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.

Aberdeen Working to Develop and Finalize Stadium Management Agreement, IRS Compliance an Issue

Aberdeen (MD) City Council members hope to have an agreement in place “sooner rather than later” for management of Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League), for this year and beyond, the city’s mayor said.  This could happen as early as the next city council meeting on Feb. 12.  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.

No Deal Yet to Manage Non-Baseball Events at Ripken Stadium

Unless the City of Aberdeen (MD) can reach a license agreement in the next few days with someone to manage Ripken Stadium in 2018, the city will assume control over non-baseball events on Jan. 1.  Read more here.

IronBirds Announce New HD Video Board

PRESS RELEASE – It hasn’t been business as usual here in Aberdeen! Today, the IronBirds are excited to announce the new 1,500 square foot high-definition video board and live score line display for the 2017 season.

Aberdeen Officials, Ripken Baseball Discuss Lease

With negotiations under way for a new lease on city-owned Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium, home of the Aberdeen IronBirds (Single-A, New York-Penn League), Aberdeen (MD) city officials concede they aren’t sure what role the city government should play in the stadium’s management going forward.  The negotiations on the stadium lease are taking place against the backdrop of Ripken baseball owners Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken looking for a partner to buy a majority ownership in the team.  Read more here.

Ripken Baseball and Leidos Announce Stadium Naming Rights Partnership

PRESS RELEASE – Ripken Baseball and Leidos, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS), a national security, health and engineering solutions company, today announced a multi-year partnership granting Leidos the naming rights for Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md. Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium will officially become the home of the Aberdeen IronBirds, pending New York Penn League and Minor League Baseball approval.

Ripken Baseball Seeks Naming Rights Partner for Ballpark

It already has a famous name, but Ripken Baseball says it is looking for a naming-rights sponsor for Ripken Stadium, home of the Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds (New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

Ripken Baseball Partners with Big League Chew

PRESS RELEASE – Ripken Baseball today announced it has partnered with Ford Gum’s Big League Chew, the #1-selling shredded bubblegum in the world. Big League Chew®, The Ballplayers’ Bubblegum™, becomes the official bubblegum of Ripken Baseball. The company will unveil its latest Big League Chew/Ripken Baseball packaging on Tuesday, May 20 at the National Confectioners

Inaugural Ripken Cup: Maryland vs. Towson

PRESS RELEASE – Ripken Baseball today announced plans for the inaugural Ripken Cup collegiate baseball invitational between University of Maryland and Towson University. The two-game series will be hosted at Ripken Stadium on Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, May 7 at 7:05 pm.

Ripken Baseball Announces Plans for 2013 Cal Ripken World Series

PRESS RELEASE – Ripken Baseball today announced the schedule for the 14th annual Cal Ripken World Series (CRWS) taking place August 9 – August 18 at The Ripken Experience in Aberdeen, Md.

Hagerstown: Ballpark Feasibility Study In, Sites Being Explored

As the city of Hagerstown (MD) digests the 56-page Ripken feasibility report for building a new $22-$25 million ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), city officials are pondering a number of site options for locating the facility.  Read more and watch news clip here.

No New Ballpark for Golf Hall Site?

A new baseball stadium for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League) is not in the current plans for the old Golf Hall of Fame and Botanical Gardens site, if the state approves a land transfer of the 16-acres to the soon-to-be-merged Georgia Health Science University and Augusta State University.  Jeff Eiseman, vice president of Ripken Baseball, the owner of the Jackets, said he plans

Pfander Named GM of Stone Crabs

PRESS RELEASE – The Charlotte Stone Crabs, ‘Class-A advanced’ affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, today announced Jim Pfander as General Manager of the Ripken Baseball franchise. Pfander brings over 12 years of professional baseball experience to the organization’s front office, including his previous role as Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer of the Akron Aeros.

Ripken Baseball Sets Sights on Youth Baseball Expansion

Baltimore-based Ripken Baseball, Inc. is exploring numerous markets to expand its burgeoning youth baseball empire, including Indianapolis (IN), Dallas and San Antonio (TX), Port Charlotte (FL), and Sourthern California.  To buy 60-acres of land and build a complex in Indianapolis, the organization would need to raise $15-$20 million via a public-private partnerhsip.  How would Indianapolis benefit?

Ripken Baseball, Mayor Make Damage Control Visit to Augusta

Representatives from Ripken Baseball and Aberdeen (MD) Mayor Michael Bennett made a trip down to Augusta (GA) on Monday to dispel rumors and misconceptions that could damage the development of a new downtown ballpark for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets (South Atlantic League).  Accusations are that the development of the stadium for the Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds (New York

Commission, Ripken Group Can Now Talk Turkey

The Augusta (GA) Commission voted last night to allow the administrator to talk with Ripken Baseball executives about financing options for a new ballpark for the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.