Cost of New El Paso Ballpark Could Rise by $10M

The cost of the new downtown El Paso (TX) baseball stadium for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) could increase by $10 million if the City Council approves changes to the construction contract Tuesday — two days before the ballparks’ official groundbreaking.  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.

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.

El Paso Triple-A Baseball Hires GM

MountainStar Sports Group has hired Brad Taylor as the new general manager of the Triple-A club relocating from Tucson (AZ) to El Paso (TX).  Taylor is currently the team president and general manager of the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (Midwest League).  Read more here.

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.

Las Vegas 51s Sold, New Stadium on Deck

The Summerlin Las Vegas Baseball Club LLC, a joint venture of the Howard Hughes Corp. and Play Ball Owners Group, announced Monday that they have completed the purchase of the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s (Pacific Coast league) and plan to move the club from downtown to a new stadium to be built in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin.  Read more here.  View press release 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.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Victory Field (Indianapolis, IN)

Eric and Wendy Pastore from DigitalBallparks.com visit Victory Field, home of the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians (International League).  Read more and view photos here.

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.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: PNC Field (Moosic, PA)

Brian Merzbach from BallparkReviews.com visits the new PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (International League).  View photos and review here.

Storm Chasers Postpone 2nd Annual “What If … Night”

The force was not with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League) Saturday night, as the game and the team’s 2nd annual “What If…Night” combine with “Star Wars Night” had to be postponed because of bad weather.  When the Chasers revisit the double-themed night on August 10, the players will be donning the Omaha Force gear.  The Force was one of the finalists in the name-the-team contest in 2010.

Omaha Storm Chasers Facebook Photos

Golden Stadium Chair for 10 Millionth Fan

Oh, honoring the one millionth fan is so yesterday for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats (Pacific Coast League).  The team plans to recognize the 10 millionth fan to walk through the gates at Raley Field this season with two free season tickets and a one-of-a kind golden stadium chair.

Sacramento River Cats Facebook Photo

‘Topes Fans Consume Over 17,000 Hot Dogs in One Night

PRESS RELEASE – Albuquerque Isotopes fans hungry for hot dogs flocked to Isotopes Park to take advantage of the team’s popular 50-cent Hot Dog Night promotion, the first of this season. A total of 17,071 hot dogs were consumed on Monday night as fans watched the Topes host the Redbirds to open an eight-game homestand.

River Cats Announce Food Truck Fourth

PRESS RELEASE – Raley Field will host a first-of-its-kind Fourth of July celebration this Independence Day, when the food truck community will gather on Raley Field’s outfield for a family-friendly event featuring some of the region’s best local food, live music and a fireworks extravaganza, presented by Bug Zappers Pest Control.

PawSox Radio Broadcaster Named New Play-by-Play Announcer for NFL’s New England Patriots

PRESS RELEASE – The Pawtucket Red Sox are pleased to announce that Bob Socci, one of their radio broadcasters, has been named as the new radio voice of the New England Patriots. Socci, who is in his first season with the PawSox after being hired this past March, will stay with the PawSox for the next few months before taking over Patriots duties on or around July 1.

El Paso City Hall Comes Down

The 10-story, 34-year-old former El Paso (TX) City Hall building was imploded on Sunday morning to make room for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League).  Read more and view photo here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for posting the news on Twitter.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: PNC Field (Moosic, PA)

The BallparkHunter (your webmaster here!) visited the new PNC Field, home of the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (International League), on its inaugural Opening Day on April 4, 2013.  View gallery of 104 photos here.

Storm Chasers Unveil Bob Gibson Statue

Hall of Famer and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson was honored last week in his hometown of Omaha, with a statue in front of Werner Park, home of the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League).  Read more and watch videos here.

Bob Gibson Statue, Omaha Storm Chaser Facebook Photo

Not to Be Outdone by the IronPigs, Senators Have Urinal Fun Taking on Rivals

The urinals at the home of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators (Eastern League) may not provide high-tech video game entertainment for fans like they do at the home of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs (International League), but blasting low-tech urinal cakes sporting the brands of your enemies can provide seconds of restroom entertainment too while energizing support

Isotopes Unveil Humidor for Baseballs

At the request of the parent Los Angeles Dodgers, the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (Pacific Coast League) have installed a humidor at Isotopes Park in which to store the team’s baseballs.  Because of the high altitude and dry climate at the ballpark, balls travel farther off the bat than they would at sea level.  Read more and view photo here.

Zoning Approved for More External Advertising at New BB&T Ballpark

The Charlotte (NC) City Council has approved an advertising plan that allows for more murals, graphic panels and sponsor logos on the outside of the new baseball stadium for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (International League).  Read more here.

IronPigs Home to Feature ‘Urinal (Pee-Controlled) Gaming System’

PRESS RELEASE – Coca-Cola Park will be the first sports venue in the world to feature a brand new revolutionary “Urinal Gaming System”, allowing fans to interact with the world’s only truly hands-free urinal game controller, when the Lehigh Valley IronPigs open their 2013 season this April. The p-controlled video game systems will be featured within all men’s restrooms at Coca-Cola Park and are

RailRiders & My Network TV Ink Five-Year TV Deal

PRESS RELEASE – NEPA’s boys of summer have yet another new home.  In addition to the $43 million reconstructed PNC Field, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) will have 20 of their home games televised throughout the region on WQMY My Network TV in year one of a five-year deal.

Knights, BB&T Reveal BB&T Ballpark Logos

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, March 20, during a press conference held at BB&T Ballpark, the future home of the Charlotte Knights, representatives from the Knights and BB&T unveiled the logos for the team’s new Uptown Charlotte ballpark. The design was created by local firm Luquire George Andrews.

Bisons Announce Front Office Promotions, Additions

PRESS RELEASE – The Buffalo Bisons are proud to announce the following new hires as well as promotions within the Bisons front office staff for the 2013 season.

El Paso Stadium Artists Chosen

The El Paso Public Art Program on Monday announced the three artists chosen to create artwork for the new downtown stadium for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.

IronPigs Introduce New Sunday Retro Jerseys

PRESS RELEASE – The IronPigs will don a powder blue and burgundy retro mesh jersey during Sunday home games this season, paying homage to the Phillies’ tradition-rich teams of the 1970s and 1980s and marking the first significant uniform change since the IronPigs debuted in 2008.

Ballpark Milestone: First Steel Beams Installed in Charlotte

Construction crews have installed the first steel beams at the site of the new $54-million, 10,000-seat ballpark in uptown Charlotte for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (International League).  The stadium is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the year.  Read more and view photo here.

Alliance Bank Stadium to Become NBT Bank Stadium?

Alliance Banks announced in October that it has been acquired by Norwich (CT)-based NBT Bank.  Along with changing the branding on all the bank’s branches, Onondaga County (NY) officials are expected to announce on Wednesday a name change for Alliance Bank Stadium, home to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League).  Read more here.

El Paso, Union Pacific Reach Deal

The city of El Paso (TX) and Union Pacific Railroad have reached a deal whereby the city will give Union Pacific some property near Union Depot in exchange for a parcel of railroad land abutting the site for the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League).  The city council is expected to be presented with the final agreement by April.  By this time, the Insights

Astros Triple-A Affiliate Coming to The Woodlands?

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said Thursday the organization wants to improve its footprint in Texas and is strongly considering moving its top minor league team to The Woodlands (TX).  The community is the current home of the summer collegiate Woodlands Strykers (Texas Collegiate League).  Read more here.

Josh Suchon Named New ‘Voice’ of Isotopes

PRESS RELEASE – Josh Suchon (pronounced “sue-shawn”) has been hired as the Albuquerque Isotopes’ Radio Broadcaster, the Triple-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers announced today. The co-host of Dodgers Talk radio show on the Dodgers Radio Network from 2008-2011 will become the third play-by-play broadcaster in Isotopes history when he steps in the booth this season.

Bisons Announce 48-Game TV Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, today announced their 2013 television schedule that will include the live broadcast of 48 games to be shown on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel 713 in Buffalo. The schedule begins with on Opening Day, Thursday April 4, as the Bisons host the Rochester Red Wings (2:05 p.m.).

First Peek at El Paso Ballpark Renderings

Artist renderings of the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) were presented to the El Paso City Council Tuesday by Populous, the design firm hired to design the facility.  Read more and watch video here.  View renderings here.

Chasers, Nebraska Brewing to Create New Beer, Fans to Name It

PRESS RELEASE – The 2013 O’pen House on Saturday, March 16 from 10am to 2pm at Werner Park will be a lot of things. It will be free to the public, feature a revamped Storm Front Team Store, the ability for fans to “Select Their Seat” and the opportunity to name and taste the new Storm Chasers beer. However before this event takes place, the team needs your help.

Charlotte Knights Tap Technology Firm to Enhance Visual Experience at New Park

PRESS RELEASE – The Charlotte Knights have hired TSE Services to consult new technologies being incorporated into BB&T Ballpark, scheduled to open Spring 2014 in uptown Charlotte, NC. With their vast experience and expertise integrating audio and visual technology throughout the country, TSE will be responsible for the oversight and purchasing of nine state-of-the-art LED displays, along

New Charlotte Knights Stadium to Officially Open in 406 Days

Chris Semmens, vice president of sales for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (International League), announced April 10, 2014, as the grand opening date for the team’s new stadium during a Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Metro Chapter event in Uptown on Wednesday.  Read more here.  View gallery of 38 renderings and photos here.

RailRiders Ask Kids to Name Two New Mascots

PRESS RELEASE – CHAMP is about to get some new friends.  The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are preparing to announce two mascots to join CHAMP for the 2013 season.  The club needs help in naming CHAMP’s pals, and the RailRiders are asking local elementary schools for their best ideas on the nomenclature of NEPA’s latest and greatest costumed buddies.

Rochester Loses $48K with Batavia Under Its Wings

The Triple-A Rochester Red Wings (International League) made $95,000 from their own operations and allowing the Empire State Yankees (now Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders) play 40 games at Frontier Field in 2012.  But the Wings lost $143,000 operating the Single-A Batavia Muckdogs (New York-Penn League), for a net loss of $48,000.  On a positive note, the Wing are sitting on