Land For Potential New GreenJackets Stadium Purchased
Greenstone Properties closed on Monday on a purchase of nearly 30 acres of land in North Augusta, S.C., for the eventual use in a project that would bring the Augusta GreenJackets, the Giants’ low Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League, to the Palmetto State.
The addition of the GreenJackets would be the centerpiece to the Ballpark Village at Hammond’s Ferry project which, in addition to the stadium, would include residential and commercial buildings on a 35-acre site.
The GreenJackets have been in Augusta since 1988 and have been affiliated with the Giants since 2005. The deal is still subject to final approval, but if completed it would put a fourth SAL club in South Carolina, along with Charleston (Yankees), Greenville (Red Sox) and Columbia (Mets). And although the deal would move the team out of Georgia, the new stadium would be less than 10 miles from its current home of Lake Olmstead Stadium
Chris Schoen, the managing principal with Greenstone Properties and also Augusta’s owner with the AGON Sports & Entertainment Group–which also owns the Boise Hawks (Rockies) in the short-season Northwest League–was excited about the acquisition.
“Purchasing this land is an important next step in realizing the vision of the live-work-play environment that will comprise North Augusta’s new Ballpark Village,” he said in the statement.
The Yankees and the Tampa Sports Authority announced on Monday their intention to make $40 million worth of renovations to the Yankees’ spring training home of George M. Steinbrenner Field. The deal would keep the team in Tampa through the 2046 season.
“The Steinbrenner family is extremely proud to have called Tampa Bay home for decades and extending the New York Yankees’ agreement with the community through 2046 is very important to us,” Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in the statement. “We are excited to see these improvements to Steinbrenner Field, all of which will significantly improve the fan experience.”
Additionally, the team’s minor league complex, located on Himes Avenue near Steinbrenner Field, will also be remade under the agreement. The deal is contingent on the approval of Hillsborough County, the city of Tampa, the Hillsborough Community College board of directors and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
The Salem Red Sox, Boston’s high Class A Carolina League affiliate, announced on Monday its plans to honor long-time Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer with a bobblehead on Aug. 5. Beamer, who retired after this past season after coaching the Hokies since 1987, will appear at the game and throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
To receive the collectible, fans can purchase a Beamer Pack for $22. Included in that price are two tickets to the game, a bobblehead and a $2 donation to Herma’s Readers, a charity established by Beamer that raises money to buy new books and promote literacy among children. Fans who already have tickets to the Aug. 5 game can purchase a bobblehead separately for $10 with all proceeds going to the charity.
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