NelsonCorp Field

NelsonCorp Field is a stadium in Clinton, Iowa. It is primarily used for baseball, and is operated by and is the home field of the Clinton LumberKings collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League. It was built in 1937 and its capacity is roughly 5,500 fans.

NelsonCorp Field
Former namesLumberKings Stadium (2019)
Ashford University Field (2011–2018)
Alliant Energy Field (2002–2011)
Riverview Stadium (1937–2001)
Location537 Ballpark Drive
Clinton, IA 52732
Coordinates41.849265°N 90.185394°W / 41.849265; -90.185394
OwnerCity of Clinton, Iowa
OperatorClinton Baseball Club, Inc. (Clinton LumberKings)
Capacity5,500[1]
Field sizeLeft field: 330 ft (100 m)[1]
Center field: 401 ft (122 m)
Right field: 325 ft (99 m)
SurfaceKentucky Blue Grass
Construction
Broke groundNovember 29, 1935[2]
OpenedMay 9, 1937[2]
Renovated2005–2006[1]
Construction cost$150,000[2]
($2.67 million in 2019 dollars[3])
ArchitectAlbert H. Morrell & Associates[2]
General contractorFred N. Grumstrup[2]
Tenants
Clinton Owls (IIIL) 1937–1941
Clinton LumberKings (MWL/PL) 1954–present
Ashford Saints (NAIA) 2012–2016

History

The construction of Riverview Stadium began in 1935 and completed in 1937 as a Works Progress Administration project, and it beckoned baseball's return after a 19-year hiatus in the city. The Clinton Owls, a Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate in the Three-I League, christened the stadium with a first-place finish that season. The stadium was renamed Alliant Energy Field in 2002 and has undergone several renovation projects in recent years: replacement of entire field lighting system, new home clubhouse, installation of new drainage tiles, expansion of both dugouts and the renovation of covered batting cages. In 2006, the stadium underwent a $4.2 million renovation. On October 1, 2011 the stadium was renamed Ashford University Field.[4][5] That naming rights deal ended after the 2018 season. The stadium was called LumberKings Stadium until a new naming rights deal was announced on May 27, 2019 making it NelsonCorp Field.[6][7]

In 2009, the ballpark played host to the Midwest League All-Star Game as the East All-Stars defeated the West All-Stars 6–3 in front of 2,561 fans.[8]

In 2016, in addition to playing host to the franchise record setting LumberKings (86-54), the field was transformed overnight following game two of the Midwest League Championship to become a football field. The LumberKings played host to Camanche High School Football in the inaugural "LumberBowl." Camanche hosted Williamsburg High School in the game on September 16, 2016. The Raiders of Williamsburg defeated the Indians 55-7.

Following the 2020 season, the LumberKings were cut from the Midwest League and affiliated baseball as part of Major League Baseball's reorganization of the minor leagues.[9] They later joined the Prospect League, a collegiate summer baseball league, for 2021.[10]

Features

Features to the stadium include the Leinenkugel's Lumber Lounge party deck located in right field, the Coors Light Picnic Pavilion and berm in left field, the Dr. Pepper Picnic Garden party area along the left field foul line and bullpen.[11]

References
  1. "Clinton LumberKings: Ballpark". Minor League Baseball. January 30, 2006. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
  2. Benson, Michael (1989). Ballparks of North America: a comprehensive historical reference to baseball grounds, yards, and stadiums, 1845 to present. McFarland. ISBN 0-89950-367-5.
  3. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  4. "History". Minor League Baseball. February 8, 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  5. "Alliant Energy Field Renamed". Clinton Herald. September 8, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  6. "LumberKings to call NelsonCorp Field home". Clinton Herald. May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  7. "New for 2019: NelsonCorp Field". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  8. McNeish, Scott (September 9, 2009). "L'Kings Consider Season a Success". Clinton Herald. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  9. "Full MLB Press Release: MLB cuts Clinton LumberKings". Clinton Herald. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  10. Reichard, Kevin (January 13, 2021). "Clinton LumberKings join Prospect League". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  11. "Group Party Information". Minor League Baseball. February 20, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.