When you have a good thing, you might as well keep it going. In the case of the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low A; Sally League) and Lakewood Township, their fruitful partnership is continuing for decades, as the BlueClaws have signed a lease extension to remain at FirstEnergy Park through 2055.
Upon relocating from Fayetteville, NC before the 2001 season, the BlueClaws became one of the South Atlantic League‘s top-drawing teams and have maintained that status over the years.
FirstEnergy Park, meanwhile, featured some design elements—including a 360 concourse and a slew of group and premium areas—that were ahead of their time, allowing the ballpark to function well enough 15 years later to still be considered one of the finer facilities in Low-A.
“This is a banner day for the BlueClaws and we are thrilled to be able to stay at FirstEnergy Park for the foreseeable future,” said Joe Finley, who has been the BlueClaws Team President since the club’s inception. “The BlueClaws and the Township of Lakewood have had a tremendous relationship over the last 15 years and we look forward to many more great years of BlueClaws baseball in Lakewood.”
The BlueClaws debuted in 2001 and have delivered another form of affordable, family entertainment to the area. The Jersey Shore community has responded, with over 6.4 million fans coming to FirstEnergy Park over the last 15 years. The team has led the South Atlantic League in attendance in each of their 15 seasons.
“Since 2001, our main goal has been to bring affordable, family fun to Lakewood and the Jersey Shore. This agreement ensures our commitment to the area and we look forward to being an active member of the Township and of Jersey Shore community for many years,” said Finley.
On the field, BlueClaws fans have seen 69 former players go on to play in Major League Baseball and the team has won three South Atlantic League titles (2006, 2009, and 2010).
FirstEnergy Park is a state-of-the-art facility which includes 6,588 fixed seats, 16 Luxury Suites, two Party Decks, the Monmouth Medical Center Champions Club, three Investors Bank picnic areas, the 9,000 square-foot Dr. Bernard’s Kids Zone, two grass berms, an indoor batting cage, and a 360-degree concourse.
The BlueClaws are the Jersey Shore’s top stop for affordable family entertainment. They have led the South Atlantic League and New Jersey in attendance in all 15 years of existence.