Ballpark Changes in the Minors

Here's the lowdown on the Minor League parks that opened in 2004. If you want to review the parks that opened in the affiliated Minors in 2003, click here. For the latest on changes in 2005, click here.

Ballpark changes for 2004 . . .

Spacious, modern and close to the Phillies' spring complex, Clearwater's new park has a lot going for it.

CLEARWATER   Jack Russell Memorial Stadium in this Tampa-Bay-area city had been home to a Florida State League franchise since 1985 -- which is 30 years after this pretty ballpark was built.  Clearwater has also been the spring training home of the Phillies since, wow, 1947, which is eight years before this stadium was built.  2003, though, was the final year for this park, as both the Phillies and their FSL team have moved into a brand-new park next to the Phils' current spring practice fields.  The whole area is known as the Clearwater Community Sports Complex, and the $28 million, 6,800-seat ballpark itself is called Bright House Networks Field.  The lead architect for the new stadium is HOK, and it was built on the site of a former Home Depot store.  The FSL team changed its name to the Clearwater Threshers for 2004, and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt was the manager. Take a look at our detailed review of this park.

MISSOULA  It seemed like a pattern. At the end of each Pioneer League season, the Missoula Osprey voiced optimism that they would play the next year's schedule in a new ballpark. Well, the new park didn't materialize in 2002, nor did it in 2003. But when June 25, 2004 rolled around, the team got its wish -- sort of. The Osprey played the first game in its new facility, which was originally to be called Missoula Civic Stadium, but now is going by the name "Play Ball Park." Only 1,900 of the 3,000-plus seats were ready for opening night, and several other aspects of the $10-million ballpark have yet to be constructed. After years of yearning, though, the team and its fans were delighted to be playing in the long-awaited stadium. Heery is the architectural firm behind the new park's design, by the way.

The train shed at Riverwalk Stadium is beautiful inside and out.

MONTGOMERY   The capital of Alabama was a long-time home of teams in the Southern Association (later called the Southern League).  When the Rebels left Montgomery for Birmingham following the 1980 season, however, the city was without the affiliated minors for over two decades.  That has changed now that a new ballpark has been constructed and the Orlando Rays of the Southern League have relocated to Alabama.  The team's new facility is called Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium, and it was designed by HOK.  An old train shed has been beautifully incorporated into the design, as the luxury suites on the first-base side are actually part of that historic building.  Great idea!  The team, by the way, is called the Montgomery Biscuits, and yes they do serve hot, delicious biscuits with syrup at this ballpark! Check out our detailed review -- and 12 photos -- of this new stadium!

MANCHESTER   This New Hampshire city wanted a team in the Class AA Eastern League, and they wanted it to be affiliated with the nearby Boston Red Sox.  Drew Weber, the owner of the Lowell, MA franchise in the Class A New York Penn League, purchased the New Haven Ravens franchise, and obtained permission from the Red Sox (who own the territorial rights to Manchester) to move the Ravens to Manchester.  The team is now be called "The New Hampshire Fisher Cats" (don't laugh -- the team originally announced that their nickname was going to be "The New Hampshire Primaries"), and they played in temporary quarters -- Gill Stadium -- in Manchester in 2004.  A brand-new stadium, built with private funds, should be ready for the team in 2005.  HNTB is the architectural firm for both the $4-million renovation to Gill and the new $20-million ballpark.  By the way, they didn't get their way about being a farm team of the Red Sox, as the Portland Sea Dogs landed that coveted affiliation.

LYNCHBURG   I have to admit that I've been annoyed at the situation surrounding the park of the Lynchburg (VA) Hillcats of the Carolina League.  Heading into the offseason following the 2000 campaign, the team generated a fair amount of hoopla regarding the major renovation that 60-year-old Merritt Hutchinson Stadium (for years called City Stadium) was going to receive before the start of the 2001 season.  It didn't happen.  Again, toward the end of the 2001 season, press releases touted the renovation that was going to happen in the coming months.  It didn't happen.  At the end of the 2002 campaign, again much was made about the remodeling job that was coming that winter.  Well, a lot of work did happen over the winter, but not nearly enough to complete the job, which meant the Hillcats played the 2003 season in, shall we say, a construction zone more than a ballpark.  The work that was being done included demolishing major portions of the park, which had become an eyesore.  Well, work continued right through the 2003 season and all winter long in a mad race to complete the $5 million facelift by opening day of the 2004 campaign.  When the dust finally settled, a remarkably different -- and attractive -- facility now stands where a sorry ballpark had existed for a number of years.  I dare say it's about time!  

GREENEVILLE   No, not the Southern League city in South Carolina (although that town is addressed below).  We're talking about the town of Greeneville in eastern Tennessee where the Houston Astros have moved their rookie-level Appalachian League franchise for 2004.  The former Martinsville Astros are playing in a temporary ballpark on the campus of Tusculum College.  Prior to the 2005 campaign, though, this temporary facility will be converted into a beautiful $5-million stadium with 2,400 seats.  John Fisher is the architect.

DAVENPORT   This is one of the "Quad Cities" along the Mississippi River that is home to the Quad City River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League.  This franchise was a heartbeat away from being sold and moved to Ohio, but the deal fell through, and now the city of Davenport is funding a $12.5 million renovation of John O'Donnell Stadium.  This oft-flooded facility will receive new protection from future floods, as well as new luxury boxes and a much-needed raised concourse at the top of the seating bowl, where views of the Mississippi will be spectacular.  This concourse, I'm thrilled to say, wraps around the entire playing field, providing fans with even more opportunities for great views of the river.  The renovated facility, with HOK being responsible for the design, opened in April, 2004.

If you know of a new minor-league ballpark opening -- or if a franchise shift is afoot -- please contact us to let us know.

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