Hagerstown Holds Stadium Work Session

Much of the debate over a new stadium or multiuse facility in Hagerstown (MD) has revolved around location, but there is apparently still a question of what the stadium should be.  Once councilman said, “I don’t know if it has to include baseball.” Read more here.

Hagerstown Ballpark Study to be Presented Today

The latest chapter in the pursuit to build a new baseball stadium in Hagerstown (MD) will begin Tuesday at 4:10 p.m., as the Maryland Stadium Authority will present its completed study on preliminary market and site analysis for a new minor league ballpark during a Hagerstown City Council work session meeting at City Hall.  Read more here.

Suns Announce New Voice

The Hagerstown Suns will have a new Director of Media Relations/Broadcasting in 2019. John Kocsis Jr. will broadcast all 70 Suns home games from historic Municipal Stadium and select road games online via TuneIn Radio.

Potential New Owners Continue to Eyeball Hagerstown Suns

At least two new groups have emerged with interest in buying the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).
After talks stalled with a different ownership group from Georgia, three more entities have inquired about the minor-league baseball team, including two considered serious suitors.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the current ownership is seeking a three-year lease extension to continue to use Municipal Stadium.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Suns Announce Kevin Gehl as New Radio Voice

PRESS RELEASE – The Hagerstown Suns, Class-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to welcome Kevin Gehl as their new Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the 2017 season. He will serve as lead radio play-by-play announcer for the Suns in addition to his front office role as manager of media relations and multimedia outreach.

Ballpark Consultant Withdraws Disputed $23.7K Invoice

A financial consultant has waived its $23,750 bill to Spotsylvania County (VA) for a 2015 analysis of a proposed taxpayer-financed minor league baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Spotsylvania County Surprised by Ballpark Consultant Billing

Some Spotsylvania County (VA) officials were surprised to learn recently that the county owes $23,750 for a financial advisor’s analysis last year of a proposed taxpayer-financed baseball stadium to lure the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Suns Staying Put (for Now)

The Hagerstown (MD) City Council has agreed in principle to a lease extension with the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) to stay at Municipal Stadium for two more years.  The new proposal has the Suns continuing to pay the city $35,000 for rent per year, but it will now be reinvested back into the stadium for improvements.  Read more here.

Suns, Spotsylvania County Part Ways After Deadline Passes?

With the passing of MiLB’s July 31 deadline for negotiating a ballpark deal between the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) owner Bruce Quinn and Spotslyvania County (VA), baseball appears to be dead in the Fredericksburg (VA) area for now.  But supporters appear to be keeping the door open for other suitors.  Read more here.

Suns Make Final Ballpark Offer

In what he called his final offer, Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) owner Bruce Quinn is now proposing to pay $2 million in up-front costs but more in rent and shared revenue if Spotsylvania County (VA) will build a $30 million, 5,000-seat stadium for his minor-league baseball team.  The Board of Supervisors will likely vote on whether to accept the new proposal on Tuesday.  Read more here.

Spotsylvania County Takes Next Ballpark Steps

A Spotsylvania County (VA) committee on Tuesday voted 7-2 to press ahead with a deal for a publicly financed minor league baseball stadium for the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  The Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority — which would own the stadium — will have the final say over the proposal.  Read more here.

Modified Ballpark Proposal On Deck in Spotsylvania County

A committee formed to hash out the baseball stadium proposal in Spotsylvania County (VA) will tonight consider a counteroffer drafted by the county’s outside counsel that maintains the same $25 million/$8 million funding split but seeks higher rent payments, a revenue-sharing agreement and other concessions from the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

MiLB Prez Puts Squeeze on Spotsylvania County Ballpark Negotiations

Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner recently sent an email to Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) owner Bruce Quinn stating that it is “unlikely” the league will extend the team’s July 31 deadline to negotiate with Spotsylvania County (VA).  Read more here.  You know the drill here.

County Baseball Committee Holds First Public Meeting on Proposed New Baseball Stadium

A recommendation to consider a tax on tickets at a proposed minor league baseball stadium in Spotsylvania County (VA) to lure the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) received a mixed response on Thursday.  Read more here.

Spotsylvania County Solicits Public Input on Ballpark Proposal

Spotsylvania County (VA) is soliciting feedback on a plan for a publicly financed $33 million minor league baseball stadium for the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  The county announced this week that it has created an online comment form at www.spotsylvania.va.us for people to express their views on the topic.  Read more here.

Spotsylvania County Seeks Extension to Negotiate Deal with Suns

Spotsylvania County (VA) officials said Tuesday that they expect to know by the end of the month whether a proposal for a publicly financed $33 million minor league baseball stadium is still alive.  Read more here.

Suns Relocation Back on Deck

Spotsylvania County (VA) may borrow up to $43 million to build a minor league baseball stadium and parking next to CarMax in the Southpoint II shopping center.  Under a proposed agreement, the county’s Economic Development Authority would lease the 5,500-seat stadium to a team that is an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.  Read more here.

Suns Unveil 2015 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Hagerstown Suns announced today their promotional schedule for the 2015 season, which is the team’s 35th anniversary season. Many of the events highlighting the promotional schedule are part of a season-long anniversary celebration, and will bring some important parts of Suns history back to life, including the highlighting of some former Suns

Diamond Nation Sued Over Failed Ballpark Deal

Former Gov. Doug Wilder‘s slavery museum is suing Diamond Nation to force the company to complete the purchase of the land where a baseball complex was planned in Fredericksburg (VA).  Read more here.

Suns Take Toys and Go Home?

Spotsylvania County (VA) Supervisor Paul Trampe and other local officials said it’s their impression that Bruce Quinn, principal owner of the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), has backed out of plans for the proposed ballpark project in Fredericksburg (VA).  Diamond Nation President Keith Dilgard said Tuesday that his company’s relationship with the Suns has ended.  Read more here.

Ballpark Delays in Fredericksburg?

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) had been shooting to move into a new ballpark in Fredericksburg (VA) in time for the 2015 season, but that timeline is in jeopardy due to recent delays in locking down a construction budget for the project.  Read more here.  The pending move is obviously having an impact on attendance in Hagerstown (MD).  The Suns are averaging 526 fans per game.

Start-Up FAPB Makes Pitch to Hagerstown

Since the deal to relocate the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) to Fredericksburg (VA), several proposals have been pitched for the Municipal Stadium and the future of baseball in Hagerstown (MD), including a new one from the start-up indy pro Federation of American Professional Baseball led by Dan Malley.  Read more and watch news report here.