Vote Today on Future of Mobile’s Hank Aaron Stadium

A big vote is happening today for the future of Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile (AL).  Since the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) packed their bags and moved to a new home in North Alabama, questions have swirled about the future of this historic ballpark.  Read more and watch news report here.

Group Forms to Manage Mobile’s Hank Aaron Stadium

Two former Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) assistant general managers are now part of a new company working on a plan to manage Hank Aaron Stadium, which is losing it’s team to a new ballpark near Huntsville (AL).  It’s called Mobile Sports and Entertainment Group, or MSEG, and the owners plans go beyond, but include, baseball. Read more 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.

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.

 

Groundbreaking Set for New Madison (AL) Ballpark

The city of Madison on Thursday announced plans for a groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-use facility that will be home to the city’s new minor league baseball team.  Read more 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 Ballpark Deal Not Yet Finalized, Monday’s Vote Delayed

Plans to vote Monday on a finalized agreement to build a $46-million ballpark in Madison (AL) for the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League) has been temporarily delayed, as negotiations with BallCorps LLC continue.  Read more here.

Madison Mayor: Ballpark Will Spark Further Economic Development

When it comes to the anchor of Town Madison, Mayor Paul Finley says they’ve had their eye on one thing: baseball.  He believes the new ballpark will benefit the city in multiple ways — not just prestige.  “It’s truly economic development.”   Read more and watch video 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.

Madison (AL) Takes Next Ballpark Steps to Snag BayBears

Now that BallCorps, LLC owns the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League), Madison (AL) is up to bat to claim the team.  Monday, the city took its first swing at landing a the team by agreeing to spend just shy of $300,000 on an architectural firm and construction management expertise to work out some key details.  Read more and watch news report 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.

New BayBears Ownership Includes Madison (AL) Investor

Louis Breland, the developer of a live-work-play center in Madison mentioned as a possible future home for the Mobile BayBears (Double-A, Southern League), is one of the investors that now own ball club.  The BayBears were officially sold Thursday to BallCorps, LLC.  Read more 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.

BayBears, Angels Agree to PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Mobile BayBears and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have announced a new two-year player development contract that will begin with the 2017 season. Los Angeles is the third parent club the BayBears have been affiliated with since joining the Southern League in 1997 (San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks).

Mobile Redevelopment Talks Could Include New Ballpark

A new baseball stadium could be part of future talks when city officials in Mobile (AL) begin contemplating replacements for the 51-year-old Mobile Civic Center, a top city officials said on Tuesday.  Read more here.

Mayor Will Seek Funds for Hank Aaron Stadium

Mobile (AL) Mayor Sandy Stimpson will ask the City Council Tuesday to re-allocate early $500,000 in excess capital improvement funds toward the first phase of upgrades for Hank Aaron Stadium, home of the Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern League).  Read more here and here.

BayBears GM: Stadium in Serious Need of Upgrades

When the Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern League) return to Hank Aaron Stadium in April next year for the start of the 2015 season, they will arrive to the oldest baseball park in the Southern League.  Chris Morgan, who was recently named the BayBears’ new general manager, wasted no time sounding the alarm for ballpark improvements.  Read more here.

BayBears President to Leave Team, Will Return to SC to Bolster Blowfish Ballpark Bid

PRESS RELEASE – Mobile BayBears President Bill Shanahan, who has been with the team since its inception, announced that he is stepping down from his position with the team, to start a new chapter in his career. Bill and his wife Vicki will be returning to South Carolina where he owns a Summer Collegiate Franchise in the Coastal Plain League.

Budget Challenges Could Challenge Upgrades to ‘The Hank’

The Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern League) reportedly want in “excess of $1 million” in upgrades to the 17-year-old Hank Aaron Stadium, but the city’s budget situation could prevent the team from moving forward with projects to improve the city-owned facility.  Read more here.

BayBears Host Inaugural Backyard BBQ Cook-Off at Hank Aaron Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – The BayBears are hosting the first annual BayBears Backyard BBQ at Hank Aaron Stadium on November 9 and 10th 2013. The best amateur cooks in the area will battle it out over barbecue ribs, chicken and Boston butt!

Biloxi Ballpark Plan Approved!

The Biloxi (MS) City Council on Tuesday voted 5-2 to approve a ballpark financing package that will bring a yet-to-be-named Double-A Southern League team to downtown.  Read more here.  One writer speculates about the franchise relocating to Biloxi.  The Huntsville Stars top the list.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Hank Aaron Stadium (Mobile, AL)

Eric and Wendy Pastore from DigitalBallparks.com recently visited Hank Aaron Stadium, home of the Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern League).  Read more and view photos here.

New Videoboard to Enhance Fan Experience

A giant new videoboard is now in place at Hank Aaron Stadium, as the Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern league) prepare for their home opener against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on April 10.  The old videoboard had donned the outfield since the ballpark opened in 1997.  Read more and view photos here.

BayBears Open Hank’s Home to Weary Carnival Cruise Travelers

PRESS RELEASE – The Mobile BayBears would like to give all passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph cruise ship the opportunity to visit the Hank Aaron Childhood Home and Museum for free on Thursday and Friday February 14th and 15th.

Work Begins for BayBears New GM

The Double-A Mobile BayBears (Southern League) announced Heath Bennett as the team’s new general manager a few weeks ago, but he was formally introduced to fans on Friday at Hank Aaron Stadium.  Of course, his focus will be on increasing the team’s attendance, which topped out at 2,112 fans per game in 2012.   Read more here.

BayBears Announce New GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Defending Southern League Champion Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball Club are proud to announce the hiring of Heath Bennett as the team’s new general manager.

BayBears Searching for New GM

PRESS RELEASE – The Mobile BayBears, the 2011 Baseball America Team of the Year, has begun a nationwide search for the next General Manager of the franchise. BayBears President/COO  Bill Shanahan said, “We are looking for an experienced sports executive with a strong sales background and leadership skills to direct the club.”