This past offseason in Major League Baseball has seen an array of facility renovations conducted around the league. Some were done to provide more communal areas increasingly popular with younger fans, while others were part of larger rehabilitation projects or simply to stay fresh and current with evolving needs. A review of several of the new projects for 2017:
FENWAY PARK, BOSTON
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Fenway projects include work on Pesky’s Pole and a moveable bullpen wall.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES |
What’s happened: A series of projects — though not necessarily on the scale of the decade-long, $280 million revamp of the ballpark — will still be immediately visible and impactful. Among the changes are 124 new dugout-level seats, a restoration to the right field foul pole historically called Pesky’s Pole, a new moveable bullpen wall to allow for easier conversions to non-baseball events, and a new right field grandstand seating area.
WRIGLEY FIELD, CHICAGO
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A new public plaza outside Wrigley Field will debut around midseason.
Photo by: CHICAGO CUBS |
What’s happened: Part of the much larger, $750 million 1060 Project that is transforming both the ballpark and its immediate surroundings over a multiyear period, this season’s changes include the movement of the previously on-field bullpens to under the bleachers, upgraded seating behind home plate, and the team’s new office building. A large public plaza outside of Wrigley Field, long positioned as a focal point of the entire neighborhood overhaul, is slated to debut around midseason.
PROGRESSIVE FIELD, CLEVELAND
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Work on suites at Progressive Field will allow for larger groups.
Photo by: CLEVELAND INDIANS |
What’s happened: Suite holders at Progressive Field who extended their contracts received cosmetic and size upgrades, and several suites were installed with modular walls to allow for larger groups. Such large-scale luxury areas were under-represented in club inventory following the loss of three party suites in prior renovations. The new areas arrive with a surge in attendance expected this season following the Indians’ American League championship in 2016. The press box also received new windows, exterior plaza concrete was replaced, and new security systems were installed.
MINUTE MAID PARK, HOUSTON
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New seating, food options replace Tal’s Hill at Minute Maid Park.
Photo by: HOUSTON ASTROS |
What’s happened: Tal’s Hill, the much-debated center field incline in place since the ballpark’s 2000 opening and named for former team President Tal Smith, is now gone. In its place, beyond the center field wall will be a series of new seating options and food and beverage locations, and a new premium group seating area. The changes brought in the ballpark’s center field wall from 436 feet away from home plate to 409 feet, a shift that should yield an increase in home runs in that area. The flagpole that was in play as part of Tal’s Hill is now located beyond the fence. The Astros also have installed additional escalators at the ballpark to improve fan access.
MILLER PARK, MILWAUKEE
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Miller Park uses a neighborhood concept to organize concessions.
Photo by: MILWAUKEE BREWERS |
What’s happened: The Brewers overhauled food and beverage operations, described as the largest club-funded renovation to publicly owned Miller Park since it opened in 2001. Aided by concessionaire Delaware North, hospitality consultant John Sergi and local restaurant group Hospitality Democracy, the new work expands the availability of distinct Milwaukee fare and employs a “neighborhood” concept of dividing up the ballpark’s food and beverage options, similar to approaches used by many other teams.
— Compiled by Eric Fisher
