recreation ballpark Expansion

Visalia, CALIFORNIA

minor-league ballpark

Nestled into the historic residential fabric of Visalia, the expansion of Recreation Ballpark takes its cues from the great neighborhood ballparks of a bygone era.  Inspired by Wrigley Field and Fenway Park, the two-story, brick-clad structure occupies a narrow footprint down the right field line that varies from forty to sixty feet from the public right of way, before wrapping around the right field pole.  The result is pure magic!

The ballpark expansion includes:

  • Hall of Fame Club and Balcony

  • Field Level seating

  • Concession Stand

  • Team Store

  • Restrooms

  • Wrap-around grass berm, known as "The Pasture"

  • Groundskeeping Barn, in fair play as part of the outfield fence

  • ADA seating and improved circulation

  • Administrative offices

  • Storage

  • Commissary

  • Commercial retail space

  • State-of-the-art playing field with laser-leveled infield

 

Client: City of Visalia

Design Architect: Larimer Design

Architect of Record: Fehlman LaBarre

General Contractor: Seals/Biehle, Inc.

Structural Engineer: Wiseman + Rohy

Landscape Architect: Sierra Designs

 

Venue Tenant: Visalia Rawhide

League: California League

Classification: Advanced-A

Major-League Affiliate: Arizona D-backs

Project Completion: April 2009

Seating Capacity: 2,800

Project Cost: $15.5 million

 

Awards / Recognition

  • Best Ballpark Renovation, Ballpark Digest

  • Top 10 Best Seats in Minor League Baseball (ESPN)

  • 101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out, Josh Pahigian (Lyons Press)