Missions Exploring Sites for Potential New Ballpark

It’s been nearly four years since Dave Elmore, founder of the Elmore Sports Group, which owns the San Antonio Missions (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), committed to moving the team from the Double-A Texas League to the higher-level PCL. That commitment came with a hitch: San Antonio (TX) needed to deliver a new ballpark.  Read more here.

San Antonio Missions to Transform Into Puffy Tacos for Three Games in May

The San Antonio Missions announced today the ball club will pay homage to a staple of the Alamo City’s cuisine and morph into the San Antonio Puffy Tacos for three games from May 22-24 against the Iowa Cubs. In addition, the Missions have decreed May 22 as National Puffy Taco Day.

More Ballpark Chatter in San Antonio

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who is the namesake of the San Antonio Missions’ (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) current stadium, told a local news station that San Antonio (TX) will need a new stadium if it wants to keep Triple-A baseball in town.  Read more here.

Could Chick-fil-A Controversy Lead to Jumpstart in San Antonio Ballpark Talks?

On May 4, San Antonio voters will elect a new mayor, and the election has become a proxy contest for a Chick-fil-A controversy. Incumbent Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who supports barring the company at the San Antonio airport, faces City Councilman Greg Brockhouse, who wants to reverse the City Council decision to do so.  Read about the controversy here.  Read more here.  How does this relate to a potential new ballpark for the  San Antonio Missions (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League)?   Nirenberg has been less enthusiastic about city involvement in a new ballpark than Brockhouse.  Read more here.  If the Chick-fil-Aers  come out to vote, it could turn the ballpark tide for the Missions.

Resident Takes Legal Action to Stop Amarillo Ballpark Project, Construction Well Under Way

In a futile effort, one resident is taking the City of Amarillo (TX) and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to court to seek an injunction on the downtown ballpark project for the coming Amarillo Bronc Busters, Jerky, Long Haulers, Sod Poodles, or Boot Scooters (Double-A, Texas League).  Read more here.  In real news, check out the latest ballpark construction video here.

Expanding Wolff Stadium Pitched for Triple-A Club, MLS Talk Could End with Austin

With no firm proposal in sight for a new Triple-A baseball stadium in San Antonio (TX), County Judge Nelson Wolff wants Missions owner Dave Elmore and his Elmore Sports Group to take a closer look at expanding Wolff Stadium to facilitate the city’s move up the minor league ladder.  Read more here.  That said, will it be a new facility for baseball or soccer?  Moves by Austin (TX) could kill MLS idea in San Antonio.  Read more here and here.

Missions Prepare to Bid Adieu to Texas League

One of the longest running affiliations in American professional sports will come to an end in September when the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) conclude their season.  Read more here.

Elmore Weighing Options in San Antonio, Chooses GM to Ramp Up Amarillo Operations

Nearly a year later after announcing the move of the Colorado Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) to San Antonio (TX), the Elmore Sports Group’s pursuit of a new stadium remains in the exploratory stage.  Read more here.  (Subscription required.)  Meanwhile, it’s been announced that Sky Sox GM Tony Ensor has been tapped to run Elmore’s new Double-A, Texas League club in Amarillo (TX) (the relocating San Antonio Missions).  Sky Sox Assistant GM Chris Phillips has been promoted to GM.  Read more here.

The #1-Ranked Copa de la Diversion Name that Almost Didn’t Happen

Last summer, Burl Yarbrough, president of the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League), received a text from his general manager, Dave Gasaway.  After collaborating with fellow staffers, Gasaway probed Yarbrough about becoming the Flying Chanclas and join 32 other clubs in the MiLB initiative Copa de la Diversion, or “Fun Cup.”  Yarbrough delivered an initial terse response: “Nope.”  Read more here.  View full branding here.  View SI rankings here.

Amarillo Breaks Ground on Double-A Ballpark

City of Amarillo (TX) officials unveiled what they envision as Amarillo’s long-awaited $45.5 million Field of Dreams during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon just south of City Hall.  Read more and view photos here.

Columnist Bashes Idea of Downtown San Antonio Ballpark

According to one columnist, there is no visible merit to building a minor league baseball stadium downtown San Antonio.  Not in a fast-growing city with major league aspirations.  Not in the name of economic development.  Read more here.

Amarillo Council Set to Vote Today on Contract with Ballpark Builder

The Amarillo (TX) City Council on Friday will consider clearing the way for construction to start on a new $45.5 million baseball stadium, which is set to host the relocating San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) starting in 2019.  Read more here.

The Latest on the San Antonio Ballpark Plan

While the city of San Antonio (TX) has flirted with plans for Major League Soccer, a handful of movers and shakers have continued to work behind the scenes on a new ballpark for the future Triple-A San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League).  Read more here.

Western Builders/Hunt Construction to Build New Amarillo Ballpark

Western Builders of Amarillo (TX) will work with national contractor Hunt Construction Group to build the new $45.54 million ballpark in downtown Amarillo that will host a Double-A team starting in spring 2019.  Read more here.

Amarillo, Elmore Sports Group Agree to New Ballpark Lease Terms

After weeks of negotiations, the City of Amarillo and the Elmore Sports Group have agreed upon a 30-year lease for the new Double A minor league baseball team to begin play in a new $45.5 million downtown stadium in 2019.  Read more here.

San Antonio Mayor Not Interested in Investing in Minor League Sports for Major League City

San Antonio (TX) Mayor Ron Nirenberg said using Public financing for a downtown minor league baseball stadium is not in the interest of San Antonio.  He doesn’t think the public needs to be investing in minor league sports, because San Antonio a big league city.  Read more here.

Wolff Stadium a Long-Term Solution for Missions?

When the San Antonio Missions start playing Triple-A baseball in 2019, it’s still unclear if Wolff Stadium will be the team’s long-term home.  Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff thinks adding just 1,000 seats would meet the requirements for Triple-A ball.  The owners of the Missions don’t believe the ballpark is their stadium of the future.  Read more and watch news report here.

Scouting Triple-A Ballpark Sites in San Antonio

Land near the Government Hill neighborhood across from the Pearl and an area next to the San Antonio Museum of Art are potential new locations under consideration for the city’s first triple-A baseball stadium.  Read more here.

Express-News Editorial Board: Be Cautious About Public Financing for Ballpark, Soccer a Priority

San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) President Burl Yarbrough told Express-News reporter Tom Orsborn, “While we have not yet determined what the specific baseball stadium needs are to advance to Triple-A, nor have we secured private sector development partners or a stadium development plan, we will begin the process immediately.”  Read more here.

Elmore Sports Groups Signs Ballpark MPEV with Amarillo, Construction Could Begin in January

The Amarillo Local Government Corp., the group tasked with overseeing downtown catalyst projects for the city, approved a letter of agreements with Elmore Sports Group to lease the coming downtown multipurpose event venue that will be built to house the relocating San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League).  Read more here.

Wichita Will Move Forward with Ballpark Plans

Despite the news yesterday that the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) will be relocating to Amarillo (TX), Wichita (KS) will move ahead with the design process for a new baseball stadium that will replace Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.  Another step will be to attract a baseball team with a major league affiliation, a requirement of the STAR bond district.  Read more here.

Musical Ballparks: Elmore Will Move Three MiLB Teams

In not so surprising, news, the Minor League Baseball landscape will look a little different in 2019 after an ownership group announced plans to relocate three teams on Wednesday.  Read more here.  With Amarillo (TX) locking down the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League), the next questions is, what happens to Wichita (KS)?  Read background story here.

Wichita Takes Next Ballpark Steps, Approves Bonding

A sales tax bond district to fund about half the projected cost of replacing 82-year-old Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, the current home of the Wichita Wingnuts (Independent Professional, American Association) with a new and more modern ballpark has been unanimously approved by the Wichita (KS) City Council.  Read more here.  Watch news report here.

Amarillo Closer to Bringing Affiliated Ball to Town?

Amarillo (TX) reportedly could be closer to negotiating a deal to bring an affiliated professional baseball franchise to a new downtown ballpark.  Read more here.  View timeline here.

 

Mayor Wants More Private Financial Support for New Ballpark

City leaders may have a better understanding of San Antonio’s ability to support a new downtown ballpark and a Triple-A baseball team, thanks to the release on Monday of two market studies from different consulting firms.  But what San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor wants to see before endorsing a plan for a new stadium is financial support from the private sector.  Read more here.

No Triple-A Ballpark for San Antonio in 2019

San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor on Wednesday effectively shelved a plan to bring Triple-A baseball to San Antonio (TX) by the 2019 season.  Taylor acknowledged Wednesday that meeting a 2019 launch date is now nearly impossible, based on rough estimates of construction time.  It’s unclear whether David Elmore will continue to push for a new stadium in San Antonio and how this news might affect other cities hoping to land the city’s Double-A franchise.  Read more here.

Wichita On Deck for Missions?

Sources say that the city of Wichita (KS) and the Kansas Department of Commerce are working on a STAR bond deal for downtown and northeast that could bring a new ballpark and the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) to town.  Read more here.  Read previous story here.

Missions Trolling Lubbock

The San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas) are apparently trying to cover their relocation bets, as the team is reportedly eyeing Lubbock (TX) for its new home, while in ballpark talks with Amarillo (TX).  As we all know, the franchise will be moved, if San Antonio (TX) builds a new downtown stadium for the to-be-relocated Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.

San Antonio Ballpark Study Complete, Results Won’t Be Released Just Yet

Washington (DC)-based stadium consultant Brailsford & Dunlavey has apparently completed its downtown San Antonio (TX) ballpark feasibility assessment, but Centro San Antonio is not yet ready to share those findings.  Read more here.

Amarillo Looks to Formal Agreement to Lock Down Double-A Franchise, New Ballpark

Future plans for a downtown Amarillo (TX) baseball stadium have temporarily stalled after the owners of the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) declined to sign a letter of intent.  The plan instead is to move toward completing a long-term formal agreement this fall.  Read more here.

Ballpark Drama in Amarillo

The appearance of a dysfunctional city government might cost Amarillo a AA baseball team and a downtown ballpark, according to City Councilman Randy Burkett.  Read more here.

Plan for Downtown San Antonio Ballpark Questioned

No real news year, but weeks after Mayor Ivy Taylor announced plans to bring a Triple-A baseball team to downtown San Antonio (TX), current and former political leaders have raised questions about the proposed project.  Read more here.

If They Built It, Triple-A Sky Sox to San Antonio

San Antonio (TX) Mayor Ivy Taylor announced Thursday that Triple-A baseball will come to San Antonio in 2019 if a new ballpark is built Downtown.  Taylor made the announcement with David Elmore of Elmore Sports Group, which owns the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) and Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.

Missions to Announce Moves to Bring Triple-A Ball to Downtown San Antonio

Owners of the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) are expected to announce at a City Council meeting next week that they’re working toward bringing a Triple-A club to the Alamo City.  Read more here.

Colorado Springs Sky Sox to San Antonio?

A lot would have to happen here, but ballpark developments in Texas could mean the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) relocate to the new ballpark in Amarillo (TX), with the Colorado Sky Sox (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) replacing the Missions in San Antonio (TX).  Both teams are owned by Elmore Sports Group.  Read more here.

Amarillo Eyes Double-A Franchise

During the Local Government Corporation meeting on Wednesday at City Hall, Richard Neumann from Brailsford & Dunlavey discussed the probability of attracting a Double-A franchise to Amarillo (TX).  The firm would create plans for building a stadium for an affiliated club, possibly the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League), instead of the Amarillo ThunderHeads (Indy Pro, American Association).  Read more here.

Charlotte Ballpark, Downtown Development Inspire San Antonio Mayor

San Antonio (TX) Mayor Ivy Taylor just returned from Charlotte (NC) and now has a new downtown ballpark vision for the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League).  The Missions have called the Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium home since 1994.  Read more and watch news report here.  Read another story here.

Judge Wolff: We’re Making Progress on New Triple-A Ballpark for Downtown San Antonio

The ongoing redevelopment of San Antonio’s urban core could get an assist from pro baseball.  Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff said Friday that progress has been made on an effort to build a new ballpark in the center city for a higher level of minor league baseball.  Read more here.

Missions Get Branding Makeover

The Double-A San Antonio Missions (Texas League) will sport a new Alamo/Davy Crockett look for the 2015 season, as the team on Thursday unveiled new logos and uniforms.  Read more here.  View event photos here.  View group photo here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: Wolff Stadium (San Antonio, TX)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill recently visited Wolff Stadium, home of the Double-A San Antonio Missions (Texas League).  Read more and view photos here.