Rocket City Trash Pandas Pass $2M Mark in Licensed Merchandise Sales

PRESS RELEASE – The Rocket City Trash Pandas today announced that the team surpassed the $2 million mark in merchandise sales this past Friday, December 21 – in just over 13 months.

Trash Pandas Introduce ‘Sprocket”

Intertwining baseball and Huntsville’s (AL) space legacy heritage, the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Southern League) have revealed the name of the team’s mascot — “Sprocket.”  While a sprocket is a wheel with teeth or cogs, it’s also a colloquial shorthand for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.  Read more here.

‘Toyota Field’ is Name of New Trash Pandas Ballpark

The new home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Southern League) will be known as Toyota Field after a partnership agreement was reached between team ownership group Ballcorps LLC, the city of Madison and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Read more here.  Read press release here.

Construction Update: Trash Pandas Ballpark

The new minor league baseball stadium now under-construction at Town Madison is plainly visible to motorists on Interstate 565. The $46 million, 7,500-seat stadium is on schedule to be completed in plenty of time for the first game, set for April 15, 2020.  Read more and view 36 photos here.

Ralph got to give Mojo @1043WZYP the grand tour of the ballpark yesterday!
Thanks for coming out! pic.twitter.com/3A2GaPHgle

— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) June 1, 2019

Trash Pandas Announce Giant Food Hall, Voice of the Team

If you like some food with your baseball, Town Madison (AL) has unveiled an appetizing plan that blends the best of both worlds. A giant food hall – featuring 18 kitchens as well as breweries and food trucks – will be the primary connection between the Town Madison retail/restaurant district and the development-anchoring baseball stadium that’s home to the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Southern League). Read more here. In other Panda news, the team has named Josh Caray, grandson of baseball legend Harry Caray, to be the voice of the team. Read more and watch news report here.

Rocket City Trash Pandas Name Josh Caray, Grandson of Baseball Legend Harry Caray and Son of Braves Hall of Famer Skip Caray, Play-by-Play Announcer!
Welcome to the Trash Pandas @seawolvesvoice ! pic.twitter.com/eaZHxI6nXs

— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) May 14, 2019

Huntsville’s Joe Davis Stadium to be Demolished

In less than two years, Madison’s (AL) new baseball stadium will be finished.  Meanwhile, Huntsville’s old ballpark Joe Davis Stadium has been vacant for years.  City administrator John Hamilton says the place is likely going to be torn down, it’s just a question of when.  Read more here.

Full Speed Ahead: Madison Chooses Ballpark Construction Company

Construction is full speed ahead on the new ballpark in Madison (AL) for the coming Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Southern league).  In a special called meeting on Tuesday, the Madison city council chose a construction company to build the stadium.  Officials say things are on track to play ball in 2020. Read more and watch news report here.

It’s the ‘Rocket City Trash Pandas’

BallCorps Inc., owners of the minor league baseball team that will begin play in Madison (AL) in 2020, announced at a community event Wednesday night that the team will be called the Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A, Southern League).  Read more here.

Baseball Is Back! https://t.co/HpNrgz6QY9

— Baseball Is Back In North Alabama! (@NBamaBaseball1) September 6, 2018

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North Alabama Baseball to Unveil Team Name Wednesday

This week, baseball fans in Madison (AL) will find out who they’ll be cheering for.  On Wednesday, owners of the new minor league baseball team will unveil its new name.  The Top 5 names include, Comet Jockeys, Moon Possums, Space Chimps, ThunderSharks, and Trash Pandas.  Read more here.  We expect to see “Rocket City” something.

North Alabama Baseball Narrows Branding List to Five

After receiving thousands of votes in their “Name The Team” sweepstakes, North Alabama Baseball have narrowed the list down to the top five names, including the Comet Jockeys, Moon Possums, Space Chimps, ThunderSharks, and Trash Pandas.  Vote here.

Top-10 Possible Names Announced for Coming Madison (AL) Team

BallCorps, LLC has announced the Top-10 names that came out of its name-the-team contest for the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) franchise that will be relocated to a new stadium in Madison (AL) in time for the 2020 season.  The names include Army Ants, Comet Jockeys, GloWorms, Lunartics, Moom Possums, Puffy Head Bird Legs, Space Chimps, Space Sloths, Thunder Sharks, and Trash Pandas.  Read more and vote here.  Read more from AL.com.  Read lead-up story here.

 

New Madison (AL) Team May Not Carry ‘Madison’ Identifier in Name

The baseball team that will begin play in Madison (AL) in 2019 may not use “Madison” as a location identifier in the team’s neame.  On NorthAlabamaBaseball.com, the community can suggest nicknames for the team that will begin play in Madison in 2020, the first question asks fans which identifier it recommends.  The choices listed are Alabama, Huntsville, Madison, North Alabama, Tennessee Valley.  Read more here.

North Alabama Excited for New Ballpark, Baseball Team

Investors are hoping that on Tuesday, April 14th of 2020, baseball fans in Northern Alabama can sit in the stands and root for the home team.  What they’ll be shouting is unclear because the team doesn’t yet have a name, but leaders with Ballcorps LLC say this field of dreams is about to become a reality.  Read more and watch news report here.  View new renderings from Populous here.

 

Plan to Relocate BayBears to Madison (AL) by April 2020 Remains on Track

The city of Madison (AL) and Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) owner, BallCorps LLC, are taking strides this week in the plan to make the city home to minor league baseball.  As a very positive sign, Ralph Nelson, managing partner of BallCorps, has actually purchased a home in the Madison area.  Read more and watch news report here.

City, Developer Reach Deal for Ballpark Infrastructure

City officials have negotiated terms with Town Madison developers that will help provide the infrastructure needed for a multi-use stadium.  The venue and infrastructure are key parts of the plan to bring the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) to Madison (AL).  Read more here.

Madison Releases Renderings of New Ballpark

While the city of Madison (AL) works to finalize the deal to bring minor league baseball back to the Huntsville area, officials released renderings of the new stadium, as part of the 86-page “venue license, lease, and management agreement” released Thursday night between the city and BallCorps LLC.  Read more and view renderings here.

Madison Council Votes to Approve Measures to Bring BayBears to Town

The Madison (AL) City Council approved three measures Monday on their checklist to get the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) relocated to the Huntsville suburb by 2020.  Read more and watch news report here.

Madison Signs Deal to Build Ballpark

The City of Madison (AL) has signed the lease, license, and management agreement with BallCorps LLC to build new minor league baseball stadium to bring the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) to the Huntsville-area community.  Read more here.

Madison Ballpark Agreement Nearly Complete

Madison (AL) Mayor Paul Finley said the 30-year venue lease and management agreement with BallCorps LLC is nearly finalized.  It has been negotiated, and the legal team is hammering out the last small details.  Read more here.

Madison (AL) Approves Deal to Build Ballpark, Bring BayBears to Town

The Madison (AL) City Council voted 7-0 Monday night to approve a deal with BallCorps, LLC to spend $46 million on a new ballpark that will bring the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) to the Huntsville suburb.  Read more here.

Town Madison Developer Wants to Fast-Track Project, Ballpark Lease Agreement Expected Soon

The developer of Town Madison said they want to fast track the  project in order to get the multi-million dollar interchange open by 2019, which would be about the same time the Mobile Baybears (Double-A, Southern League) would begin their 2019 season if they relocate to the Huntsville (AL) area.  Read more here.

Renderings Released of Proposed Madison Ballpark

What might a minor league stadium in Madison (AL) look like?  Renderings, done by Populous, have been released of a potential 7,200-seat, $40 million ballpark at Town Madison, the under-construction development on I-565 about 10 miles from downtown Huntsville.  Read more and view renderings gallery here.

Madison (AL) Confirms Interest in Attracting MiLB Team

The city of Madison (AL) on Wednesday confirmed what has long been known, even if unspoken.  It’s interested in attracting a minor league baseball team, considering building a stadium and in talks with an ownership group about relocating a team in the Huntsville suburb.  Read more here.

Mayor: We’ll Do What We Can to Persuade Owners to Keep BayBears in Town

Mobile (AL) Mayor Sandy Stimpson said Tuesday that he doesn’t consider it a done deal that the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) baseball team will relocated to Huntsville (AL) after the 2018 season.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe DeLeonard for the link.

Madison (AL) Takes Next Ballpark Step

The City of Madison (AL) near Huntsville took the next step Monday night towards paving the way for a minor league baseball team to relocate to the Tennessee Valley.  In a unanimous vote, the Madison City Council approved two resolutions that would set public hearings for a new zoning category, called “Urban Center District.”  Read more and watch news report here.

Madison (AL) Paving the Way for New Southern League Ballpark?

There may be movement on the prospect of Madison (AL) near Huntsville becoming the home of a minor league baseball team.  It looks like the city is making way for a multi-use stadium.  Read more here.

Mobile BayBears Heading to Location Near Huntsville?

An Arizona company has solicited investors to help complete a purchase of the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League), with the hope of relocating the franchise to Madison County (AL).  Read more and watch news report here.

Leaving Baseball Behind at Joe Davis Stadium

Thursday night, the Huntsville (AL) city council members took the first step toward giving Joe Davis Stadium, the former home of the Huntsville Stars (Double-A, Southern League), a new life by approving a study to look into whether the old stadium can become a 10,000-seat entertainment space.  Read more here.

No New Stadium On Deck in Huntsville

A minor league baseball pitch hasn’t been thrown from the mound at Joe Davis Stadium in more than two years, and it doesn’t look like that is going to change any time soon.  Read more and view news report here.

New Huntsville Ballpark ‘Unlikely’ at Coca-Cola Bottling Plant Site

The nine-acre Coca-Cola bottling plant site at Clinton Avenue in downtown Huntsville (AL), thought to be the top location for a new minor league baseball stadium, reportedly has a buyer.  As you know, the Double-A Huntsville Stars (Southern League) are relocating to a new ballpark under construction in Biloxi (MS).  Read more and watch news report here.

Biloxi Ballpark Bids Come in Over Budget, Name-the-Team Contest Ends, Huntsville Wants New Team

Biloxi (MS) city officials learned Wednesday that the lowest contractor bid for a new stadium was at $32.27 million, some $5 million more than the initial budget.  This could keep the team in Huntsville (AL) for the 2015 season.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, Biloxi Baseball’s name-the-team contest has eneded with 60,000 votes.  Read more here.  Meanwhile Huntsville wants new team.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: (A Goodbye to) Joe Davis Stadium (Huntsville, AL)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill recently visited Joe Davis Stadium, home of the Biloxi (MS)-bound Double-A Huntsville Stars (Southern League).  Read more and view photos here

Team Biloxi Names GM, Launches Name the Team Contest

Buck Rogers, an 18-year Minor League Baseball executive, has been named the first General Manager in the history of the Biloxi Baseball Club.  The announcement was made today by team president Ken Young at a press conference held at the Biloxi Visitors Center.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the team launched a Name The Team Contest starting at 12:01 a.m. Thursday morning.  Click below to submit your entry:

Huntsville Councilman: Stars Violating Maintenance Provisions of Ballpark Lease

Huntsville City Councilman Bill Kling is raising concerns over maintenance at Joe Davis Stadium just weeks before the Biloxi-bound Double-A Huntsville Stars (Southern League) begin their final season in the Rocket City.  He says the Stars have not lived up to their lease agreement at the ballpark, which specifies that the team maintain the scoreboard and public address system.  Read more here.

Southern League Approves Sale of Stars

The Double-A Southern League announced Friday that it has approved the sale of the Huntsville Stars, which are slated to move to a new downtown ballpark in Biloxi (MS) in 2015.  The franchise is being sold by a group led by Miles Prentice to a group led by Ken Young.  The sale must also be approved by both Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball to be final.  Read more here.