Dr Pepper Ballpark

Dr Pepper Ballpark

Home plate entrance of Dr Pepper Ballpark
Former names Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark (2003–2006)
Location 7300 RoughRiders Trail
Frisco, Texas, U.S. 75034
Coordinates 33°05′54″N 96°49′11″W / 33.098382°N 96.81972°W / 33.098382; -96.81972Coordinates: 33°05′54″N 96°49′11″W / 33.098382°N 96.81972°W / 33.098382; -96.81972
Owner Frisco Baseball LP
Operator Frisco Baseball LP
Capacity 10,316
Field size Left – 335 feet (102 m)
Left Center – 364 feet (111 m)
Center – 409 feet (125 m)
Right Center – 364 feet (111 m)
Right – 335 feet (102 m)
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground February 6, 2002 (2002-02-06)
Opened April 3, 2003 (2003-04-03)
Construction cost $22.7 million
($29.2 million in 2016 dollars[1])
Architect David M. Schwarz
HKS, Inc.
Project manager The Beck Group[2]
Services engineer G.W. Vines[2]
General contractor Centex Construction Co.[2]
Tenants
Frisco RoughRiders (TL) (2003–present)
TXU Energy Winter Games of Texas (2006–present)

Dr Pepper Ballpark (formerly Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark) is the home ballpark of the Frisco RoughRiders Class AA minor league baseball club. Located in Frisco, Texas in the United States, the stadium has a capacity of 10,316.[3] The ballpark is host to numerous functions in addition to minor league baseball games, including corporate and charity events, wedding receptions, city of Frisco events, and church services.[4][5] Local soft drink manufacturer Dr Pepper Snapple Group holds naming rights and exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights in the park.[6][7]

Since its opening in 2003, the Dr Pepper Ballpark has won awards and garnered praise for its unique design, feel, and numerous facilities. In his design, park architect David M. Schwarz desired the creation of a village-like "park within a (ball) park".[8] Dr Pepper Ballpark received the 2003 Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design[9] and was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.[8][10]

History

Former logo of the Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark

In 2001, Mandalay Sports Entertainment, owner of the Shreveport SwampDragons Class AA baseball team, reached an agreement with Southwest Sports Group to move the team to Frisco for the 2003 baseball season. As part of the deal, Southwest Sports Group assumed part-ownership of both the team and the ballpark to be built following the 2002 season.[11] The project, designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, broke ground on February 6, 2002.[12]

The ballpark serves as the anchor for a 74-acre (0.30 km2) $300 million development project near the intersection of State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.[11] The project was jointly funded by the city of Frisco and Southwest Sports Group. Frisco put forth $67 million to build the complex, which was raised through special financing, unconnected to the city tax rate.[12] On January 21, 2003, it was announced that local company Dr Pepper/Seven Up had purchased the naming rights for the new ballpark and retained exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights for an undisclosed amount.[7]

The ballpark opened for its first game on April 3, 2003, a RoughRiders loss to the Tulsa Drillers.[12][13] The RoughRiders earned their first victory in the ballpark the next day, with the RoughRiders' Kurt Airoso hitting the park's first home run.[14]

Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark was renamed Dr Pepper Ballpark on March 31, 2006.[15] On that date, the RoughRiders' Major League affiliate, the Texas Rangers, defeated the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game played at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The sold-out game was the ballpark's first major-league game of any kind.[16] Overall attendance ranked in the top 10 in all classes of minor league baseball during the RoughRiders' first nine seasons. The stadium ranked first in all of Class AA for attendance from 2006-2011.[17] Average attendance at RoughRiders games is 8,000. On average, there are 30 sell-out games per season.

Other events at the ballpark

As baseball is not a year-round event, Dr Pepper Ballpark is used for other functions throughout the year. The ballpark hosts corporate events, such as company softball games and movie nights, in addition to local charity events, such as 5K runs and bike races.[4] Since 2004, the park has hosted the "Tournament of Champions" high school baseball tournament.[18] The Dr Pepper Ballpark was selected to host the 2005 and 2009 Texas League All-Star Game.[19] Beginning in January 2006, Dr Pepper Ballpark has begun hosting the opening ceremonies of the annual TXU Energy Winter Games of Texas.[20] The ballpark also hosts wedding receptions, the opening ceremonies for the Frisco Baseball and Softball Association,[21] city of Frisco events, and church services.[5]

Architecture

The interior of the ballpark, toward home plate from right field. The RoughRiders are playing against the Midland RockHounds in this image.
From behind home plate, the Embassy Suites where visiting teams stay is visible. The RoughRiders are playing against the Midland RockHounds in this image.
A demonstration of the "park within a park" dynamic behind the building in center field. Spectators may walk around the entire park using this path.

Following its construction in 2003, the Dr Pepper Ballpark received the Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design for 2003 and the surrounding sports complex received the Best Sports and Entertainment award for 2003.[9] It was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.[8][10] MinorLeagueNews.com has also named the park No. 2 on its top ten minor league ballparks for 2004 and No. 7 for 2005.[22]

The design of the Dr Pepper Ballpark was spearheaded by David M. Schwarz. Schwarz had a stated goal of creating a "park within a (ball)park" in the stadium. To achieve this effect, the nine interconnected pavilions, where concessions, restrooms, and luxury suites are located, are built separately from the main seating area. The space between these pavilions allows for improved air flow in the Texas heat; the wind can move through the buildings and is not impeded by their presence.[8] Constructed of James Hardie fiber cement siding, architectural critics have commented that their layout and material choice enhances the village-like feel of the ballpark, giving it a "coastal Galveston aesthetic".[9] Others have commented that the design is very reminiscent of Churchill Downs in Kentucky.[8]

The seating area is populated by just under 8,000 open-air fold-down stadium seats. Combined with general admission for standing room-only and grass berm seating, the stadium can hold a capacity crowd of over 10,000. The concourse area, between the pavilions and the seating area, wraps completely around the ballpark. Critics have commented positively on the 360° views afforded by this construction choice.[23]

Facilities

In addition to fixed stadium seats, the ballpark also features 26 luxury suites located on the second level of the ballpark, which feature patio balconies from which to view the game and closed-circuit television feeds of the game.[24] Also unusual, the bullpens for each team are built into the stands behind the first and third base lines. This has received a mixed reaction from critics, with some calling it "contrived" and "pointless".[23] In the outfield, seating is available on the grass area. This area is branded "San Juan Hill", after the Battle of San Juan Hill in which the team's namesake Rough Riders fought.[25]

The park features a pool built just past the wall in right field, level with the top of the outfield fence. Groups can rent out the pool during the game.[26] Four exclusive members-only areas have also been set up around the park. The most prominent of these "Founder's Areas," is the JCPenney Club, a private, air-conditioned bar and restaurant situated below the press box behind home plate.[27]

Non-architectural critical reaction

Critics have taken issue with ticket prices at the ballpark, set at $7, $15, and $18. While less expensive than ticket prices for major league ballparks, prices are among the highest in all minor league classes.[23] However, the ballpark has seen strong attendance despite these ticket prices. The ballpark runs a number of specials throughout the year including "Friends & Family" where 4 tickets, 4 hats and 4 value meals to a restaurant cost less than $10 a ticket. It also has a "High 5 Plan" where a block of 5 games (roughly one game each month) start at $9 a game, or a $19 ticket that includes all you can eat food and drink. In its inaugural season, Dr Pepper Ballpark had an attendance of 675,620, ranking it fourth overall in minor league baseball attendance for the year.[28] The ballpark sold out for 53 RoughRiders home games that season.

Ground rules

The following are the baseball ground rules for the Dr Pepper Ballpark.[29]

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "2003 Top Projects". McGraw-Hill. 2003.
  3. ↑ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (14 November 2012). "Dr Pepper Ballpark / Frisco RoughRiders". Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Cyclist Maps for the SAM'S CLUB MS 150". MS 150 Dallas. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  5. 1 2 Arnold, Lauri (May 15, 2003). "Prestonwood hosts community sunrise service". Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  6. ↑ "Dr Pepper Ballpark: Corporate Sponsors". Frisco RoughRiders. March 19, 2009. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  7. 1 2 "Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark". Frisco RoughRiders. January 21, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Mock, Joe. "Frisco's Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark". Baseball Parks. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
  9. 1 2 3 "Texas Construction's Best of 2003 Awards" (PDF). Engineering News-Record. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  10. 1 2 "The Best Ballpark". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  11. 1 2 "Southwest Sports Group and Mandalay Sports Entertainment Join Forces to Bring Professional Baseball". Frisco RoughRiders. December 3, 2001. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  12. 1 2 3 "Frisco Professional Baseball Stadium Underway; Ballpark will Open in Time for 2003 Season". Frisco RoughRiders. February 6, 2002. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  13. ↑ "SOLD OUT. RoughRiders sold every seat in the house Opening Night". Frisco RoughRiders. April 1, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Riders Come Up Short in the 9th?". Frisco RoughRiders. April 7, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  15. ↑ "RoughRiders, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages to Rename Ballpark" (PDF). Dr. Pepper/7Up Bottling Group. March 31, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
  16. ↑ Sins, Ken (March 31, 2006). "Trio of Homers Enough for Rangers". Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  17. ↑ "'Riders Lead Double-A in Attendance in 2011". Frisco RoughRiders. October 3, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  18. ↑ "First Ever "Tournament of Champions" at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark is Almost Here". Frisco RoughRiders. March 10, 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark Takes Star Turn". Texas League. June 17, 2005. Retrieved August 2, 2006.
  20. ↑ "2006 Winter Games of Texas". Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2006.
  21. ↑ "Everything AND the Kitchen Sink". Frisco RoughRiders. March 26, 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark – No. 7 Pick in the MLN Top Ten (10) Minor League Ballparks 2005". MLN Sports Zone – A Minor League News Magazine. April 21, 2005. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
  23. 1 2 3 Merzbach, Brian. "Dr. Pepper / 7-Up Ballpark – Frisco, Texas". Ballpark Review. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  24. ↑ "The Voice of Business Reason Has Spoken". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  25. ↑ "RoughRider Rainout Sent Crowd of 10,000-plus Home Early". Frisco RoughRiders. April 6, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  26. ↑ "The New Definition of Cool". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  27. ↑ "JCPenney Club". Frisco Ballpark Events. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Frisco Fans Part of Record Setting Year". Frisco RoughRiders. September 26, 2003. Retrieved July 15, 2006.
  29. ↑ Dr Pepper Ballpark (May 20, 2006). Dr Pepper Ballpark Ground Rules. Retrieved on August 8, 2006.
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