Dr Pepper Ballpark

Dr Pepper Ballpark (formerly Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark) is the home ballpark of the Frisco RoughRiders Minor League Baseball club which plays in the Double-A Texas League. Located in Frisco, Texas, in the United States, the stadium has a capacity of 10,316.[4] The ballpark is host to numerous functions in addition to Minor League Baseball games, including corporate and charity events, wedding receptions, city of Frisco events, and church services.[5][6] Local soft drink manufacturer Dr Pepper Snapple Group has held naming rights and exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights in the park.[7][8]

Dr Pepper Ballpark
Home plate entrance of Dr Pepper Ballpark
Former namesDr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark (2003–2006)
Location7300 RoughRiders Trail
Frisco, Texas, US
Coordinates33.098382°N 96.81972°W / 33.098382; -96.81972
OwnerFrisco Baseball LP
OperatorFrisco Baseball LP
Capacity7,748 (fixed seating)[1]
10,216 (plus additional seating)[1]
Record attendance12,067 (July 20, 2018; Frisco RoughRiders vs. San Antonio Missions)[1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 335 feet (102 m)
Left-Center: 364 feet (111 m)
Center: 409 feet (125 m)
Right-Center: 383 feet (117 m)
Right: 335 feet (102 m)[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 6, 2002 (2002-02-06)
OpenedApril 3, 2003 (2003-04-03)
Construction cost$22.7 million
($31.5 million in 2019 dollars[2])
ArchitectDavid M. Schwarz
HKS, Inc.
Project managerThe Beck Group[3]
Services engineerG.W. Vines[3]
General contractorCentex Construction Co.[3]
Tenants
Frisco RoughRiders (TL) 2003–present

Since its opening in 2003, the Dr Pepper Ballpark has won awards and garnered praise for its unique design, feel, and numerous facilities. In his design, park architect and 2015 Driehaus Prize winner David M. Schwarz desired the creation of a village-like "park within a (ball) park".[9] Dr Pepper Ballpark received the 2003 Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design and was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.[10][9][11]

History
Former logo of the Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark

In 2001, Mandalay Sports Entertainment, owner of the Shreveport SwampDragons Double-A baseball team, reached an agreement with Southwest Sports Group to move the team to Frisco for the 2003 baseball season. As part of the deal, Southwest Sports Group assumed part-ownership of both the team and the ballpark to be built following the 2002 season.[12] The project, designed by David M. Schwarz Architectural Services and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group, broke ground on February 6, 2002.[13]

The ballpark serves as the anchor for a 74-acre (0.30 km2) $300 million development project near the intersection of State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway.[12] The project was jointly funded by the city of Frisco and Southwest Sports Group. Frisco put forth $67 million to build the complex, which was raised through special financing, unconnected to the city tax rate.[13] On January 21, 2003, it was announced that local company Dr Pepper/Seven Up had purchased the naming rights for the new ballpark and retained exclusive non-alcoholic beverage rights for an undisclosed amount.[8]

The ballpark opened for its first game on April 3, 2003, a RoughRiders loss to the Tulsa Drillers.[13][14] The RoughRiders earned their first victory in the ballpark the next day, with the RoughRiders' Kurt Airoso hitting the park's first home run.[15]

Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark was renamed Dr Pepper Ballpark on March 31, 2006.[16] On that date, the RoughRiders' major league affiliate, the Texas Rangers, defeated the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game played at Dr Pepper Ballpark. The sold-out game was the ballpark's first major league game of any kind.[17] Overall attendance ranked in the top 10 in all classes of Minor League Baseball during the RoughRiders' first nine seasons. The stadium ranked first in all of Double-A for attendance from 2006 to 2011.[18] Average attendance at RoughRiders games was around 8,000 during this stretch, but has since dropped to around 7,000 per game as of 2018.[19] In August 2017, Dr Pepper Snapple Group declined to renew their naming rights to Dr Pepper Ballpark.[20] As of 2020, the ballpark continues to bear the soft drink's name. Before the 2019 season an unidentified former team employee told the Dallas Observer that the name stayed the same because the team didn't want to spend money replacing the old signs.[21] During the 2019 season, a May 23, 2019 Dallas News story about Keurig Dr Pepper's growing presence in Frisco and other North Dallas suburbs stated unambiguously that "the beverage company is the sponsor for the Dr Pepper Ballpark, a minor league baseball stadium that's part of Frisco's sports and entertainment district." But, no specific details of a new naming rights agreement were given. [22]

Other events at the ballpark

As baseball is not a year-round event, Dr Pepper Ballpark is used for other functions throughout the year. The ballpark hosts corporate events, such as company softball games and movie nights, in addition to local charity events, such as 5K runs and bike races.[5] Since 2004, the park has hosted the "Tournament of Champions" high school baseball tournament.[23] Dr Pepper Ballpark was selected to host the 2005, 2009, and 2017 Texas League All-Star Game. Since January 2006, Dr Pepper Ballpark has hosted the opening ceremonies of the annual TXU Energy Winter Games of Texas.[24] The ballpark also hosts wedding receptions, the opening ceremonies for the Frisco Baseball and Softball Association,[25] city of Frisco events, and church services.[6]

Architecture
The interior of the ballpark, toward home plate from right field. The RoughRiders are playing against the Midland RockHounds in this image.
From behind home plate, the Embassy Suites where visiting teams stay is visible. The RoughRiders are playing against the Midland RockHounds in this image.
A demonstration of the "park within a park" dynamic behind the building in center field. Spectators may walk around the entire park using this path.

Following its construction in 2003, the Dr Pepper Ballpark received the Texas Construction award for Best Architectural Design for 2003 and the surrounding sports complex received the Best Sports and Entertainment award for 2003.[10] It was named the best new ballpark in the country by BaseballParks.com.[9][11] MinorLeagueNews.com has also named the park No. 2 on its top ten minor league ballparks for 2004 and No. 7 for 2005.[26]

The design of the Dr Pepper Ballpark was spearheaded by David M. Schwarz. Schwarz had a stated goal of creating a "park within a (ball)park" in the stadium. To achieve this effect, the nine interconnected pavilions, where concessions, restrooms, and luxury suites are located, are built separately from the main seating area. The space between these pavilions allows for improved air flow in the Texas heat; the wind can move through the buildings and is not impeded by their presence.[9] Constructed of James Hardie fiber cement siding, architectural critics have commented that their layout and material choice enhances the village-like feel of the ballpark, giving it a "coastal Galveston aesthetic".[10] Others have commented that the design is very reminiscent of Churchill Downs in Kentucky.[9]

The seating area is populated by just under 8,000 open-air fold-down stadium seats. Combined with general admission for standing room-only and grass berm seating, the stadium can hold a capacity crowd of over 10,000. The concourse area, between the pavilions and the seating area, wraps completely around the ballpark. Critics have commented positively on the 360-degree views afforded by this construction choice.[27]

Facilities

The ballpark also features 26 luxury suites located on the second level of the ballpark, which feature patio balconies from which to view the game and closed-circuit television feeds of the game.[28] The bullpens for each team are built into the stands behind the first and third base lines. This has received a mixed reaction, with ballparkreview.com calling it "contrived and pointless".[27] In the outfield, seating is available on the grass area. This area was originally branded "San Juan Hill", after the Battle of San Juan Hill in which the team's namesake Rough Riders fought. More recently, the area has been branded simply as "Kroger Lawn Seating," sponsored by the grocery chain Kroger.[29]

Originally the park featured a swimming pool built just past the wall in right field, level with the top of the outfield fence. Groups were able to rent out the pool during the game.[30] In 2016, the pool was replaced by the Choctaw Lazy River. All ticketed guests have full 360-degree access to swim, wade, or float on the gently-flowing lazy river, which measures longer from end-to-end (almost 175 feet (53 m)) than an Olympic-size swimming pool and nearly as long as a National Hockey League ice rink. A full lap around the Lazy River will take one over 400 feet (120 m)—the distance from home plate to the center field wall. For Thursdays and most Sunday home games, the Choctaw Lazy River is the site of a "pool party" with tickets available to the general public.[31]

The ball park includes several function rooms overlooking the playing field, which are closed to the general public on game days but can be rented for parties, meetings and other events on non-game days. The team provides catering services for the events. The largest of these spaces is the JCPenney Club, a private, air-conditioned bar and restaurant situated below the press box behind home plate.[32]

Ground rules

The following are the baseball ground rules for the Dr Pepper Ballpark.[33]

  • A baseball hit above the yellow line in outfield is considered a home run.
  • A baseball that hits the yellow fair line below the fence is in play.
  • A baseball that hits the yellow fair line above the fence is a home run.
  • No player is allowed to climb the stairwell leading into the bullpens to catch a ball.
  • If a ball gets caught in one of the grates leading into the stands the ball is considered dead and the base runner is allowed one base.
  • A player is only allowed to catch a fly ball on the first step of the dugout. If the player has one foot on the first step and his other foot on the second step the ball is ruled non-playable and the player is not allowed to catch it.
  • If a player catches a ball and falls into the dugout the batter is ruled out and the base runner is allowed one base.
  • If a baseball hits anywhere on the dugout it is considered out of play.
  • If a baseball hits the green fence the ball is in play.
  • A player is allowed to lean on the tarp to catch a fly ball, but not stand on the tarp.
  • On the backstop at the top left and right corners is a metal wire that holds the backstop up and if a ball hits it and deflects foul, then the ball is foul; however, if a ball deflects into fair play, then it is in play.
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References
  1. "Dr Pepper Ballpark" (PDF). 2018 Frisco RoughRiders Media Guide. Frisco RoughRiders. 2018. pp. 10–11. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  2. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  3. "2003 Top Projects". McGraw-Hill. 2003.
  4. Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (14 November 2012). "Dr Pepper Ballpark / Frisco RoughRiders". Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  5. "Cyclist Maps for the Sam's Club MS 150". MS 150 Dallas. Archived from the original on August 20, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  6. Arnold, Lauri (May 15, 2003). "Prestonwood hosts community sunrise service". Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Archived from the original on September 29, 2005. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  7. "Dr Pepper Ballpark: Corporate Sponsors". Frisco RoughRiders. March 19, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-07-31. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
  8. "Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark". Frisco RoughRiders. January 21, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  9. Mock, Joe. "Frisco's Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark". Baseball Parks. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
  10. "Texas Construction's Best of 2003 Awards" (PDF). Engineering News-Record. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  11. "The Best Ballpark". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  12. "Southwest Sports Group and Mandalay Sports Entertainment Join Forces to Bring Professional Baseball". Frisco RoughRiders. December 3, 2001. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  13. "Frisco Professional Baseball Stadium Underway; Ballpark will Open in Time for 2003 Season". Frisco RoughRiders. February 6, 2002. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  14. "Sold Out. RoughRiders sold every seat in the house Opening Night". Frisco RoughRiders. April 1, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  15. "Riders Come Up Short in the 9th?". Frisco RoughRiders. April 7, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  16. "RoughRiders, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages to Rename Ballpark" (PDF). Dr. Pepper/7Up Bottling Group. March 31, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 20, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2006.
  17. Sins, Ken (March 31, 2006). "Trio of Homers Enough for Rangers". Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  18. "'Riders Lead Double-A in Attendance in 2011". Frisco RoughRiders. October 3, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  19. "Texas League Attendance". Texas League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  20. Wigglesworth, Valerie (August 22, 2017). "Naming rights for ballpark in Frisco up for grabs after Dr Pepper pulls back". Dallas News. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  21. http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/friscos-sports-complex-grows-bringing-mixed-blessings-to-roughriders-11567460
  22. https://www.dallasnews.com/business/real-estate/2019/05/23/dr-pepper-pops-the-top-on-its-new-frisco-headquarters-at-the-dallas-cowboys-star/
  23. "First Ever "Tournament of Champions" at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark is Almost Here". Frisco RoughRiders. March 10, 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  24. "2006 Winter Games of Texas". Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2006.
  25. "Everything and the Kitchen Sink". Frisco RoughRiders. March 26, 2004. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  26. "Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Ballpark – No. 7 Pick in the MLN Top Ten (10) Minor League Ballparks 2005". MLN Sports Zone – A Minor League News Magazine. April 21, 2005. Archived from the original on October 24, 2006. Retrieved July 14, 2007.
  27. Merzbach, Brian. "Dr. Pepper / 7-Up Ballpark – Frisco, Texas". Ballpark Review. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  28. "The Voice of Business Reason Has Spoken". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  29. "RoughRider Rainout Sent Crowd of 10,000-plus Home Early". Frisco RoughRiders. April 6, 2003. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  30. "The New Definition of Cool". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved July 14, 2006.
  31. "Choctaw Lazy River". Frisco RoughRiders. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  32. "JCPenney Club". Frisco Ballpark Events. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  33. Dr Pepper Ballpark (May 20, 2006). Dr Pepper Ballpark Ground Rules. Retrieved on August 8, 2006.

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