Almost a half-million dollars in improvements to Hank Aaron Stadium, home of the Mobile BayBears (Class AA; Southern League), could happen this year and next under a proposal from Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
The plan is to use $500,000 in excess city capital improvement funds to fund ballpark improvements. Under the plan,
“Baseball has an important role in Mobile, past and present. Our city has produced more Hall of Famers than any city except New York and Chicago. I remain committed to keeping America’s pastime a part of our family-friendly community for years to come,” Stimpson said in a prepared statement. From AL.com:
Should the council approve the measure, Stimpson proposes using the funds to:
- Replace the field lights, upgrade the audio system and install field rail padding in 2015.
- Resurface the playing surface and fix drainage problems in 2016, as well as repurpose the turf by placing it in a city park for city sports league and citizen play.
“For our future to be as strong as our past, we need to make sure our little league fields to Hank Aaron Stadium are safe, playable and accessible for all to enjoy,” Stimpson said.
The light upgrades would meet MiLB standards.
The City Council will discuss the proposed changes tomorrow.