Batting Around: Amarillo breaks ballpark ground
The path to bring Minor League Baseball to Amarillo, Texas, has hit another milestone.This past June, it was announced that, as part of an interconnected series of relocations, Amarillo would field a Double-A Texas League team beginning in 2019. A groundbreaking ceremony for this team's ballpark took place Feb. 1;
The path to bring Minor League Baseball to Amarillo, Texas, has hit another milestone.
This past June, it was announced that, as part of an interconnected series of relocations, Amarillo would field a Double-A Texas League team beginning in 2019. A groundbreaking ceremony for this team's ballpark took place Feb. 1; per Amarillo.com, this ceremony was attended by city officials, team owners David and D.G. Elmore and community organization representatives.
Amarillo city manager Jared Miller, speaking to Amarillo.com, said the target completion date for the ballpark is Feb. 1, 2019. It is being built at an estimated cost of $45.5 million, funded by a hotel occupancy tax.
Amarillo's stadium will serve as the home of the Texas League franchise that is currently operating as the San Antonio Missions. In a corresponding move, the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox will relocate to San Antonio. Both the Missions and the Sky Sox are owned by the Elmore Sports Group.
One of the next milestones in the evolution of Amarillo's Texas League entity will be a "Name the Team" contest. In the meantime, the fledgling franchise has established a Twitter account under the name of "Amarillo Professional Baseball."
2020 Vision
Amarillo is one of two cities slated to open a Minor League stadium in 2019; the other is in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There may be two new ballparks in 2020 as well.
On Jan. 29, the Madison (Alabama) City Council voted unanimously to spend $46 million for a Minor League ballpark. The ballpark would likely house the Mobile BayBears, whose current home of Hank Aaron Stadium is the oldest in the Southern League. Earlier this offseason, the BayBears were purchased by a new ownership group, BallCorps LLC.
Madison mayor Paul Finley told AL.com that the ballpark would be utilized year-round, have an estimated capacity of 7,000 and open in 2020. Madison is located in the greater Huntsville area; the Huntsville Stars relocated to Biloxi, Mississippi, following the 2014 season after years of declining attendance at Joe Davis Stadium.
*
2020's other proposed new Minor League ballpark is in Kannapolis, North Carolina, home of the South Atlantic League Intimidators (Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox). The team's current home of Intimidators Stadium opened in 1995.
The city of Kannapolis is in the midst of a multistage downtown revitalization plan. A ballpark -- referred to by the city as "Sports and Entertainment Venue" -- is a key piece of the plan. Construction is slated to begin this summer.
Batavia Muckdogs stay alive
The previous edition of this column covered the murky future of the Batavia Muckdogs, who are no longer operated by the Rochester Red Wings. The struggling New York-Penn League franchise is now owned by the league, which is looking for a buyer. That buyer, almost certainly, will want to relocate the team to a more populated market. The Muckdogs have finished last in the league in attendance in each of the past three seasons.
Nonetheless, the Muckdogs will remain in Batavia for the 2018 season and possibly longer. On Jan. 27, The Batavian reported that "Batavia City Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the assignment of the Dwyer Stadium lease to the New York-Penn League and its wholly owned subsidiary, Batavia Muckdogs, Inc." Thus, the team will still have a place to play.
The lease extension was soon followed by the news that the New York-Penn League had hired veteran executive Dave Chase to run the franchise. Chase, who has worked in baseball for the past four decades, told the local dailynewsonline.com that his job in Batavia will be to "virtually start a baseball operation from scratch."
"In recent seasons, I've specialized in teams that have had difficult pasts and need experienced help to get them back on track," said Chase.
Classic back on track
Rickwood Field was the home of the Birmingham Barons from 1910 through 1986. Beginning in 1996, the Southern League team played one game each season at their old home. This was the "Rickwood Classic," a nostalgia-drenched afternoon in a true throwback environment.
There was no Rickwood Classic in 2017, however, as city engineers determined that structural repairs were needed in order to make the facility safe for public events. Those repairs have begun, and a May 30th date has been announced for the event's 2018 iteration.
If it still Pfitz
As has been the case for years, the Potomac Nationals are working to obtain funding for a new ballpark. But for now, the Carolina League franchise still calls G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium home. Last month, the P-Nats announced that they have extended their lease at "The Pfitz" through 2020. Speaking at the P-Nats Hot Stove Dinner, team owner Art Silber said that "the franchise continues to pursue multiple options in multiple localities with an aim at the 2020 season, ideally within a 30-minute drive from our current facility."
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two