Instead of sitting dormant during the winter months, Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians, will open its gates to the public for the first time in the off-season during what will be called "Indians Snow Days." Beginning on Nov. 26 - "Snopening Day" - and running through Jan. 2, 2011, the stadium will host activities with such cool names as the Batterhorn (snow tubing), the Frozen Mile (ice skating), Slider's Snow Mountain play area, the Winter Haven walking trail and a Home Run Porch, where attendees can congregate to watch activities, stay warm by a fire pit and purchase concessions. Each day, stadium crews will blanket Progressive Field with 150 tons of fresh snow; that's more than 5,000 tons of snow over the course of the event.
Prices range from $5 to $25 depending on the activities desired, and "family packs" are available for $100. "We are uniquely positioned and staffed to put on special events," Bob DiBiasio, the team's vice president of public relations, told MLB.com. "We decided to take advantage of some silent time during the wintertime. ... This whole thing is based on how can we make ultimate use of this facility for 12 months, not just six months."
Similar events have been staged at minor league ballparks, according to Cleveland news radio station NHL's Winter Classic, which has been staged at Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.
