An important announcement re: this newsletter

Then, let's take a look at the newest parks in the Minors [Ben's Biz Beat]( [By Benjamin Hill]( January 25, 2024 Welcome to the 90th edition of the Ben’s Biz Beat newsletter, a prodigious blast that allows you, the metaphorical runner, to trot the 90 feet between each base with ease and enjoyment. Let’s talk about Minor League Baseball. But first…   A VERY IMPORTANT AND TIMELY ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THIS NEWSLETTER! The Ben’s Biz Beat Newsletter will soon migrate to MLB’s registration list. In conjunction with this, the mailing list currently in use will be discontinued. What this means for you: If you want to receive this newsletter going forward -- and I sincerely hope that you do -- then you need to resubscribe to it. To do this, visit the following address: [( Simply fill out the registration form – it’ll only take a minute – and make sure to check the box that says “I would like to receive Ben’s Biz Beat.” Then confirm you’re not a robot, hit submit, and you’ll be good to go. The Ben’s Biz Beat Newsletter will continue to be delivered to your mailbox without interruption. That link again is: [(  If you have any questions about this, or need assistance, then do not hesitate to get in touch: benjamin.hill@mlb.com. I am appreciative of everyone who reads this newsletter and want to maintain the camaraderie and community that has developed over the past two years. Thank you for continuing to be a part of it and, while you’re at it: Please encourage your family, friends, co-workers, vague acquaintances and even your enemies to subscribe as well, via the above link. All are welcome, always.  Well, almost all are welcome…   JOSH JACKSON INTERRUPTS [Josh Jackson Interrupts]( Slow your roll! This is Josh Jackson, host of Ghost of the Minors, the segment on [The Show Before the Show podcast]( that challenges you to identify the historical Minor League Baseball team or player hidden among two phonies. Last time, we burned bright with the Roswell Sunshiners. This week, I ask you which of these players had a name worth repeated in the Minors of yesteryear:  A. Bam Bamahan B. Yam Yaryan C. Zachariah Akeriah  For the answer, check out the next Ghosts of the Minors on [The Show Before the Show](   IN WITH THE NEW: VISIT MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL’S SIX FRESHEST FACILITIES [MiLB's newest parks]( While there are currently several Minor League ballparks being built, in various stages of completion, 2024 will nonetheless mark the third straight season in which no new facilities make their debut.  But lest we forget: A mere three years ago, a whopping six Minor League ballparks opened their doors for the first time. Some of these stadiums were scheduled to debut in 2021, while others were holdovers following the 2020 Minor League season that wasn’t. - [Ballpark Guides Presented by Wyndham for EVERY Minor League team]( These stadiums -- and 113 more -- are included in the Minor League Ballpark Guide series, designed to help fans learn about the Minor League landscape while also serving as a road trip planning resource.  ABC Supply Stadium – Beloit Snappers (High-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins) [Visit the Beloit Sky Carp]( ABC Supply Stadium 217 Shirland Avenue Beloit, WI 53511 (608) 362-2272 [Complete Ballpark Guide »]( The Beloit Sky Carp are in Wisconsin, but just a foul ball away from Illinois. The construction of ABC Supply Stadium granted Minor League Baseball a new lease on life in this small city, as its predecessor, Pohlman Field, offered little in the way of player or fan amenities. In conjunction with the move to a new ballpark, Beloit’s long-standing Midwest League team changed its name from the Snappers to the Sky Carp. [Beloit](   [Subscribe to the MLB Prospects newsletter](   Atrium Health Ballpark – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) [Visit the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers]( Atrium Health Ballpark 1 Cannon Baller Way Kannapolis, North Carolina, 28081 704-932-3267 [Complete Ballpark Guide »]( Kannapolis, like Beloit, is another small-market Minor League city now enjoying a new baseball era. Atrium Health Ballpark is located in the heart of downtown and boasts a view of myriad stately structures (including Kannapolis Town Hall). The Cannon Ballers moniker – connoting a larger carnival-esque atmosphere – came into being in tandem with the new ballpark. The team was previously known as the Intimidators, in honor of beloved native son Dale “The Intimidator” Earnhardt. A nod to Earnhardt can still be found via Cannon Ballers mascot Boomer, who boasts a strikingly similar mustache. [Kannapolis Intimidators' big Earnhardt]( At Atrium Health Ballpark, indulge in the time-honored pairing of roasted corn and a Baller Beer. While wandering the concourse, take the time to say hello to keyboardist Jason “Greazy Keyz” Atkins. He’s stationed right behind home plate and takes requests.  Polar Park – Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) [Worcester's Polar Park]( Polar Park 100 Madison Street Worcester, Massachusetts, 01608 508-500-1000 [Complete Ballpark Guide »](  Worcester, located in the heart of Massachusetts, has a long professional baseball history (including a three-year stint in the 1880s hosting a National League franchise). However, from 1934-2020, no Minor League teams played there. This interminable-seeming void came to end with the 2021 arrival of the Worcester Red Sox -- commonly referred to as the WooSox -- who relocated from Pawtucket, R.I. [A WooSox seat view] The Woo Sox’s downtown home of Polar Park is a quirky and creative facility, built on uneven terrain and boasting a variety of unique vantage points. Right field is home to the Worcester Wall, a mirror-image blue version of Fenway Park’s Green Monster. Grab a seat there after obtaining a George’s Coney Island Dog, the most popular concession item in the ballpark.  Riverfront Stadium – Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins) [Wichita Wind Surge ballpark]( Riverfront Stadium 275 S. McClean Boulevard Wichita, KS 67213 (316) 221-8000 [Complete Ballpark Guide »](  Riverfront Stadium was originally built to house a Triple-A team, the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes. This did not come to pass. Following the lost 2020 season and subsequent reorganization of Minor League Baseball, the newly rechristened Wichita Wind Surge were shifted to the Double-A Texas League and designated a Twins affiliate. [Wichita field view ]( No matter the level of play, Riverfront Stadium is an airy and expansive locale from which to view a game. It was built atop the same location as the city’s previous Minor League Ballpark, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Information regarding this facility, and all eras of the region’s baseball history, can be found within the onsite Wichita Baseball Museum.   Toyota Field – Rocket City Trash Pandas (Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels) [Visit Rocket City]( Toyota Field 500 Trash Pandas Way Madison, Alabama, 35758 256-325-1403 [Complete Ballpark Guide »]( When the Trash Pandas made their debut at Toyota Field in 2021, it marked the return of Minor League Baseball to the Huntsville, Ala., area after a six-year absence. Toyota Field, located in the affluent suburb of Madison, fully embraces the ridiculousness of the Trash Pandas moniker. Shop for merch at The Junkyard team store; grab a snack at the Dumpster Dive concession stand. [Home of the Trash Pandas]( In addition to a full embrace of garbage, the Trash Pandas’ name and logos celebrate outer space exploration. If visiting Toyota Field, take the time to check out-of-this-world local attractions such as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.  Virginia Credit Union Stadium – Fredericksburg Nationals (Single-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals) [Visit the FredNats]( Virginia Credit Union Stadium 42 Jackie Robinson Way Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22401 540-858-4242 [Complete Ballpark Guide »](  Virginia Credit Union Stadium was built to house the team formerly known as the Potomac Nationals, who played in Woodbridge, Va. The ballpark is located just to the west of I-95, within a developing area of Fredericksburg known as Central Park. Unique features include a hand-operated scoreboard and a center-field History Wall that illuminates baseball’s deep roots in the area. [View from the stands in Fredericksburg]( The FredNats’ branding includes various George Washington-themed elements, as our nation’s first president grew up nearby and his mother went on to live in Fredericksburg proper. Her house is one of the many historic attractions in the city’s downtown.   [IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER, TELL THEM TO SUBSCRIBE HERE](   Contact [Benjamin Hill](mailto:benjamin.hill@mlb.com) [Twitter]( Online]( © 2024 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. [Visit MLB.com](. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Subscription required. Blackout and other restrictions may apply. Please review our [Privacy Policy](. 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