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Key MLB Ballpark Dates

Chop House, SunTrust Park

We are now just weeks away from the start of the Major League Baseball season, which promises to be a strong one when it comes to ballparks. From the opening of the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park, to the numerous renovations that are being completed, the ballpark landscape will have some notable developments this year.

With the number of projects taking place, there will be numerous dates for fans to stay on top of this season. To help in that effort, we have put together a key ballpark dates listing, which includes openings, anniversaries, and other milestones for the 2017 season.

March 31: For their final game of spring training, the Braves will host the New York Yankees in an exhibition at SunTrust Park. This will mark the initial major event for the ballpark, which is the first new MLB facility to open since Marlins Park debuted in 2012.

April 3: As one of many teams to begin their season on this day, the Baltimore Orioles will celebrate a milestone. This year, the club is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles have already unveiled a 25th anniversary logo that will be worn on the right sleeve of the team’s jerseys. Elsewhere, the Milwaukee Brewers will debut ballpark renovation projects. The Brewers are rolling out a significant overhaul to the concession stands at Miller Park, marking the facility’s first major upgrade since its opening in 2001. The Astros, meanwhile, are set to debut a new centerfield seating and concessions area that will replace Tal’s Hill at Minute Maid Park.

April 10: Both the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees will return to their ballparks after renovation projects. With the Cubs coming off a World Series title, the opener at Wrigley Field was already highly anticipated, but the Cubs are also set to unveil the latest changes to the Friendly Confines—including relocated bullpens, and new seating behind home plate. Yankee Stadium will also debut its latest upgrades, which include the MasterCard Batter’s Eye Deck, Budweiser Party Deck, Sunrun Kid’s Clubhouse, Bullpen Landings, and the AT&T Sports Lounge.

April 14: The Braves will celebrate another special occasion by hosting the first regular season game at SunTrust Park. That evening, the Braves will square off against the San Diego Padres.

July 11: This year’s All-Star Game will be played at Marlins Park, which offers some significance. It is not only the first Midsummer Classic in the ballpark’s history, but the first to be hosted by Miami and the Miami Marlins.

August 20: On this Sunday evening, the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals will face off in the MLB Little League Classic. This special game will coincide with the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA, and will take place at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Crosscutters (Short Season A; NY-Penn League).

October 3: On this date, the MLB postseason will begin. While we are obviously months away from knowing which teams will make it to the playoffs, this date will kick off a stretch that will create history at several ballparks, leading up to the World Series that begins on October 24.

This article first appeared in the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter. Are you a subscriber? It’s free, and you’ll see features like this before they appear on the Web. Go here to subscribe to the Ballpark Digest newsletter.

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