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.

Editorial: If Final Offer, Reject Spotsylvania Ballpark Proposal

A divided Spotsylvania County (VA) Board of Supervisors asked last week for a meeting with Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League) owner Bruce Quinn after he submitted what he called his final proposal.  So far, no talks have been set.  The local newspaper says that the board should reject the proposal if Quinn won’t meet and his offer remains unchanged.  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.

A $44.8 Million Price Tag for Proposed Suns Stadium

Spotsylvania County (VA) would pay an estimated $44.8 million for a 5,500-seat, taxpayer-financed minor league baseball stadium, with interest payments making up a large chunk of the price tag.  Read more here.

County Identifies Potential New Site for Suns Ballpark

Spotsylvania County (VA) officials have identified another site for a proposed minor league baseball stadium to lure the Hagerstown Suns (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  The site is located across Interstate 95 from the Southpoint II shopping center.  Read more 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

A Local Suitor for the Suns?

Hagerstown (MD) Mayor David S. Gysberts reportedly announced during a City Council work session this week that a local group of investors is interested in buying the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Even so, the mayor is still willing to work on a new stadium deal with the current owners and has been in touch with the governor and Maryland Stadium Authority about

Suns Selling Naming Rights to Municipal Stadium Field

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) announced Wednesday that they’re seeking to sell naming rights to the field at Municipal Stadium.  The RFP will remain active through January 2015.  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.

Revised Ballpark Plan for Fredericksburg

The partners seeking to relocate the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) to Fredericksburg (VA) dramatically changed their proposal last week, leading to unanimous approval by the City Council of a revised incentive package and new life for the project.  The plan gives the partners one year to obtain financing for the now-$46 million project.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Ballpark Developers Make New Offer to Save Project

The partners seeking to build a baseball stadium complex in Celebrate Virginia South for the relocating Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) sent a letter to Fredericksburg officials this morning, making additional offers in an effort to find a way to address $18 million in costs that were unanticipated.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Ballpark $18M Short

The partners seeking to build a baseball stadium in Fredericksburg for the relocating Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are roughly $18 million short in funding and may not go forward with the project without additional financial help.  Read more here.

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.

Virginia House Votes to Help Fredericksburg Baseball Project

The Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow the city of Fredericksburg (VA) to capture additional revenue from its planned minor league baseball complex to be built to house the relocating Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Ballpark Groundbreaking in March

The investors in the planned Fredericksburg (VA) minor league baseball complex for the relocating Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) plan to purchase the land in February, break ground in March, and have the facility ready for the start of the 2015 season.  Read more here.

Financing Secured for Fredericksburg Ballpark

The partners planning to build a $29 million baseball stadium in Fredericksburg (VA) for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) have gotten approval for financing from two banks, though they are still negotiating the terms, City Manager Bev Cameron said Tuesday.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Agrees to Municipal Stadium Upgrades

Despite the reality that the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are likely relocating to Fredericksburg (VA) in 2015, the Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday agreed to pay for about $15,000 in capital imprvements to 83-year-old Municipal Stadium to honor the team’s lease.  Read more here.

Suns Reach Deal for Ballpark Land in Fredericksburg

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) and Diamond Nation finalized an agreement Monday with the slavery museum organization and its largest creditor to buy the land along Interstate 95 in Celebrate Virginia South where the U.S. National Slavery Museum was to have been built in Fredericksburg (VA).  Read more here.

Commission Gives Thumbs Up to Parking Lot for Fredericksburg Ballpark

The Fredericksburg (VA) Planning Commission voted Wednesday to support a proposed 1,800-space, $7-million to $8-million parking lot that would serve a new baseball stadium in Celebrate Virginia South for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Takes Next Baseball Steps

The Fredericksburg City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a draft performance agreement with the partners working to build a 4,750-seat minor-league baseball stadium in the city.  The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) needed the agreement for its relocation application to Major League Baseball.  Read more here.

Busy Week for Proposed Fredericksburg Ballpark Project

The proposed new ballpark in Frederick (VA) for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) faces a few key hurdles this week as issues go before the City Council, a Circuit Court judge, and Planning Commission.  Read more here.

Suns Owner Considers Short-Season Replacement Club for Hagerstown

Bruce Quinn, majority owner of the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), said Friday that he plans to move the team to Fredericksburg (VA), but he’s also exploring ways to bring a short-season affiliated club to Hagerstown (MD) to replace the SAL franchise, if a new stadium project moves forward there.  The Suns name would stay in the Hub City.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Fredericksburg Council Approves New Baseball Stadium Concept

The Fredericksburg (VA) City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support building a multipurpose stadium in Celebrate Virginia South that would be home to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Naming Rights Partner Secured for New Fredericksburg Ballpark

The Rosner Auto Group has reportedly agreed to invest directly in the project to bring the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) to Fredericksburg (VA) and has committed to securing naming rights to the proposed new ballpark.  The Fredericksburg City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to move forward with the negotiated stadium concept.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Releases Details of Proposed Ballpark Deal

The city of Fredericksburg on Thursday unveiled the parameters of a proposed stadium financing plan that could lead to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) relocating to Celebrate Virginia South.  Read more here.