Facing a potential demolition in the near future, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium was the site of an auction for Wichita Wingnuts (independent; American Association) memorabilia on Wednesday.
Wichita officials are currently working on a plan to demolish Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, clearing the way for a new ballpark on the same site that would open for the relocating New Orleans Baby Cakes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) in 2020. The Wingnuts’ played their final season at the ballpark in 2018, and many of the club’s remaining artifacts were sold via auction this week.
Wednesday’s auction did not include artifacts such as ballpark seats, but many items owned by the Wingnuts were up for grabs. For some, the event served as good chance to revisit Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. More from KAKE News:
While many came to find supplies for their business or furnish a new home, most of the people KAKE News spoke with say they came not for the deals but for the memories.
“It’s kind of sad to see the stadium’s going away,” said Dara Smythe. “We’ve got some good memories here.”
The Wingnuts announced in May that the 2018 season would be their last at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, and played their final game at the ballpark in September. It was also in September that the city announced its plans to land the Baby Cakes. Discussions over that proposal are still taking place, but Lawrence-Dumont Stadium could be demolished in the coming months and allow for new ballpark construction to begin. In addition, a Southern League team is expected to move to New Orleans at the same time that the Pacific Coast League franchise relocates to Wichita. The move of a as-of-yet-unanounced Class AA Southern League team would come under the ownership of the current New Orleans ownership, led by Lou Schwechheimer, allowing the Baby Cakes name to live on.
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