T-Bones Become Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are back — sort of.  New owners of the Kansas City T-Bones baseball club in Kansas City (KS) announced Thursday that the team will adopt the name of Kansas City’s storied Negro Leagues team beginning this season.  Read more here.

Hinchliffe Stadium Update

The Paterson (NJ) City Council recently approved the use of $1.1 million in federal housing funds for the 75-unit senior citizen building being done in conjunction with the reconstruction of Hinchliffe Stadium.  The council also gave final approval to a 30-year tax break for the Hinchliffe development. The $76.7 million project also would include a 315-space parking garage as well as a restaurant with museum exhibit space.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for links.

Developer Revises Financing Plan for Hinchliffe Stadium Restoration

The developer looking to rebuild Hinchliffe Stadium has revised the financing plan because a proposed state historic preservation tax credit program originally projected to generate $2.8 million for the project has not yet been enacted.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Hinchliffe Spotlight: Stadium on Verge of Revival

Paterson’s (NJ) Hinchliffe Stadium should be one of baseball’s crown jewels, but for decades it has lain vacant and crumbling, a victim of vandalism and neglect due to a lack of funds. One of the few surviving stadiums in the country associated with Negro League baseball, Hinchliffe was one strike away from falling into permanent disrepair.  Read more and view photos here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Can a Revived Hinchliffe Stadium Help Revive Paterson (NJ)?

There used to be a ballpark here, at the corner of Maple and Liberty.  Baseball royalty once rounded the bases, and city residents once packed the stands.  Now defaced with graffiti, Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) looks like a blighted lot about to be razed.  Weeds and trees have uprooted the bleachers, and asphalt and trash cover the infield.  Read more here.

Restoration of Historic Hinchliffe Stadium Takes Next Step

The mayor’s plan for rebuilding historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) cleared another hurdle this past week when the City Council approved an 80-page agreement with the developers for the $76.7 million project. Read more and view photos here.

Hinchliffe Stadium Restoration Project Takes Next Step

Paterson (NJ) Mayor Andre Sayegh secured the City Council’s precursory support this week for a lease agreement for the restoration of the historic Hinchliffe Stadium.  A public hearing and final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Sept. 24, 2019.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Renovation of Historic Hinchliffe Stadium Back on Track?

Developers have revised their plans to rebuild historic Hinchliffe Stadium, changes that seem to put the stalled $76 million project on track to get approval from the Paterson (NJ) City Council.  Read more and watch video here.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Proposed MLB Team in Nashville Gets a Name

Paying homage to the Negro Leagues, the local group trying to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville (TN), Music City Baseball LLC made up of businessman John Loar, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and former MLB pitcher and front office executive Dave Stewart, have announced the name for the group’s proposed MLB team — the Nashville Stars.  Read more here.

Mayor Proposes Plan to Save Historic Hinchliffe Stadium

Paterson (NJ) Mayor Andre Sayegh is proposing an $18.7 million reconstruction of Hinchliffe Stadium, the national landmark that has been vacant so long trees are growing out of its crumbling, concrete grandstands.  Read more here.  Read opinion piece here.  Read another opinion piece and view photo gallery here.

Jack White Helps to Save Hamtramck Stadium

Detroit rocker Jack White has lent his efforts toward helping restore Hamtramck Stadium, a Detroit-area ballpark that served as home for the Negro League’s Detroit Stars.  Read more here. Watch news report here.

Jack White pitches in to save former home of Detroit Stars, @HamtownStadium: https://t.co/dz8lsp5Dfp pic.twitter.com/LYU5q0qrki

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 4, 2019

Remembering Seattle’s Historic Sicks Stadium

From 1938 to 1977, Sicks Stadium hosted thousands of baseball games, a couple football games and a number of concerts. It was home to a handful of teams from various leagues and divisions.  It was, during the sport’s much-hailed glory days, where baseball lived in Seattle.  Read more here.  View ballpark photos and specs here.

Talking Old Tiger Stadium, The Corner Ballpark, and the Future Hamtramck

At the corner of Michigan and Trumbull avenues in Detroit (MI), a ballpark was built there in 1895 and was the site of professional baseball for more than 100 years.  The Detroit Tigers made it their home in 1912, and it stayed that way until Sept. 27, 1999, when the last game was played at Tiger Stadium.  Barely five miles away in the near north suburb of Hamtramck, the former home of the Negro League Detroit Stars has sat neglected and forgotten for at least two decades.  Read more and view photos here.

Historic Negro Leagues Ballpark Gets First Sponsor to Fund Help Renovation

The renovation of Hamtramck Stadium that was home to Negro Leagues professional baseball teams in the 1930s has its first corporate sponsor.  Comerica Bank and Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium announced the $20,000 contribution Friday at the Negro Leagues Legacy luncheon at Comerica Park.  Read more here.

Historic Hinchliffe Getting Facade Facelift

Historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) is getting a $500,000 grant from the National Park Service for the renovation of the Great Depression-era ballpark’s exterior façade, officials announced this week.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Cricket at Historic Hamtramck Ballpark?

A community input meeting on plans to restore and redevelop a historic Negro League baseball stadium in Hamtramck (MI) drew dozens of residents Monday evening, including a group of youths from the Detroit enclave’s Bengali immigrant community.  Read more here.

City Hires Firm to Begin Planning Restoration of Historic Hamtramck Ballpark

Officials are moving toward a plan to renovate Hamtramck’s (MI) historic Negro League ballpark.  The city has hired Smith Group JJR for $76,900-plus to create a pre-development plan as a precursor to any construction.  Read more here.

New City Park Finally Taking Shape at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches

A new 12-acre park at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches called Lincoln Park — a tribute to the Negro Leagues field in the north end of the city — is expected to open during spring training.  Read more and view photos here.

Latest on Hamtramck’s Revival

Historic preservation, like baseball, involves some swings and misses.  Just ask the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium, the group trying to save Hamtramck’s (MI) historic Negro League ballpark.  Read more here.

Paterson Breaks Ground on Restoration of Historic Hinchliffe Stadium

The long-awaited restoration of Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) moved a step closer on Tuesday morning with the ground breaking of the first major phase of construction at the historic ballfield in the corner of Maple and Liberty Streets.  Read more here.

Paterson Council Rejects Financing to Restore Historic Hinchliffe Stadium

The Paterson (NJ) City Council refused on Tuesday night to provide the financing for a $1.5 million Hinchliffe Stadium renovation contract that it had approved a week earlier.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the links.

Effort Underway to Revive Historic Negro League Ballpark

This new year could mark the start of a new life for the historic Hamtramck Stadium, one of the nation’s few remaining Negro League ballparks.  Read more and watch video report here.  View street view here.   Visit Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium here.

Proposed Visitors’ Center Would Showcase Hinchliffe Stadium, Negro Leagues

A $19.7 million visitors’ center has been proposed for Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson (NJ). The Alexander Hamilton Center, as it is being called, would feature state-of-the art interactive exhibits on the various aspects of the Great Falls history, including showcasing Hinchliffe Stadium (located nearby on the national park campus) and legendary Negro League baseball.  Read more here and here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Alexander Hamilton Center rendering, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Inc.

American Express Donation Includes Funds for Hinchliffe Preservation

PRESS RELEASE – American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation today announced $1 million in funding to support the restoration and preservation of five National Treasure sites, in or adjacent to National Parks. National Treasures are endangered buildings, neighborhoods, communities and landscapes that reveal the vibrancy of the American story.

Mayor Seeks $1 Million for Hinchliffe Renovation Design

Paterson (NJ) Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres wants to spend $1 million to hire a New York architectural firm to design the first two construction phases for the renovation of historic Hinchliffe Stadium.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for heads up.

Ernie Banks….Thanks for the Memories

John Dittrich

It was April of 1974. I was just a 23 year-old kid fresh out of college and only weeks into my first ever baseball job as Assistant to the President of the Texas League, Bobby Bragan.

Hinchliffe Stadium Inches Closer to National Park Inclusion (UPDATED)

The U.S. Senate is currently considering the National Defense Authorization Act that includes a provision that adds Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) to the Great Falls National Historical Park.  Sponsor of the provision Sen. Bob Menendez just completed his remarks on the Senate floor in support of the historic Negro Leagues ballpark.  The defense bill passed the U.S. House last week.  The Senate could pass the measure as early as Friday.  Read background here.  UPDATE:  Defense bill passed the Senate tonight with Hinchliffe provision 89-11.  The president is expected to sign it into law.

U.S. Sen. Menendez of New Jersey speaks on the floor of the Senate in support of Hinchliffe Stadium provision in the defense bill.

TUNE IN: Headed to @DSenFloor to talk abt why Hinchliffe Stadium is a #NJ treasure. Stream: http://t.co/Nw9OPujpza pic.twitter.com/htzirlzEO2

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) December 12, 2014

Hinchliffe Stadium Gets Defense Bill Love

The defense bill that passed the U.S. House on Thursday includes a provision to preserve Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ) where Satchel Paige fired baseballs and Larry Doby and Josh Gibson tried to hit them.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Royals, Orioles Will Pay Tribute to Negro Leagues

The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles will don Negro Leagues uniforms on May 18 at Kauffman Stadium.  The Royals will be wearing Kansas City Monarchs jerseys and the Baltimore Orioles will be sporting those of the Baltimore Black Sox.  Read more here.

Celebrating Historic Hinchliffe Stadium

In the sunshine of a blustery spring morning in Paterson (NJ), Hinchliffe Stadium came back to life on Wednesday as several hundred people flocked to the historic ballpark to pay homage to its legacy and paint its walls.  Read more and watch video here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Rickwood Field (Birmingham, AL)

Eric and Wendy Pastore from DigitalBallparks.com visit historic Rickwood Field, former home of the Double-A Birmingham Barons (Southern Association/ League), Birmingham Black Barons (Negro Leagues), and current home of the annual Rickwood Classic.  Read more and view huge photo gallery here.  Visit the Friends of Rickwood website here.

Legislation Introduced in Congress to Add Hinchliffe Stadium to National Park

U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Jeffrey Chiesa (R-NJ) and U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) on Wednesday introduced the Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act, legislation that would make Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium a part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.  Read more here.

Whitecaps Salute to the Negro Leagues

PRESS RELEASE – The Whitecaps will welcome six former Negro League players and the former owner of the Detroit Stars to West Michigan on Wednesday, July 20, as we salute the African-American players who grew up playing America’s game, but were not allowed to play in the Major Leagues.  The former players will be on hand to throw out a first pitch and sign autographs for fans in attendance!

RiverDogs Tip Caps to Negro League Baseball (Yesterday)

PRESS RELEASE – Fans of the Charleston RiverDogs will get a glimpse of history when the club concludes Larry Doby Heritage Weekend on Sunday, June 12. The RiverDogs and Greenville Drive will step back in time as they don the throwback jerseys of the Newark Eagles and Homestand Grays, two historic Negro Leagues franchises.

Two Negro Leagues Legends to Attend ‘Grand Slammer’

PRESS RELEASE – The man they call “Lefty” once played under Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe. The man Buck O’Neil nicknamed “Baby” once challenged the great Satchel Paige in a showdown people still talk about.

Saving Hinchliffe Stadium

ESPN Page 2 columnist Paul Lukas recently visited Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson (NJ), the deteriorating former 10,000-seat home of the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankess and New York Cubans.  Efforts have been underway for some time by a local preservation group to save the park, and there is hope.  Citizens approved a

Union County College to Host Negro Leagues Baseball Program

Union County College in Cranford, NJ, will play host to a Black History Month program called “Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Negro Leagues Baseball at Yankee Stadium 1930-1948.”  One of the guest speakers will be Robert Scott, former pitcher and first baseman for the New York Black Yankees.  The event will take place on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 6:30-9:15 p.m. at the Roy Smith Auditorium.  Read more here.

Negro Leagues Baseball Stamp Available Soon

The U.S. Postal Service has unveiled the artwork for a stamp that will pay tribute to the Negro Leagues.  The new stamp is expected to be available in June.  It’s a great looking stamp and a must have for any collection.  Read more here

City of Paterson to Renovate Hinchliffe?

Hinchliffe Stadium, the 77-year old Negro League ballpark in Paterson, NJ that has deteriorated and become a major eyesore over the years, may finally be saved.  Earlier this month, 80 percent of voters in Paterson voted to support a non-binding referendum that authorizes the city to determine the ways and means of restoring the old park.  The referendum also appropriated $15 million for the project.  Construction could begin as early as 2011.  Read more here.