Facility Friday: Minor League Ballparks, MLS Stadiums and More

The city of Las Vegas just celebrated the grand opening of the Las Vegas Ballpark, the home of the Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate. The $150 million stadium offers 22 premium seats, mesh chairback seating for the grandstands, a party deck, a swimming pool, climate-controlled batting cages and more. — Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Ballpark.
We do minor leagues MAJOR! pic.twitter.com/vDipRrKynT

— Las Vegas Ballpark (@thelvballpark) April 11, 2019

The New York Mets recently broke ground on a $57 million renovation of the team’s spring training facility, First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The project, planned and executed by Philadelphia-based EwingCole, features new amenities for fans and player development. Plans call for a new arrival plaza, a team store, improved restroom and concessions facilities, concourse improvements, an MLB clubhouse, a new, full-sized synthetic turf practice field, a half-sized practice field, bunting fields, four batting tunnels, a 10-pack pitching field and strength and conditioning facilities. The project is expected to be complete before the start of spring training in 2020. — EwingCole

First Data Field [Image courtesy EwingCole]  

As MLS continues to expand, a number of cities are in the running to become the next home of an expansion team. One of those cities, Sacramento, Calif., announced a stadium agreement with MLS that would be contingent on that city receiving an MLS franchise. The agreement would build a $252.2 million, privately-funded stadium complex. New renderings were released on social media, and more details of the agreement were released by the Mayor’s Office of civil engagement. — MLSSoccer.com

SRFC Lead Investor Ron Burkle on the new term sheet:

“We'd like to thank the Mayor, City Council and their teams for putting Sacramento in the best possible place to secure an expansion team that is hopefully announced after the MLS board meeting in April." pic.twitter.com/gfZatPIN9X

— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) April 5, 2019

Sticking with MLS, the group planning to bring a club to Miami, led by world-renowned soccer star David Beckham, released a teaser video for Miami Freedom Park. When built, the stadium will host Inter Miami CF, the MLS franchise which is set to begin play in 2020. The project also includes plans for a training facility and public park space. — MLSSoccer.com

Sneak peek of our new stadium design for @MiaFreedomPark #bebold #freedomtodream pic.twitter.com/m817yE2CKg

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 9, 2019

The University of North Alabama released plans detailing possible designs and locations for a new multi-use stadium that would host the school’s football and soccer programs. School officials have insisted that no decisions have been made yet, but the plans call for 10,000- to 12,000-seat horseshoe-style venue. — Times Daily

The University of North Alabama appears to be inching closer to finding a new home for its football team, but officials are stressing that no formal announcement is imminent. https://t.co/ptvTDdCoiM

— TimesDaily Newspaper (@TimesDaily) April 7, 2019