10 Possible Names Announced for New Ballpark Commons Franchise

The ownership of the new American Association (Independent Professional) team that will take up residence at the developing Ballpark Commons in Franklin (WI) has announced 10 possible farmed-themed names for the franchise, including Crop Dusters, Cheesers, Farmhands, Haymakers, Broilers, Barn Owls, Cow Tippers, Bovines, Milk Men, and War Pigs.  Vote for your favorite here.

Aviators Get New Ownership

Milwaukee (WI)-based MKE Sports and Entertainment has sold the Lafayette Aviators (Summer Collegiate, Prospect League) to a trio of Purdue graduates, including Bill Davidson, CEO of National Sports Services, Brent Gutwein, co-founder of Granite Student Living, and Stuart Gutwein, a Lafayette attorney.  Read more here.

Zimmerman to Buy, Not Lease Land for Franklin Ballpark Development

​Milwaukee County officials plan to sell, rather than lease, land in Franklin to Mike Zimmerman and his development team for the Ballpark Commons project.  Read more and view rendering here (subscription required).

Where to Put New Home Plate in Lafayette?

Where’s home plate in Lafayette’s (IN) new baseball stadium?  There’s your No. 1 topic from the two public input meetings as the city moves forward with a new facility in Columbian Park to replace the aging Loeb Stadium.  Read more here.

Franklin Council Approves TIF District for Ballpark Commons

The Franklin (WI) Common Council has approved a proposal that sets the stage for spending up to $26.8 million to help finance a mixed-use development centered on a new baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Proposed ‘Ballpark Commons’ in Franklin (WI) Takes First Major Step Forward

Plans for the more than $100 million Ballpark Commons development in Franklin (WI) got a first major city approval on Thursday.  The development includes a new baseball stadium at The Rock Sports Complex and surrounding retail, housing and commercial buildings.  Read more here.

Proposed Franklin Ballpark Could Host American Association Team

The developers behind a new baseball stadium, indoor sports complex and mixed-use neighborhood in Franklin (WI) are asking city officials to approve a memorandum saying they are interested in pursuing the projects.  The plan includes a 4,500-capacity ballpark that would host an American Association (Independent Professional) franchise and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers baseball team. Read more here.

It’s the ‘Lafayette Aviators’

The name of the new summer collegiate Prospect League franchise in Lafayette (IN) will be known as the Lafayette Aviators.  Three logo options were introduced today on social media to solicit fan opinions before announcing a winner later this month.  Read more here.  View press release here.  Thanks to Mark Tobin for the heads up.

Lafayette Unveils Name-the-Team Finalists

Milwaukee-based MKE Sports and Entertainment has released the five finalists for new summer collegiate Prospect League franchise in Lafayette (IN). The names include: Generals, Legends, Ax Men, Lightning, and Aviators. Read more here.  Fans can vote here for their favorite team name.  Thanks to Mark Tobin for the heads up.

Looking forward to announcing team name in Dec with assistance from Mayor Roswarski's Youth Council @City_Lafayette pic.twitter.com/HNC0LQjHWy

— Lafayette Baseball (@Lafayette_BSB) November 25, 2015

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Jamestown Jammers Join PGCBL

PRESS RELEASE – The Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League has proudly announced the addition of the Jamestown Jammers.

Zimmerman to Pitch Ballpark Oct. 27

Mike Zimmerman is pursuing plans for an indoor sports complex and baseball stadium at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin (WI) that would help spur up to $130 million in surrounding mixed-use development.  Read more here.  Because Zimmerman already operates two summer collegiate Prospect League franchises, and had an apparent falling out with the indy pro Frontier League, we assume the proposed ballpark would house a Prospect League team.

Lafayette Makes It Official: Prospect League Franchise Coming to Loeb

Lafayette (IN) city leaders made it official Tuesday: a summer collegiate Prospect League baseball team will call Columbian Park’s Loeb Stadium home, starting next summer.  Success could mean discussions about a new ballpark in a few years, according to Mayor Tony Roswarski.  Read more here.

Alcohol Sales Approved for Loeb Stadium

The Lafayette (IN) parks board has approved restricted sales of alcohol in Loeb Stadium as part of a deal to bring a summer collegiate Prospect League franchise to town led by MKE Sports and Entertainment. Read more here.  Watch news report here.

MKE Sports Targeting Lafayette

City of Lafayette (IN) officials are reportedly in talks with MKE Sports and Entertainment to bring a summer collegiate Prospect League franchise to Loeb Stadium as early as next summer.  Read more and watch news report here.  Read about vote to sell beer at Loeb here.

More on the New Kokomo Ballpark

Construction on the new ballpark for a yet-to-be-named summer collegiate Prospect League franchise in Kokomo (IN) is well underway.  Mayor Greg Goodnight says construction on the baseball stadium is slated to be finish by April of 2015.  Read more and view photo here.