs’ 2012 Holiday Greetings Video

The Single-A Charleston RiverDogs (South Atlantic League) have released their 2012 holiday greetings featuring actor Bill Murray, Mike Veeck, and the rest of the club’s staff and family members.  View video here.

North Augusta Plan Unveiled, Ripken Baseball Sells GreenJackets

PRESS RELEASE – A proposed mixed use plan for North Augusta’’s riverfront calls for a $150 million public-private investment that would include restaurants, retail, apartments, townhouses, a hotel, offices, conference center, parking and a City owned sports & entertainment facility, which would be the new home of the Augusta GreenJackets, as well as many other events throughout

‘Project Jackson’ to Include Ballpark?

North Augusta (GA) officials are expected to reveal next Wednesday the details of “Project Jackson,” a proposed major, multi-use riverfront project that could include a new stadium for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Ballpark Uncertainty in Hagerstown

With hope fading for a new $37 million downtown ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) after an anonymous private pledge of $15 million failed to materialize, local officials are left to ponder a plan B, which has yet to be developed.  This doesn’t bode well for affiliated ball in western Maryland, if another community steps up to the plate to lure the Suns.  Read more here.

Drive Announce Four Front Office Additions

PRESS RELEASE – The Greenville Drive announced today the appointment of four key individuals who will be instrumental in developing the team’s ongoing efforts to enhance and optimize the ballpark experience of its customers at Fluor Field at the West End.

Legends Unveil New Look (UPDATED)

PRESS RELEASE – It’s a new era in Lexington Legends baseball, and now the Legends have a new look. The Legends, who became a class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals in September, unveiled their new identity program Thursday evening in downtown Lexington. The new identity is part of a six-month creative overhaul of the Legends brand, which was planned before the affiliation

Legends to Unveil New Logo, Colors, Uniforms Next Week

PRESS RELEASE – The Lexington Legends Big L will be among those descending from the 410-foot-tall Lexington Financial Center Thursday, October 25. The event, called “Brave the Blue” in reference to the blue building, is a fundraiser for the Bluegrass Council, Boy Scouts of America. Each participant, including Big L, raised at least $1,000 for the Boy Scouts. More than 11,000 young people are

Field Renovations Underway at McCormack Field

PRESS RELEASE – FIELDS, Inc., a sports general contractor building sports fields of distinction, today announced field renovation plans for McCormick Field, home of the 2012 South Atlantic League champion Asheville Tourists. McCormick Field has been the home of the Asheville Tourists since 1924 and was last renovated in 1992.

RiverDogs Honored with Two Golden Bobblehead Awards

The Single-A Charleston RiverDogs (South Atlantic League) were awarded two Golden Bobblehead Awards at the Minor League Baseball (MiLB) Promotional Seminar in Reno (NV) for Best Overall Promotion and Best Non-Game Day Event for the Home Run Derby contest held on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown during the 2012 South Atlantic League All-Star Game.  Read more and view photo here.

Legends, Royals Sign New PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Lexington Legends are now an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Legends and the Kansas City Royals announced a new player development contract that will run through the 2016 season.

Gray Predicting a Different Experience for Ottawa Baseball Fans This Time Around

Ottawa Sun blogger Ken “The Bulldog” Gray, a vocal proponent of bringing Double-A ball to Ottawa, visited Grayson Stadium last spring to experience the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) operation first hand.  While taking minor shots at the former Triple-A Ottawa Lynx (International League) and even the Toronto Blue Jays, Gray voices his expectations for a fun-filled

Grasshoppers, Marlins Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Greensboro Grasshoppers and Miami Marlins have extended their Player Development Contract through the end of the 2014 season, team officials announced today.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: State Mutual Stadium (Rome, GA)

Eric and Wendy Pastore from DigitalBallparks.com visit State Mutual Stadium, home of the Single-A Rome Braves (South Atlantic League).  Read more and view photos here.

Donor Pledges $15M for New Suns Park

The City of Hagerstown (MD) says an unnamed donor has verbally pledged $15 million for the proposed new stadium for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  The donor would like to remain anonymous for now but has asked for the ballpark’s naming rights.  Read more here.

BlueClaws Again Lead League in Attendance

PRESS RELEASE – Drawing 410,113 fans to FirstEnergy Park this year, the BlueClaws once again lead the South Atlantic League in attendance, as they have now done in all 12 years of existence.

Charleston One of the Favorite Places to Play for Minor Leaguers

PRESS RELEASE – Charleston has long been recognized as one of the best places in the world to visit. Apparently, many Minor League Baseball players who have played in the Holy City agree.

BlueClaws, Phillies Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Lakewood BlueClaws and their parent club, the Philadelphia Phillies, are pleased to announce an extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC). With the two-year extension, the BlueClaws will remain the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Phillies through at least the 2014 season.

Ballpark Deal Progressing, Construction Could Begin in 2013

While there is a lot of work to be done before a deal is locked in to build a new home for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), the city in a written status update says construction could begin the first half of 2013, if the project moves forward.  Read more here.

10th Annual Ballpark Festival of Beers in Charleston

PRESS RELEASE – For a decade now, The Joe and the annual Ballpark Festival of Beers have been synonymous with Lowcountry Fun. The festival, this year presented by Piggly Wiggly, will continue to offer some of the finest beers on earth while also capturing the enthusiasm for local food trucks.