Wind Surge Ballpark Named ‘Riverfront Stadium’

Wichita’s new minor league baseball stadium has a name.  In just over a month, the Wichita Wind Surge (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) will take the field at the ballpark now known as Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.

Newark Ballpark Re-Development on Deck

The plans for the redevelopment of the Newark Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium property and surrounding area have expanded, and the public will soon get a chance to weigh in on whether it should go forward.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the heads up.

Newark Ballpark to be Demolished, Replaced with Mixed-Use Development

Officials announced more details on Thursday about the future of the Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium site in Downtown Newark (NJ).

The Future of the New Jerey’s Riverfront Stadium

Redevelopment plans for the site of a Newark (NJ) baseball stadium are moving forward.  Essex County’s Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a public hearing this month regarding the future of the 17-year-old Newark Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

New Videoboard Installed at Riverfront Stadium

The latest star attraction at Riverfront Stadium, home of the Waterloo Bucks (Summer Collegiate, Northwoods League), doesn’t swing a bat or throw a ball.  It’s a new, state-of-the-art Daktronics video board installed above the right field wall.  Read more here.

Say Goodbye to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium

The former home of the defunct Newark Bears (Independent, Atlantic League/Can-Am League) has been sold to a New York-based developer for $23.5 million. The purchaser plans to demolish Riverfront Stadium and build a mixed-use, high-rise tower in its place.  Read more here.

Bucks Getting New Video Board

The Waterloo Bucks (Summer Collegiate, Northwoods League) will finally have replay abilities, live game action and promotional and advertising capabilities on a Major League Baseball-sized LED screen to replace the aging, malfunctioning one currently in the outfield at Riverfront Stadium.  Read more here.

 

A Casino for Newark’s Riverfront Stadium?

Hopes are high that the legislature and voters could pave the way for a gambling venue in Newark (NJ) by the end of the year, and preliminary conversations with developers have apparently already begun.  Riverfront Stadium, the former home of the Newark Bears (Indy Pro, Can-Am League), is reportedly one of three target locations being considered.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

New 10-Year Lease Approved for Bucks

The Waterloo (IA) City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a new 10-year lease of Riverfront Stadium for the new owners of the summer collegiate Waterloo Bucks (Northwoods League).  Read more here.

Possible Ballpark Suitor in Newark

A.J. Khubani, founder of Telebrands, the Fairfield (NJ) company credited with creating the “As Seen on TV” direct-marketing business model, said Thursday he is exploring the possibility of making a bid to bring a minor league baseball team back to Newark and reopen Riverfront Stadium for minor league baseball.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Newark Looks for New Tenant, Bears Former Owner Looks to New Fall League Venture

With the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) now just a memory, the city of Newark and Essex County, both on the hook for more than $2 million in annual debt obligations on Riverfront Stadium until 2029, continue to scramble to find a new tenant.  Meanwhile, former Bears owner Doug Spiel says he plans to join three friends in launching a four-team fall league for rookie-level players in Arizona next September.  Read more here.

Single-A Kernels in Talks to Buy Summer Collegiate Bucks

The Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels (Midwest League) are in talks to buy the summer collegiate Waterloo Bucks (Northwoods League).  The purchase has already been approved by the Midwest League and the President of Minor League Baseball.  There are still a few other hoops to jump through here, but it looks like a done deal.  Read more and view news report here.

Panasonic Partners with New Neighbors Newark Bears to Enhance Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – Panasonic Eco Solutions North America announces that it has installed new, cutting-edge LED videoboards at the Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in partnership with the Newark Bears. The stadium is in the same city soon to be the new home of Panasonic’s North American headquarters – Newark, New Jersey.

Premium Seating Installed at Riverfront Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – Premium seating upgrades that began in May at renovated Riverfront Stadium have been completed.  Four rows of new, cast aluminum seats have been installed behind home plate at Riverfront, home of the Northwoods League’s Waterloo Bucks.

Justin Bieber to Headline ‘Stadium of Screams’ Party for Charity at Riverfront Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – International pop sensation Justin Bieber and Owner/CEO/GM Danielle Dronet host as a special event at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J., as part of the Newark Bears’ second annual “Stadium of Screams” in support of the Newark Bears That Care Foundation.

More Improvements on Deck for Riverfront Stadium

Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo (IA), home of the summer collegiate Waterloo Bucks (Northwoods League), has seen substantial upgrades since we visited in 2003, and more improvements are on the way.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Generals in Victoria for the Long Haul

The summer collegiate Victoria Generals (Texas Collegiate League) plan to stay put at Riverside Stadium for years to come, but lease renewel negotiations will be put off until the city finalizes plans to remove control of concessions from Friends of Victoria Baseball.  The Generals are entering their final year of a four-year ballpark lease.  Read more here.

Yanks Tried to Pay to Play in Newark

The New York Yankees reportedly offered the New York Mets $250,000 to allow the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to temporarily relocate to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), but talks collapsed when the Mets demanded the right to permanently relocate one of their affiliates to Long Island or Connecticut.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Triple-A Yanks Would Bring No Harm to Mets

Unnamed experts believe that moving the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League), for one season while PNC Field is being renovated would have no negative financial impact on the New York Mets.  Duh!  Read more here.

Newark Bears Open ‘Stadium of Screams’ Friday

PRESS RELEASE – Newark Bears is hosting their first annual Stadium of Screams Halloween Bash. The Bash will start on Friday, September 30th and run every Friday-Sunday till November 6th, including October 31st (Halloween).

Mets Stiff-Arm Yanks in Newark

The New York Mets have reportedly exercised their territorial rights and rejected a proposal by the New York Yankees to move the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (International League) to Newark’s Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League) for one season.  Read more here.

Victoria to Open Bidding for Concessions at Riverside Stadium

The City of Victoria (TX) has given notice to the volunteer Friends of Victoria Baseball that it plans to open up bidding for operating concessions at Riverfront Stadium, home of the summer collegiate Victoria Generals (Texas Collegiate League).  The group has been operating concessions at the historic ballpark for years.  We’re not sure how this might impact the Generals, but GM Blake Koch appears concerned.  Read more here.

Riverfront Stadium © 2010 Ballpark Business

Soccer Stadium Envy in Newark?

Newark (NJ) had a chance to build a new soccer stadium for an MLS team but chose the baseball-only route when Riverfront Stadium was built for the struggling indy pro Newark Bears (then Atlantic League, now Can-Am League).  Today, just across the river in Harrison (NJ), 25,000 fans pack 17-month-old Red Bull Arena, home of MLS’s Red Bulls.  Read more here.  View gallery here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Riverfront Stadium (Newark, NJ)

Reuben Frank from CSNPhilly.com visits Riverfront Stadium, home of the indy pro Newark Bears (Can-Am League).  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.