Clipper Magazine Stadium

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Clipper Magazine Stadium

Location	650 North Prince Street Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
Broke ground	April 28, 2004
Opened	May 11, 2005
Owner	Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster
Operator	Keystone Baseball, LLC; Lancaster Barnstormers
Construction cost	$23.4 million
Architect	Tetra Tech, Inc.
Tenants
Lancaster Barnstormers (2005-present)
Seats
6,000, expandable to 7,500
Dimensions
Left Field: 320 ft (97.536 m) Left Center: 409 ft (124.6632 m) Center Field: 400 ft (121.92 m) Right Center: 363 ft (110.6424 m) Right Field: 300 ft (91.44 m) Wall: 17 ft (5.1816 m)

Clipper Magazine Stadium is a 6,000-seat baseball-only stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that opened on May 11, 2005, with a loss against the Atlantic City Surf. It was built as a new home of the Lancaster Barnstormers baseball team, the first in Lancaster in 44 years. As ground broke for Lancaster's new stadium, a local company, Clipper Magazine, purchased the naming rights.^[1]The stadium features menu items produced in Lancaster County such as hot dogs, Philly-style cheesesteaks, pizza, beer, sandwiches and wraps, barbecue, and funnel cakes. Clipper Magazine Stadium also features a carousel for children and a display that provides information about Lancaster's baseball history.^[2]

Clipper Magazine Stadium hosts a Hispanic Heritage Night celebration once every season in coordination with the city of Lancaster's annual Puerto Rican Festival, which is in its 27th year. In addition to honoring Lancaster's Hispanic community, the Barnstormers team wears special tie-dyed jerseys, the proceeds of which are donated to the Spanish-American Lancaster Sports Association (SALSA) and Play Ball USA.^[3]^[4]

The 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Game will be played in Clipper Magazine Stadium on July 21. The Game and its related festivities will showcase Lancaster County and celebrate the tenth season of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.^[5]

1 History
2 Ballpark Attractions
- 2.1 The Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

Clipper Magazine paid $2.5 million for naming rights over 10 years.

Forty-four years before the opening of Clipper Magazine Stadium and the Lancaster Barnstormers' inaugural season, the Lancaster Red Roses entertained baseball enthusiasts for 20 years at Stumpf Field. Efforts for a new stadium and a new team began in 1987, and what was a long, 16-year battle finally paid off with an announcement in 2003. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agreed to fund roughly half of the cost with Keystone Professional Baseball and the city of Lancaster covering the remainder. Originally, the stadium was slated to be constructed in Manheim Township, but the plans never materialized due to some controversy. One politican wanted to use eminent domain to take over some farmland to build the stadium on, and another wanted to build a stadium in an area that already was plauged with traffic problems. Most local politicians preferred a downtown ballpark in order to revitalize a run-down neighborhood. The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster settled on a site on the corner of North Prince and Frederick streets, where a company called Ace Rents had existed. Initially Ace Rents stalled the process, but quickly came to an agreement as they did not want to be a bump in the road. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 28, 2004 and Clipper Magazine Stadium was finished just before it opened on May 11, 2005.

Prior to the ballpark's opening, a local, free-distribution periodical company called Clipper Magazine purchased the naming rights for $2.5 million over ten years.

Exterior of Clipper Magazine Stadium.

[edit] Ballpark Attractions

View from the outfield.

Stadel Volvo Kids' Park-Provides entertainment for children with a carousel, jungle gyms, a climbing wall, and various inflatibles.
Turkey Hill Birthday Zone-A facility to celebrate that special day at the ballpark.
Cylo's Clubhouse-More entertainment for children featuring the Barnstormers' mascot, Cylo, a large red cow.
Coors Light Home Run Pavilion-Features local food items such as cheesesteaks, Pennsylvania Dutch quarter-pound hot dogs, whoopie pies, Tastykakes, Turkey Hill ice cream, and regular ballpark food. The Pavilion also features beer from the Lancaster Brewing Company, Stoudt's Brewing Company, and Coors.
History of Lancaster Baseball-An illustration of Lancaster County's baseball history.
The Inside Corner Gift Shop-Official Lancaster Barnstormers team apparel and souvenirs.
Richard M. Scott Mural-A mural dedicated to former mayor, Richard M. Scott, who initiated the effort to bring baseball back to Lancaster. It is located at the Home Plate entrance of the ballpark.
Lawn Seating-Allows even more fans, with blankets or lawn chairs, to watch the game. There is also some bleacher seating along the walls (first come, first serve) along left field. Expands the official capacity to over 7,500.

[edit] The Ice Park at Clipper Magazine Stadium

Like Rockefeller Center in New York, Clipper Magazine Stadium becomes a public ice-skating rink during the winter months. The pitcher's mound is removed, the infield is covered with sheets of ice, and the concessions serve ballpark fare as well as soup, coffee, and hot chocolate so that the community can continue to enjoy the ballpark in the off-season.^[6]

Clipper Magazine Stadium is located in the northwestern corner of Lancaster City and is bordered by Harrisburg Pike to the southwest, North Prince Street to the east, and West Ross Street to the north.

[edit] References

^ Clipper Magazine Buys Naming Rights. Clipper Magazine. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.
^ About Clipper Magazine Stadium. Lancaster Barnstormers. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.
^ Puerto Rican Festival. Lancaster Online. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.
^ Hispanic Heritage Night at the Clip. Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Retrieved on September 18, 2006.
^ Clipper Magazine Stadium to host All-Star Game. Atlantic League. Retrieved on July 15, 2006.
^ Clipper Magazine Stadium becomes ice-skating rink. Atlantic League. Retrieved on November 7, 2006.

[edit] External links

Preceded by: Stumpf Field 1938–1961	Home of the Lancaster Barnstormers 2005–present	Succeeded by: Current

Stadiums of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
North Division: The Ballpark at Harbor Yard • Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium • Citibank Park South Division: Campbell's Field • Clipper Magazine Stadium • Commerce Bank Ballpark • Sovereign Bank Stadium Future Stadiums: Regency Furniture Stadium