A boom of new ballparks has taken in place in 2019, with affiliated Minor League Baseball alone opening three facilities. To reflect the debuts of those venues, we have updated our newest ballparks by league listing.
This listing takes into account ballparks from Major League Baseball, down through the affiliated minors. There has been a steady influx over new ballparks built over the last few decades, meaning that this spectrum consists of fairly modern ballparks. Whereas the oldest ballparks in these leagues differ greatly from each other in terms of age, condition, and historic value, the slate of newest ballparks by league is fairly uniform. All of them have opened within the 21st Century and stand out among the finer facilities at their respective levels.
MLB: SunTrust Park, Atlanta Braves (2017)
SunTrust Park opened to acclaim in 2017, with its design and technology features standing out in comparison to other major league facilities. It is attached to the Battery Atlanta, a mixed-use development that is quickly being cited as a model in the planning of other facilities. Though its only in its third season, SunTrust Park will not be MLB’s newest ballpark for much longer, as the Texas Rangers are slated to open the retractable-roof Globe Life Field in 2020.
International League: BB&T Ballpark, Charlotte Knights (2014)
With one of the best backdrops in the minors, BB&T Ballpark stands out as a prominent feature in Charlotte’s Uptown area. It has also been a success for the Knights, who have seen their attendance increase dramatically since moving into the facility.
Pacific Coast League: Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas Aviators (2019)
Las Vegas Ballpark gave the Aviators franchise a modern ballpark after years of searching for a replacement to Cashman Field. The $150-million-plus ballpark features several distinct amenities, including a pool beyond the outfield wall and AirFlow Mesh seats throughout. It is also one of the key amenities of the master-planned community of Summerlin, located just outside Las Vegas, and is surrounded by attractions such as Downtown Summerlin and City National Arena.
Eastern League: Dunkin’ Donuts Park, Hartford Yard Goats (2017)
Construction delays prevented Dunkin’ Donuts Park from opening in 2016 as originally planned, but it was well received during its first season. It also marked the first new ballpark for the Eastern League since the New Hampshire Fisher Cats’ Northeast Delta Dental Stadium opened in 2005.
Southern League: MGM Park, Biloxi Shuckers (2015)
Constructed to bring the relocating Huntsville Stars to the city, MGM Park opened during the 2015 season. It was not fully completed when opening, but the finished product is a ballpark with modern amenities in a downtown setting.
Texas League: Hodgetown, Amarillo Sod Poodles (2019)
Hodgetown features several distinct premium and social spaces, including but not limited to six dugout suites and a left-field bar area. Its also sports an Art Deco design, a style heavily influence by surrounding landmarks in downtown Amarillo. Perhaps most significantly for Amarillo, its planning helped bring the city its first affiliated minor-league team since the Amarillo Gold Sox (Texas League) moved to Beaumont, TX after the 1982 season.
California League: Banner Island Park, Stockton Ports (2005)
This waterfront ballpark replaced the team’s longtime home, Billy Hebert Field in Oak Park. For a full-season ballpark, it was built on a fairly accelerated schedule, opening 377 calendar days after its groundbreaking ceremony.
Carolina League: Segra Stadium, Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2019)
Segra Stadium incorporates a mixture of fixed seating with several group and gathering spaces, including bar areas in right field and home plate, as well as a group seating area that can be divided into six different sections. It is planned by city officials as part of a larger redevelopment initiative, with future amenities expected to be built out after the inaugural 2019 season.
Florida State League: Spectrum Field, Clearwater Threshers (2004)
Built for Philadelphia Phillies spring training and the Threshers, Spectrum Field has held up nicely over the years as both a spring training and regular-season venue. It also remains the newest ballpark in the Florida State League, as that circuit’s most recent facility changes—such as those in Bradenton and Fort Myers, with Dunedin on the way—have been renovations and not replacements.
Midwest League: Bowling Green Ballpark, Bowling Green Hot Rods; Parkview Field, Fort Wayne TinCaps (2009)
The Midwest League is the only minor league circuit that can claim a tie in its designation of newest ballpark. Parkview Field has been acclimated since its opening, receiving credit for helping to boost economic activity in downtown Fort Wayne. The Hot Rods were members of the South Atlantic League when Bowling Green Ballpark first opened, but the facility has been one of the finer venues in the Midwest League since the club changed circuits in 2010.
South Atlantic League: SRP Park, Augusta GreenJackets (2018)
SRP Park was acclaimed upon its opening and is already being credited as anchor for the ongoing development in North Augusta, SC’s Riverside Village. It has also become a hub for non-MiLB events, including college baseball games for major programs in the region and concerts.
New-York Penn League: Monongalia County Ballpark, West Virginia Black Bears (2015)
Built for college baseball’s West Virginia Mountaineers and the Black Bears, Monongalia County Ballpark has been an active facility since its opening. It has been billed with providing a comfortable experience for fans and players alike.
Northwest League: Ron Tonkin Field, Hillsboro Hops (2013)
Built for the relocating Yakima Bears, the opening of this ballpark marked the return of professional baseball to the Portland area after the Portland Beavers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League relocated after the 2010 season. Ron Tonkin Field has been a solid short season venue over its years of operations.
Appalachian League: Pioneer Park, Greeneville Reds (2004)
Built on the campus of Tusculum College, this facility plays the dual role of MiLB and college host. It has stood out as being one of the best among Appalachian League facilities, a factor in the Cincinnati Reds establishing an affiliate there after the Greeneville Astros departed following the 2017 season.
Pioneer League: Dehler Park, Billings Mustangs (2008)
Built on the same site as the classic Cobb Field, Dehler Park has served the Mustangs well over its years of operation. It was built over a span of one offseason, as Cobb Field was demolished at the conclusion of the 2007 season, clearing the way for Dehler Park to be finished by the start of the 2008 season.
This article first appeared in the Ballpark Digest newsletter. Are you a subscriber? It’s free, and you’ll see features like this before they appear on the Web. Go here to subscribe to the Ballpark Digest newsletter.