Atlanta Braves’ new Suntrust Park is unveiled
ATLANTA — Workers grooming the infield dirt at the Atlanta Braves’ new SunTrust Park on Thursday wore hardhats that cast a misleading image.
Most of the hard work is complete.
“We are completely through with the major elements of the construction of the ballpark,” said Derek Schiller, the team’s president of business.
That leaves about three weeks for finishing touches before the first official unveiling on March 31, when the Braves will play the New York Yankees in an exhibition game. Only season ticket holders are invited, and Schiller said a crowd of about 20,000 is expected.
Schiller acknowledged the new park must be accompanied by improved play from the Braves, who finished last in the NL East in 2016. They did win 20 of their final 30 games, though, and their success in the second half of the schedule led to manager Brian Snitker having the interim label removed after the season.
“We came out of two years in a row where we struggled as a team and conversely struggled at the gate,” Schiller said. “It’s not lost on us we have to deliver two things at once. We have to make sure the baseball environment at this new ballpark has everything to offer, and I believe it will satisfy even the most discerning baseball fans. Then we also have to deliver a very good baseball team.”
There will be open ticket sales for a college baseball game between Missouri and Georgia on April 8. That will be the final public trial run before Atlanta’s home opener on April 14 against San Diego.
The biggest attraction for the Braves’ new home may be the mixed-use development being built around the park. A crane still hovers over a hotel directly behind the stadium. Schiller said some restaurants, bars and a concert venue around will be ready for the
start of the season, with more set to open during the season.
SunTrust Park is located in the suburbs of Cobb County, about 15 miles north of the Braves’ old Turner Field.
Georgia State University purchased Turner Field, which will be converted to a football stadium to be used this season. A new baseball stadium for the school will be built on the property at the site where Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium once stood.
SunTrust Park has the feel of a traditional stadium, with green seats and some brick walls and a large canopy. It also has a modern feel with LED lights and “internet capabilities unlike any other sports venue in the country,” Schiller said.
“It should be the fastest Wi-Fi and internet speeds of any ballpark as well as any mixed-use development in the country, if not the world,” he said.
The new park has an interactive area for youth, including a zip line and a climbing tower.
The Chophouse, a restaurant and bar in right field, features outdoor seats with cooling cup holders. The bottom floor, on field level, allows fans to look through a chainlink fence only a few feet from the right fielder.
› Yankees 8, Braves 7: Atlanta’s Matt Tuiasosopo went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs as the Braves dropped a Grapefruit League game Thursday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Johan Camargo and Matt Kemp each added an RBI double for Atlanta, with Kemp going 1-for-1 with two walks.
Braves starter Aaron Blair, competing for a spot in the rotation, allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. The outing came five days after the 24-year-old righthander was removed from a split-squad game against Philadelphia after being hit by a batted ball — from the first batter he faced — on his nonthrowing hand.
Blaine Boyer took the loss after giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk in the sixth. He recorded just one out before exiting.
For the Yankees, Jacoby Ellsbury went 3-for-3 and Brett Gardner homered off Blair.