Syracuse Chiefs Become Mets, Ballpark Lease Extended

The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that the Syracuse Chiefs are becoming the Syracuse Mets. The Mets purchased the team last year and will put its Triple-A players on the field of NBT Bank Stadium starting next spring.  Read more here.  The New York Mets and Onondaga County have also agreed to a lease extension that should keep Triple-A baseball in town through at least 2043 driven by $25 million worth of improvements.  Read more here.  View ballpark renderings here and here.

Major Upgrades Eyed for Syracuse Chiefs’ Ballpark

Baseball fans can look forward to a major upgrade of Syracuse’s minor-league stadium if Onondaga County (NY) officials can pull together a renovation project that could cost $25 million or more.  Read more here.

Chiefs Raising Bar for Annual Beer Festival

Fresh off its first year running its new “Craft Beer Corner,” the home of Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) will aim to boost the power of its beer selection at its annual post-season Ballpark Craft Beer Festival set for Saturday, Sept. 29 at NBT Bank Stadium.  Learn more here.

Gov. Cuomo: Syracuse Chiefs to Become Syracuse Mets in 2019

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo took some time between announcing initiatives in his “State of the State” address on Wednesday to break a little baseball news: The Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) will become the Syracuse Mets starting in 2019.  Read more here.

Chiefs Sold to Mets, 400 to Collect from Stock Deemed Abandoned

Nearly 400 people whose Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) stock was deemed abandoned two years ago will get it back in time to collect nearly $1.1 million from the $18-million sale of the franchise to the New York Mets.  Read more here.  Read about the approved sale here.

Mets to Acquire Syracuse Chiefs

The New York Mets have reached an agreement to buy the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) and make the baseball team its top minor league affiliate.  Read more here.

Chiefs to Host 3rd Annual Ballpark Brewfest Sept. 23

The Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) are holding their third annual Ballpark Brewfest on Sept. 23 at NBT Bank Stadium.  View details here.  Visit Brewfest website here.

Syracuse Chiefs to Become ‘Salt Potatoes’ Aug. 5, Unveil Special Unis and Fan Gear

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs announced this week that they will transform into the Syracuse Salt Potatoes for one game this season on Saturday, August 5th.

Chief Unveil New Alternative Logos, Color Scheme

The Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League) have unveiled new alternative logos and colors that align with the parent club but also offer a throw back to the team’s unis of the 1930s.  Read more and view logos here.

A Missed Downtown Opportunity: Building NBT Bank Stadium

Sports columnist Bud Poliquin reflects on the summer 20 years ago when construction began on what is now called NBT Bank Stadium, home of the Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A, International League), which replaced old MacArthur Stadium.  It’s not a fond memory, however, as he believes it was built in the wrong place.  Read more here.  His colleague Sean Kirst shares his thoughts too.  Read more here.

County Approves Funding for NBT Bank Stadium Improvements

The Onondaga County (NY) Legislature on Tuesday voted 17-0 to provide $949,000 for capital improvements at NBT Bank Stadium, which the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) will repay with money collected from a “facility use fee” on tickets.  Read more here.

County to Vote Tuesday on Money for NBT Bank Stadium Upgrades

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) and Onondaga County (NY) could be teaming up for a nearly $1 million project to make NBT Bank Stadium more hospitable for large group events at games next season.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: NBT Bank Stadium (Syracuse, NY)

MiLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill recently visited NBT Bank Stadium, home of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League).  Read more and view photos here.

Chiefs Unveil 100th Season Patch

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs will celebrate their 100th season in the International League in 2014 with a specially designed patch that players will wear on the left shoulder of their home and road jerseys.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Syracuse Chiefs Rename Horse Statue

The Syracuse Chiefs announced last week that the horse statue outside NBT Bank Stadium has been renamed “Homer,” after a “Rename the Horse” contest.  Read more and view photo here.  View press release here.

Financially Troubled Chiefs Hire New GM

The financially troubled Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) have hired Jason Smorol as the team’s new a new general manager.  Smorol was general manager of the Single-A Auburn Doubledays (New York-Penn League) from 2002 to 2004.  Read more here.

Deal Keeps Chiefs Anchored in Syracuse Without Simone Family

Marking a new era for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League), the team’s board of directors on Monday approved a local re-organizational proposal that infuses money into the cash-strapped franchise and ends more than four decades of Simone-family rule.  Read more here.

Chiefs Lose Beaucoup, Bu-Ku, Boo-Coo Bucks

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) lost at least a half-million dollars this year, by far its worst in at least four decades, according to a financial report presented this week to its board of directors.  Read more here.

The Future of the Syracuse Chiefs

With the abrupt departure of Tex Simone as the executive vice president and COO of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League), Syracuse.com sports commentator Brent Axe is asking a lot of questions.  Read more here.

Tex Simone Steps Down as Chiefs’ Executive VP/COO

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals, have announced that Anthony “Tex” Simone has retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The Chiefs have designated Tex as the team’s Vice President Emeritus. Mr. Simone will act as a consultant

Alliance Bank Stadium to Become NBT Bank Stadium?

Alliance Banks announced in October that it has been acquired by Norwich (CT)-based NBT Bank.  Along with changing the branding on all the bank’s branches, Onondaga County (NY) officials are expected to announce on Wednesday a name change for Alliance Bank Stadium, home to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League).  Read more here.

New Vendor Brings New Tastes to Ballpark

Ovations Food Services, the new concessions vendor for the The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League), is raising the food bar at Alliance Bank Stadium.  Read more and view video here.

Nationals, Chiefs Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, have extended their Player Development Contract with Washington for two more seasons. The Chiefs will now be the top Minor League affiliate of the Nationals until at least the end of the 2014 season.

Chiefs Select Ovations as New Food Service Provider

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, have selected Ovations Food Services, a nationally recognized leader in providing high-quality food and beverage services to public assembly facilities around the world, to provide exclusive concession and catering services at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Chiefs Extend Lease with Option to Buy

Onondaga County lawmakers have signed off on a lease extension with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) that allows the team to continue to use Alliance Bank Stadium for the next 11 years, with an option to buy the facility for $3 million within the next two years.  The ballpark was originally built for $30 million in 1997.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

New Chiefs Lease to Include Option to Buy

The new lease on deck for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) to use Alliance Bank Stadium. would include an option to buy the 15-year-old ballpark for $3.05 million, if approved by Onondaga County at a meeting on Feb. 7.  The original cost to build the stadium was $29.5 million.  Read more and view news clip here.

William Dutch Named Chiefs New President, Report to Shareholders Released

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League) have named William Dutch as the team’s new president.  The Chiefs also released the club’s 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders.  Interestingly, as we were perusing the Chiefs’ website, we came across a secondary logo that we like.  It’s probably been around for a year or two since the team’s branding was

Onondaga County Seeking New Baseball Stadium Operator

Onondaga County (Syracuse, NY) is seeking a buyer or manager for Alliance Bank Stadium, home of the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs (International League). A solicitation letter reportedly went out to nine entities, including some of the world’s largest venue management companies. As a side note, the ballpark lease with the Chiefs runs out this year. The county intends to negotiate a new

Billy Baldwin to Headline ‘Pink Cocktail Party’

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A Affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce that accomplished actor/producer/writer William Baldwin will be the featured guest at the team’s “Pink Cocktail Party” on Wednesday, July 20.

Chiefs vs. Paw Sox at Fenway Park

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, announced today that the team’s game with the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday, August 20, 2011 will be played at Fenway Park, the home of Major League

Throwback Thursday, Dinner at the Diamond Highlight Weekly Promos

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, announced today the team’s list of recurring weekly promotions for the 2010 season.

Syracuse Chiefs Launch Re-designed Website

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, announced today that the team has launched a re-designed web site. The site remains at http://SyracuseChiefs.com, but now features several technical and graphical improvements.

Chiefs Hold Auditions for Roles of Scooch and Pops

PRESS RELEASE – The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are looking far and wide for people with energy and enthusiasm to play the role of mascot this season. Anyone that would like to fill the positions of Scooch and Pops for the upcoming season is invited to Alliance Bank Stadium on Saturday, March 13 from 10:00am until noon.