Burlington Royals Become Burlington Sock Puppets

PRESS RELEASE – Baseball in Burlington finally has its own identity. One that embraces the history of the community, and one that they can say is uniquely theirs. Burlington Baseball announced this morning via their YouTube that the long-awaited rebranding process has culminated in the team’s sockingly different identity, now known as the Burlington Sock Puppets. The identity, created by Dan Simon of Studio Simon, pays homage to the rich textile tradition of this area by featuring two different sock puppets inside the primary logo.

MLB Offers 119 Clubs Affiliation, Await Fresno Outcome

Major League Baseball has neared completion of its extreme revamp of the minor leagues, officially offering 120 Player Development licenses to franchises that will survive as affiliated clubs and comprise a slimmed-down player-development apparatus with centralized control under MLB.  Read more here.  Read more from Forbes here and Sporting News here.

Fresno Grizzlies Given More Time to Work Out Deal

Major League Baseball has given the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) more time to work out the fate of the franchise.  MLB said in a letter last week the team must accept a demotion from Triple-A to Single-A baseball by Nov. 30 or prepare to go without affiliation to a team in the majors.  Read more here.

Owlz Relocate from Orem (UT) to Windsor (CO)

The Orem Owlz (Independent Professional, Pioneer League) have announced that they are relocating from their home in Orem (UT) to the Future Legends Complex in Windsor (CO).  They will be renamed the Northern Colorado (NoCo) Owlz in 2021.  Read more here.

MLB to Launch League for Draft Prospects

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball, Prep Baseball Report (PBR), and five founding members today announced the formation of the MLB Draft League, which will become the first league in the country focused on top prospects who are eligible to be drafted by MLB Clubs that summer.

Dodgers to Officially Cut Ties with Raptors

In expected news, the Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly cut ties with Ogden Raptors (Rookie-level, Pioneer League), as part of the downsizing scheduled to take place across the minor leagues for the 2021 season.  Read more here.   Read more local news here.

Astros Officially Make Independent Skeeters Triple-A Affiliate

The Houston Astros’ farm system is getting closer than before to the team’s home base of Minute Maid Park. On Friday, the club officially announced it has agreed to purchase a majority stake in the Sugar Land Skeeters and designate it as its Triple-A affiliate.  Read more here.

MLB Seeks Response from NYPL Teams

Major League Baseball has reportedly asked New York-Penn League teams to provide an indication whether they are interested in joining the summer wood bat league that MLB recently proposed to league members.  Read more here.  More on MLB’s affiliation revamp.

Mock Talks Bubble Baseball

In this article penned for USA TODAY Sports Weekly, Joe Mock of BaseballParks.com provides us with an in-depth look at the “bubble” MLB playoffs that are now underway.  Read more here.  View playoff schedule here.

Statement by Minor League Baseball

PRESS RELEASE – The Chairman of Minor League Baseball’s Professional Baseball Agreement negotiating committee, D.G. Elmore, issued the following statement today:

Rookie Appalachian League Will Operate as Summer Collegiate Wood-Bat League

Culminating a busy week for Major League Baseball, MLB announced on Friday that the Appalachian League (Rookie) will operate as a summer wood-bat league for rising freshmen and sophomores.  Read more here.

Frontier League Designated as Partner League of MLB

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that it has named the Frontier League as a “Partner Leagues” of MLB. The Frontier League, along with the American Association, join the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which was designated a Partner League earlier this week.

American Association, Frontier League Designated as Partner Leagues of MLB

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that it has named both the American Association and the Frontier League as “Partner Leagues” of MLB. The American Association and the Frontier League join the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), which was designated a Partner League earlier this week.

Atlantic League Designated Partner League of MLB

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball (MLB) announced today that it has named the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) its first “Partner League”. As a Partner League, ALPB will meet regularly with MLB to discuss joint marketing and promotional opportunities, including the leagues’ shared goal of providing baseball to communities throughout the United States.

Justin Timberlake Joins Effort to Bring MLB to Nashville

Ten-time Grammy award winner Justin Timberlake cast his lot Wednesday with Music City Baseball, the group gaining momentum in its effort to bring a Major League Baseball franchise to Nashville.  Read more here.

The Field of Dreams Game that Would Have Been

Joe Mock of  BaseballParks.com was all set to cover the “MLB at Field of Dreams Game” in Dyersville (IA), when MLB headquarters cancelled the event.  Because he already put together an article for USA TODAY previewing the game and ballpark built at the famous movie site, he has graciously posted it here.  Enjoy!

Designing and building a new ballpark at the iconic Field of Dreams movie site is what baseball fantasies are made of. While we won’t see the inaugural game played today, we’re keeping the ballfield in anticipation of next year’s planned event.@MLB @BaAMProductions @BrightView pic.twitter.com/pJs6601A4g

— Populous (@Populous) August 13, 2020

Empty MLB Ballparks to Pipe in Video Game Crowd Noise

Big league players will still hear the roar of the crowd even though the stands will be empty when the baseball season opens next week.  Taking a cue from two European soccer leagues, Major League Baseball will play crowd noise from its official video game through ballpark sound systems during games.  Read more here.

MiLB Shelves Season

PRESS RELEASE – Major League Baseball™ (MLB™) has informed Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season. As a result, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020.

2019 Major League Attendance Analysis Released

David P. Kronheim from NumberTamer.com has released his 262-page Major League Baseball attendance analysis for the 2019 season.  Mr. Kronheim has been kind enough to share his data with us over the last few years, and this and other reports can be found at the bottom of our Attendance Rankings page.  You can view his 2019 Major League Baseball Attendance Analysis here.

Realigned MLB Could Begin Play by July 2

Major League Baseball officials have become cautiously optimistic this week that the season will start in late June, and no later than July 2, playing at least 100 regular-season games, according to three executives with knowledge of the talks. They requested anonymity because the plan is still under consideration.  Read more and view possible realignment here.

Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on MLB Field of Dreams

Major League Baseball has yet to determine whether there will be a season because of the spread of the coronavirus across the U.S. But construction continues on the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville (IA) where a game is still scheduled to be played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 13.  Read more here.

Considering Texas as a Mid-American Hub to Start MLB Season

North Texas has more to offer than just the new Rangers ballpark should MLB decide to start the pandemic-delayed 2020 baseball season with teams grouped together in different regions.  Read more here.

MiLB Agreeing to Reduce Teams?

The world has changed dramatically over the past six months, especially now that the coronavirus pandemic has halted sports. When MLB and MiLB negotiators convene on a teleconference on Wednesday, multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations say MiLB will indicate that it agrees to 120 affiliated teams in a new PBA.  Read more here.  In a joint MLB-MiLB statement, that parties said the following:

“The respective negotiating teams of Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball held a constructive meeting on Wednesday. The parties are continuing their discussions, with the goal of concluding a mutually beneficial long-term agreement in the near future.”

The Legacy of the Late President of the Colorado Rockies

Joe Mock of BaseballParks.com has penned a wonderful profile about the late President of the Colorado Rockies, Keli McGregor.  Mock became fascinated by McGregor because of what he meant to development to Coors Field and Salt River Fields.  The timing of the article was to coincide with the 10th anniversary of his untimely passing on April 20, 2010.  Read more and view photos here.

MLB Suspends Operations in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Major League Baseball has decided to “suspend baseball operations indefinitely” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more here.

The Trop Has New Amenities for Fans

Fans are worried that the Tampa Bay Rays might split the season with Montreal, but it looks like Tropicana Field is doubling down with it comes to new attractions for baseball fans.  Read more and view photos here.  Speaking of Montreal, read more here.

Dodger Stadium Upgrades to be Unveiled March 26

The $100-million renovation of Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was first unveiled last year.  Long in the making, the upgrades to the ballpark that originally opened its gates in 1962 are scheduled to be unveiled to the public on March 26, Opening Day.  The finishing touches will be in place by April — well in advance of the 2020 MLB All-Star Game on July 12.   Read more here.

Field of Dreams Dreaming of MLB’s Return After 2020

When the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox finish their special game at the Field of Dreams movie site on Aug. 13, the two teams will pack their bags and head out of Iowa.  But the hope is that MLB will be back at the iconic site again.  Read more here

Proposed Portland Ballpark Development Could Feature Historic Carousel

Restore Oregon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Oregon’s historic places, and the Portland Diamond Project announced Tuesday that the Jantzen Beach Carousel could be incorporated into plans for a Major League Baseball development along the Willamette River in northwest Portland.  Read more here.  View photos and renderings here.

Pendulum Takes Swing at Designing New Downtown Ballpark for Royals

The team at Kansas City-based Pendulum have released renderings of a new, 30,000-seat stadium in downtown Kansas City (MO) for the Kansas City Royals via KansasCityLovestheRoyals.com.  Read more and view renderings here and here.

MiLB Statement Today Regarding RBA Negotiations and Letter to MLB Commissioner

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) issued a statement today regarding the state of the Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) negotiations with Major League Baseball.  Read statement here.  A letter was also sent last week by Minor League Baseball to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.  Read letter here.

Save Minor League Baseball Task Force Co-Chairs Lead Introduction of Congressional Resolution Supporting Minor League Baseball

Today, Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA), David McKinley (R-WV), Max Rose (D-NY), and Mike Simpson (R-ID) – co-chairs of the Save Minor League Baseball Task Force — introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the sense of Congress that Major League Baseball (MLB) should maintain the current minor league structure rather than proceed with its plan to eliminate 42 minor league clubs.  Read press release and resolution here.

Two-Story Gym Opens at Ballpark Village

Onelife Fitness opened its doors to the public Sunday.  The 31,000 square-foot gym is part of the second phase of Ballpark Village’s development adjacent to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Read more and watch news report and view photos here.

Fans Get First Look at New Rangers Ballpark

Opening day for the Texas Rangers is just over two months away, but fans got a sneak peek Saturday at the new Globe Life Field.  Read more and watch news report here.

City Not Relying A’s Gondola Plan to Shuttle Fans

If the Oakland A’s have their way, traveling to the team’s proposed ballpark at Howard Terminal would involve gliding over Interstate 880 and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks in an aerial gondola.  But the city isn’t counting on it.  Read more here (subscription required).

Approval for A’s New Ballpark Rounding the Bases

The Oakland A’s pitch for a waterfront ballpark became closer to reality after the city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve an agreement with the port that allows the release of the project’s environmental review.  Read more here.

Mayors Berke, Whaley, Benjamin to Announce Mayors’ Task Force to Save Minor League Baseball

PRESS RELEASE – Mayors of Chattanooga, Tenn., Dayton, Ohio, and Columbia, S.C. tomorrow [Wednesday] will announce the official formation of the Mayors’ Task Force to Save Minor League Baseball.  The Task Force will be co-chaired by Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.

Chase Field Looks to Expand Programming with Arizona State, NCAA

Chase Field opened its gates to Arizona State’s wrestling team on Saturday, Jan. 11, and, in doing so, became the first ballpark to host a collegiate wrestling event in history.  It marked the start of what Chase Field hopes will be an expanded partnership with NCAA athletics, not just for their own venue, but for MLB ballparks across the country.  Read more here.

Owner Fights to Save SeaWolves

After spending more than 30 years learning the ins and outs of corporate America, Fernando Aguirre was ready to own a business and bought the Erie SeaWolves (Double-A, Eastern League) in 2015.  Late last year, Aguirre learned that the SeaWolves are one of 42 teams that could be axed under a proposal by MLB.  But, he is working to save the team and his investment.  Meanwhile, UPMC Park is in the middle of a $16 million renovation with some parts finished, including a new field that was put in place before the 2019 season and a new scoreboard that was installed during the season.  Read more here.

Jeter Street?

New York Yankees fans may soon be able to meet outside the Bronx stadium at the corner of Jeter Street and Rivera Avenue.  Cary Goodman, who runs the area’s business improvement district, is petitioning City Council to rename East 161st Street between Gerard and River avenues after Derek Jeter, the Yankees retired shortstop.  Read more here.