Swan Song Celebration for Capital City Stadium

In an agreement with developers Weddle Real Estate Investments, the city of Columbia (SC) is requiring the New York company to pony up $60,000 so Historic Columbia can make a documentary about Capital City Stadium and plan a “last tour” event before it is demolished.  Read more and view photo gallery here.

Columbia can party one more time at Capital City Stadium before its torn down https://t.co/7Ge2aXyz6G

— The State Newspaper (@thestate) June 4, 2019

Fireflies, Mets Extend PDC

The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) and New York Mets today announced that they are extending their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2020 season.  Read more here.

Record Crowd Watches Eclipse, Fireflies

A crowd of 9,629 fans – a new Spirit Communications Park record – was on hand Monday to not only view the first transcontinental solar eclipse in 99 years, but also to watch the Fireflies walk off in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Read more here.

Stadium Board Hears About Improvement Needs at Spirit Communications Park

The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) and city officials told a newly formed stadium board of advisers this week that several expensive upkeep projects are in the works for Spirit Communications Park, the minor league ballfield that only opened just over a year ago.  Read more and view photos here.

Spirit Communications Park Scores First Surrounding Development Win

Scott Hall, who runs Scott Hall Catering and the Bone-In Artisan Barbecue truck, will open a 3,600-square-foot, brick-and-mortar location of his much-loved smoked meat truck next to Spirit Communications Park, home of the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Fireflies Sell Out of Tim Tebow T-Shirts

The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) announced Thursday it sold out of Tim Tebow’s No. 15 adult T-shirts less than 24 hours after it went on sale. Youth jerseys are still available on the club’s website. Read more here.  Read more and watch video about “Tebow Time” here.

Fayetteville’s Ballpark Could Cost $10 Million More than Columbia’s

According the three consultants, it will cost Fayetteville (NC) $10 million more to build a new baseball stadium to bring in a Single-A Carolina League franchise, if they model it after the new ballpark in Columbia (SC).  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Spirit Communications Park (Columbia, SC)

Joe Mock from BaseballParks.com recently visited Spirit Communications Park, the new home of the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  Mr. Mock, who just launched a new and improved website, provides a comprehensive review of the ballpark that covers its development, design and construction, amenities, concessions, and overall fan experience.  Read more and view photos here.

Over 9,000 Show Up to Watch Fireflies Inaugural Home Opener

The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) made their home debut Thursday night in front of 9,077 fans at the new Spirit Communications Park.  Read more and watch video here.

Inaugural Home Opener Tonight for Fireflies, Spirit Communications Park

It’s finally here. The Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will make their home debut in the new Spirit Communications Park tonight at 7:05 p.m.  Read more here.  View photo gallery here.

Fireflies Unveil Mascot

The new Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) introduced their mascot, Mason, at a public event at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

City Has Few Options to Address Homeowners’ Ballpark Complaints

The Columbia (SC) City Council has little power to force the company that will run the new $37-million baseball stadium to limit fireworks displays or restrict game days or concert dates, the city attorney told council Tuesday.  Read more here.

Noise, Lighting Study Clears Way for Fireflies

Results from noise and lighting studies for the Spirit Communications Park, the new home of the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League), found that baseball games would have a minimal effect on nearby neighborhoods.  Read more here.

Fireflies Unveil Uniforms

PRESS RELEASE – The Columbia Fireflies today unveiled their uniform jerseys and introduced the winners of the “Name the Team Contest” at a press conference at the South Carolina State Museum.

Columbia Ballpark Consultants to Release Lighting and Noise Study Today

Some neighbors who live in homes closest to Columbia’s baseball stadium under construction for the Columbia Fireflies (Single-A, South Atlantic League) are anxious to learn Tuesday about the findings of long-awaited lighting and noise studies that many say were done without listening their concerns.  Read more here.

It’s the ‘Columbia Fireflies’

PRESS RELEASE – Hardball Capital and the City of Columbia today announced that Columbia’s new Minor League Baseball team will be the Columbia Fireflies. The New York Mets affiliate will play in Spirit Communications Park in downtown Columbia starting in April, 2016.

Coastal Plain League Franchise to Replace Departing Savannah Sand Gnats

A summer collegiate Coastal Plain League franchise will take up residence at Grayson Stadium when the Savannah Sand Gnats (Single-A, South Atlantic League) depart for a new ballpark in Columbia (SC) after the 2015 season.  The team will be owned by Jesse Cole and Fans First Entertainment, who will continue to own the Gastonia Grizzlies and manage the Martinsville Mustangs in the CPL.  Read more here.  Watch news reports here and here.

Blowfish Open New Ballpark

The Lexington County Blowfish (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) opened their new ballpark in front of 2,573 fans Wednesday night.  Read more here.  View photo gallery here.

Columbia Professional Baseball Announces Affiliation with New York Mets

PRESS RELEASE – Hardball Capital, the New York Mets and the City of Columbia today announced that Columbia’s new Minor League Baseball team will be the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. The Mets affiliate currently plays in Savannah, GA. While located in Savannah, the team has won ten South Atlantic

Columbia Baseball Stadium on Track

Baseball team owner Jason Freier said construction on Columbia’s baseball stadium is on track for an April 2016 minor league season opening.  The Hardball Capital owner spoke to Columbia City Council officials and business owners last week about progress on the multipurpose venue in the Columbia Commons development on Bull Street.  Read more here.

City, Team Officials Break Ground on New Columbia Ballpark

Officials from the City of Columbia (SC), Hughes Development, Spirit Communications, and Hardball Capital held a groundbreaking ceremony this morning at the future site of the new $37 million ballpark that will be built for a yet-to-be-officially-revealed relocating Minor League Baseball team.  Read more and view photo here.

View ballpark renderings below:

Groundbreaking for Columbia’s New Ballpark Set for Next Tuesday

The ceremonial groundbreaking for Columbia’s new $37 million baseball stadium is set for Tuesday, Jan. 6, which coincides with the City Council’s first meeting of 2015.  Read more here.

Columbia Ballpark Designer: Fans Will Be ‘Blown Away’

Take it from Mike Sabatini, a senior architect for Populous, the design firm for Columbia’s new baseball stadium at the Bull Street development.  Spirit Communications Park is going to be a home run.  Read more here.

Savannah Wants Answer for 2016

Hardball Capital, the owner of the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) that might be relocating to Columbia (SC), has until Jan. 1 to let the city of Savannah (GA) know whether the minor league baseball team will play in Grayson Stadium in 2016.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joshua Grace for the link.

Columbia Ballpark Construction Update

The Columbia (SC) City Council on Tuesday is expected to take up a request to spend $1.6 million to hire a female-owned Swansea (SC) firm to prepare the construction site for the new baseball stadium. City officials say groundbreaking is likely later this month.  The $1,658,525 would come out of the city’s $29 million portion for stadium constructions.  Read more here.

It’s ‘Spirit Communications Park’ for New Columbia Baseball Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The City of Columbia and Columbia Professional Baseball, announced today that they have reached an agreement with Spirit Communications to name the new, state-of-the-art multi-use sports and entertainment venue at Columbia Common in downtown Columbia. The venue will be known as “Spirit Communications Park.”

Savannah Balks at New Stadium Site

The Savannah (GA) City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to reject building a new baseball stadium at Savannah River Landing for the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League).  The council will consider the Canal District for a future building site.  The mayor expressed interest in renovating Grayson Stadium instead.  One aldermen thinks the city should explore bringing in

Columbia Team Approved by MiLB

Hardball Capital, the group bringing a professional team to Columbia’s (SC) Bull Street development for the 2016 season, has received the required approval from Minor League Baseball.  The Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) remain a prime candidate for relocation.  Read more here.

‘Name Our Team’ Contest Extended in Columbia

PRESS RELEASE – As a result of a tremendous response so far, Columbia’s new professional baseball team is extending the Name Our Team contest for nine more days until Friday, October 24. Since the Name Our Team contest was first announced on September 29, the team has received more than 1,300 suggestions on ColumbiaProBall.com.

Deadline Today for Columbia Name-the-Team Contest

Wednesday, Oct. 15, is the last day for fans to submit their suggested name(s) for the affiliated franchise relocating to Columbia (SC).  Go to Columbia Professional Baseball here.  Click below to enter the contest:

 

Savannah Ballpark Study Faces Scrutiny

It was not smooth sailing for Johnson Consulting’s $55,000 taxpayer-funded ballpark study, as Savannah (GA) City Council members challenged the unscientific survey taken as part of the study and sited the firm’s failure of to incorporate the cost of land in the project’s overall price tag.  Hardball Capital, the owner of the Single-A Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League), is planning to move

Name the Team Contest Announced for Columbia Franchise

Jason Freier, chairman and chief executive officer of Hardball Capital, announced the launch of a “Name Our Team” contest for the proposed team — possibly the Single-A Savannah Sand Gnats (South Atlantic League) — coming to the developing new ballpark in Columbia (SC).  Fans will be able to suggest branding ideas via www.columbiaproball.com, Facebook and Twitter.  View press release here.

Populous Gets the Call in Columbia

The Columbia (SC) City Council decided Tuesday to hire Kansas City (MO)-based Populous to design and oversee construction of the new minor league baseball stadium in the Bull Street neighborhood.  The city will pay the firm $2,025,000 under the contract.  Read more here.

Blowfish Find New Home

The owner of the summer collegiate Columbia Blowfish (Coastal Plain League) announced Monday that the team is moving to Lexington County (SC) for the 2015 season.  The Blowfish will play at a newly constructed baseball stadium on Ballpark Road at the site of the old Wildcat Hollow football stadium. Read more here.  View press release below:

Columbia Authorizes Borrowing for New Ballpark

In a four to one vote, the Columbia City Council approved a new ordinance allowing the city to issue Special Obligation Bonds to raise no more than $35 million to pay for the construction of the proposed multi-use baseball stadium and facilities, equipment and improvements at the Bull Street development.  Read more here and here.

Columbia Moves to Borrow $35 Million for Ballpark

The Columbia (SC) City Council moved ahead Tuesday on borrowing $35 million for a minor-league baseball stadium, ignoring a last-ditch effort to let voters decide the issue.  Mayor Steve Benjamin justified the move by saying people elect the council to make decisions, and the council takes out loans for millions in projects – to build sidewalks, buy police cars, improve water and sewage service.  Read more here.

Columbia Approves Ballpark Development Project

The Columbia (SC) City Council has approved a venue development agreement for the minor league baseball stadium in the Bull Street development, signaling the city’s next step toward establishing the cornerstone of the mixed-use development.  Read more here.

Key Provisions of the Columbia (SC) Ballpark Contract

Members of the Columbia (SC) City Council are scheduled to cast their first vote Tuesday on the draft construction contract for building a proposed new ballpark for a yet-t0-be-named affiliated baseball team.  Read more here.

No Cost-Benefit Study for Columbia Ballpark Project

The development of Columbia’s baseball stadium will continue without a study of the costs and benefits of the project. In a 3-2 vote, Columbia City Council members voted Tuesday to move forward with building the multipurpose venue without the much discussed cost-benefit analysis.  Read more here.

Frozen Theme Night and Fireworks Friday in Columbia

PRESS RELEASE – Friday night’s weather forecast for Capital City Stadium is Cold to Very Cold as the Blowfish salute the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen!