Tag Archives: Sports

Baseball downtown? Survey tries to find out if it’s possible

Baseball. theseanster93/FlickrSeveral people have received emails in recent days linking to a survey that is part of a privately financed study to “determine the feasibility of building a new ballpark in downtown Birmingham that could become the new home of the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team.”

There has been several hints in recent years that some people would like to see the Barons return to playing within the city limits of Birmingham.

In April, the Birmingham Business Journal told readers that approximately $40,000 in private funds had been put up for the study.

Several reports last summer mentioned the Merita bakery across from the soon-to-be completed Railroad Park in Birmingham’s Southside was a possible location, though not specific site has been suggested in the 27-question survey. The story received new attention in January when Birmingham City Councilor Johnathan Austin suggested that the city providing additional financial support for a survey.

Photo: Baseball. theseanster93/Flickr

Metro Birmingham’s newest team is 1-1

Birmingham Steel logoIt makes sense for us to have a sports team in metro Birmingham named Steel.

The minor league basketball team is the fifth and newest member of the Continental Basketball League. They play their home games just up the road at Leeds High School.

They also just recorded their first home win (and their first win of the season) last night over the Wilmington Sea Dogs of North Carolina, 114-102.

Their first road game of the season is on Sunday in Savannah, GA.

The Tar Heels visits UAB Tuesday for NIT quarterfinal

UAB Blazers logoUnless you’ve been hiding out somewhere for the last few days, someone has to have already told you that the UAB Blazers will be playing host to last year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament championsUNC Chapel Hill, tomorrow evening at Bartow Arena (8 p.m. tipoff) for a men’s postseason NIT quarterfinal matchup. If not, well now you have.

The Blazers beat NC State to advance while the Tar Heels defeated Mississippi State. If you were hoping for a ticket for tomorrow night, you’re most likely out of luck. The game is officially sold out with some folks reselling them on eBay for as much as $400 each (though no one’s selling them on StubHub… yet). Plus, the game will be shown on ESPN.

There’s already a final score prediction on UAB’s student newspaper’s website while the folks at al.com have already set up a live chat for tomorrow’s game. Plus, earlier this afternoon there was word that UNC sophomore forward Tyler Zeller may not be available tomorrow evening, perhaps giving fans in Blazer Nation additional reasons for hope.

The Barons are looking for a few good voices…

New Barons primary logo - Courtesy of Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons announced early this morning that they’ll be hosting auditions for those wanting to sing the National Anthem before home games this season early next month.

According to the notice on Facebook the tryouts will be held on Monday, March 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Regions Park in Hoover.

For those keeping track, there are only 44 days left until minor league baseball returns to metro Birmingham on April 8 against the Mudcats. If you can’t wait that long to see some baseball at “The Reg” (and it could be too long for some) or to hear some games on the radio, you can always head on over there to watch the Crimson Tide play the Georgia Bulldogs on March 3. The game, which won’t count in the SEC standings, is currently set for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.

We’re getting a Fed Cup semi!

While the word’s been out since last night, this afternoon it was officially announced – Birmingham, AL will host the Federation Cup semifinal tie (round) between the United States and Russia. The fun takes place on April 24 & 25 at the BJCC Arena.

This will be the second time in two years that The Magic City will play host to international tennis competition. The Davis Cup visited Birmingham a year ago holding a first-round tie here.

According to the reports filed by The Birmingham News , organizers will attempt to recruit both Serena and Venus Williams to participate in the match. Some are hoping that Russia’s Maria Sharapova is chosen to participate as well though the tie will be taking place the same weekend as the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix premier event in Stuttgart, Germany.

You can keep track of who is chosen by the respective captains by visiting the page dedicated to the tie on the Fed Cup website.

Miles College’s interim basketball coach debuts tonight

The men’s basketball team at Miles College will take to the hardwood tonight in Jackson, TN to face Lane College at 7:30 p.m.. There will officially be a new head coach at the reigns for the Golden Bears when that happens.

Will Cotchery. Miles College athleticsThe college announced earlier this week that fourth year head coach Christopher Giles had been released effective immediately. Giles had not coached the team since January 6, when he was suspended for “personnel issues.”

Interim Miles athletic director Dr. Chico Caldwell also announced that Birmingham, AL native Will Cotchery would continue serving as interim head coach until the end of the season and that a search for a permanent replacement would start at that time.

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Barons announce Rickwood Classic special guest

Today the Birmingham Barons announced who their special guest would be for the 15th annual Rickwood Classic.

Harmon Killebrew, 573 HR. NJ Baseball/FlickrMinnesota Twins Hall of Fame first baseman Harmon Killebrew will be in attendance at the game, part of plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of America’s oldest ballpark, is currently scheduled to be held on Wednesday, June 2 starting at 12:30 p.m. The announcement was posted on the Barons’ website earlier this afternoon.

The Barons, wearing their uniforms from their 1910 season, will host the Tennessee Smokies. The visitors will wear uniforms from the 1914 season when they were known as the Appalachian Smokies.

The game’s considered one of the best minor league games in the country and it was recognized as the best via a poll conducted on milb.com last season. Incidentally, the Barons are also looking for folks to submit their memories of Rickwood Field for use in the 2010 programs, including via their Facebook group.

Photo: Harmon Killebrew, 573 HR. NJ Baseball/Flickr