In a letter sent to season-ticket holders, Winston-Salem Dash President Kevin Terry confirms the team will play the remainder of the season at Wake Forest Baseball Park, formerly Ernie Shore Field.
In a letter sent to season-ticket holders, Winston-Salem Dash (High Class A; Carolina League) President Kevin Terry confirms the team will play the remainder of the season at Wake Forest Baseball Park, formerly Ernie Shore Field.
The letter gives those putting down deposits on season tickets for the 2009 season to apply them to season tickets for 2010.
“Ownership remains committed to the creation of a stadium that will not only be the pride of Winston-Salem, but one of the best in all of baseball,” Terry wrote in the letter, which included free tickets for the June 2 Dash game. “While the process has taken longer than anticipated and caused unexpected delays, it is something we had to do to ensure prosperity and value for the community in coming years.”
UPDATE: The Dash just issued this press release:
Winston-Salem, NC – The Winston-Salem Dash announced today that their new downtown ballpark will open for the 2010 season. The remaining 2009 schedule will be played at Wake Forest Baseball Park as details and developments of the state-of-the-art new park vital to its long-term viability are finalized and addressed. The club had previously announced that games through mid-June would be played at Wake Forest, but continued to strive towards playing a portion of the schedule at the new park.
“We have continued to hope and work towards opening the ballpark this season, but feel at this point that the best interest of our fans and the project for this year beyond will be served by focusing on opening the new park in 2010 and providing the best family entertainment option we can at Wake Forest this year,” said Dash Owner Billy Prim.
In conjunction with announcing that the remaining 2009 schedule will be played at Wake Forest, the club established and has announced a number of promotions and ticket packages. Among the exciting and affordable experiences at the ballpark include Family Fun Weekends, select fireworks nights and Thirsty Thursdays. For more information or to learn more about these exciting opportunities, please call (336) 714-BATS (2287) or visit www.wsdash.com.
All season ticket holders who have already purchased their packages for the new ballpark will not pay for any of those tickets in 2009. The Dash has created a special seven-game package beginning as low as $56 for current season ticket holders interested in attending games played at Wake Forest Baseball Park. Season ticket holders have the option of using a portion of their deposit to take advantage of this special offer without losing their place on the priority list. There is no obligation to buy and fans who choose not to will also keep their place on the priority list for the new ballpark.
“While the restructuring of ownership and continued development of the new ballpark process has taken longer than anyone involved imagined, it is a process we had to undertake to ensure prosperity and value for the community in coming years,” said Team President Kevin Terry. “Short-term, it has presented a number of challenges, but now by focusing on our operation for this season and ensuring ample time for completion of the stadium prior to the 2010 schedule, we are all on the same page and moving forward in a positive manner.”
RELATED STORIES: New Winston-Salem ballpark unlikely to open this season; Dash to play at Ernie Shore Field through June 17 — at least; Dash announces new mascot; still working on new ballpark; Prim seeks $6 million in outside financing to complete ballpark; Will new Winston-Salem ballpark open on time?; Prim sought additional city financing for new W-S ballpark; More details released on Winston-Salem ballpark upgrades; Prim: New Winston-Salem ballpark may not open in April; New for 2009: The Winston-Salem Dash; New Winston-Salem ballpark opening may be delayed
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