Hi-Toms Add “High Point” to Name for 2013

It appears the summer collegiate Thomasville Hi-Toms (Coastal Plain League) have added High Point (NC) to their name.  The team is now known as the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms.  High Point (NC) is a city of over 100,000 residents about 10 miles from Thomasville (NC).  The name was first used jointly in this way in 1948.  Thanks to Mark Tobin for catching this.

Home Run King Hank Aaron Visits Capital City Stadium

Baseball legend Hank Aaron, 79, was in Columbia (SC) Wednesday night to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Capitol City Stadium, home of the summer collegiate Columbia Blowfish (Coastal Plain League).  This is likely the final year of baseball at the stadium where Aaron played his last minor league game in 1953.  Read more and view news report here.  Watch 13:20 minute interview with Hammerin’ Hank at the park 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.

HarbourCats Show Off Duds

The summer collegiate Victoria HarbourCats (West Coast League) held their inaugural home stand at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria (BC) last Wednesday through Friday with three wins and league-leading 1,883 per game average in attendance.  Not only are they winning, but they are looking good doing it sporting the uniforms below:

This 59FIFTY® fitted cap is one of two official on-field caps for the HarbourCats. It features an embroidered (raised) white “HC” logo on the front, stitched New Era® flag at wearer’s left side and embroidered maple leaf on the rear.

Rapids Unveil Element Mobile ‘Rat Trap’ Fan Deck

The summer collegiate Wisconsin Rapids Rafters’ (Northwoods League) new fan deck is open for business. Partnering with Element Mobile, the “Rat Trap” as the deck is called, was built using re-purposed steel from an old building.  Read more here.

The new Element Mobile “Rat Trap” fan deck – Element Mobile Facebook Page

Rogues, HarbourCats Make Debut

Wednesday was opening night for two new teams in the summer collegiate West Coast League.  The Medford Rogues made their regular-season debut in front of a “paid crowd” of 1,282 at newly improved Harry & David Field.  Read more here.  Meanwhile the Victoria HarbourCats kicked off the regular season in front of a sold-out

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.

Former Woodchucks Owner Introduced as Holyoke’s New President

PRESS RELEASE – A new chapter for the Blue Sox began on Wednesday as Clark Eckhoff was officially introduced as the new team president. Running a baseball organization is nothing new to Eckhoff, considering he has done it in the past and has found success.

Texas Collegiate League Names Haddock Commissioner

PRESS RELEASE – The Texas Collegiate League announced on Friday that Gerald Haddock has been named the new league commissioner.

Blue Sox Unveil Logo for 2013 Prospect League All-Star Game

The summer collegiate Butler Blue Sox have unveiled their logo for the 2013 Prospect League All-Star Game, which the team will host on Wednesday, July 17, at Pullman Park in Butler (PA).

Alexandria Aces Open in Front of 552

The Alexandria Aces (United League Baseball) opened in front of a whopping 552 fans on Thursday night at partially condemned Bringhurst Field.  Read more here.  This is not good news for the franchise that was revived as an independent professional club after the summer collegiate version (Texas Collegiate League) went dark when it was clear the city would not fix the stadium before the 2013 season.

Mustangs Introduce New Logo for 2013 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Martinsville Mustangs are excited to introduce a new logo and all new merchandise for the 2013 season.

Blue Anchors Unveil Uniforms

The summer collegiate Alexandria Blue Anchors (Northwoods League), formerly Alexandria Beetles, unveiled their home and away jerseys last week at Fat Daddy’s Bar & Grill in Alexandria (MN).  Read more here.  The rebranded franchise has launched a new website at www.blueanchors.com.

Cropped Twitter photo from Alexandria Echo Press sports reporter Eric Morken (@echo_sports)

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.”

Foxes Leave Circuit Founded by Team Owner

The summer collegiate Fort Collins Foxes have left the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League because of philosophical differences over recent expansion.  The team will now play an independent schedule.  Foxes owner and general manager Kurt Colicchio founded the circuit in 2004.  Read more here.

Bombers Unveil 2013 Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Battle Creek Bombers, members of the prestigious Northwoods League, unveiled their 2013 Promotional Schedule today, and announced that single-game tickets are now on sale for all 35 home games. Tickets may be purchased online at any time, are available by calling the Battle Creek Bombers at (269) 962-0735, or in person at the Bombers offices located at 189 Bridge Street,

Grizzlies Announce 2013 Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Gastonia Grizzlies Baseball Club (photo courtesy of Encaptured & Co.) announced today the promotional schedule for the 2013 season. The schedule is highlighted by Dig to China Night on July 19th. The Grizzlies are teaming up with Creative Travel in Belmont, to bury a certificate in the infield dirt for a free trip to China! The lucky fan that “Digs to China” will then board a direct

Victoria Generals Unveil 5th Year Anniversary Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Victoria Generals are embarking upon their fifth anniversary season in the Texas Collegiate League and the team has unveiled a commemorative logo to mark the occasion.

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.

Newspaper: Silver Knights a Valuable Community Asset Worth Supporting

In an editorial, the Nashua (NH) Telegraph newspaper refers to the successful summer collegiate Nashua Silver Knights (Futures League) as a treasured community asset worth supporting.  While we appreciate the accolades and encouraging message to area residents, we absolutely love and subscribe to the following statement by Knights General Manager Tim Baumann, who places

Former Beetles Unveil New Branding

The summer collegiate Alexandria Blue Anchors (Northwoods League), formerly the Beetles, unveiled their primary, secondary and uniform logos at Fat Daddy’s in Alexandria (MN) last Friday.  The Blue Anchors will unveil their home and away uniforms on May 15th.

West Coast League Chief Steps Down

Ken Wilson, president of the summer collegiate West Coast League, announced this past week that he will be stepping down from his role.  He will continue to serve as an advisor and consultant to the league through August 31st of this year.

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:

West Coast League Expands to Yakima

PRESS RELEASE – The West Coast League will expand in 2014 as Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC (PBV), the ownership group of the Walla Walla Sweets, announced today that they have been awarded a West Coast League membership in Yakima, Washington. The soon-to-be-named Yakima team will begin WCL play in time for the 2014 season. The Sweets will continue to play in Walla

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:

Northwoods League to Live Stream Games Via Own YouTube Channel

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwoods League is pleased to announce it is launching a YouTube channel this summer that will provide fans with more than 560 NWL games streamed live during the 2013 regular and post season on the Northwoods League YouTube channel and through a YouTube video player on northwoodsleague.tv. The partnership was announced by Dick Radatz, Jr., Northwoods

Dubois County Bombers: New Ownership, New League

Slipping under our radar over the past few months, the summer collegiate Dubois County Bombers have quietly moved from the Prospect League to the Ohio Valley League under new ownership.  Like the indy pro Frontier League after the 2002 season, the Prospect League has unfortunately lost a nifty little ballpark — League Stadium — which was built as a set for the movie A League of

Navigators to Wear Lynn Red Sox Throwback Unis

PRESS RELEASE – This season, Sunday games at Fraser Field will take the crowd back to 1946. The North Shore Navigators will be sporting throwback Lynn Red Sox jerseys on Sundays and other selected dates during their sixth season. The Lynn Red Sox were the minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox from 1946-1948. The team was the first to call Fraser Field home.

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.

Mallards Installing New Video Board This Morning

PRESS RELEASE – The Madison Mallards new Zimbrick Honda Video Board will be installed at 9:30 am tomorrow (Thursday) morning at the “Duck Pond.” All members of the media are invited to watch the crane hoist the video board into place.

Peninsula Pilots to Host 2013 CPL All-Star Game, Logo Unveiled

PRESS RELEASE – The Coastal Plain League announced today that the 2013 All-Star Game will be hosted by the Peninsula Pilots on July 8 at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia. This will mark the first-ever time the league’s marquee event has made its way into the beautiful state of Virginia.

‘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.

 

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.

Pump Jacks to Host 2013 TCL All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE – Over the last three seasons, no Texas Collegiate League franchise has sent more players to the TCL All-Star Game than the East Texas Pump Jacks. This summer, Pump Jacks all-stars won’t have to travel very far for the event.

Rafters Unveil Bobbleheads for 2013 Season, One to Honor 100,000th Fan

PRESS RELEASE – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters have announced the 2013 season will be highlighted with three bobblehead nights; two Rosco P. Rafter bobbleheads and one commemorating the 100,000th fan who entered through the Witter Field gates to enjoy Rafters Baseball.

Sharks Announce New Voice for 2013 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Wilmington Sharks announced the today the addition of Garrett Knock as the Media Relations Intern and Broadcaster.  Knock responsibilities will be highlighted by updating the website, press releases, social media and play-by-play for each home game during the summer. In addition, Knock will also travel with the team to away games tweeting game updates for the fans unable to

Generals Hire New Director of Marketing & Communications

PRESS RELEASE – The Victoria Generals of the Texas Collegiate League are pleased to announce the hiring of Richard Haifley as the team’s new Director of Marketing and Communications. Haifley will be tasked with building on the Generals’ branding efforts in Victoria and the surrounding communities as well as creating new and exciting ways to get the community involved with the team.

Express Unveil All-Star Game Logo, Announce Festivities

PRESS RELEASE – The Eau Claire Express and Northwoods League today announced details for the 2013 league All-Star festivities, scheduled for July 22 and 23 in Eau Claire, Wis. The game will feature the Northwoods League’s top performers in the first half of the summer season.

Oilmen Launch Marketing Campaign During ’42′ Movie Debut

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen are pleased to announce that they will kick off their 2013 marketing efforts with a new commercial that will air in conjunction with the release of the movie “42” on Friday, April 12.