Creating go-to destinations and a variety of seating experiences for fans — including for those who want to stand and socialize — is front of mind as MLB ballparks debut new and renovated spaces for the 2019 season.
The Minnesota Twins, for example, spent between $5 million and $6 million on offseason improvements at Target Field, including expanding a busy gate area and creating a 9,300-square-foot marketplace pavilion called the Gate 34 Experience. Twins President and CEO Dave St. Peter said the goal was to improve ingress and create a new flexible space for rotating concessions and merchandise.
“We think we can do food and beverage concepts there,” St. Peter said. “We think we can do other types of retail concepts there.”
The space also will have 5,600 square feet of artificial turf with lawn games.
“We are going to test a lot of different concepts in that space. It’s right in the ballpark’s front door,” St. Peter said.
Other teams and ballparks are also rolling out new and renovated spaces on Opening Day. Here is a sampling.
philadelphia phillies
Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
What’s new: The Phillies and concessionaire Aramark are bringing a new beer garden, sports pub and brick-oven pizza restaurant to a former McFadden’s bar on the third base side of the ballpark. It is being branded as Pass and Stow, the names of two foundry workers who recast the Liberty Bell.
Speaking of that civic landmark, the team will display a replica of the bell that used to hang at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies’ home from 1971 through 2003. There also will be a new 120-seat Shake Shack restaurant adjacent to the new beer garden, and Aramark is renovating the 6,160-square-foot team shop.
oakland a’s
Oakland Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)
What’s new: The A’s have added premium-seating areas, including: The Terrace, with 18 four-person half-moon tables; Lounge Seats, with 32 pairs of plush living-room style chairs; and eight new Coppola Theater boxes that seat between four and six fans and are branded after Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
A former outfield club area has been converted into a new kids and family area called the Stomping Ground and a new Budweiser-branded grab-and-go market has opened on the lower level. North Carolina-based 4Topps Premium Seating is putting in tables, drink rails in the new premium areas as well as mesh seats behind home plate.
cincinnati reds
Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds)
What’s new: The 16,000-square-foot Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum at the ballpark is reopening after a $5 million renovation. The hall, which first opened in 2004 and was closed for upgrades last Nov. 1, is sponsored by Dinsmore law firm.
miami marlins
Marlins Park (Miami Marlins)
What’s new: The Marlins have ditched the Homer statue in left-center field, replacing the 73-foot-tall, multicolored sculpture with a new Center Field Zone and SRO Social Section. The outfield areas feature drink rails and standing areas for socializing fans. They will have a combined capacity of 600 and are designed by MSA Sport.
SRO Social Passes start at $10 per game, but there also will be a group-seating option and fans will be allowed to hang out and pass through even without those tickets.
st. louis cardinals
Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
What’s new: Six premium party suites have been renovated and upgraded. They each seat 30 to 36 and will have full-service bars, special catering and inclusive food and drink packages. The Cardinals also have partnered with PlanLED Inc. and GigaTera to install new LED lighting systems at the stadium.
tampa bay rays
Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Rays)
What’s new: The Rays are cutting capacity from 31,000 to 25,025 by taking out upper-deck seats. A new premium bar area called the Left Field Ledge will debut with drink rails and group areas. Two gates have been redesigned and new LED lighting has been installed throughout the ballpark. Plunkett Raysich Architects designed the renovations.
chicago white sox
Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago White Sox)
What’s new: The White Sox have converted two outfield sections into a new area focused on beer and named after Goose Island Beer Co. The 324-person Goose Island space has 80 beers, standing and social areas, and seating sections for season-ticket holders. The latter get digital tickets loaded with $20 per game to spend on food, as well as wait staff and new leather seating with charging ports and television screens.
“We are trying to customize the ballpark experience for our fans,” said Brooks Boyer, senior vice president of marketing and sales for White Sox.
