In Richmond, John O'Connor reported the Double-A Eastern League Richmond Flying Squirrels and city reps "met for four hours on Friday regarding the need for a new ballpark. Team Chief Exec Manager Chuck Domino on Monday called the session "the most productive meeting we've had to date." Friday's meeting did not "determine a financing plan, a stadium site, or set a timetable for decisions on those topics." The city and team "focused on three potential ballpark sites" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 1/8).
OREGON TRAIL: In Portland, Andrew Theen reported the Single-A Northwest League Hillsboro Hops' new 4,500-seat ballpark is "expected to be completed one week before" the team's June 17 debut, although Parks & Recreation Department officials are "expecting the project to cost more than they'd previously anticipated." Hillsboro Parks Dir Wayne Gross was "hoping the total project would go in just below" the budgeted $15.2M. But he said that Hoffman Construction Company, the firm awarded the contract, "discovered existing utilities had to be moved" (Portland OREGONIAN, 1/9).
BIGGER IN TEXAS: In El Paso, Cindy Ramirez reported the city will ask a state court to "validate that it can issue bonds" for a $50M Triple-A downtown stadium, which would "thereby bring a halt to all the lawsuits and petitions aimed at stopping the demolition of City Hall." The city council on Tuesday "voted to award the $40 million contract to build the stadium to a joint-venture" between C.F. Jordan Construction and Hunt Construction Group, which has "constructed at least 10" MLB stadiums. City Hall could be "imploded as soon as March 31" to make way for the stadium (EL PASO TIMES, 1/9).
EXPLORING OPTIONS: In Florida, Thomas Himes notes the Single-A Florida State League Ft. Myers Miracle "call Hammond Stadium home," but a $45.5M construction project could "interfere with its 2014 schedule." Lee County officials yesterday asked Ft. Myers officials "about possibly moving the area’s minor league baseball team to City of Palms Park for the 2014 season and beyond." Team President Steve Gliner said that the club "wants to stay at Hammond Stadium in 2014 and has not talked about a permanent relocation to City of Palms Park." Lee County officials hope that they can "schedule construction around the Miracle’s 2014 season, but the Twins want the project finished by February 2015" (NAPLES DAILY NEWS, 1/10).
