The Latest on Boise Ballpark Saga

A professional, multi-sports stadium complex in the Treasure Valley has been a topic that has been white-hot over the past few years.  And now, after going cold for a few months, the project maybe warming up again.  Watch news report here.  Read more here.

Boise Ballpark Developer Abandons Effort to Acquire West End Property, What’s Next?

Faced with bad news from Boise (ID) voters, the developer of the proposed $50 million Boise baseball and soccer stadium has changed his mind and decided not to buy the West End property he sought.  That ends any chance that a stadium will be built there. Read more here.

Volcanoes’ Jerry Howard Wins Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today that Jerry Howard of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes is the recipient of the fourth annual Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award. Howard will receive the award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Banquet on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.

Boise State Back to Building Own On-Campus Ballpark

Boise State University will have baseball on its own campus after all.  On Tuesday, the university announced it won’t join a public-private partnership between the city of Boise and Atlanta-based developer Chris Schoen to build a sports park in the city’s West End, choosing instead to build a stadium south of its campus.  Read more here and here.

Vote May Not Be Necessary for New Boise Ballpark, Broncos Unveil Inaugural Unis

Boise officials might change the way the city would pay for the proposed new main library and sports stadium to avoid putting the projects on the ballot this November.  Boiseans could vote on them anyway.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the Boise State Broncos baseball team, potential future co-tenants of the new stadium, have unveiled the uniforms they will wear when they return to action in 2020, after a four-decade hiatus.  Read more and watch video here.

The next piece of the puzzle is in place and we continue to build this. We’ve got uniforms! https://t.co/OY6CNNzc5K #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/4X07CiDllC

— Boise State Baseball (@broncosportsbsb) May 2, 2019

City, Developer Negotiating Boise Ballpark Deal

Greenstone Properties and the City of Boise are reportedly negotiating an agreement that could bring a ballpark to Downtown Boise (ID). Read more here.

Funko Agrees to 6-Year Ballpark Naming Rights Partnership with AquaSox

PRESS RELEASE – The Everett AquaSox and Funko, Inc. (“Funko”) (Nasdaq:FNKO), a leading pop culture consumer products company located in downtown Everett have announced a six-year partnership which includes promotional giveaways, stadium decor and field naming rights. Everett Memorial Stadium will now be called Funko Field at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Volcanoes Hire Graf as New President of Business Operations

PRESS RELEASE – The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are proud to announce the hiring of Mitche Graf as their new President of Business Operations.

Boise Ballpark Developer Working to Lure Boise State Back

A year after Boise State University announced it would build a baseball stadium of its own instead of playing at a proposed downtown Boise (ID) sports park, the developer is trying to get the school back on board.  Read more here.  Boise State is already working to build their team that will begin play in 2020.  Read more and watch news report here.

Uniforms for Boise State’s revived baseball program

Emeralds Win 2018 Larry MacPhail Award

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball announced today that the Eugene Emeralds of the Short Season Class A Northwest League are the recipients of the 53rd annual Larry MacPhail Award, symbolizing the top promotional effort in Minor League Baseball.

Development Official vs. Boise Ballpark Opponent: Police Called

Details are sketchy, but an interaction between Capital City Development Corporation executive director John Brunelle and ballpark opponent and Concerned Taxpayers of Boise member Bill Illett inside Boise City Council chambers became heated enough for a Boise Police officer to be called in for a report of a battery.  Apparently, the two had a pre-existing relationship as co-owners of the failed Idaho Stampede (NBA D-League) basketball team.  Read more here.  Read UPDATE here.

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.

Site for Proposed Boise Ballpark Moves from Downtown to West End

The Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) may not be moving to downtown Boise (ID) after all.  The proposed site of the multi-use stadium that would also house the the team has been moved to an unspecified West End location.  Read more here and here.

Alive and Well at 67-Year-Old Nat Bailey Stadium

Everywhere you look in and around the 67-year-old Nat Bailey Stadium, home of the Vancouver Canadians (Single-A, Northwest League), there’s something going on.  In the midst of all this activity sits team president Andy Dunn, tirelessly working the phone in his office.  Read more here.

Hearing on Boise Ballpark Development Delayed

At the developer’s request, the city of Boise (ID) will not schedule decision-making hearings on a Downtown Boise stadium project until the developer submits a more detailed proposal along with an application to rezone the property.  Read more here.

Greenstone Faces Heat Over Proposed Boise Ballpark Location

Greenstone Properties, the Atlanta (GA)-based developer that wants to build a baseball stadium for the Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) on the southern edge of Downtown Boise (ID), held a public meeting Tuesday on the proposed project, and angry opponents were out in force.  Read more and watch video here.

Boise Hawks Ownership Returns to Ballpark Plan A

After more than a year of negotiating local politics and evaluating alternatives, the managing partner of the Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) ownership group has returned to his Plan A: proposing a stadium on the southeast corner of Americana Boulevard and Shoreline Drive in Downtown Boise.  Read more here.

Volcanoes Unveil Indoor Training Facility

When the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Single-A, Northwest League) arrive in June for the 2018 baseball season, they will have a new indoor training facility available to work on their hitting skills.  Read more and view photos here.  View more photos here.

Agreement Reached to Acquire Property for New Boise Hawks Ballpark

The Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) have taken a step closer to moving into downtown Boise.  The team has announced that real estate firm Greenstone Properties has reached an agreement to acquire an 11-acre property from St. Luke’s Heath System, which would be the planned future home for the Hawks and professional soccer.  Read more here.

Boise State Picks Location for Ballpark

Boise State plans to build a ballpark for its added baseball program north of the intersection of Beacon Street and Grant Avenue.  The university announced late last month it was withdrawing from the effort to build a Downtown Boise baseball stadium that would house the Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League).  That effort continues without the Broncos.  Read more and view location here.

AquaSox Field Getting Synthetic Turf

Starting this week, crews will begin replacing the natural infield, outfield and warning track at Memorial Stadium, home of the Everett AquaSox (Single-A, Northwest League), with synthetic turf.  Read more here.

Boise State Baseball, Soccer Won’t Share Hawks New Ballpark

Boise State University announced that it will have no involvement in a proposed Downtown Boise stadium, deciding instead to build its own stadium on or near campus.  Read more here.  Read more thoughts here.

Debating the Proposed New Ballpark in Boise, Comparisons to Fort Wayne

As previously reported, the managing partner of the Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) is poised to buy 11 acres in Downtown Boise (ID), part of which he would donate to the city for the construction of a 5,000-seat, multisport stadium and event center.  The stadium would be the new home for the Hawks, revived Boise State baseball, and a soccer team.  Read more here.

Boise State Talks to Media About Return of Baseball, New Ballpark

For the first time since the downtown stadium proposal has gone mainstream, Boise State is publicly showing support for it as a home to their soccer and baseball teams.  Read more and watch new report here.

Artificial Turf Coming to Everett Ballpark

Work is scheduled to begin within the next two weeks to convert the playing surface at Everett Memorial Stadium, home of the Everett AquaSox (Single-A, Northwest League), from grass to artificial turf.  Read more here.

Opposition Organizing Against New Boise Hawks Stadium

After months of eyebrow-raising from a few Boise (ID) City Hall skeptics, opposition to the stadium proposal has organized. Gary Michael, former CEO of Albertsons, and Bill Ilett, former managing partner of Boise’s former Idaho Stampede D-League basketball team, formed a nonprofit organization in July that opposes the stadium.  Read more here.

Boise Moving Forward with Financial Planning for New Ballpark

After being presented with a feasibility study, the Boise City Council has decided to proceed with financial planning for a combined baseball and soccer stadium in downtown Boise (ID).  Read more and watch news report here.

NASA to Participate in First Baseball Eclipse Game Delay

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center geologist Noah Petro will be heading to Oregon soon to officiate the nation’s first baseball eclipse game delay at the home of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Single-A, Northwest League) on Aug. 21.  Petro and NASA will join the teams there for eclipse-related events during a four-day “EclipseFest.”  Read more here.

Boise One Step Closer to a New Downtown Ballpark

A deal to buy 11 acres in Downtown Boise (ID) for a new minor-league baseball and soccer stadium could be finalized by the end of July, according Chris Schoen, the project’s developer.  Read more here.

Boise Hawks Announce 2017 Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Boise Hawks, Short Season Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, are excited to announce their promotional schedule for the 2017 season. This year’s schedule of events marks the most robust promotional schedule in Hawks history at Memorial Stadium and includes eight post-game fireworks shows, 12 giveaways, promotional theme nights and daily promotions.

How Would Pro Soccer Work at Proposed New Boise Ballpark?

The latest proposal to bring a long-awaited baseball stadium to Downtown Boise (ID) has created plenty of buzz. But tucked into the proposal is an overlooked first for the Treasure Valley — the chance to bring professional soccer to the area.  Read more here.

Pioneer League, Northwest League Extend All-Star Pact

PRESS RELEASE – The Pioneer Baseball League and the Northwest League on Tuesday announced the signing of an agreement with Minor League Baseball, continuing the interleague All-Star Game through the 2020 season.

Grand Junction to Host 2018 Northwest League/Pioneer League All-Star Game

PRESS RELEASE -The Grand Junction Rockies have been selected to host the 2018 All Star Game between the Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) and the Northwest League (NWL).

Progress on Downtown Boise Stadium Development

PRESS RELEASE – Steps to expand sports and entertainment to downtown Boise take a big step forward as Greenstone Properties has reached terms with St. Luke’s Health System on the 11-acre property on the corner of Americana and Shoreline Drive, which would be the planned future home of the Boise Hawks and a new professional soccer franchise.

Land Purchase in the Works for New Boise Ballpark

The managing partner of the Boise Hawks (Single-A, Northwest League) ownership group is poised to buy 11 acres in Downtown Boise (ID), part of which he would donate to the city for the construction of a 5,000-seat, multisport stadium and event center.  Read more and view location photos here.

Northwest League Unveils New Logo

PRESS RELEASE – The Northwest League of Professional Baseball Clubs today unveiled a new logo for the eight-team Short Season Class-A league.

A Year Out, Volcanoes Announce ‘EclipseFest’ 2017

PRESS RELEASE – In celebration of the once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse to hit Oregon, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes are hosting an EclipseFest at Volcanoes Stadium to coincide with home baseball series August 18-21.

Spokane Indians: The Ultimate Pokemon Baseball Team

PRESS RELEASE – Since the release of Pokémon Go in early July, Avista Stadium has been rife with Onix in the outfield, Magnemites on the mound, Pidgeys in the press box, and Digletts under the dugout. Naturally, this got the front office of the Spokane Indians thinking about which Pokémon would make up the best baseball team and the rest, as they say, is history.

Volcanoes Break Franchise Attendance Record

PRESS RELEASE – The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes were on the wrong end of a 4-2 score against visiting Vancouver Canadians on Monday night in front of a sold out crowd at Volcanoes Stadium.

Ballpark Development Opportunity for Boise Hawks, Pro Soccer?

United Soccer League President Jake Edwards is keen to place a minor league team in Boise.  Portland Timbers President of Soccer and General Manager Gavin Wilkinson wants to be involved in a USL team in Boise for his MLS franchise.  Read more here.