News from the around MWL

Lots of good stuff at BallparkDigest.com today.

There are three entries with a Midwest League flavor.

Dragons owner proposes $200 million development near ballpark

DAYTON — The owner of the Dayton Dragons wants to expand entertainment venues around Fifth-Third Field with a $200 million development that would include a mix of retail, restaurants and possibly condominiums.

The project will include three separate developments, confirmed Tom Biedenharn, the city's director of public affairs: a residential development at Deeds Point along the Great Miami River; an entertainment and retail complex just north of the ballpark and a large retail project on the site of Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority's Parkside Homes.

There is a Dayton City Commission meeting going on RIGHT NOW!!!

Battle Creek approves Northwoods League lease

In the end, baseball never left Battle Creek.

It just took a two-month vacation.

Battle Creek's city commissioners approved by a unanimous 9 to 0 the lease of C.O. Brown Stadium to be used for the college-player Northwoods League on Tuesday night.

The agreement with the Northwoods League comes barely more than two months after the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays of the professionally-affiliated Midwest League left town.

The Midwest League had been in B.C. for 12 seasons but left due to dwindling attendance.

Northwoods League president Dick Radatz Jr. has already signed the stadium lease and the deal will become official when city manager Wayne Wiley inks the dotted line today.

"We're excited to get something back in the stadium," said Jeff Hovarter, Battle Creek's director of parks and recreation.

It remains to be seen if the community of Battle Creek is excited to get something back in the stadium.

Also, still no owner for the team. If one isn't found, the league will run the team.

Meanwhile, the new home of the old Battle Creek MWL franchise is shaping up nicely.

Work continues rapidly on Dow Diamond

MIDLAND (WJRT) - (11/14/06)--In five months, the first pitch will be thrown at the Dow Diamond. The ballpark is still under construction. It will be the home of Midland's new minor league baseball team.

If they had to, they probably could play baseball in the stadium today.

"You try to pull it up and it's like pulling hair out of your head," said Dow Diamond groundskeeper Matt McQuaid.

McQuaid is talking about the stadium playing field, which was installed last month, and has already taken root.

Good. The field is in. What about the rest?

The bullpens are being completed, and this is something many people might not know: Bricks make up the foundation of pitching mounds in major and minor league ballparks.

"And you actually never get into the brick itself, but you will get into the bag clay, and it's easy on maintenance," McQuaid said. "It's great for the players to dig into."

The stadium's two fire pits are in place, and there are bases for the solar panels which will help produce power for the ballpark.

And workers have started on the roof of the facility, which has to be done before the freezing weather settles in.

Two firepits? Something like this?
Probably not. But, you may want to click on the video link at the TV station's site to make sure.