ballpark Expansion

Valley Strong Ballpark | Visalia, CALIFORNIA

Larimer Design transformed and expanded Valley Strong Ballpark while preserving the character and intimacy that make the historic venue unique. The 7th oldest ballpark in Minor League Baseball, the ballpark is embedded within Visalia’s established residential neighborhood, creating a challenging and highly constrained setting for expansion. Along the right field line, the available footprint ranges from just 40 to 60 feet between the existing ballpark and the public right-of-way.

Within those constraints, Larimer Design created a two-story, brick-clad expansion inspired by the character of classic neighborhood ballparks such as Wrigley Field and Fenway Park. The new building wraps elegantly around the right field foul pole, responding to the tight site while reinforcing the ballpark’s historic architectural identity and relationship to the surrounding neighborhood.

The result is an exceptionally intimate baseball experience. With one of the shortest backstops in professional baseball, fans remain remarkably close to the action, creating a sense of connection between the field and spectators that is central to the character of the ballpark.

The expansion introduced a range of new spaces and amenities, including:

  • Hall of Fame Club and Balcony, providing premium seating and elevated views of the field

  • Field Level seating integrated directly into the new expansion

  • Concessions and Team Store to enhance the game-day experience

  • Restrooms and improved circulation, including ADA-compliant seating and accessible routes

  • “The Pasture,” a wrap-around grass berm providing informal, family-friendly viewing

  • Groundskeeping Barn, incorporated into the outfield fence as an integral part of the ballpark architecture

  • Administrative offices, storage, and commissary supporting day-to-day ballpark operations

  • Commercial retail space activating the public right-of-way and strengthening the ballpark’s connection to the neighborhood

  • Professional-quality playing field improvements, including a laser-leveled infield

Larimer Design provided master planning, architectural design, and coordination with city stakeholders, carefully balancing the operational needs of a modern professional baseball facility with the scale, character, and constraints of Visalia’s historic neighborhood setting.

The project received national recognition, including Ballpark Digest’s Best Minor League Ballpark Improvement (2009) and recognition by ESPN among the Top Ten Best Seats in Minor League Baseball.

The expansion demonstrates how a ballpark can grow without losing what makes it special—preserving the intimacy, character, and traditions of a historic venue while adding the amenities, infrastructure, and operational capabilities needed for the modern game.

 

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)