FREDERICKSBURG — Fredericksburg baseball fans are one step closer to seeing Minor League Baseball in their city — construction on the new stadium is set to begin in July.
Currently, the site stands dormant with rocks, trees, dirt, and even a local business sign that needs to be excavated before construction can begin.
The Potomac Nationals, the Nationals’ Single-A Advanced affiliate, plan to make the move down from their current stadium in Woodbridge to Fredericksburg by 2020.
“Site work is set to begin in early July on the stadium to be located in Celebrate Virginia South,” the team wrote in a press release.
The $35 million state-of-the-art stadium is slated to open in time for Opening Day 2020 which broke ground back in February where over 1,000 fans were on-hand to participate in the festivities.
Even if the team weren’t able to open the stadium due to construction delays, they wouldn’t be in violation of the agreement with the city.
The agreement states that Fredericksburg would have the right to terminate the contract if the stadium weren’t ready by April 1, 2021.
In the agreement, the city will pay the ballclub $1.05 million every year for the next 30 years. In return, the ballclub will privately fund the stadium.
The team has already sold all 13 suites in its stadium and has more than 1,250 members of its Founders Club. These members will have priority season ticket seating when it becomes available in July.
“[It’s] unheard of to sell every suite a year before the stadiums opening,” part-owner Seth Silber said back in February.
The stadium will also include a family-fun pavilion, a water park, a homerun porch, an ice-skating rink, a year-round restaurant and 5,000 seats.
The team will also discount tickets to military members every Sunday in their partnership with SimVentions. They will also include a “Hats off to Heroes” with the playing of God Bless America during the 7th inning stretch. The Washington Nationals participate in the same ceremony every home game.
The team had more than 2,400 responses in its “Name The Team” contest that was conducted during April.
Fredericksburg residents provided input on the name, mascot, and colors.
The team plans to unveil the team name and logo to fans at a public event in the early fall.
“Based on this incredible response, Fredericksburg Baseball is moving forward with finalizing the team name, developing a new logo and uniform designs,” Fredericksburg Baseball said. “The team plans to unveil the team name and logo to its fans early this fall at a public event.”
Fredericksburg Baseball plans to open its downtown store on July 5 located on the first floor at 601 Caroline Street. The team plans to have the store open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. that day.
Fans will be able to buy all types of Fredericksburg merchandise, including hats and t-shirts.
Fans can see the progress on the stadium’s construction at the team’s official website and follow the team on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The Potomac Nationals won the Carolina League Mills Cup as recently as 2014.
They won the Northern Division last year but ultimately fell short in a one-game, shortened series against the Buies Creek Astros.
