Bristol Sox Change Name to Bristol Pirates

PRESS RELEASE – Bristol Baseball, Inc. has announced that Bristol’s team in the Appalachian League will officially be known as the Bristol Pirates.

Hagerstown Agrees to Municipal Stadium Upgrades

Despite the reality that the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are likely relocating to Fredericksburg (VA) in 2015, the Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday agreed to pay for about $15,000 in capital imprvements to 83-year-old Municipal Stadium to honor the team’s lease.  Read more here.

Suns Reach Deal for Ballpark Land in Fredericksburg

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) and Diamond Nation finalized an agreement Monday with the slavery museum organization and its largest creditor to buy the land along Interstate 95 in Celebrate Virginia South where the U.S. National Slavery Museum was to have been built in Fredericksburg (VA).  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Takes Next Baseball Steps

The Fredericksburg City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a draft performance agreement with the partners working to build a 4,750-seat minor-league baseball stadium in the city.  The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) needed the agreement for its relocation application to Major League Baseball.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Council Approves New Baseball Stadium Concept

The Fredericksburg (VA) City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support building a multipurpose stadium in Celebrate Virginia South that would be home to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Naming Rights Partner Secured for New Fredericksburg Ballpark

The Rosner Auto Group has reportedly agreed to invest directly in the project to bring the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) to Fredericksburg (VA) and has committed to securing naming rights to the proposed new ballpark.  The Fredericksburg City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to move forward with the negotiated stadium concept.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Releases Details of Proposed Ballpark Deal

The city of Fredericksburg on Thursday unveiled the parameters of a proposed stadium financing plan that could lead to the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) relocating to Celebrate Virginia South.  Read more here.

Conceptual Ballpark Agreement Reached in Fredericksburg

The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League, the City of Fredericksburg (VA), and New Jersey-based Diamond Nation have all reportedly agreed on a conceptual deal structure for building a new $38 million baseball stadium on the site once scheduled to be home to the U.S. National Slavery Museum.  The city is expected to release details about the financing proposal Thursday.

Full Council to Discuss Fredericksburg Ballpark Proposal Next Week

Fredericksburg City Manager Bev Cameron said he expects City Council to publicly discuss the proposal for a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) during a work session next Tuesday.  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Unveils Ballpark Plans

Hours before the Fredericksburg (VA) City Council went behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss the status of negotiations on a proposal to build a multipurpose stadium in the city for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), design plans were unveiled.  Read more and view rendering here.  Read a second article here.

Suns, Frederickburg Officials to Meet Tuesday

Representatives from the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) and the city of Fredericksburg will meet Tuesday to discuss the framework of a new deal that could result in a new ballpark and the relocation of the franchise to the city.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Suns Want Three Financing Proposals

As the city of Fredericksburg (VA) works to revise its original ballpark financing proposal after a public vetting, the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are requesting at least three possible financing scenarios from the city well in advance of a city-requested meeting with the Suns on July 30.  Read more here.

Public Hearing Today on Proposed Fredericksburg Ballpark

The Fredericksburg (VA) City Council will hold a public hearing today to consider whether or not to pursue building a new multi-purpose stadium for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Fredericksburg Issues RFP for Baseball Stadium Lease Consultant

The City of Fredericksburg (VA) is seeking proposals from interested firms to serve as advisor on a proposed baseball stadium lease between the city and the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Meanwhile, Hagerstown (MD) is still trying to keep the franchise from moving by continuing to work on their own new stadium plan.  Read more here.  View RFP here.

Financial Analysis Released for Fredericksburg (VA) Ballpark

According to financial projections in a report by Washington, DC-based Brailsford & Dunlavey, the proposed new minor-league baseball stadium in Fredericksburg (VA) would generate surplus revenues of about $274,000 a year for the city after the first few years of operation.  Read more here.  Read full report here.

Fredericksburg City Staff Charged With Making Deal Happen

During a closed-session meeting earlier this week, the Fredericksburg (VA) City Council directed city staff to negotiate the terms of a deal to bring a minor league baseball team and multi-purpose stadium to town.  The Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) are rumored to the target of this endeavor.  Read more here.

Council to Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Ballpark Proposal

The Fredericksburg (VA) City Council will hold a closed meeting next Tuesday night to discuss a potential deal to build a multi-purpose stadium and bring minor league baseball to the city.  City officials are rumored to be in relocation discussions with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Read more here.

Study Gives Fredericksburg Thumbs Up to Hosting Professional Baseball

As expected, representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey presented to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority today the positive results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-use baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

Preliminary Ballpark Study to be Presented in Fredericksburg

Representatives from Washington (DC)-based Brailsford & Dunlavey will present to the Fredericksburg (VA) Economic Development Authority on Monday the preliminary results of a study assessing the economic viability of building a new multi-purpose baseball stadium in the market.  Read more here.

Suns Send Relocation Overtures to Fredericksburg

As Fredericksburg (VA) explores building a new baseball stadium and hosting a team, the Single-A Hagarstown Suns (South Atlantic League) have expressed an interest in being at the discussion table if invited.  Read more here.

Councilman: Loudoun Ballpark Approval No Obstacle for Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg (VA) Councilman Matt Kelly said this past week’s approval by Loudoun County (VA) officials to build a stadium for an independent professional baseball team poses no obstacle to bringing pro baseball to Fredericksburg.  Read more here.

Liberty University to Open New Park Saturday

Liberty University in Lynchburg (VA) will christen their new baseball stadium this Saturday, Feb. 23, as the Flames take on Penn State at 1:00 p.m. EST.  The just-completed ballpark features 2,500 chairback seats and a turf playing surface.  Read more here.  View construction photo gallery here.

Talking New Ballpark in Virginia Beach

A group called Virginia Beach Professional Baseball is proposing to build a new 5,000-seat baseball stadium in Virginia Beach (VA) for an indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more and view news clip here.

Fredericksburg Stakeholders Tour Blue Crabs Home

Stakeholders from the Fredericksburg (VA) area got a taste of what they could expect from a new ballpark by touring Regency Furniture Stadium, home of the indy pro Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (Atlantic League), in Waldorf (MD) Thursday.  A group called Rappahannock Baseball Initiative, led by former Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hagan, is working

Shockoe Bottom Site Still at Issue

Peter Galuszka, a Washington Post contributing blogger, highlights the lines being drawn between proponents of a new ballpark for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) in downtown Richmond (VA) at Shockoe Bottom, and opponents who view the area as sacred ground where several hundred thousand Africans were sold into slavery and many were buried.  Read more here

Pro Baseball Discussions Begin in Fredericksburg (VA)

Bob Hagan, the former president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, is spearheading an effort to bring a 5,000-seat stadium and a professional baseball team to Fredericksburg (VA).  Because Hagan and local officals have been meeting with Opening Day Partners, it’s safe to conclude that we are talking about an indy pro Atlantic League franchise.  Read more here and here.

Throwing in the Minor-League Towel in Winchester?

With progress being made in Hagerstown (MD) to build a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), folks in Winchster (VA) seem resigned the the reality that the Suns may be staying put.  Read more here.  Thanks to several of our readers for sharing the link.

Winchester Council Rejects Land Transfer for Ballpark

Bowing to public pressure, the Winchester (VA) City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to reject a proposal to transfer 7.9 acres of park land to the local redevelopment agency for a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  This puts the project in serious jeopardy and gives officials in Hagerstown and Washington County (MD) a little breathing room to

Critical Ballpark Vote Tonight in Winchester

The Winchester (VA) City Council is scheduled to vote tonight whether or not to approve a transfer of 7.9 acres of park land for a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  Officials in Hagerstown and Washington County (MD) will obviously be watching closely, as a negative vote could give the current host city a little breathing room to come up with a ballpark solution.  Read more here.

Ballpark Hearing Tomorrow, Opponents Circulate Petition

The Winchester (VA) City Council will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, March 13, to discuss the proposed new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  In the meantime, there is an anti-ballpark petition being circulated in the community.  Read more here.  You’ll notice we had to comment.

New Hagerstown Ballpark Pitched as Downtown Renewal Project

In his State of the City address on Tuesday, Hagerstown (MD) Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II cited the construction of a new downtown baseball stadium for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) as a catalyst project to help revitalize Hagerstown’s urban center.  Read more and view aerial footprint here.

Winchester Holds Hearing on Ballpark Proposal

The Winchester (VA) City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday night to discuss a proposal to build a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) at Jim Barnett Park.  Reportedly “more than 15 residents” showed up to voice opposition to the plan.  Whether this was a vocal few or not, remains to be seen.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Targets Two Sites for Possible New Ballpark

Winchester (VA) is gunning to steal the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League) from their current western Maryland home, but Hagerstown, obviously caught off guard, isn’t ready to throw in the towel.  City officials are exploring at least two locations, including one downtown, to build a new baseball stadium for the team.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Scrambles to Save Suns

Hagerstown (MD) officials have been in talks with the Maryland Stadium Authority to seek advice about renovating Municipal Stadium or building a new ballpark for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  As you know, Winchester (VA) is trying to lure the team away.  Read more here.

Hagerstown Considers Funding Ballpark Study

The City of Hagerstown (MD) and Washington County are considering funding a feasbility of study for renovating Municipal Stadium, home of the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League), or building a new park elsewhere.  As you know, the Suns have been talking with Winchester (VA) about relocating to a potential new park there, which has obviously lit a fire under Hagerstown.  Read more here.

Winchester EDA Seeks Land for New MiLB Ballpark

The Winchester (VA) Economic Development Agency is seeking 12-acres of land in Jim Barnett Park from the city for a new baseball stadium for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League).  The Suns are reportedly in discussions with the city about possible relocation.  Winchester is less than one hour south of Hagerstown (MD).  Read more and view aerial map here.