Staten Island Yankees Cease Operations, Sue Parent Club and MLB

The Staten Island Yankees, the former short-season Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced Thursday that the organization is ceasing operations and filed a lawsuit against its former parent club – as well as Major League Baseball.  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.

Spinners Take Fight for Survival to TODAY Show

For more than 40 cities across the country, there’s fear that this could be their last season with a minor league baseball team after Major League Baseball announced controversial plans to cut ties with more than three dozen teams. TODAY’s Harry Smith takes a closer look at how folks in Lowell (MA) are battling to save their team.  Read more and watch report here.

Doubledays GM Resigns

For the second time in two months, the Auburn Doubledays’ (Single-A, New York-Penn League) general manager is stepping down.  Bob Scarbrough, who was named general manager after Adam Winslow‘s departure in November, resigned effective Jan. 24.  Read more here.

Save Our Spikes

Joined by a large group of community leaders and local, state and federal officials on Thursday at the Centre County Visitors Center, the short-season single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals launched the #SaveOurSpikes campaign to fight back against a Major League Baseball proposal that if enacted would eliminate affiliations for State College and 41 other minor league clubs.  Read more here.

U.S. Sen. Blumenthal (CT) Sends Letter to MLB Commissioner

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal has become the latest Connecticut official to urge Major League Baseball to save the minor league team in Norwich (CT), warning congressional action might be taken.  Read more here.

The Future of Dutchess Stadium

The long-term future of Dutchess Stadium and its tenants, the Hudson Valley Renegades, remains uncertain pending a new agreement between Major League Baseball and its 162 minor league teams.  Read more here.

Connecticut Tigers Become Norwich Sea Unicorns

During a public unveiling event at a local middle school, the Connecticut Tigers (Single-A, New York-Penn League) revealed that the team will now be known as the Norwich Sea Unicorns.  Read more from Benjamin Hill here.  Read more from Chris Creamer here.

Communities, Congress Fighting Back Against MLB’s Minor League Contraction Plan

Norwich (CT) Mayor Peter Nystrom says he plans to fight hard to preserve his town’s little piece of Americana — the soon-to-be-renamed Connecticut Tigers (we’re hoping for Narwhals) (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Mayor Norstrom stated:

I’m writing to every municipality affected by this.  These are community centers.  Dodd Stadium is a community center.  To me, this is a stab in the back.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, who represents Norwich, said he believes MLB has underestimated the clout these communities have.  He co-authored a letter signed by over 100 colleagues to MLB officials outlining the negative implications of contraction and reminding them Congress has the power to reconsider the league’s antitrust exemption.  MLB responded.  Read more here.

Details Emerge of MLB’s Master Plan to Contract MiLB Lineup

In recent weeks, details of the plan have been slowly leaking out, the MLB spin being it’s designed to (1) upgrade all the minor league facilities and (2) improve “wellness” for the minor leaguers in terms of travel and living conditions.  In truth, as always, it’s designed to save money, lots of money, and the proprietors of these minor league teams, many of whom have their life savings invested in them, be damned.  Read more here.  Read about the Erie SeaWolves and Connecticut Tigers here.  Read concerns in Erie (PA) about the SeaWolves here.  Read about the fight brewing in Daytona (FL) over the Tortugas here.

Tigers Name Finalists for New Team Name

PRESS RELEASE – The Connecticut Tigers have taken the next step towards a new identity and announce the finalists for their new hometown name. The team now asks for fan input on the five finalist names. Fans can vote on their favorite by visiting cttigers.com. through Friday, October 18th. The new name will then be unveiled in November.

Black Bears Talk About 2019 Season, Double Stuffed Dave to Retire

The West Virginia Black Bears hosted media to show off what’s new at the ballpark. Improvements include a new batters eye that allows better tracking of the ball from the batter’s perspective, along with sad news from their famous pepperoni roll, Double Stuffed Dave.  Read more and watch news reports here and here.

IronBirds to Honor Ripkens, Will Play as ‘Aberdeen Legacy’

The Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League) have announced they will pay tribute to hometown heroes, Cal and Bill Ripken, and play as the Aberdeen Legacy on Saturday, August 3, against the Vermont Lake Monsters.  Read more here.

There’s a case for each one to be their best work too pic.twitter.com/a1h8eo6Wlv

— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) April 24, 2019

CT Tigers Seek Fan Input for New Team Name

For the first time since moving to Dodd Stadium in Norwich (CT), the Connecticut Tigers (Single-A, New York-Penn League) are planning to rebrand with a new team name, and they are seeking help from fans to do it.  They plan to use the “Norwich” location identifier instead of Connecticut.  Read more and enter names submissions here.

Ripken Ballpark Saga Continues, City Files Countersuit

How to move forward with Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League), is the biggest challenge the Aberdeen (MD) City Council faced in 2018,  according to Mayor Patrick McGrady.  He couldn’t say more, because of pending litigation.  That litigation includes a countersuit filed by the city to the breach of contract suit filed last year in Harford County Circuit Court by Tufton Professional Baseball.  Read more here.

Dutchess County Approves Bonding for Upgrades to Renegades’ Home

The Dutchess County Legislature has approved the bonding needed for a $3 million upgrade of Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill (NY), home of the Hudson Valley Renegades (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

School District Land Lease Extension Nudges Ongoing Ballpark Negotiations with Renegades

The Beacon City School District has agreed to extend Dutchess County’s stadium land lease by another year, a move officials say is key to ongoing negotiations with the Hudson Valley Renegades (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

Renegades’ GM Steps Down, Gliner Assumes Duties

PRESS RELEASE – The Hudson Valley Renegades announced that Executive Vice President/General Manager Eben Yager has stepped down to pursue other opportunities. Renegades President Steve Gliner will assume the General Manager responsibilities.

Ripken Files Suit Against City

Claiming conduct by the City of Aberdeen (MD) in recent years has made operating Ripken Stadium “unbearably difficult,” the company that owns the Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League) has filed suit accusing the city of not living up to the terms of an agreement made nearly 20 years ago.  Read more here.

Lowell Spinners Hire Chris Taylor as Assistant General Manager

The Lowell Spinners (Single-A, New York-Penn League) announced today that the team has hired Chris Taylor as its new Assistant General Manager.  Taylor will oversee group ticket sales as part of his new role while also working with season ticket accounts and assisting with the team’s marketing.  Read more here.

Ripken Challenges City, Sets Deadline for Response

Cal Ripken Jr.‘s sports management company said his firm should take over management of non-baseball events such as weddings, concerts and fundraisers at Ripken Stadium, and claims the City of Aberdeen (MD) has not fulfilled its obligations to upgrade the city-owned ballpark.  Read more here.

Baby Bombers to Host 2019 NYPL All-Star Game

The Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League) will celebrate their 20th Anniversary of baseball on Staten Island in 2019.  Next season will be even more special as the New York-Penn League All-Star Game will be played at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.  Read more here.

Huntley Sports Group Seeks Contract Extension to Book Non-Baseball Events at Ripken Stadium

At least one non-baseball event has been happening at Aberdeen’s Ripken Stadium each week in 2018, according to the CEO of the firm the city hired earlier this year to handle such bookings.  Read more here.

New at Falcon Park this Season

Fans of the Auburn Doubledays (Single-A, New York-Penn League) will notice some changes at Falcon Park this season.  The team’s worked throughout the off season to make improvements to the stadium, including adding new seating and concession options.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

S.I. Yankees to Become Pizza Rats During Saturday Games

PRESS RELEASE – The Staten Island Yankees are taking on a new identity on Saturday nights this season. The team will change its name to the Staten Island Pizza Rats for the five Saturday home games, beginning June 23, at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George.

Helwig Announced as New Voice of Muckdogs, New Cap Logo Revealed

Andy Helwig has been named as the new voice of the Batavia Muckdogs (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Helwig is a Canisius College and Canisius High School graduate and will be interning this summer with the Muckdogs after spending last summer interning with the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A, International League), where he hosted a postgame show on ESPN1520 AM.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, as promised by new GM Dave Chase in April, the Muckdogs have a new “B” logo cap.

CT Tigers to Play as New England Lobster Rolls July 14th

PRESS RELEASE – The Connecticut Tigers, Class-A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, will take the field on Saturday, July 14th as the New England Lobster Rolls on “New England Night”. The team will wear Lobster Rolls hats and jerseys on field. Fans are encouraged to visit golobsterrolls.com for more information about the night as well as Lobster Rolls merchandise including hats, t-shirts and more.

‘Paw Patrol Day’ in Brooklyn

On Sunday, June 24th, MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones (Single-A, New York-Penn League), will be transformed into Adventure Bay for Paw Patrol Day on Coney Island.  The team will be wearing special Paw Patrol jerseys during the game.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Crosscutters Announce 2018 Promo Schedule

The Williamsport Crosscutters (Single-A, New York-Penn League) have announced their 2018 promotional schedule as they prepare to celebrate 20 seasons of making memories at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.  Read more here.

Cyclones Announce Seinfeld Night V

PRESS RELEASE – Each year, Seinfeld Night is one of the most popular games of the summer and we expect this year to be more of the same. Seinfeld Night V will take place on Saturday, August 4th at 6:00 PM.

Norwich Council Approves $800K for Ballpark Upgrades

After hearing from several speakers, including officials from the Connecticut Tigers (Single-A, New York-Penn League), the City Council voted 6-0 Monday to approve an $800,000 bond ordinance for improvements to the Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium which is deemed necessary to keep the team in Norwich (CT).  Read more here.

Batavia’s New GM Scrambles to Ramp Up for Season, Shocked by Condition of Dwyer

It has occurred to Dave Chase that when he agreed to become the new general manager of the Batavia Muckdogs (Single-A) after the New York-Penn League took over ownership of the venerable franchise, the situation at Dwyer Stadium is much worse than he anticipated.  Read more here.

Scrappers Extend Lease, Announce Ballpark Improvements

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Single-A, New York-Penn League) have announced a 15-year lease extension agreement with the Cafaro Company which will keep minor league baseball at the Niles (OH)-based Eastwood Field facility through 2033.  Read more here.  The ballpark is also getting a facelift.  Read more here.  Read press release here.

Spinners Hire Kleinhans-Schulz as AGM, Unveil 2018 Promo Schedule

The Lowell Spinners (Single-A, New York-Penn League) have announced that Paul Kleinhans-Schulz has been hired as the club’s new Assistant General Manager.  Read more here.  The team has also unveiled their promotional schedule for the 2018 season.  Read more here.

Council Approves Deal to Manage All Non-Baseball Events at Ripken Stadium

The Aberdeen (MD) City Council approved an agreement Monday night to have Huntley Sports Group manage all non-baseball events at the city-owned Ripken Stadium, effective immediately.  Read more here.

Muckdogs Hire Seasoned Leader to Run Team

41-year baseball-industry veteran Dave Chase has been named the new general manager of the Batavia Muckdogs (Single-A, New York-Penn League), and a press conference could be held as soon as Monday afternoon to announce his position.  Read more here.  Read about the Dwyer Stadium lease transfer here.

Ripken Stadium Mangement Deal Bad for the City?

Shortly after he arrived from Alaska in the summer of 2016 to take over day-to-day management of the Aberdeen (MD) city government, Randy Robertson remarked that he did not realize part of his new job included managing a municipal stadium.  Read more here.

IronBirds Hopeful for Long-Term Resolution of Ballpark Issues

The owners of the Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League) hope for a “long-term solution” to the issues that have put them at odds with the City of Aberdeen (MD) in recent months, including responsibility for managing events outside the baseball season and the proposed sale of the team’s home, Ripken Stadium.  Read more here.

Ballpark Management Firm Reiterates Commitment to Aberdeen, Ripkens

Athan Sunderland, CEO of the Huntley Sports Group, says his company is committed to the success of Ripken Stadium and the City of Aberdeen (MA), as controversy continues to swell around the city officials plan to give Sunderland’s company control of the stadium’s management.  Read more here.

Spinners, Red Sox Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Lowell Spinners, short season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are proud to announce a two-year extension with the Boston Red Sox on a new player development contract through the 2020 season.