The demand for immersive fan experiences continues to dominate the sports arena with venue owners looking for ways to drive attendance and ticket sales by creating more inviting and engaging live event settings. As the 2023 baseball season winds down and teams begin revamping rosters and strategies for next year, our team is actively working with stadium owners and facility managers planning venue renovations and upgrades designed to transform both the spatial and experiential aspects of ballparks across the U.S. From simple additions like drink rails and camera platforms to converting historically underutilized spaces into profitable VIP viewing areas, our team has the experience, expertise and capabilities to optimize any venue. For inspiration and consideration, following are five stadium projects we’ve engineered and executed to help baseball venues from AAA to MLB hit it out of the park for fans.
OUR WORK
Working with the New York Mets, we designed and installed a new fan zone just beyond the left field wall at Citi Field. With a reduced fence height and shortened distance from home plate, the space also creates an opportunity to socialize in a community setting. Our SC97 aluminum platforms serve as the base of the party deck while ADA platforms with continuous handrail and a quadruple, slip resistant surface ensure accessibility and drink ledges provide added convenience for fans.
PETCO PARK – VIP PLATFORM INFILL
To give San Diego Padres fans something extra to cheer about, we installed a VIP Platform infill section at Petco Park. Changing the rise and run of the stadium, this section features larger tiers for a more spacious and premium viewing experience, along with custom guardrails made of anodized aluminum with acrylic infill specially engineered to support TV screens and deliver a high-end, aesthetically appealing look.
SWAYZE FIELD – MODULAR SEATING SYSTEM
The Club 41-11 seating section at the University of Mississippi’s Swayze Field comprises more than 150 of our SC90 Platform weather-resistant platforms. The units rest on a telescoping SC9600 understructure that “bridges” them from all angles to provide a solid base for fans. The semi-permanent system, which is set up and taken down at the beginning and end of each season, can be arranged at multiple heights to accommodate different spatial requirements and offer spectators unobstructed views.
BUSCH STADIUM – ADA ACCESSIBILITY
We’ve also had the privilege of working with teams to ensure everyone has access to the best seats in the house. At Busch Stadium in St. Louis, we recently installed a wheelchair accessible platform section with a slip-resistant ramp, IBC-compliant safety guardrail and aluminum closure panels to create dedicated areas designed to cater to handicapable Cardinals fans.
SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK – CONCOURSE DRINK RAIL
Among the 10,000+ linear feet of custom architectural railing we manufactured for the El Paso Chihuahuas – the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres – is aluminum drink rail utilized throughout the interior and exterior of the ballpark to provide convenient support for concessions, beverages and belongings so fans can comfortably enjoy games from anywhere in the stadium.