Franklin Rogers Park
Franklin Rogers Park is a stadium in Mankato, Minnesota. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Mankato Moondogs (formerly the Mankato Mashers) of the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Mankato West High School and Loyola Catholic School also use the venue.
| Former names | Key City Park |
|---|---|
| Location | 601 Reed Street Mankato, Minnesota 56001 |
| Owner | City of Mankato |
| Operator | Mankato Parks and Recreation |
| Capacity | 1,500 (renovated 2003) |
| Field size | Left Field: 320 ft (98 m) Center Field: 386 ft (118 m) Right Field: 330 ft (100 m) |
| Surface | artificial turf |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1961 |
| Renovated | 2018 |
| Tenants | |
| Mankato MoonDogs (1999–present) Mankato West HS Loyola Catholic School baseball Mankato Mets (1967–68) | |
History
Franklin Rogers Park was built in 1961, and holds 1,600 people. The first Northwoods League game at the field was played in June 1999. New additions to the park in the last 10 years include lights, a roof over the grandstand, hospitality decks down the left and right field lines, and additional seating.
Future plans include a new outfield playing surface with drainage tile. There is a large scoreboard in right center field which has inning by inning runs scored spaces and is run by Daktronics technology. Fans who attend MoonDogs games at Franklin Rogers Park can expect a variety of food and drink options including Taco in a Bag, Beer, and several flavors of Slushies.
Between the 2017 and 2018 MoonDogs seasons, the ballpark received $4 million in upgrades. Renovations include a fully artificial turf playing surface, new concession stand, a video board, a new hospitality deck, and other amenities.[1] The MoonDogs played their first game at the renovated stadium on May 29, 2018.[2]
References
- Rueda, Jim. "Remodeled Franklin Rogers draws rave reviews". Mankato Free Press. Mankato Free Press. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- Weller, Denny. "Two Mavericks help MoonDogs win 2018 season opener". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- "Calendar Report". Gopherconference.org. Retrieved 2011-12-23.
- "Franklin Rogers Park – Mankato Minnesota – Home of the Mankato Moondogs". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2011-12-23.