While much attention this week will be paid to the major league All-Star Game, Cheney Stadium is set to host a notable midsummer tradition of its own.
This summer’s Triple-A All-Star Game is set for Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers (Pacific Coast League) and one of the more historic ballparks at its level. Cheney Stadium originally opened in 1960, and underwent an extensive renovation prior to the 2011 season that ensured that it would retain the Rainiers for years to come.
Despite its long history, this is the first time that Cheney Stadium has hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game. In advance of Wendesday’s All-Star Game, Rainiers owner Mikal Thomsen believes that the contest and its related events not only mark a milestone for Cheney Stadium, but provide a strong showcase for the community. More from King5:
“We’ve had baseball at Cheney Stadium since 1960 we’ve never had an All-Star game, and this is a pretty cool thing,” said Thomsen, as the stadium prepared for the home run derby on Monday. “I was talking to my old best friend from Curtis High School today, and he said this was one of the four biggest things that have happened to Pierce County.”
Thomsen said his team has focused on the off-the-field product since taking over. That’s meant significant changes in food, drink, and merchandise options, which he said is under his control, “My friend John Stanton – owns the Seattle Mariners, and he pays all the salaries for our players,” he said with a chuckle.
While it may have taken a few years for the ballpark to secure the Triple-A All-Star Game, the renovation to Cheney Stadium has not gone unnoticed since its completion. The project won our 2011 Renovation of the Year Award for the $20M+ category, and our own Mark Cryan offered his impressions of the finished product during his 2015 Baseball Across America tour.
The Triple-A All-Star Game will begin at 6:05 p.m. pacific time, and will air live on MLB Network.
RELATED STORIES: Tacoma Lands 2017 Triple-A All-Star Game