McKechnie Field in top 50 minor league parks

Cord Sandberg at Pirate City last summer in Gulf Coast Rookie League.

McKechnie Field, site of the 2014 Florida State League All-Star Game June 14, was ranked 45th out of 160 minor league ballparks in the 2013 Minor League Baseball Stadium Rankings. No. 1 was Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, which opened in 2012 and is home to Cincinnati’s Southern League Double-A Wahoos.
• Speaking of baseball, the Phillies are sending Cord Sandberg to the Dominican Republic instructional league for three weeks.
• Saxophonist Dr. Melvin Price and his band, NuJazz, are playing at the 2013 Doctor Idol, which begins 7 p.m. Friday at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency. Visit NujazzSarasota.com.
• Heather Hacket, author of “The Pretty in Me,” will address Buffalo Creek Middle School students Nov. 6. Her book is about a girl who is made fun of by others because of her body size. A victim of bullying herself, Hacket is an advocate for building self confidence in children and will speak to students about that issue, individuality, respect and self-esteem.
Read more Friday in Vin's People on Bradenton.com