Baseball Miscellaneous 4

PawSox move may depend on voters’ vote

Despite the wish of the new Pawtucket Red Sox owners to move to Rhode Island’s capital Providence, it may not be so sure if the team can make that move. A state lawmaker has proposed a vote about the landlease. According to State Representative Patricia Morgan Rhode Island inhabitants need a right to vote” on the PawSox ballpark plan. The voters wouldn’t be actually voting on the merits of the ballpark, because the construction would be funded by the new PawSox owners, but rather a lease on the land between the state and the team. The location, on I-195, is currently owned by the state of Rhode Island.

The new owners seek a tax-stabilazation after the new stadium has been valued by the city of Providence. Others who have knowledge about the proposed deal, say that the owners even would ask for a part of the land at no cost….

If no agreement can be made, the team may move to Worcester in Massachusetts. That city has said that it would welcome a AAA team with a new stadium. So one thing is sure: McCoy Stadium’s days as home of the Red Sox’ AAA farm team are numbered.

Wrigley renovations will last a lot longer than expected

The renovations of Wrigley Field will take longer than planned;  according to Cubs owner Tom Ricketts a year longer until 2019. The reconstruction of the bleachers is delayed as well. They will be accessible around June again.

This is what Wrigley Field will look like in about four years.

The Cubs are tipped by many experts to be contenders for the WS title but with this construction going on, it is far from an ideal situation for the team.

The overhaul of Wrigley Field will contain four fases:

The first phase of construction, which began this offseason, involved structural steel and concrete work, bleacher restoration and new restrooms.
The second phase of the renovation features a new home clubhouse, bullpens, and an outdoor plaza.
The third phase, to begin after the 2016 season, includes a new visitors’ clubhouse, new umpires’ room and renovation of luxury suites.
The final phase, originally scheduled to be completed in 2018, brings a renovated press box and a new hotel.

Lancaster JetHawks refurbish luxury suits

The Lancaster JetHawks (High A, California League affiliate of the Houston Astros) have announced that they have  refurbished the luxury suites of their stadium, named the Hangar. Each luxury suite at The Hangar has been renovated with new flooring, cabinetry, furniture and televisions. Along with the renovations, the JetHawks are introducing the Kinetic Brewing Company Party Suite that can accommodate groups of 50 people. The name of the club refers to the Aerospace history of Lancaster. At Edwards Airforce base, Chuck Yeager was the first man who broke through the sound barrier with the Bell X1 in 1947.