2020 – The Ballpark Year in Pictures

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com has posted his annual “The Ballpark Year in Pictures” covering all the big baseball stadium stories of 2020.  Read more and view photos here.

NYC Committing $5.1M to Upgrade Richmond County Bank Ballpark

New York City has committed to a $5.1 million allocation to upgrade and revitalize Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which will prime it for other uses besides baseball. The funding comes on the heels of recent news that the New York Yankees would end its affiliation with the Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

Mock Talks Bubble Baseball

In this article penned for USA TODAY Sports Weekly, Joe Mock of BaseballParks.com provides us with an in-depth look at the “bubble” MLB playoffs that are now underway.  Read more here.  View playoff schedule here.

RedWolves, City of Florence Partner on New Facility

PRESS RELEASE – The Florence RedWolves of the Coastal Plain League, along with the City of Florence (S.C.) are excited to announce a $15 million sports complex coming to Florence in 2022. This will be the new home of the RedWolves, who currently play at Cormell Field at Sparrow Stadium on the campus of Francis Marion University.

Lafayette Aviators Selected to Lease New Loeb Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The City of Lafayette and Lafayette Board of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce that the Lafayette Aviators have been named the baseball team to play in Loeb Stadium. The announcement was made during a Park Board meeting at the Loeb Stadium construction site.

Hinchliffe Stadium Update

The Paterson (NJ) City Council recently approved the use of $1.1 million in federal housing funds for the 75-unit senior citizen building being done in conjunction with the reconstruction of Hinchliffe Stadium.  The council also gave final approval to a 30-year tax break for the Hinchliffe development. The $76.7 million project also would include a 315-space parking garage as well as a restaurant with museum exhibit space.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for links.

Drone Footage of Dodger Stadium Renovations

No games yet, but you can check out the most-recent drone footage of the Dodger Stadium renovations on YouTube, courtesy of John Kay. Read more here.

Goundbreaking Soon for New Beloit Ballpark, Opening Targeted for 2021

Members of the Riverbend Stadium Authority say they expect new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium in Beloit (WI) for the Beloit Snapper’s (Single-A, Midwest League) will be ready in time for the 2021 season.  Read more here.

Milkmen Announce Milky Way Drive-In at Ballpark Commons, Movies Begin May 22

PRESS RELEASE – The Milwaukee Milkmen announced today a partnership with Franklin Tourism and Studio Gear to bring back a vintage movie-going experience via the brand-new Milky Way Drive-In at Ballpark Commons located in Franklin, WI.

Fred Nats Host Virtual Opening Day

In case you missed it, the Fredericksburg Nationals (Single-A, Carolina League) hosted a virtual Opening Day last Thursday, which included a tour of their new ballpark.  Read more here.

Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on MLB Field of Dreams

Major League Baseball has yet to determine whether there will be a season because of the spread of the coronavirus across the U.S. But construction continues on the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville (IA) where a game is still scheduled to be played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 13.  Read more here.

Oconomowoc Council Approves Ballpark Plans

In case you missed the news, Oconomowoc (WI) is getting a new baseball stadium.  The city’s Common Council has unanimously approved plans to build a 2,500-seat baseball stadium for a Northwoods League (Summer Collegiate) franchise and a 43,000 square foot indoor health and wellness training center.  Read more here.

The Trop Has New Amenities for Fans

Fans are worried that the Tampa Bay Rays might split the season with Montreal, but it looks like Tropicana Field is doubling down with it comes to new attractions for baseball fans.  Read more and view photos here.  Speaking of Montreal, read more here.

Wind Surge Ballpark Named ‘Riverfront Stadium’

Wichita’s new minor league baseball stadium has a name.  In just over a month, the Wichita Wind Surge (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) will take the field at the ballpark now known as Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.

Dodger Stadium Upgrades to be Unveiled March 26

The $100-million renovation of Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was first unveiled last year.  Long in the making, the upgrades to the ballpark that originally opened its gates in 1962 are scheduled to be unveiled to the public on March 26, Opening Day.  The finishing touches will be in place by April — well in advance of the 2020 MLB All-Star Game on July 12.   Read more here.

Revised Financing Plan Approved for WooSox Ballpark

The Worcester City Council has approved a revised financing plan to address about $30 million in increased costs for a new baseball stadium being built in the city for the coming Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

T-Bones Are Back!

After getting the boot from its own ball park, the Kansas City T-Bones (Independent Professional, American Association) are back. On Tuesday, the team introduced its new owner, unveiled updated branding, and showcased plans for an impressive stadium makeover. Watch news report here.

Field of Dreams Dreaming of MLB’s Return After 2020

When the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox finish their special game at the Field of Dreams movie site on Aug. 13, the two teams will pack their bags and head out of Iowa.  But the hope is that MLB will be back at the iconic site again.  Read more here

A Tour of New Wichita Wind Surge Ballpark

The Wichita Wind Surge (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) on Thursday gave fans a live, 30-minute video tour on Facebook of their new ballpark currently under construction.  Watch video tour here.

Lafayette Exploring Team Options for New Ballpark

When the new Loeb Stadium, going up at the corner of Main Street and Wallace Avenue in Columbian Park, opens, what baseball team will take the mound at the $20 million facility during its first full summer in 2021?  Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski isn’t making any promises.  Read more here

Oconomowoc Delays Consideration of Baseball Stadium Until March 3

The City of Oconomowoc (WI) Common Council has temporarily put off the fate of a proposed indoor athletic health and wellness facility and baseball stadium, citing the need for more time to process information about the proposed project. They’ll take up the matter again at 6:30 p.m. on March 3.  Read more here and here.

Missions Exploring Sites for Potential New Ballpark

It’s been nearly four years since Dave Elmore, founder of the Elmore Sports Group, which owns the San Antonio Missions (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), committed to moving the team from the Double-A Texas League to the higher-level PCL. That commitment came with a hitch: San Antonio (TX) needed to deliver a new ballpark.  Read more here.

ACTA President Takes Shot at University for Failing to Steer $60M Gift Away from Baseball Stadium

Binghamton University’s sports facilities in Vestal (NY) will be transformed with a $60 million anonymous gift that will create a new Baseball Stadium Complex for the Bearcats.  Read more here.  View renderings here.  Of course, there always has to be one critic in the house.  Read more here.  While we get where Michael Poliakoff, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, is coming from, this scolding is unwarranted:

Upgrades Coming to Mustangs Ballpark

When the Martinsville Mustangs (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) open the season on Memorial Day weekend, fans will be sure to notice many changes both on the field and around it.  Greg Suire, the new president of the Mustangs, said one of the biggest goals of his team to is make improvements to Hooker Field.  Read more here.

Proposed Portland Ballpark Development Could Feature Historic Carousel

Restore Oregon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Oregon’s historic places, and the Portland Diamond Project announced Tuesday that the Jantzen Beach Carousel could be incorporated into plans for a Major League Baseball development along the Willamette River in northwest Portland.  Read more here.  View photos and renderings here.

The Latest on Boise Ballpark Saga

A professional, multi-sports stadium complex in the Treasure Valley has been a topic that has been white-hot over the past few years.  And now, after going cold for a few months, the project maybe warming up again.  Watch news report here.  Read more here.

Decks Added to Edinburg Stadium

UTRGV Stadium, formerly known as Edinburg Stadium and then-home of the Edinburg Roadrunners (Independent Professional), is alive and well under the helm of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.  The stadium appears to be in good shape and now has decks that were recently installed for groups to cheer on the Vaqueros.  Read more and watch news report here.

Pendulum Takes Swing at Designing New Downtown Ballpark for Royals

The team at Kansas City-based Pendulum have released renderings of a new, 30,000-seat stadium in downtown Kansas City (MO) for the Kansas City Royals via KansasCityLovestheRoyals.com.  Read more and view renderings here and here.

Kane County Cougars Announce Capital Improvements

PRESS RELEASE – The Kane County Cougars have announced multiple capital improvement projects that will take place prior to the organization’s 30th-anniversary season and will assist in the continued modernization of Northwestern Medicine Field.

Schaumburg’s Village Expected to Approve Revised Ballpark Lease with Boomers

Three months after becoming sole owners of Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, village officials are poised tonight to enact revisions to the baseball team’s lease agreement they say are in the best interests of both parties.  Read more here.

Jackalopes Won’t Play in 2020

In May, the Expedition League (Summer Collegiate) announced that a team would be launched in Rapid City (SD), where the league offices are located.  League president Steve Wagner is now saying that team was still at least one more year away.  Securing funding for necessary stadium upgrades is the problem.  Read more here.

It’s a No Go for Prospect League at Millikin University’s New Ballpark

Millikin University and the Prospect League (Summer Collegiate) could not come to an agreement to bring a franchise to the new Workman Family Baseball Field for the summer of 2020.  A stumbling block to securing an agreement was reportedly over the length of the proposed 10-year contract between the potential team owners and the university.  Read more here.  View original renderings here.

Two-Story Gym Opens at Ballpark Village

Onelife Fitness opened its doors to the public Sunday.  The 31,000 square-foot gym is part of the second phase of Ballpark Village’s development adjacent to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Read more and watch news report and view photos here.

Fans Get First Look at New Rangers Ballpark

Opening day for the Texas Rangers is just over two months away, but fans got a sneak peek Saturday at the new Globe Life Field.  Read more and watch news report here.

City Not Relying A’s Gondola Plan to Shuttle Fans

If the Oakland A’s have their way, traveling to the team’s proposed ballpark at Howard Terminal would involve gliding over Interstate 880 and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks in an aerial gondola.  But the city isn’t counting on it.  Read more here (subscription required).

Latest Plans and Renderings Released for New Beloit Ballpark

Development plans and renderings for the proposed 3,500-seat baseball stadium in downtown Beloit (WI) for the Beloit Snappers (Single-A, Midwest League) have been released.  Read more here.  View more renderings here.

Approval for A’s New Ballpark Rounding the Bases

The Oakland A’s pitch for a waterfront ballpark became closer to reality after the city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve an agreement with the port that allows the release of the project’s environmental review.  Read more here.

Louisiana Tech Helps Keep Smith-Wills Stadium in Business

The Ruston (LA)-based Louisiana Teach University Bulldogs baseball team is scheduled to play in nine conference games at Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson (MS) in 2020.  The team was forced to move out of their home ballpark because of an  April 2019 tornado.  Smith-Wills has narrowly avoided demolition and was leased to a new sports management group last year.  Read more and view photo here.

Owner Fights to Save SeaWolves

After spending more than 30 years learning the ins and outs of corporate America, Fernando Aguirre was ready to own a business and bought the Erie SeaWolves (Double-A, Eastern League) in 2015.  Late last year, Aguirre learned that the SeaWolves are one of 42 teams that could be axed under a proposal by MLB.  But, he is working to save the team and his investment.  Meanwhile, UPMC Park is in the middle of a $16 million renovation with some parts finished, including a new field that was put in place before the 2019 season and a new scoreboard that was installed during the season.  Read more here.

Fire Frogs to Play in North Port

The Florida Fire Frogs (Single-A, Florida State League) finally have a (temporary) home.  Minor League Baseball has approved the Fire Frogs to play at the Atlanta Braves’ new North Port facility for the 2020 season.  The decision gives some finality to a question that hung over the team all offseason.  Read more here.