Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark closes in on 20 years
On April 16, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will turn age 20. The Oklahoma City Dodgers will celebrate the Bricktown gem’s anniversary throughout the season.
A season-long celebration of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark’s 20th anniversary is set to begin next month.The Oklahoma City Dodgers announced Wednesday morning the campaign that includes a celebration luncheon, brick program, stein giveaway and fan interactive events. “Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is widely renowned as one of the top facilities in Minor League Baseball,” OKC Dodgers president/ general manager Michael Byrnes said in a release. “We realize we are incredibly fortunate to have the facility we do, and many others within our industry are envious of the ballpark and great relationship we have with the City of Oklahoma City. “Any time the ballpark comes up in conversation with fans, players, coaches, scouts and others in the industry, the compliments are immediate and endless. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to celebrate everything the ballpark has come to represent over its first 20 seasons.” The ballpark, affectionately referred to as “The Brick,” first opened on April 16, 1998. It’s been the home of Pacific Coast League baseball in OKC, including a total of 1,385 minor league games.
The franchise has won nine division titles in that span and three conference championships.The ballpark has also hosted 17 Big 12 baseball championships, the Triple-A national championships, the 2002 Triple-A AllStar Game and several OSSAA state baseball championships.As the centerpiece of OKC’s downtown revitalization, it was funded by the first Metropolitan Area Projects Plan. “If you wanted to trace Oklahoma City’s renaissance back to a single moment, I think it would be the opening of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark,” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said in the release.
“We were coming through a rough time in Oklahoma City’s history. No one knew what a completed MAPS project would look like, and some people wondered whether the city could actually pull this off. But when the public walked into that beautiful ballpark, and it exceeded all expectations, they realized Oklahoma City had — in baseball talk — hit this one out of the park. There was a sense of pride and unity and the beginning of a momentum that still exists today. ”Throughout the upcoming season, the Dodgers plan to honor former players and other special guests.
They also plan to offer limited edition merchandise, beginning Feb. 22. Here’s a look at other events:
Kickoff luncheon
The Dodgers are hosting a kickoff luncheon 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at The Criterion with PCL president Branch B. Rickey as the keynote speaker. Other speakers and special guests will be announced at a later date. Tickets are $75 with portions of the proceeds benefiting the OKC Dodgers Baseball Foundation. Call (405) 218-1000 or email foundation@ okcdodgers.com for more information.
Brick program
Beginning with the luncheon, fans will have a chance to purchase commemorative bricks with personalized inscriptions. They will be used as part of a permanent display at the ballpark, and those who purchase a brick will be invited to the display groundbreaking Aug. 11. Bricks will be available for donation, and proceeds will benefit the team’s foundation. This promotion runs through June 1.
All-Ballpark Team
Fans will vote for the All-Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Team — a player for each position and a manager — throughout the season on the team’s website and social media. Winners will be announced throughout the season and on Aug. 11.
20th season stein giveaway
The first 2,000 fans through the gates on Aug. 11 will receive a special stein commemorating the 20th anniversary of the ballpark.