Prospect League Adds Clinton LumberKings, Burlington Bees to Lineup

PRESS RELEASE – The Prospect League is proud to announce further expansion with the additions of the Clinton LumberKings and Burlington Bees.  “We are proud to announce that both the Burlington Bees and the Clinton LumberKings are joining the Prospect League for the upcoming 2021 season and beyond,” said Prospect League Commissioner Dennis Bastien. “We applaud their decision to be a part of our league and welcome them with open arms.”

Staten Island Yankees Cease Operations, Sue Parent Club and MLB

The Staten Island Yankees, the former short-season Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced Thursday that the organization is ceasing operations and filed a lawsuit against its former parent club – as well as Major League Baseball.  Read more here.

Fresno Grizzlies Given More Time to Work Out Deal

Major League Baseball has given the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) more time to work out the fate of the franchise.  MLB said in a letter last week the team must accept a demotion from Triple-A to Single-A baseball by Nov. 30 or prepare to go without affiliation to a team in the majors.  Read more here.

NYC Committing $5.1M to Upgrade Richmond County Bank Ballpark

New York City has committed to a $5.1 million allocation to upgrade and revitalize Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which will prime it for other uses besides baseball. The funding comes on the heels of recent news that the New York Yankees would end its affiliation with the Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

MLB Seeks Response from NYPL Teams

Major League Baseball has reportedly asked New York-Penn League teams to provide an indication whether they are interested in joining the summer wood bat league that MLB recently proposed to league members.  Read more here.  More on MLB’s affiliation revamp.

Branding Change: Introducing the ‘Jersey Shore BlueClaws’

PRESS RELEASE – The BlueClaws and the Jersey Shore have made great partners over the last 20 years, and on Wednesday night, they officially announced a name change and re-branding to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. The official name change announcement was made at a VIP event at Seahorse, part of Asbury Park’s historic Convention Hall.

Goundbreaking Soon for New Beloit Ballpark, Opening Targeted for 2021

Members of the Riverbend Stadium Authority say they expect new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium in Beloit (WI) for the Beloit Snapper’s (Single-A, Midwest League) will be ready in time for the 2021 season.  Read more here.

Fred Nats Host Virtual Opening Day

In case you missed it, the Fredericksburg Nationals (Single-A, Carolina League) hosted a virtual Opening Day last Thursday, which included a tour of their new ballpark.  Read more here.

Get Your Ballpark Food Fix

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are offering their fans Ballpark Dinners To-Go on Tuesday, April 28.  Fans may order dinner online through the team’s website and pickup their order any time between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on that day.  Read more here.  The Clinton LumberKings are offering curbside ballpark food pickup too.  Read more here.  Click here for Order Form.

TinCaps Unveil Uniforms for Manzanas Luchadoras Identity

PRESS RELEASE – The Fort Wayne TinCaps unveiled the uniforms for their Manzanas Luchadoras identity on Thursday. The team will be taking the field as the Manzanas Luchadoras (“Fighting Apples” in Spanish) for six games at Parkview Field during the 2020 season as part of Minor League Baseball’s Es Divertido Ser Un Fan (“It’s Fun to be A Fan”) Hispanic fan engagement initiative.

Salem Red Sox Announce Wong as Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – The Salem Red Sox, Advanced-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, have announced that Greg Wong will serve as the club’s new Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager and “Voice of the Red Sox” during the 2020 season.

Crawdads to Become ‘Couch Potatoes’

PRESS RELEASE – The Crawdads are excited to unveil a new alternate identity for the 2020 season. The Crawdads will be taking the field for three games this season with a new alternate identity: the Hickory Couch Potatoes, presented by Kincaid Furniture Outlet.

Timber Rattlers to Host Summer Collegiate Teams for Inaugural Showcase

The summer collegiate Fond du Lac Dock Spiders and the Madison Mallards will play in the inaugural Northwoods League “Road to the Show Minor League Classic” at Neuroscience Group Field, home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Single-A, Midwest League), on Wednesday, June 24.  This will be the first Northwoods League game played in a current minor league stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.

Spinners Take Fight for Survival to TODAY Show

For more than 40 cities across the country, there’s fear that this could be their last season with a minor league baseball team after Major League Baseball announced controversial plans to cut ties with more than three dozen teams. TODAY’s Harry Smith takes a closer look at how folks in Lowell (MA) are battling to save their team.  Read more and watch report here.

New Cannon Ballers Ballpark Gets a Name

The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Single-A, Carolina League) have announced a 10-year partnership with Atrium Health that includes naming the city’s new, state-of-the-art baseball stadium, Atrium Health Ballpark.  Read more here.

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.

Dragons Announce New Stadium Naming Rights Agreement with Day Air Credit Union

PRESS RELEASE – The Dayton Dragons and Day Air Credit Union today announced a 10-year partnership providing stadium naming rights through 2029. Beginning today, the facility will be named Day Air Ballpark. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Kane County Cougars Announce Capital Improvements

PRESS RELEASE – The Kane County Cougars have announced multiple capital improvement projects that will take place prior to the organization’s 30th-anniversary season and will assist in the continued modernization of Northwestern Medicine Field.

Latest Plans and Renderings Released for New Beloit Ballpark

Development plans and renderings for the proposed 3,500-seat baseball stadium in downtown Beloit (WI) for the Beloit Snappers (Single-A, Midwest League) have been released.  Read more here.  View more renderings here.

Lugnuts Release 25th Anniversary Logo

PRESS RELEASE – As the anticipation builds towards the 25th season of Lansing Lugnuts baseball, the Lugnuts have released their special 25th Anniversary logo, to be worn on the team uniform during the 2020 season.

Mudcats Announce Promotions Schedule for 30th Anniversary Season

PRESS RELEASE – Exciting family fun is once again on tap in 2020 as the Carolina Mudcats today unveil an all-new promotions schedule featuring spectacular souvenir giveaways, exciting new specialty game jersey events and over a dozen fireworks shows for the upcoming 30th anniversary season of baseball at Five County Stadium.

Rome Braves Unveil New HD Videoboard Upgrades

PRESS RELEASE – The Rome Braves, Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, unveiled plans to build a new high definition video board at State Mutual Stadium prior to the start of the 2020 season. In addition to the new, primary display in left field, the Rome Braves also announced upgrades to the existing Go Braves board along with the matrix board near the entrance of Braves Boulevard.

Mighty Mussels to Host Festival of Beers

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Single-A, Florida State League) will host the 15th annual Ballpark Festival of Beers from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers (FL).  This event will offer an unlimited sampling of over 100 craft beers.  Read more and view photos here.  Get more details here.

Doubledays GM Resigns

For the second time in two months, the Auburn Doubledays’ (Single-A, New York-Penn League) general manager is stepping down.  Bob Scarbrough, who was named general manager after Adam Winslow‘s departure in November, resigned effective Jan. 24.  Read more here.

Save Our Spikes

Joined by a large group of community leaders and local, state and federal officials on Thursday at the Centre County Visitors Center, the short-season single-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals launched the #SaveOurSpikes campaign to fight back against a Major League Baseball proposal that if enacted would eliminate affiliations for State College and 41 other minor league clubs.  Read more here.

Fire Frogs to Play in North Port

The Florida Fire Frogs (Single-A, Florida State League) finally have a (temporary) home.  Minor League Baseball has approved the Fire Frogs to play at the Atlanta Braves’ new North Port facility for the 2020 season.  The decision gives some finality to a question that hung over the team all offseason.  Read more here.

Dash Unveil New Primary Logo for Franchise

PRESS RELEASE – The Winston-Salem Dash revealed their new primary logo for the 2020 season and beyond on Wednesday, kicking off several stylistic changes before the 12th season of the franchise.

‘Boomer’ Takes Flight with Cannon Ballers

PRESS RELEASE – For months Cabarrus County residents have welcomed a big-headed, mustachioed daredevil into their hearts, businesses, and homes without even knowing his name. That changed today when the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers announced their mascot’s name: Boomer.

Cannon Ballers & Kinetic Link Up to Enhance Fan Experience

PRESS RELEASE – With the opening of the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue less than 100 days away, the team revealed a Founding Partnership with Kinetic by Windstream that includes wireless internet access for all fans attending games and other events. As part of the alliance, the 6,000-square foot premium hospitality space on the suite level will be known as the Kinetic Club.

Construction of New F-Nats Ballpark Remains on Schedule

Construction of the new stadium for the Fredericksburg Nationals (Single-A, Carolina League) remains on track to be completed in time for the team’s home opener on April 23.  The project, originally pegged at $35 million, has slightly exceeded that budget and will ultimately cost $37 million to $38 million to complete.  Read more and view photo here.

Dash Announce New Hires for 2020

PRESS RELEASE – The Winston-Salem Dash have added several talented people to their staff and promoted several current employees in preparation for their 11th season at BB&T Ballpark, which will begin on Thursday, April 16.

(From left to right) Andrew Key, Mario Fischer, Zach Walker, Corey Cook, Dean Kessel, Taylor Hodges and Tomas Miller have been hired for the 2020 season

RiverDogs Hire Jason Kempf as Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations

PRESS RELEASE – RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols has announced the hiring of Jason Kempf as the next Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Charleston RiverDogs. He replaces Matt Dean, who is now assuming a similar role with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Advanced-A, Houston Astros).

Lakewood BlueClaws to Celebrate 20th Season in 2020

It’s hard to believe, but the Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will celebrate their 20th season in 2020.   Check out the logo and video here.  View old ballpark construction photos here.  View 2020 schedule here.

DeAngelis Steps Down From BlueClaws

PRESS RELEASE – BlueClaws Vice President of Community Relations, Jim DeAngelis, has stepped down from his position with the team.

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.

The Future of Dutchess Stadium

The long-term future of Dutchess Stadium and its tenants, the Hudson Valley Renegades, remains uncertain pending a new agreement between Major League Baseball and its 162 minor league teams.  Read more here.

Grass Installation Marks Major Milestone in Kannapolis Ballpark Project

On Friday, crews laid the final rolls of sod transforming the Kannapolis Sports and Entertainment Venue (SEV) from a construction zone into a green oasis where the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Single-A, South Atlantic League) will play their first game on April 16, 2020.  Read press release here.

Connecticut Tigers Become Norwich Sea Unicorns

During a public unveiling event at a local middle school, the Connecticut Tigers (Single-A, New York-Penn League) revealed that the team will now be known as the Norwich Sea Unicorns.  Read more from Benjamin Hill here.  Read more from Chris Creamer here.

Florida State League Unveils New Logo

PRESS RELEASE – On Thursday, the Florida State League released a new look for the circuit as it enters its 101st year. The new Florida State League logo features a baseball sunburst over a silhouette of the Sunshine State in colors that are frequently associated with Florida and was created by Fooser Sports Design, a Florida-based graphic design company.

Fort Myers Miracle Become Mighty Mussels

After 28 seasons as the Fort Myers Miracle (Single-A, Florida State League), the team has been rebranded as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.  The new team name was unveiled to the public during a ballpark news conference Tuesday morning, alongside a logo set featuring the titular brawny bivalves in a variety of athletic poses.  Read more from Benjamin Hill here.  Read more from Chris Creamer here.