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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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

Parking for New Wichita Stadium

Plans for the area around Wichita’s (KS) new baseball stadium for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) call for a large parking garage and additional surface parking. The parking garage would also double as a transit center.  Read more here

Advisory Board to Help Establish Entertainment District Around New Wichita Ballpark

A development group involved in the project for a new baseball stadium in Wichita (KS) has created an advisory board that will help in the establishment of an entertainment district around the stadium. Read more here.

Wichita Lays Down Ceremonial Home Plate, Construction Update Provided

Wichita (KS) city officials, the owner of the Miami Marlins and Wichita baseball fans gathered Thursday morning for the ceremonial placement of home plate at the new minor league baseball stadium.  Read more and watch news report here.  Meanwhile, Scott Sherry of JE Dunn Construction gave an update on the progress of the new ballpark, which is expected to be completed in March of 2020.  Read more and watch video here.

Wichita Approves Ballpark Development Agreement

The Wichita (KS) City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to move forward with a development agreement on the new baseball stadium and some of the land around it.  Read more and watch news report here.

Owner Selling Ballpark Magic in Wichita

With a New England accent and penchant for colorful detail delivered without taking a breath — at least when he’s in sales-pitch mode — New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) owner Lou Schwechheimer is in Wichita (KS) to sell a dream.  Read more here.

Wichita Ballpark Development Vote Tuesday

More than three years of negotiations — punctuated by weeks of public outcry over transparency — come down to a Tuesday City Council vote on a development agreement for Wichita’s (KS) new ballpark.  Read more here.

No Office Space at New Wichita Ballpark Raises Concerns About Future of NBC World Series

The National Baseball Congress is unsure of its future in a new ballpark after the city tore down Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, the ballpark it played in for eight decades.  Read more here.

Crews Begin Work on New Wichita Ballpark

Construction on Wichita’s new baseball stadium project is hitting warp speed as government officials and developers try to get the stadium up and running by spring 2020. The first round of building was approved by the City Council last Tuesday and work began Wednesday. Read more here. Watch groundbreaking here.

A First Look at Wichita Ballpark Renderings

Wichita (KS) officials, along with architecture and construction firms, have unveiled new renderings of a new ballpark that will host the relocating, soon-to-be-renamed New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League). Read more and watch video here.

**NEW** Via @DionKansas:

First look: Wichita’s new ball park and what will be in it https://t.co/bhiP5ERPxG@WichitaBaseball @jefflongwellict @CityofWichita #baseballICT pic.twitter.com/DgAPMvH3sw

— kansasdotcom (@kansasdotcom) January 23, 2019

Time to Name the New Wichita Team

Suggestions are now being taken to name the new Triple-A team that will begin playing in downtown Wichita (KS) in 2020.  Read more here.  Visit name-the-team site here.

Wichita Selects Ballpark Design-Build Team, Lawrence-Dumont Demo Complete

After a week’s delay, the City Council is ready to play ball with a group to develop Wichita’s new $75 million baseball stadium. On Tuesday, the council picked its team: JE Dunn Construction, EBY Construction, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture, DLR Group, and Professional Engineering Consultants.  Read more here.  View completed demolition here.

Wichita Delays Approving Ballpark Design-Build Agreement

Wichita (KS) will have to wait at least a week to learn who will build the new stadium to house the city’s Triple-A minor league baseball team.  City Council member Bryan Frye asked for additional time to study a design-build agreement for the ballpark to verify that the recommended group has the required experience in constructing ballparks per the RFP.  Read more here.

Ballpark Design-Build Team Challenging Qualifications of Competing Group

The Wichita (KS) City Council hasn’t officially approved a design-build team for the city’s new $75 million, Triple-A Minor League ballpark, but there’s already been a protest over the recommended group.  There were three groups that bid on the project — a team that includes DLR Group, another that includes Populous, and a third that includes HKS Architects.  Read more here.

Wichita Council Approves Bonds, Lawrence-Dumont Demolition Underway

The Wichita (KS) City Council Tuesday agreed to the issuance of STAR bonds to help pay for the construction of a new, modern ballpark where Lawrence-Dumont Stadium now sits.  Read more and watch news report here.

Wichita Receives Three Ballpark Bids

The city of Wichita (KS) received three bids to design and build the new ballpark for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League).  Read more here.

New Renderings Unveiled for Wichita’s Ballpark/Riverfront Village

Riverfront Partners, L.L.C. released renderings of its vision for Wichita’s (KS) Riverfront Village Monday evening.  The vision for the property calls for a festive, village atmosphere that embraces the Arkansas River and baseball stadium with restaurants, entertainment, retail, office, and Downtown living.  Read more and view renderings here.

Wichita’s New Ballpark Will Seat 10,000

Wichita’s (KS) yet-to-be named, $75-million stadium that will be built for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) will have seating for 10,000 fans, the agreement says.  That’s 3,600 more than 84-year-old Lawrence-Dumont Stadium that is slated for demolition.  Read more here.

Before Demolition, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Seats Will be Sold Individually

This Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita (KS), there will be an on-site cash-only sale for stadium seats, which purchasers must bring their own wrenches and screwdrivers to remove.  The seats must be removed by noon.  Chairs will be limited to one per person.  Blue seats are $35, Tan/blue seats are $20 and red seats are $5.  Read more here.

American Association Realigns, Announces Wingnuts Will Not Play in 2019

The American Association (Independent Professional) has announced its divisional alignment for the 2019 season. It also announced that the Wichita Wingnuts will not play in 2019 because Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is being demolished to make room for a new ballpark and the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League). Read more here.

2019 divisional alignments:
North: @TheChicagoDogs, @FMRedHawks @railcats, @MKEMilkmen, @StPaulSaints, @Wpg_Goldeyes
South: @CRRBaseball, @tbonesbaseball, @saltdogsball, @SiouxCityXs, @canaries, @TXAirHogs
The @Wingnuts_ICT will not operate in 2019. pic.twitter.com/9xTI56Rz7e

— American Association (@AA_Baseball) October 6, 2018

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Goodbye Celebration Planned for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium

Wichita (KS) will bid farewell to Lawrence-Dumont Stadium with one final baseball game on Saturday, October 13.  The last game in the 84-year-old stadium will feature former area baseball players, along with local celebrities and athletes.  It will be followed by a screening of The Sandlot movie, food trucks and music.  The night will wrap up with a fireworks show.  Read more here and here.

Moving Forward with Baby Cakes, Settlement with Wingnuts

The Wichita (KS) City Council plans will vote whether or not to approve an agreement with the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) for the relocation to Wichita and the construction of a new stadium.  The Council will also vote this morning on whether to enter a settlement agreement with the Wichita Wingnuts (Independent Professional, American Association) to terminate their 10-year lease of Lawrence-Dumont.  Staff reports show the settlement is around $2 million, paid over time from now until 2026.  Read more and watch news report here.  UPDATE:  Ballpark project and settlement approved.

Baby Cakes Relocating to Wichita

Wichita (KS) is in talks with the New Orleans Baby Cakes (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) to be Wichita’s new team, several sources said Wednesday.  The deal is close to being finalized but is not yet done, sources say.  Mayor Jeff Longwell plans a baseball announcement of some sort at his regular Thursday briefing.  Read more here.

Replica Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Giveaway Tonight

It’s reportedly the final year of baseball at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, as officials have said it may be demolished to make way for a new, modern ballpark.  Details about the future of the Wichita Wingnuts (Independent Professional, American Association) are unclear, but the team is honoring the ballpark with a replica stadium giveaway on Aug. 28.  Read more here.

NBC World Series Prepares to Play Last Tournament at Lawrence-Dumont

The National Baseball Congress World Series has been a source for summer baseball at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in Wichita (KS) for decades, but the tournament will have a new home after this year.  Starting in 2019, the tournament will be played at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium.  Read more here.

Wingnuts Announce Final Season at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium

PRESS RELEASE – After 84 years, thousands of games, millions of fans and countless memories, the Wichita Wingnuts announced today that the 2018 season will be the last for Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Wichita in Discussions with Affiliated Team, Mayor Hopes to Announce After Winter Meetings

Mayor Jeff Longwell announced on Thursday that the city is in discussions to bring an affiliated minor league baseball team to Wichita (KS).  The Mayor says he believes they’ll be able to announce a new affiliated baseball team in Wichita after the Baseball Winter Meetings.  Read more here.

Ballpark Meeting Today in Wichita

A local news station talked with the president of the Wichita Sports Commission, Bob Hanson, and he said it’s time for a new stadium in town, and it will require an affiliated team willing to relocate.  The local media is expected to chat with Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell about the project at a Chamber of Commerce Meeting later today.  The mayor stated back in November that he could have good news to report on December 7.  Read more and watch news report here.

Wingnuts Announce New Broadcaster

PRESS RELEASE – The Wichita Wingnuts will have a new voice on the airwaves in 2018. Wichita native Denning Gerig has been named Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager for the upcoming campaign, the team announced Thursday.