Wichita Mayor: New Ballpark About Quality of Life, MiLB Affiliated Club Guaranteed

Wichita (KS) is getting a new baseball stadium to replace Lawrence-Dumont, despite the announced move of the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League) franchise to Amarillo (TX).  According to Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell, quality of life is the driving force, and a baseball franchise affiliated with major league baseball is guaranteed, as part of the contract to develop the new ballpark.  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 to Hold Public Hearing on Ballpark, West Bank Redevelopment District Plan

Citizens will have a chance on July 18 to tell the Wichita (KS) City Council what they think of tax plans to help fund the renovation or replacement of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.  Read more here.

Wichita Getting New Ballpark

Sedgwick County (KS) commissioners approved a special Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district to pay for improvements on downtown Wichita’s riverfront, including replacing Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.  Read more here.  This move reportedly removes the final obstacle to building a new baseball stadium.

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.

Wingnuts Make Strategic Move to Support Construction of New Ballpark

The Wichita Wingnuts (Independent Professional, American Association) support the planned construction of a new baseball stadium in downtown Wichita (KS), even if it lures affiliated ball to town.  That said, the Wingnuts believe fans would support the team in a new ballpark.  According to Wingnuts co-owner Gary Austerman:

“The quality of [Double-A ball] is no better, that’s one thing.  I do think that the Wichita Wingnuts have tried to put the best level of baseball out there, and I think that’s been a little underappreciated.”

Read more here.