The complex will operate year-round with extended
training for minor league teams, the Gulf Coast League
(a rookie-level minor league) and the fall instructional league,
a baseball academy for 13-to-15-year-old players.
“We will also be hosting several traveling leagues,” Dunn
said. “The players are excited, our fan-base is thrilled, and I
think there’s a fair amount of excitement in the community.”
The Braves are moving from their home of 22 years at
the Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.
Individual tickets for the first game are for sale now, and
Dunn expects the game will sell out quickly.
“People have been waiting since this news was announced.
It’s clear residents want this stadium and are going to
embrace the team and everything offered at the facility,” he
said.
So much more than a stadium!
Beyond baseball, the complex will have the Tomahawk
Tiki Bar, a full-service restaurant serving lunch and dinner that
will be open all year.
Dunn said a variety of activities have already been set in
motion. Among them are movie nights, twice a month, with
season ticket holders getting free admission. Others will be
charged a “nominal” fee. There will also be a farmers market,
car shows and a huge yard sale planned in the spring of 2020.
Space will also be available for corporate and company
retreats along with family fun days.
“One Sunday a month, everybody can come to the
stadium, run the bases and play Wiffle ball,” Dunn said.
The facility will also host a variety of amateur sports,
including possibly soccer, lacrosse and baseball.
College tournaments are another thing Dunn would like
to bring to the stadium.
And neighbors won't have to worry about being
bothered by the bright stadium lights. Special care is being
taken to point the stadium's lighting toward the playing field
so the excitement of game nights won't affect homes in the
area.
“We don’t have any intention on playing any
late games,” Dunn said. “Most spring
training games will start in the afternoon
hours. A few will start in the
evening.”
22GASPARILLA ISLAND January/February 2019
While concerts and other events will take place at the
stadium, the Braves are a baseball team, first and foremost.
“We produce baseball players,” Dunn said. “We do that
from the nutritional aspect to the strength training and
conditioning.”
Construction crews are currently on tight deadlines.
The plan is to host the final game of the 2019 Spring Training
season at the stadium on Sunday, March 24.