Polar Park to Provide Fans with 5 Scoreboards and LED Sideboards to Inform, Entertain, and Interact

PRESS RELEASE – Polar Park will have high-technology full-color videoboards in Left Field and Right-Center Field, as well as a large, traditional, electronic alphanumeric scoreboard on the Worcester Wall in Right Field, plus a pair of LED Matrix boards behind First and Third Base, all supplied and integrated by experience design and execution company, ANC.

Twins Drop Triple-A Rochester, Look to Affiliatize Independent Professional St. Paul Saints

The Minnesota Twins are looking for a new top farm team, after officially informing the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, International League) that they are out.  The St. Paul Saints (Independent Professional, American Association) are the targeted replacement.  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.

At the Top: Adams Tabbed as New Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Team President

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders officially announced John Adams as the team’s new president. Members of the RailRiders ownership group were on hand to welcome Adams into his new role ahead of the 2020 season.

Polar Park Overruns to be Funded

Worcester (MA) expects to borrow an additional $32 million to cover construction and acquisition costs related to the new Polar Park under construction for the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  In a memo, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. stated that no existing city tax revenue will be used to fund the new ballpark.   The team and City plan to make up for these costs in part by increasing ticket fees and parking prices at the stadium.  Read more here and here.

Polar Park Construction Costs Exceeding Budget

Construction costs for Polar Park have increased by $9.5 million over initial estimates, while costs to acquire the properties needed for the ballpark, relocate businesses and prepare the site for development have run roughly $20 million more than what was anticipated.  Read more here.

‘The Office’ Night, 40th Anniversary of Miracle on Ice Highlight Red Wings 2020 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Rochester Red Wings’ 24th season at Frontier Field begins exactly 100 days from today on Thursday, April 9, and to celebrate the Wings have released a sneak peek at the 2020 promotional schedule. As always, and although not yet finalized, the upcoming promo slate promises to be one of the best in Minor League Baseball!

Millions in Renovations Coming to Louisville Slugger Field

Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats (Triple-A, International League), has been taking people out to the ball game since April of 2000. Over the years it’s only had minor renovations, but a major renovation is now on deck for about $7.2 million.  Read more here.

Worcester Red Sox Unveil ‘WooSox’ Branding

On Monday evening, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate announced that, beginning in 2021, it will be known as the Worcester Red Sox. But while that’s the International League team’s official moniker, its “WooSox” nickname promises to be more prominent.  Read more here. See more logos here.  See gear here.

Upgrades Underway at NBT Bank Stadium

After a rebrand, season one of the Syracuse Mets (Triple-A, International League) was a hit on a number of levels: Attendance in the stands and play on the field. With the season over, the off-season is in full swing with major renovations to the NBT Bank Stadium, part of the deal when the Mets made a 25-year commitment to stay in Syracuse (NY).  Read more and watch news report here.  View renderings gallery here.

IronPigs Win 2019 Larry MacPhail Award

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-A International League are the recipients of the 54th annual Larry MacPhail Award, symbolizing the top promotional effort in Minor League Baseball.

A Polar Park Discussion with Ballpark Designer Janet Marie Smith

Ballpark designer Janet Marie Smith loves the scale of minor league stadiums.  It means she can focus on every last detail.  With Worcester’s new Polar Park at the drawing board, Smith and the Pawtucket/Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) team are imagining how they can infuse Worcester flare into each corner of the venue.  Read more here.

PawSox Attendance Drops

Attendance at Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) games has dropped as the team prepares to depart Rhode Island for Massachusetts.  The PawSox are averaging just 5,254 fans a game (as of Sept. 3), which is a drop from 5,982 in 2018.  It’s the third-lowest attendance in the International League.  Read more here.  The team was at 6,406 in 2017.  Doing business as the Fightin’ Quahogs last Friday probably didn’t hurt.

Syracuse Mets Set Date for 2019 Ballpark Craft Beer Festival

The Syracuse Mets’ (Triple-A, International League) 2019 Ballpark Craft Beer Festival, featuring samples of more than 100 beers from 50 or so breweries, will be 7 to 10 p.m. Friday June 21.  That’s an off-night for the team.  In previous years, the beer fest had been held in September, after the end of the season. Read more here.

Worcester Gets Rolling on Property Acquisition, Parking Garage

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority board unanimously voted Friday to take the first three properties needed to assemble the footprint for the construction of a minor league ballpark off Kelley Square.  The board also voted to spend $23 million for the design and construction of a structured parking garage that will be built on the south side of Madison Street.  Read more here.

Mud Hens Introduce New Food Items for 2019

PRESS RELEASE – The off-season taste testing is complete, and the Toledo Mud Hens are introducing a wide array of new food and beverage options for fans at Fifth Third Field. Here are the new menu items fans can enjoy beginning Opening Day on April 4.

Worcester Ballpark Construction/Design Team in Place, Properties Being Targeted

The final piece of the construction/design team for Worcester’s (MA) ballpark project is now in place, as the city’s redevelopment authority has awarded the construction manager at risk contract to Gilbane-Hunt, a joint venture.  In a related matter, offers are being made for acquisition of properties in the area of the proposed ballpark site.  Read more here.

In Search of a New Tenant for McCoy Stadium

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo says she’s actively trying to recruit a new professional sports team to replace the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) at McCoy Stadium.  Inquiries have reportedly come for the ranks of soccer, baseball and more.  A formal request of proposals document/process for the future use of McCoy Stadium is forthcoming.  Read more  and watch video here.

Construction Manager Recommended for Polar Park

The Selection Committee for Polar Park has recommended to the Worcester (MA) Redevelopment Authority that Gilbane-Hunt, a joint venture, be construction manager for the ballpark project.  Read more here.

I-Pigs Announce New Menu Items for 2019 Season

During “#NewFoodWeek” across the team’s social media channels, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs introduced the new items that will be available around the Coca-Cola Park concourse, as well as items exclusive to the club-level menu.  Read more here.

Louisville Bats to Play as ‘Derby City Mint Juleps’ for Two Games

The Louisville Bats (Triple-A, International League), in partnership with Four Roses Bourbon, announced in a press conference at Louisville Slugger Field on Thursday that the team will re-brand as the Derby City Mint Juleps for two games during the 2019 season. Read more here.

Bulls to be ‘Lollygaggers’ for One Night

In honor of one of sport’s cinema’s most iconic scenes, the Durham Bulls (Triple-A, International League) will rebrand for one night only as the Durham Lollygaggers.  On June 14th, 31 years after the release of the Bull Durham movie, the team will take the field in specially-designed jerseys and hats to commemorate a scene still mentioned across pop culture today.  Read more here.

30th Season Celebration Highlights RailRiders’ 2019 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – With Opening Day fast approaching, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have announced their 2019 promotional schedule. The RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will celebrate 30 years of professional baseball in Northeast Pennsylvania during the upcoming season and the promotional highlights will revolve around that history.

Talking Ballpark Design in Worcester

On Tuesday, Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) President Dr. Charles Steinberg, Paw Sox Chairman Larry Lucchino, ballpark designer Janet Marie Smith, and City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., welcomed some of the other people who will sit around the ballpark-design table, including D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects and Sasaki Associates — leaders of the design effort for Polar Park and its surroundings. Read more here and here.

City of Worcester Introduces D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects and Sasaki Associates to provide ballpark design https://t.co/7ZGKmTNScf

— Polar Park (@PolarPark2021) January 29, 2019

Worcester Adds Urban Design and Landscape Architecture Expertise to Ballpark Design Team

Sasaki Associates is being brought on as part of the design team for Polar Park, the new baseball stadium that will be built in Worcester (MA) for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  The firm has expertise in urban design and landscape architecture.  Read more here.

Ramping Up New Ballpark Utilities Work in Worcester

A significant amount of infrastructure work is planned in the Canal District, Kelley Square and Green Island in Worcester (MA) in the coming months to prepare for the construction of the new home of the Boston Red Sox’s top minor league team.  Read more here.

Grant Awarded for Frontier Field Upgrades

Empire State Development has awarded Monroe County (NY) a $550,000 grant to help fund significant upgrades to Frontier Field in Rochester, home of the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, International League).  Planned improvements include a 360-degree concourse, kids area, beer and wine garden, an expanded party space, and more.   Read more here.

RailRiders Announce RailRiders University, Lecture Series

PRESS RELEASE – The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce a free, six-part lecture series for parents of players registered for the upcoming Winter Camps at PNC Field.  RailRiders University is presented by Geisinger, who is proud to offer its expertise for these informative sessions in the home clubhouse at PNC Field.

Baseball-Themed Playroom Coming to Levine Children’s Hospital

The Charlotte Knights (Triple-A, International League) Charities has donated $173,000 to the Levine Children’s Hospital.  The money will be used to transform the fourth-floor therapy room and add a baseball theme to it.  Read more here.

RailRiders to Host 2020 Triple-A All-Star Game

On Thursday evening, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in conjunction with the International League and Pacific Coast League, announced that the 2020 Triple-A All-Star Game will be held at PNC Field.  Read more here.

Future Cloudy for McCoy Stadium

It’s been three months since the Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) announced their move to Worcester (MA), and it’s still uncertain what will become of McCoy Stadium.  Read more here.

Red Wings Unveil Brand New Seating Venue for 2019

PRESS RELEASE – Red Wings fans will be able to experience a game from a brand new vantage point in 2019. The new area – located just over the left field fence between the foul pole and visitor’s bullpen – will include five half-moon tables with four swivel seats at each table. Behind the tables, a drink rail with 20 barstool-style chairs will span the entire area. Both the tables and drink rail will be equipped with phone charging outlets.

Tamburro Named MiLB’s King of Baseball

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball announced today that Mike Tamburro, Vice Chairman of the Pawtucket Red Sox, has been named the 2018 King of Baseball. The King of Baseball is a long-standing tradition in which Minor League Baseball recognizes a veteran of professional baseball for longtime dedication and service.

Worcester Ballpark Board Picks Firm to Design Polar Park

The Worcester Designer Selection Board will recommend Somerville (MA)-based D’Agostino Izzo Quirk Architects, Inc. (D’AIQ) to City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. for the design of Polar Park, the stadium which will house the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) come the 2021 baseball season. D’AIQ worked on the renovation and expansion of Boston’s Fenway Park.  Read more and view rendering/photo gallery here.

WooSox Ballpark Financing Plan Approved

With council approval of the plan, the city of Worcester can proceed with plans to go to market Wednesday to raise about $30 million through a bond sale.  The offering is expected to be the first in a series of bond sales that will raise the $100.8 million needed to build a new ballpark for the relocating Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

Syracuse Chiefs Become Mets, Ballpark Lease Extended

The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that the Syracuse Chiefs are becoming the Syracuse Mets. The Mets purchased the team last year and will put its Triple-A players on the field of NBT Bank Stadium starting next spring.  Read more here.  The New York Mets and Onondaga County have also agreed to a lease extension that should keep Triple-A baseball in town through at least 2043 driven by $25 million worth of improvements.  Read more here.  View ballpark renderings here and here.

Worcester Interviews 7 Architects for Ballpark

Worcester’s (MA) Designer Selection Board wrapped up two days of interviews Thursday with seven prospective architects for the city’s minor league ballpark project.  After interviewing three firms Wednesday and four on Thursday, the board went behind closed doors late Thursday afternoon to discuss the merits of the proposals.  Read more here.

Worcester Picks Firm to Manage Ballpark Project

Worcester (MA) officials are set Friday to select New York-based Skanska USA, a subsidiary of Swedish construction firm Skanska, as the owner’s project manager for the $90-million Worcester Red Sox stadium project.  Read more here.

Bisons Home Now Called ‘Sahlen Field’ After Meat Packing Company

Two of Western New York’s most iconic organizations are now teammates at the ballpark as the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A, International League) and the Sahlen Packing Company today announced the signing of a 10-year naming rights agreement for the ballpark home of the Herd to be called “Sahlen Field.”  Read more here.

Firms Line Up to Design, Build New Worcester Ballpark

Seven firms have submitted bid proposals to the city in response to a Request for Qualifications issued by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority for design and construction administration services for a professional minor league baseball park with a maximum seating capacity of 10,000.  Read more here.