The new Green Monster at Fluor Field

It’s that time again, when the crack of the bat and fireworks over the West End means baseball has returned to Fluor Field! 

To mark the start of the 12^th season of Greenville Drive baseball we headed to the annual "Meet the Team" event at Fluor Field on Wednesday. Not just a special perk for season ticket holders, the event was also meant to give Reedy’s Kids Club a chance to meet the players who will be representing our town on the field this year. Fluor Field underwent major updates this winter, and the first thing we noticed upon entering were the giant baseballs and Shoeless Joe Jackson; the statue was formerly in front of Smoke on the Water, but seems right at home by the main gates!

The Champions Club presented by Hubbell Lighting was unveiled during the event, a rentable space for group outings that can accommodate up to 300 people. The space features a posh interior and doors that open to outside stadium seating. Famous Drive players are honored on the walls, including my favorite Drive player of all time, Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo was selected by the Drive in the 6^th round in 2007, and although his 2008 season was cut short by a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he beat cancer and last year helped the Cubs win their first World Series since 1908. 

Following the ribbon-cutting, the 2017 Drive players and coaching staff were introduced, after which the boys got autographs and photographs with the players. We got a glimpse of the new Front Porch, a lounge for Drive ticket holders. With indoor seating, a full service bar, flat-screen televisions, and other amenities such as light snacks and full service buffet options available for purchase, the lounge will be a great place to get out of the heat and relax.

We also got to see the new Green Monster Seats! The 30-foot high wall in left field with a manual scoreboard has the same dimensions as the original Green Monster at Fenway Park, even including “Pesky’s Pole” in right field. The new seating allows for a completely different perspective of Fluor Field!

The Drive are currently hosting the Delmarva Shorebirds for a four-game series that kicked off yesterday. Greenville is going into tonight's game with a 1-0 lead after 3-2 victory on opening day. Tonight will be the first Friday Night Fireworks following the game, and after Sunday’s Safe Kids Upstate Day the Drive will dive right into a three-game stretch against Greensboro. Home games will take place all the way through the end of August, with four away games against Asheville scheduled in September.

If you have any baseball falls under 16 in your family, make sure to sign them up for Reedy’s Kids Club; in addition to invites to fun events such as Meet the Team, members receive a hat, a passport that can be stamped at Drive home games for a chance to win prizes, and a 10% discount at the Drive Team Store. For this season's schedule, roster and ticket info, head over to the official Greenville Drive site here. 

Let’s play ball!