In keeping with prior years, this past offseason once again saw an array of MLB ballpark renovations and improvements. Some continued the trend of building communal areas increasingly popular with younger fans, while others were aimed at keeping up with increasing fan demands around technology and food. And all 30 clubs this season will have expanded protective netting that extends at least to the far ends of both dugouts. Let’s run the bases on several of the new projects for 2018.
— Compiled by Eric Fisher
Artwork courtesy of the teams
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Oakland
What’s happened: The A’s are still trying to get a new ballpark, but while that process moves along, the club is still dressing up the 52-year-old Coliseum. New this year are The Treehouse, a 10,000-square-foot communal area that includes a redwood patio deck, interior seating, and drink rails, along with The Farm, an urban garden area in which produce will be grown and sold to benefit an East Oakland nonprofit.
Angel Stadium
Anaheim
What’s happened: A series of new Daktronics video boards have been installed, including a 9,500-square-foot display that will be the league’s third largest behind Cleveland and Seattle. The right field boundary line for a home run was lowered from 18 feet to 8 feet due to the installation of a new out-of-town scoreboard and a desire to make the home run boundary more neutral between hitters and pitchers. But it could be a boon for newly acquired Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, a left-handed hitter.
Target Field
Minnesota
What’s happened: Only 8 years old, the highly regarded Target Field still was the subject of significant offseason work, with an expanded main concourse near the ballpark’s right field to ease fan congestion, and the creation of a Bat & Barrel club space open to all fans that replaces the prior Metropolitan Club. The new club will feature the permanent display of the Twins’ World Series trophies from 1987 and 1991 and other prominent awards won by Twins players.
Coors Field
Colorado
What’s happened: The 25th anniversary season for the Rockies will feature a dramatic 8,369-square-foot scoreboard made by Daktronics that is 258 percent larger than the prior board and is shaped at the top like a mountain range. Other work at the ballpark includes new control room technology and a sound system to pair with the new scoreboard, a renovated home clubhouse, and improvements on the ballpark’s club level.
Wrigley Field
Chicago
What’s happened: The multiyear 1060 Project brought huge changes last year to Wrigleyville. The 2018 rollout features the opening of the boutique Hotel Zachary across the street from the ballpark, the new American Airlines 1914 Club behind home plate, slightly relocated dugouts, upgraded mobile and Wi-Fi service, and refurbished concession stands.
Chase Field
Arizona
What’s happened: While the club and Maricopa County continue to battle over the need for and funding of renovations to the 20-year-old facility, new elements continue to be introduced at the ballpark. Following last year’s successful rollout of the PetSmart Patio for pet-owning fans, this year’s new elements include a 20th anniversary interactive display and museum celebrating two decades for the club in the desert, upgraded Wi-Fi service, cabana seating behind center field, and a chicken eatery named for team legend Luis Gonzalez.
