AutoZone_Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia AutoZone Park AutoZone Park Sports consulting, AutoZone Park cost $80.5 million, by far the most ever spent on a structure dedicated to minor league baseball.[2] AutoZone Park was built to "big-league" standards, the primary difference being the absence of outfield seats or seats far down the foul lines, and could perhaps be better described as a "major league stadium with only the ’good’ seats". It opened in 2000, and replaced Tim McCarver Stadium. The stadium also hosts some games for the University of Memphis baseball team, most notably, the annual game with Ole Miss. Naming rights are held by the auto parts chain AutoZone, AutoZone Park which is based in Memphis. 200 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN Unlike other cities, Memphis does not 38103 have to worry about its team threatening to 35°8′35″N 90°2′57″W / 35.14306°N move elsewhere. The Redbirds, in a situation 90.04917°W / 35.14306; almost unique in American pro sports, are -90.04917Coordinates: 35°8′35″N owned by a non-profit community foundation, 90°2′57″W / 35.14306°N 90.04917°W titled the Memphis Redbirds Foundation. The / 35.14306; -90.04917 Green Bay Packers of the NFL have a similar 2000 ownership structure. Memphis Redbirds Foundation Grass US$80.5 million [1] Looney Ricks Kiss and HOK Sport 14,320 [1] AutoZone Park Full name Location Coordinates Opened Owner Surface Construction cost Architect Capacity Field dimensions A panoramic view of the field and stands inside AutoZone Park In October of 2005, AutoZone Park be- Left Field — 319 ft (97 m) came the first venue outside of New Orleans Left Center Field — 360 ft (110 m) to host the Voodoo Music Experience. One Center Field — 400 ft (122 m) day of this music festival was moved to MemRight Center Field — 373 ft (114 m) Right Field — 322 ft (98 m) [1] phis due to Hurricane Katrina. Tenants Memphis Redbirds (PCL) (2000-present) AutoZone Park is a minor league baseball stadium located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee and the home of the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League, the AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. History Designed by Looney Ricks Kiss Architects of Memphis, with Kansas City based HOK On December 4, 2006, at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, MLB announced that an exhibition game to be called the Civil Rights Game would be held at AutoZone Park, with the first game on March 31, 2007. The game featured the Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians, with the Cardinals winning 5-1. The second game was played on March 29, 2008, between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Mets. The Mets Defeated the White Sox 3-2. 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia AutoZone Park commonly used for special event hosting, and can seat up to 500 people. The Bluff on the north side of the park has grass covered lawn seating, and tickets to this area are sold cheaply, but in limited numbers. It is a favorite spot for many fans because of the picnic atmosphere. Chairs are not allowed on the Bluff. The upper club levels contain 48 suites, and are generally reserved to groups or local companies. Many larger Memphis companies retain one suite for the entire season, for all games. The normal club seating have access to an air conditioned concourse, along with several restaurants and bars located on the concourse itself. There are two open-air party decks, each of which seats up to 175 people, and three pre-game balconies. Next to the Bluff is "P.D. Parrot’s Playhouse Perch", which is a playground for children. The playground is sponsored by Baptist Pediatric Care.[3] Size AutoZone Park has a seating capacity of 14,320.[1], and has been aptly described as "one-third" of a major league baseball park. For its construction 17,586 cubic yards (474,800 cu ft) of concrete were used, or enough to cover 11 acres (45,000 m2). There are 125,738 square feet (13,970.9 sq yd) of brick walls surrounding it, utilizing 380,000 specially manufactured bricks. It holds 3,400 tons of steel and 227 miles (365 km) of electrical wiring. To build the playing field, 350 tons of clay and 5,000 tons of sand were needed. The outfield contains 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) of sod. The infield is capable of draining 1-inch (25 mm) per hour of rain while remaining playable, which means that the field only rarely has to be covered during games. AutoZone Park also has the largest video screen in minor league baseball, at 23 by 30 feet (9.1 m). It is located 127 feet (39 m) above the playfield, giving a view of the board to many areas of downtown Memphis.[2] References [1] ^ Park Pacific Coast League Ballparks AutoZone Park [2] ^ Memphis Redbirds - AutoZone Park Facts [3] Memphis Redbirds - AutoZone Park Amenities AutoZone Park contains several special seating sections designed to give patrons a variety of viewing options. The Wolfchase Toyota Picnic Pavilion is located on the east side of the park, and contains several picnic tables and space for vending or other serving of food. It is External links • AutoZone Park Views - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoZone_Park" Categories: Pacific Coast League ballparks, Minor league baseball venues, Sports venues in Memphis, Tennessee This page was last modified on 22 May 2009, at 23:23 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) 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