Dr Pepper Ballpark
Encyclopedia
Dr Pepper 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 10,600. 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. Local soft drink
manufacturer Dr Pepper Snapple Group
holds naming rights and exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights in the park.
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". Dr Pepper Ballpark received the 2003 Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design and was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.
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. The project, designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, broke ground on February 6, 2002.
The ballpark serves as the anchor for a 74 acre (0.29946764 km²) US$
300 million development project near the intersection of State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway
. 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. 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.
The ballpark opened for its first game on April 3, 2003, a RoughRiders loss to the Tulsa Drillers
. The RoughRiders earned their first victory in the ballpark the next day, with the RoughRiders's Kurt Airoso hitting the park's first home run.
Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark was renamed Dr Pepper Ballpark on March 31, 2006. On that date, the RoughRiders's Major League affiliate
, the Texas Rangers
, defeated the Florida Marlins
in an exhibition match played at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The sold-out game was the ballpark's first major league game of any kind. Overall attendance has ranked in the top 10 in all classes of minor league baseball during the RoughRiders's first three seasons. The stadium ranked first in all of Class AA in attendance in 2005. Average attendance at RoughRiders games is 8,000. On average, there are thirty sell-out games per season.
and bike races. Since 2004, the park has hosted the "Tournament of Champions" high school baseball tournament.
The Dr Pepper Ballpark was selected to host the 2005 Texas League
All-Star Game. Beginning in January 2006, Dr Pepper Ballpark has begun hosting the opening ceremonies of the annual TXU Energy Winter Games of Texas
. The ballpark also hosts wedding receptions, the opening ceremonies for the Frisco Baseball and Softball Association, city of Frisco events, and church services.
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. It was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com. MinorLeagueNews.com has also named the park number two on its top ten minor league ballparks for 2004 and number seven for 2005.
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. Constructed of 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". Others have commented that the design is very reminiscent of Churchill Downs
in Kentucky
.
The seating area is populated by 8,800 open-air fold-down stadium seats. The concourse area, between the pavilions and the seating area, wraps completely around the ballpark. Critics have commented positively on the 360 degree views afforded by this construction choice.
s 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". 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.
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. Three exclusive members-only areas have also been set up around the park. The most prominent of these "Founder's Club" areas, situated below the press box behind home plate, is a private, air-conditioned bar and restaurant.
for the Dr Pepper Ballpark.
Baseball park
A baseball park, also known as a baseball stadium, ball park, or ballpark is a venue where baseball is played. It consists of the playing field and the surrounding spectator seating...
of the Frisco RoughRiders
Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains...
Class AA minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
club. Located in Frisco
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the stadium has a capacity of 10,600. 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. Local soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
manufacturer Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. is an American soft drink company, based in Plano, Texas.It was spun off from Britain's Cadbury Schweppes, on May 5, 2008, with trading in its shares starting on May 7, 2008...
holds naming rights and exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights in the park.
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". Dr Pepper Ballpark received the 2003 Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design and was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.
History
Mandalay Sports Entertainment
Mandalay Sports Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mandalay Entertainment Group. MSE owns a number of minor-league baseball teams, via its Mandalay Baseball subsidiary, and is responsible for managing several more.-Teams owned:-Teams managed:...
, 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. The project, designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, broke ground on February 6, 2002.
The ballpark serves as the anchor for a 74 acre (0.29946764 km²) US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
300 million development project near the intersection of State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway
Dallas North Tollway
The Dallas North Tollway is a controlled-access toll road operated by the North Texas Tollway Authority , which runs from Interstate 35E near downtown Dallas, Texas , to U.S...
. 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. On January 21, 2003, it was announced that local company Dr Pepper/Seven Up
Dr Pepper/Seven Up
Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. was a Plano, Texas-based soft-drink manufacturing company created by the merger of Dr Pepper, Inc. and The Seven Up Company on May 19, 1986. The merger was a result of the independent bailouts of both companies and the subsequent FTC blockage of a Dr Pepper merger with...
had purchased the naming rights for the new ballpark and retained exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights for an undisclosed amount.
The ballpark opened for its first game on April 3, 2003, a RoughRiders loss to the Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
. The RoughRiders earned their first victory in the ballpark the next day, with the RoughRiders's Kurt Airoso hitting the park's first home run.
Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark was renamed Dr Pepper Ballpark on March 31, 2006. On that date, the RoughRiders's Major League affiliate
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
, the Texas Rangers
2006 Texas Rangers season
The 'Texas Rangers' finished the 2006 season in 3rd place of the West Division of the American League. They had two players feature in the 2006 All-Star Game: Michael Young who in his 3rd appearance was named the All Star Game's Most Valuable Player; and Gary Matthews, Jr...
, defeated the Florida Marlins
2006 Florida Marlins season
The 2006 Florida Marlins season was the 14th in Marlins franchise history; an American Major League Baseball team based in Miami Gardens, Florida. They finished the season in fourth place in the National League East Division...
in an exhibition match played at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The sold-out game was the ballpark's first major league game of any kind. Overall attendance has ranked in the top 10 in all classes of minor league baseball during the RoughRiders's first three seasons. The stadium ranked first in all of Class AA in attendance in 2005. Average attendance at RoughRiders games is 8,000. On average, there are thirty 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 runs5000 metres
The 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
and bike races. Since 2004, the park has hosted the "Tournament of Champions" high school baseball tournament.
The Dr Pepper Ballpark was selected to host the 2005 Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star Game. Beginning in January 2006, Dr Pepper Ballpark has begun hosting the opening ceremonies of the annual TXU Energy Winter Games of Texas
Games of Texas
The Games of Texas are a series of amateur Olympic-style events held each summer and winter in the U.S. state of Texas. They are organized by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation and are part of the National Congress of State Games...
. The ballpark also hosts wedding receptions, the opening ceremonies for the Frisco Baseball and Softball Association, city of Frisco events, and church services.
Architecture
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. Constructed of fiber cement siding
Fiber cement siding
Fiber cement siding is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications.-Usage:...
, architectural critics have commented that their layout and material choice enhances the village-like feel of the ballpark, giving it a "coastal Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
aesthetic". Others have commented that the design is very reminiscent of Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, located in Central Avenue in south Louisville, Kentucky, United States, is a Thoroughbred racetrack most famous for hosting the Kentucky Derby annually. It officially opened in 1875, and held the first Kentucky Derby and the first Kentucky Oaks in the same year. Churchill Downs...
in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
.
The seating area is populated by 8,800 open-air fold-down stadium seats. The concourse area, between the pavilions and the seating area, wraps completely around the ballpark. Critics have commented positively on the 360 degree views afforded by this construction choice.
Facilities
In addition to fixed stadium seats, the ballpark also features twenty-seven 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. Also unusual, the bullpenBullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
s 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". In the outfield, seating is available on the grass area. This area is branded "San Juan Hill", after the Battle of San Juan Hill
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
in which the team's namesake Rough Riders
Rough Riders
The Rough Riders is the name bestowed on the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments raised in 1898 for the Spanish-American War and the only one of the three to see action. The United States Army was weakened and left with little manpower after the American Civil War...
fought.
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. Three exclusive members-only areas have also been set up around the park. The most prominent of these "Founder's Club" areas, situated below the press box behind home plate, is a private, air-conditioned bar and restaurant.
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. However, the ballpark has seen strong attendance despite these ticket prices. It should be noted that the ballpark runs a number of specials throughout the year including "McDonald's Friends & Family" where you receive 4 tickets, 4 hats and 4 McDonald's Happy Meals for less than $10 a ticket. It has a "High 5 Plan" where you buy a block of 5 games (roughly one game each month) and one of the options is paying $18 for a ticket, but that includes all you can eat food and drink ($9 for the seat, $9 for the all you can eat option). In its inaugural season, Dr Pepper Ballpark had an attendance of 675,620, ranking it fourth overall in all minor league baseball attendance for the year. The ballpark sold out for 53 RoughRiders home games that season, drawing an all-time high attendance of 11,836 on July 4, 2003.Ground rules
The following are the baseball ground rulesGround rules (baseball)
In baseball, ground rules are special rules particular to each baseball park in which the game is played. Unlike the well-defined playing field of most other sports, the playing area of a baseball field extends to an outfield fence in fair territory and the stadium seating in foul territory...
for the Dr Pepper Ballpark.
- A baseball hit above the yellow line in outfield is considered a home run.
- A baseball that hits the yellow fair line below the fence is in play.
- A baseball that hits the yellow fair line above the fence is a home run.
- No player is allowed to climb the stairwell leading into the bullpens to catch a ball.
- If a ball gets caught in one of the grates leading into the stands the ball is considered dead and the base runner is allowed one base.
- A player is only allowed to catch a fly ball on the first step of the dugout. If the player has one foot on the first step and his other foot on the second step the ball is ruled non-playable and the player is not allowed to catch it.
- If a player catches a ball and falls into the dugout the batter is ruled out and the base runner is allowed one base.
- If a baseball hits anywhere on the dugout it is considered out of play.
- If a baseball hits the green fence the ball is in play.
- A player is allowed to lean on the tarp to catch a fly ball, but not stand on the tarp.
- On the backstop at the top left and right corners is a metal wire that holds the backstop up and if a ball hits it and deflects foul, then the ball is foul; however, if a ball deflects into fair play, then it is in play.