West End Field
Encyclopedia
Fluor Field at the West End is a 5,700-seat baseball-only stadium in Greenville, South Carolina
that opened on April 6, 2006. Designed by architectural firm DLR Group
, it was built as a new home of the Greenville Drive
baseball team, the A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
. Fluor Field nearly replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park
, home of the Red Sox. The ballpark has its own "Green Monster
" replica, a 30-foot high wall in left field as opposed to the 37-foot one found at Fenway, and contains a manual scoreboard. Every other dimension is to the same specifications as Fenway Park, including "Pesky’s Pole" in right field. Other than the tribute to Fenway, Fluor Field also pays tribute to the Greenville area as the ballpark's nostalgic look utilizes reclaimed bricks from local mills. As is the tradition in Fenway Park, Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline
" is sung in the middle of the eighth inning.
In 2007, the Greenville Drive privately funded the enhancement of Fluor Field at a cost of approximately $15 million. One of these enhancements include a display regarding Greenville's baseball heritage with information about players who were either born or played in the upstate region.
On Tuesday, February 26, 2008 the stadium was officially renamed to Fluor Field at the West End. The new name will be displayed throughout the stadium starting April 3, opening day of the Greenville Drive's 2008 season. The field was named for Fluor Corporation, a major local employer.
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
that opened on April 6, 2006. Designed by architectural firm DLR Group
DLR Group
DLR Group is an architectural design firm providing architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design to clients throughout the United States...
, it was built as a new home of the Greenville Drive
Greenville Drive
The Greenville Drive is a minor league baseball team that plays in Greenville, South Carolina. They are a Class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and a member of the South Atlantic League. Prior to the 2005 SAL season, the team played in Columbia, South Carolina, was affiliated with the New York...
baseball team, the A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Fluor Field nearly replicates the dimensions of Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, home of the Red Sox. The ballpark has its own "Green Monster
Green Monster
The Green Monster is a popular nickname for the thirty-seven foot , two-inch high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team...
" replica, a 30-foot high wall in left field as opposed to the 37-foot one found at Fenway, and contains a manual scoreboard. Every other dimension is to the same specifications as Fenway Park, including "Pesky’s Pole" in right field. Other than the tribute to Fenway, Fluor Field also pays tribute to the Greenville area as the ballpark's nostalgic look utilizes reclaimed bricks from local mills. As is the tradition in Fenway Park, Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline
Sweet Caroline
"Sweet Caroline" is a pop song written and performed by Neil Diamond and officially released on September 16, 1969, as a single. It was later released on December 9, 1972 as a part of Diamond's Hot August Night album. There are three distinct mixes of this song...
" is sung in the middle of the eighth inning.
In 2007, the Greenville Drive privately funded the enhancement of Fluor Field at a cost of approximately $15 million. One of these enhancements include a display regarding Greenville's baseball heritage with information about players who were either born or played in the upstate region.
On Tuesday, February 26, 2008 the stadium was officially renamed to Fluor Field at the West End. The new name will be displayed throughout the stadium starting April 3, opening day of the Greenville Drive's 2008 season. The field was named for Fluor Corporation, a major local employer.
Ballpark Attractions
- BMW Performance Center Suites
- Coca-Cola Dugout
- The Upper Deck
- 300 Picnic Plateau
- Spinx 500 Club
- Bi-Lo Playground
- The Shoeless Joe Museum and Baseball Library is located adjacent to the stadium. It is the former home of Shoeless Joe JacksonShoeless Joe JacksonJoseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...
.
Trivia
- Nickname: Little Fenway.
- First Pitch: Phil SeibelPhil SeibelPhilip Matthew Seibel is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.-Biography:Seibel attended the University of Texas, where he pitched for the Texas Longhorns baseball team from 1998-2000. He also pitched for Team USA in 1999.His professional career began in 2000 when he was drafted in...
, on April 6, 2006 at 7:35 PM. - First Hit: Jesús Soto, on April 6, 2006, in the 4th inning.
- First Drive Hit: Jeff Natale, April 6, 2006, in the 4th inning.
- First Home run: Jesús Soto, April 6, 2006, in the 4th inning.
- First Drive Home run: Jeff Natale, April 6, 2006, in the 4th inning.
- Highest season attendance: 339,810 (2007)