Saints Bring Their Distinctive Brand of Entertainment to Triple-A

PRESS RELEASE – For 28 years the St. Paul Saints introduced the baseball world to pigs delivering baseballs to umpires, nuns giving massages to fans, and promotions poking fun at current events, politics, the baseball industry, and oftentimes themselves, all while being an Independent Professional Baseball Club. The Saints “Fun is Good” motto is about to enter center stage on a completely different level. The Saints, in a partnership with the Minnesota Twins, have received an invitation to become the top tier, Triple-A, Minor League affiliate of their Twin Cities neighbor beginning in the 2021 season.

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.

Polar Park to Provide Fans with 5 Scoreboards and LED Sideboards to Inform, Entertain, and Interact

PRESS RELEASE – Polar Park will have high-technology full-color videoboards in Left Field and Right-Center Field, as well as a large, traditional, electronic alphanumeric scoreboard on the Worcester Wall in Right Field, plus a pair of LED Matrix boards behind First and Third Base, all supplied and integrated by experience design and execution company, ANC.

Astros Officially Make Independent Skeeters Triple-A Affiliate

The Houston Astros’ farm system is getting closer than before to the team’s home base of Minute Maid Park. On Friday, the club officially announced it has agreed to purchase a majority stake in the Sugar Land Skeeters and designate it as its Triple-A affiliate.  Read more here.

Twins Drop Triple-A Rochester, Look to Affiliatize Independent Professional St. Paul Saints

The Minnesota Twins are looking for a new top farm team, after officially informing the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A, International League) that they are out.  The St. Paul Saints (Independent Professional, American Association) are the targeted replacement.  Read more here.

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.

Revised Financing Plan Approved for WooSox Ballpark

The Worcester City Council has approved a revised financing plan to address about $30 million in increased costs for a new baseball stadium being built in the city for the coming Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  Read more here.

A Tour of New Wichita Wind Surge Ballpark

The Wichita Wind Surge (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) on Thursday gave fans a live, 30-minute video tour on Facebook of their new ballpark currently under construction.  Watch video tour here.

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.

At the Top: Adams Tabbed as New Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Team President

PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders officially announced John Adams as the team’s new president. Members of the RailRiders ownership group were on hand to welcome Adams into his new role ahead of the 2020 season.

Polar Park Overruns to be Funded

Worcester (MA) expects to borrow an additional $32 million to cover construction and acquisition costs related to the new Polar Park under construction for the Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A, International League).  In a memo, City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. stated that no existing city tax revenue will be used to fund the new ballpark.   The team and City plan to make up for these costs in part by increasing ticket fees and parking prices at the stadium.  Read more here and here.

Polar Park Construction Costs Exceeding Budget

Construction costs for Polar Park have increased by $9.5 million over initial estimates, while costs to acquire the properties needed for the ballpark, relocate businesses and prepare the site for development have run roughly $20 million more than what was anticipated.  Read more here.

Council Approves Sales Tax to Spur Development Around New Wichita Ballpark

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday approved a 2 percent sales tax within a newly established Community Improvement District, or CID, encompassing the area around the new baseball stadium and parts of the east bank of the Arkansas River.  Read more here.

Sales Tax Increase Proposed to Help Develop Area Around New Wichita Ballpark

An item on the Wichita (KS) City Council agenda is a proposal to establish a Community Improvement District, or CID, for an area around the new baseball stadium which would raise sales tax by 2%.  If approved, the funds from the CID will go to the ballpark’s developers for a period of up to 22 years.  The City Council will discuss the idea during the meeting on January 7th.  Read more here.

‘The Office’ Night, 40th Anniversary of Miracle on Ice Highlight Red Wings 2020 Promo Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The Rochester Red Wings’ 24th season at Frontier Field begins exactly 100 days from today on Thursday, April 9, and to celebrate the Wings have released a sneak peek at the 2020 promotional schedule. As always, and although not yet finalized, the upcoming promo slate promises to be one of the best in Minor League Baseball!

Millions in Renovations Coming to Louisville Slugger Field

Louisville Slugger Field, home of the Louisville Bats (Triple-A, International League), has been taking people out to the ball game since April of 2000. Over the years it’s only had minor renovations, but a major renovation is now on deck for about $7.2 million.  Read more here.

Home of Storm Chasers Getting Upgrades to Make Room for Pro Soccer

Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) is undergoing a $2.4 million renovation to make room for Nebraska’s first professional soccer team — the Union Omaha (United Soccer League).  Read more here.

Worcester Red Sox Unveil ‘WooSox’ Branding

On Monday evening, Boston’s Triple-A affiliate announced that, beginning in 2021, it will be known as the Worcester Red Sox. But while that’s the International League team’s official moniker, its “WooSox” nickname promises to be more prominent.  Read more here. See more logos here.  See gear here.

It’s the ‘Wichita Wind Surge’

After months of teasing and municipal anticipation, Wichita’s new baseball team has its name, the Wichita Wind Surge. The new team logo consists of a Pegasus leaping out of the letter W. It was designed by Todd Radom, also the creator of the current logos of the Major League Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals. Read more and and watch unveiling here.  Read more from Chris Creamer here and Benjamin Hill here.

Upgrades Underway at NBT Bank Stadium

After a rebrand, season one of the Syracuse Mets (Triple-A, International League) was a hit on a number of levels: Attendance in the stands and play on the field. With the season over, the off-season is in full swing with major renovations to the NBT Bank Stadium, part of the deal when the Mets made a 25-year commitment to stay in Syracuse (NY).  Read more and watch news report here.  View renderings gallery here.

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.

Latest Footage of Wichita Ballpark

There is great new video footage out there showing the construction of the new baseball stadium in Wichita (KS), the future home of the relocating and yet-to-be-renamed New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Watch video here.

IronPigs Win 2019 Larry MacPhail Award

PRESS RELEASE – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced today that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-A International League are the recipients of the 54th annual Larry MacPhail Award, symbolizing the top promotional effort in Minor League Baseball.

Latest Construction Photos of Wichita Ballpark

Work on the new stadium in Wichita (KS) progresses, as construction crews are now under six months from the home opener for the Wichita Triple-A baseball team that will play in the Pacific Coast League.  Opening Day is April 14.  View 32 photos here.

Announcing the Golden Bobblehead Winners

Last Thursday evening at the El Paso Chihuahuas’ (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) home of Southwest University Park, the Minor League Baseball Innovators Summit concluded with the Golden Bobblehead Awards.  Read more here.  Beyond the Golden Bobbleheads, view Benjamin Hill’s best promos here.

Wichita Ballpark Update

Every day gets Wichita (KS) a step closer to professional baseball returning to the city.  With the home schedule released last week, the new stadium continues to make progress towards completion.  Read more and watch news report here.  View stadium photo here.

PawSox Attendance Drops

Attendance at Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A, International League) games has dropped as the team prepares to depart Rhode Island for Massachusetts.  The PawSox are averaging just 5,254 fans a game (as of Sept. 3), which is a drop from 5,982 in 2018.  It’s the third-lowest attendance in the International League.  Read more here.  The team was at 6,406 in 2017.  Doing business as the Fightin’ Quahogs last Friday probably didn’t hurt.

Speculating About MLB in Vegas

It was reported earlier this summer that officials in Henderson (NV) were quietly trying to lure the Arizona Diamondbacks from Phoenix (AZ), where efforts to build a new major league ballpark have stalled. And that was before Las Vegas Ballpark was christened and the Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) began obliterating attendance records.  Read more here.

The Future of Baseball in New Orleans

Fans and those with an interest in New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) are saddened by the realization that the team is leaving the city for greener pastures in Wichita (KS).  And, there’s even more concern about what it means for the future of professional baseball in the metropolitan area.  Read more here.

Sounds Ballpark Gets New Name

The ballpark where the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) play will be renamed First Horizon Park, the name of the parent company of First Tennessee Bank. Read more here.

River Cats Ballpark Gets New Name

After two decades as Raley Field, the home of the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), will have a new name.  Starting next season, the ballpark will be known as Sutter Health Park.  Read more and watch news report here.

Ballpark Pool a Big Hit in Vegas

It could be a scene at any number of pool parties across Southern Nevada, but this one has a key difference: It’s taking place amid a minor league baseball game at the new Las Vegas Ballpark.  Read more and view photos here.

Wichita City Council Adds Ballpark Village to Master Plan

A plan for the future of Wichita’s Delano neighborhood now includes a master plan for a Ballpark Village that will surround the city’s new baseball stadium for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.  View 8/13 final agenda packet here (scroll to page 46).

Man Dies While Competing in Taco-Eating Contest

A man participating in a taco-eating contest at a Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) game died Tuesday night after officials say he began choking.  There is no official cause of death pending an investigation, but emergency staff at the hospital reportedly did clear food from the man’s throat, and preliminary indications are that he died of choking.  Read more here.  View statement from the Grizzlies here.

Ballpark Topping-Off Ceremony in Wichita

A topping off ceremony was held Wednesday morning at the site of the new baseball stadium under construction in Wichita (KS) for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  A steel beam signed by those who are working to build the new ballpark was hoisted to the top of the park.  It is the last beam of the structure to be placed.  Read more and view photos here.  Watch news report here.

Today we celebrate the structure of the new stadium and event center taking shape with a topping off ceremony for the hard working trades people. @WichitaBaseball pic.twitter.com/e7csgtNGNv

— Mayor Jeff Longwell (@jefflongwellict) August 7, 2019

Las Vegas Ballpark Named 2019 ‘Ballpark of the Year’

Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin (NV), the new home of the Las Vegas Aviators (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League), is the winner of BaseballParks.com’s award for the 2019 Ballpark of the Year.  Read story here.  Read full ballpark review here.  It’s hard to believe, but this is actually the 20th anniversary of this prestigious honor, which site-founder Joe Mock will bestow in person on Saturday prior to the Aviators’ game.

Construction of New Wichita Ballpark Well Underway

If you drive by the the old Lawrence Dumont Stadium, you’ll see the beginnings of the new one under construction for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Read more and watch news report here.

A preview of an area that will have some great shade when you come to a day game! #RepYour2020 pic.twitter.com/pFptItzkJV

— Wichita Baseball 2020 (@WichitaBaseball) July 1, 2019

Views of Diablos’ New Ballpark

Chicago-based international firm, FGP Atelier, has unveiled the cutting-edge Diablos Rojos Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, the new home of the Diablos Rojos del México (Triple-A, Liga Mexicana de Béisbol).  Read more here.  View photos here.

¿Quieres conocer la casa de los @DiablosRojosMX? pic.twitter.com/ei7ClRuYvE

— Aeroméxico (@Aeromexico) June 25, 2019

Vibes Inaugural Opening Weekend Begins Friday

The inaugural opening weekend for the Rocky Mountain Vibes (Rookie, Pioneer League) at UCHealth Park begins Friday, June 21st.  It will be very interesting to see if this Rookie-level team can sufficiently fill an 8,500-seat venue after Colorado Springs (CO) lost its Triple-A club to San Antonio (TX) in the off season.  The branding for the club is cool and unique, and hopefully the front office has the fun-guns loaded and ready, but will it be enough to avoid the cavernous feel and lack of intimacy of a potentially less-than-half-empty ballpark?  The Sky Sox averaged a little over 4,000 fans per game the past three seasons.  Good luck, Vibes!  Watch news report: Vibes don uniforms for first time.