Moorad Extends Escondido Ballpark Deadline

San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad has not given up on the proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tuscon Padres (Pacific Coast League).  He has reportedly extended the deadline for the city to finalize plans on building the new stadium until at least mid-January.  Read more here.

Toros Seek Court Order to Unlock Hi-Corbett Field Gates

The indy pro Tucson Toros (Golden Baseball League) are seeking a court order that would allow them back into Hi-Corbett Field.  The city claims the Toros abandoned the park, after the team went on hiatus when the Triple-A Portland Beavers (Pacific Coast League) moved to Tucson’s Kino Stadium and became the Tucson Padres.

Volcanoes Attendance Up After Beavers’ Departure

The Single-A Salem-Keizer (OR) Volcanoes have seen a 27 percent increase in attendance after the team’s first eight home games compared to last season.  It’s argued that this uptick is due to fans of the former Triple-A Portland Beavers (now Tucson Padres), who are traveling down to Salem because they no longer have a team to root for in the Rose City.  Salem is 50 miles south of Portland on I-5.  Read more here.

Yakima Bears Targeting Move to Vancouver (WA) in 2012

With the Portland Beavers are gone, and the proposed new ballpark in Yakima (WA) on ice (as a direct source has told us), the Single-A Yakima Bears are looking to snag the Portland (OR)-Vancouver(WA) market.  At a press conference on Friday, representatives from Identity Clark County and the Bears presented a proposal to build a $23-million, 3,500-seat stadium on the

Governor’s Immediate Failure to Kill RDAs Gives Ballpark Project New Life

While there remains many hurdles to get the project done, the immediate failure by California Governor Jerry Brown to ban redevelopment agencies via the state legislature has provided some level of optimism in Escondido (CA) for advancing a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres.  Read more here.

PGE Park Now Jeld-Wen Field, Baseball to Soccer Conversion Nearly Complete

Klamath Falls (OR)-based window and door manufacturer Jeld-Wen has purchased the naming rights to PGE Park, the former home of the Triple-A Portland Beavers, for the next 10 years.  The stadium, now known as Jeld-Wen Field, is undergoing a $31 million renovation to make it soccer-ready for the MLS Portland Timbers.  The team will make its home debut on April 14.  Read more here.  View rendering here.

Moorad to Unload Triple-A Padres, If No New Ballpark?

If the proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Tucson Padres falls through, new owner Jeff Moorad will apparently consider three options, including selling the team to one of the other suitors with whom former owner Merritt Paulson was negotiating, selling the team to a local group in Tucson, or finding another suburban San Diego market where a new stadium could be built.  Read more here.

Tucson Padres Unveil Logo, New Website

PRESS RELEASE – At long last the Tucson Padres have unveiled their team logo. Tucson is the Pacific Coast League’s newest team and top Minor League affiliate of the San Diego Padres.

Esconsido to Exercise Caution and Patience in Bond Sale for New Ballpark

The City of Escondido (CA) had been contemplating expediting the bond sale for the new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (formerly Portland Beavers) to preempt a proposal by California Governor Jerry Brown to kill off redevelopment agencies in the state.  However, realizing that the governor’s proposal faces obstacles in the state legislature, the city believes there is no need to

Beavers/Padres Get New Home, New Home Gets New Name

This past week, the Pima County (AZ) Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of the stadium at the Kino Sports Complex to Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, formerly known as Tucson Electric Park.  The supervisors also approved an agreement for the Triple-A Tucson Padres, formerly the Portland Beavers, to play at the newly named park for the 2011 season and possibly 2012.  Read more here.

Escondido May Sprint to Beat Brown

The City of Escondido (CA) is exploring the legality and risks of accelerating the borrowing of $50 million in redevelopment bonds for the proposed new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres to get ahead of Governor Jerry Brown’s proposal to abolish local economic redevelopment agencies in the Golden State.  Read more here.

Beavers Officially Become Tucson Padres

As expected, the Triple-A Portland Beavers are now officially the Tucson Padres.  An announcement confirming the new name was made by the team on Saturday.  The team’s new logo and website are currently under review by Minor League Baseball.  An annoucement about the Padres’ one-year lease deal to use Tucson Electric Park is expected today.  Read more here.

Escondido Gives Preliminary Approval to Ballpark Plan

The Escondido (CA) City Council voted last night to give initial approval to build a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres.  However, the plan will have to be tweaked a little before final approval is given in February.  Read more here.

Escondido, Moorad Complete Ballpark MoU

The City of Escondido (CA) and San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad have completed a 47-page memorandum of understanding that outlines the deal for the development of a $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres.  The city council is scheduled to vote on the agreement on Dec. 15.  Read more here.

Public Forums Scheduled Before Big Vote

San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad has scheduled three public forums next week to discuss the ballpark deal that would bring the Triple-A Portland Beavers/Tucson Padres to Escondido (CA).  The forums are scheduled for  Dec. 9, 10, and 11.  The city council is scheduled to vote Dec. 15 on the proposal, which requires the city to spend $50 million in redevelopment funds to build a new ballpark.  Read more here.

Vote on Escondido Ballpark Delayed

A vote on the proposed new ballpark in Escondido (CA) for the Triple-A Portland Beavers has been delayed until December 15, when a new city council will be in place.  Read more here.

Portland Beavers Become Tucson Padres

PRESS RELEASE – Much remains uncertain regarding the long-term fate of the team formerly known as the Portland Beavers, but this much is clear: The long-time Pacific Coast League franchise will play in Tucson in 2011 and be run by veteran Minor League executive Mike Feder.

Election Throws Wrench into Escondido Ballpark Plan

Tuesday’s election could put the Econdido ballpark proposal in jeopardy.  Ballpark opponent Ed Gallo won a seat on the city council, and two big supporters of the project, Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and Councilman Dick Daniels, lost their seats.  Read more here.

Toros Take a Break

The Golden Baseball League’s Tucson Toros announced on Monday that the franchise will go on hiatus for the 2011 season to make room for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Toros owner Jay Zucker was interested in operating the Beavers, but he was apparently rebuffed by the team’s ownership.  Zucker said the Toros have lost more than $1 million over the past two seasons operating in Tucson.  Read more here.

To Play or Not to Play, Toros Announcement Today

The Golden Baseball League’s Tucson (AZ) Toros are expected to announce today whether or not they will take a one-year hiatus in 2011 to make room in the market for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  The Beavers are expected to play in Tucson next season, while a new stadium is being built for the team in Escondido (CA).  Read more here.

Site Chosen for Escondido Ballpark, Enviro Study Released

The City of Escondido (CA) has selected a 15.3 acre site on North Spruce Street for the proposed new 9,000-seat Triple-A ballpark for the relocated Portland (OR) Beavers.  The city also released a $223,000, 86-page environmental study that gives the project a feasible green light.  The Beavers will play temporarily in Tucson (AZ) for the 2011 season.  View aerial and read more here and here.

Toros to Take ‘Hiatus’ to Make Room for Beavers?

Tucson Toros owner Jay Zucker, who also owned the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders before they relocated to Reno, told Baseball America magazine that he would be willing to put his Golden Baseball League club on “hiatus” to run the Triple-A Portland Beavers in Tucson, while the team awaits a new ballpark in Escondido.  This move would certainly put a crimp on the GBL’s operations for

Beavers Sold, Team to Play in Tucson in 2011

The Triple-A Portland Beavers have been sold to San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad.  The team will play the 2011 season in Tucson (AZ) and move into a new $50 million ballpark in Escondido (CA) in 2012, provided the project is approved.  Read more here.

Vote on Escondido Ballpark Delayed for Two Weeks

The discovery polluted soil and other issues have led the Escondido City Council to delay until Oct. 27 a  vote to approve a memorandum of understanding between the city and San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad to build a new $50 million ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Read more here.

Forum Today to Discuss Escondido Ballpark

Supporters and opponents of a proposed new $50 million Triple-A ballpark in Escondido (CA) will discuss/debate the issue at an open Democratic Club forum today.  Fans of the project have also launched a new site at www.ballparkforescondido.org.  View ballpark PowerPoint presentation here.  Read more here.  Post-meeting update.

Consultant: Escondido Ballpark Would Draw 500,000

The consultant for San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad believes that a new Escondido (CA) ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers would draw 500,000 fans each year.  He also said that spending $20 million to secure the franchise and $50 million for the ballpark has its risks, but the potential for success at the gate and collateral development is substantial.  Read more here.

Consideration of New Escondido Ballpark on Agenda for Wednesday

The Escondido (CA) City Council is expected on Wednesday to review a proposal for a new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Read more here.

Padres Look to Hitch Ballpark Pitch to Economic Development

In order to give reluctant Econondido (CA) City Council members confidence that spending $50 million on a new Triple-A ballpark for the Portland Beavers would and could spur collateral economic development, the investment group led by San Diego Padres owners Jeff Moorad is exploring the purchase of properties around the four potential ballpark sites for a district of shops and restuarants.  Read more here.

Paulson Frustrated, Saddened by Loss of Beavers

The Portland Beavers played their last game at PGE park on Monday, and owner Merritt Paulson was on hand to experience the surreal ending to Triple-A ball in the Rose City.  Paulson claimed that he did all he could to save the team, and we believe it.  Blame the City of Portland for this one.  Read more here.

Editorial Smacks Leadership in Portland for Loss of Beavers

The Oregonian takes a few shots at Portland Mayor Sam Adams and works to dispel the falsehoods surrounding efforts to save the Triple-A Portland Beavers, as the club prepares to play its likely final game in the Rose City this afternoon at PGE Park.  Read more here.

Candidates: Build New Escondido Ballpark Downtown

Jim Crone and Tom D’Agosta, a pair of local businessmen who are running for Escondido (CA) City Council, have presented a comprehensive plan to build a new home for the Triple-A Portland Beavers in downtown Econdido, rather than the proposed industrial site a few blocks north of downtown that is conveniently located near two freeways and a rail line.  Read more here.

Portland Mayor: “We have done our best…”

Portland Mayor Sam Adams has posted a letter to fans explaining the actions taken by the City of Portland to find a feasible location for a new ballpark for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Read letter here.

Save the Beavers!

OregonLive.com guest columnist Alan Willis makes the case for the Portland (OR) City Council to take action to keep the Triple-A Portland Beavers from leaving town.  Read more here.  We wonder if the local powers simply don’t care about baseball, or they’re strategically manuevering for another run at MLB?  There just doesn’t seem to be a good faith effort to save the Beavers.

Newspaper: Escondido Ballpark ‘Well Worth Pursuing’

The North County Times has endorsed a proposed plan to build a new $45 million stadium to bring the Triple-A Portland Beavers to Escondido (CA).  Read more here.

Carlsbad and San Marcos Out, Clock Now Ticking for Escondido

The City of Escondido just north of San Diego is now on the clock for the Triple-A Portland Beavers.  Indeed, it will take some heavy lifting to get a ballpark deal done.  Reportedly the Pacific Coast League has given the Beavers permission to play next season at the home of the Single-A Lake Elsinore Storm, but a new Econdido ballpark must open by the 2012 season.  Read more here.

Deal for New Escondido Ballpark for Beavers Close at Hand

The Triple-A Portland Beavers could be on their way to Escondido (CA) within the next two years, if the city 30 miles north of Petco Park agrees to build a new $45 million, 9,000-seat stadium to house the team.  A memorandum of understanding on the deal is expected to be signed soon by an ownership group led by San Diego Padres CEO Jeff Moorad.  Read more here.

PETA Names PGE Park One of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks

PRESS RELEASE – PGE Park, home of the Portland Beavers, has grabbed second place in PETA’s annual rankings of the Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks in minor league baseball. The park improved a notch from last year’s third-place finish by fielding a stellar lineup that includes Gardenburgers, faux beef Philly sandwiches (available without cheese), protein-packed veggie dogs, and hearty

Lewis & Clark Bobbleheads Highlight Homestand

PRESS RELEASE – The Portland Beavers host Pitch for Scouting Night, which includes the Lewis & Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Cricket Wireless, and US Bank Art & Science of Baseball School Day presented by Intel during an event-filled, eight-game homestand, starting Thursday at PGE Park.

San Marcos (CA) on Deck for Beavers

The San Diego Padres are reportedly in discussions with Cal State San Marcos about the possibility of relocating the Triple-A Portland Beavers to the college campus. To make the deal happen, the college would have to build at $35 to $50 million ballpark. Talks are very preliminary but funding and financing options

Beavers Partner with Thermal Imaging Leader to Honor Troops

PRESS RELEASE – FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced today its partnership to sponsor the Portland Beavers and Timbers in 2010. FLIR will be the presenting Partner for Military Appreciation Night at the Beavers game on Saturday, May 8. At that game, all active duty and