Zion Ballpark
Encyclopedia
Fielders Stadium is a baseball park
in Zion, Illinois
, nicknamed "A Diamond on the Border" and "Lake County's Field of Dreams," and is home to the Lake County Fielders
of the North American League
. The ballpark was to be located on the corner of 9th Street and Green Bay Road in the Trumpet Park business park in Zion.
The new ballpark calls for many of the same features, as well as a movie theater and "ballpark village" setting around the stadium. Construction has yet to begin.
across the border in Kenosha, Wisconsin
, because of Zion Ballpark's finance problems. The Fielders would eventually move back to Zion on July 2, playing at a field that was not much more than a field and bleachers. On Monday, July 26, the Fielders will play their first night game in Zion, as lights have been installed.
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...
in Zion, Illinois
Zion, Illinois
Zion is a city in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The population was 22,866 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 24,303 as of 2005. The city was founded in July 1901 by John Alexander Dowie. He also started the Zion Tabernacle of the Christian Catholic Apostolic Church, which was the only...
, nicknamed "A Diamond on the Border" and "Lake County's Field of Dreams," and is home to the Lake County Fielders
Lake County Fielders
The Lake County Fielders are a professional minor league baseball team based in Zion, Illinois, located in Lake County in the northern reaches of the Chicago area...
of the North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
. The ballpark was to be located on the corner of 9th Street and Green Bay Road in the Trumpet Park business park in Zion.
Funding problems
Before the property for the stadium had been secured, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 5, 2009, at a warehouse adjacent to the ballpark's future site. In February 2010, with construction yet to begin on the land that had yet to be purchased, the Fielders announced that they would downsize their plans for the stadium in order to complete the park in time for its June 11 opening day. Eventually, when the city of Zion proved unable to secure funding for the purchase of the property, the city announced in April 2010 that the stadium site was moved several blocks south to a new location at the corner of Illinois State 173 and Green Bay Road. For the 2010 season, Zion and the Fielders hope to build a temporary facility that will resemble a "county fair" setting while construction continues during the season. Temporary bleachers and party decks will be erected around the field.Details
The state of the art ballpark was to have a capacity of 7,000 spectators, and promised box seats, pub style seats, and general lawn seating. The stadium was also expected to feature five luxury suites and a year-round restaurant and banquet hall. The park also planned to feature a Kids Zone, party decks, and a concert stage. It remains to be seen to what extent these features will appear in the new park.The new ballpark calls for many of the same features, as well as a movie theater and "ballpark village" setting around the stadium. Construction has yet to begin.
2010 season
The Fielders opened the 2010 season at Carthage CollegeCarthage College
Carthage College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin midway between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the campus is on the shore of Lake Michigan and is home to 2,500 full-time and 900 part-time...
across the border in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, because of Zion Ballpark's finance problems. The Fielders would eventually move back to Zion on July 2, playing at a field that was not much more than a field and bleachers. On Monday, July 26, the Fielders will play their first night game in Zion, as lights have been installed.