Dozer Park facts for kids
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 Dozer Park
Dozer Park
Location within Illinois##Location within the United States
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| Former names | O'Brien Field (2002–2008) Chiefs Stadium (2009–2013) |
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| Location | 730 Southwest Jefferson Street Peoria, IL 61605 |
| Coordinates | 40°41′15″N 89°35′51″W / 40.68750°N 89.59750°W |
| Public transit |  CityLink |
| Owner | Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC |
| Operator | Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC |
| Capacity | 8,500 |
| Record attendance | 8,825 (May 24, 2002 vs. Kane County Cougars) |
| Field size | Left Field: 310 ft (94.49 m) Left Center: 375 ft (114.3 m) Center Field: 400 ft (121.92 m) Right Center: 375 ft (114.3 m) Right Field: 310 ft (94.49 m) |
| Surface | Sod (1–1¼ inches) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 16, 2001 |
| Opened | May 24, 2002 |
| Construction cost | $23 million ($37.4 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Services engineer | Clark Engineers MW Inc. |
| General contractor | River City Construction LLC |
| Main contractors | Prairie Construction Systems Inc. |
| Tenants | |
| Peoria Chiefs (MWL/High-A Central) (2002–present) Bradley Braves (NCAA) (2002–present) |
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Dozer Park is a cool baseball field in Peoria, Illinois. It's home to the Peoria Chiefs, a minor league team linked with the St. Louis Cardinals. Before Dozer Park, the Chiefs played at Meinen Field. The college baseball team from Bradley University also plays their games here. The park first opened its doors on May 24, 2002.
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Welcome to Dozer Park!
Dozer Park is a special place for baseball fans in Peoria. It's where you can catch exciting games and cheer for your favorite teams. The stadium was built to be a great spot for both professional and college baseball.
A Look at Dozer Park's History
Work on this awesome stadium began on August 16, 2001. It cost about $23 million to build. The park officially opened on May 24, 2002. The very first game played there was between the Peoria Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars.
The stadium was first called O'Brien Field. This name came from the O'Brien Auto Team, who helped pay for the stadium's naming rights.
In 2011, Dozer Park hosted the state baseball finals for high school teams in Illinois. It was a big event for young athletes.
In 2013, the Chiefs baseball team and the stadium got some financial help. This included money from Caterpillar Inc. for naming rights. This support helped keep the team and the park going strong.
How Dozer Park Got Its Name
On May 10, 2013, a big change happened. Caterpillar and the Chiefs announced that the stadium would be renamed "Dozer Park." This new name is a nod to Caterpillar's famous bulldozer machines.
Inside the Baseball Field
The field at Dozer Park is designed to be top-notch. It has a special mix of sand and peat to help the grass grow well. This mix also helps the soil stay loose, which is good for drainage.
Underneath the grass, there are layers of gravel and drainage pipes. These pipes run all the way from home plate to center field. A large pump then sends any extra water into the city's sewer system. This means the field can handle a lot of rain without getting soggy!
The pitcher's mound and batter's boxes are made mostly of clay. Clay is used here because it packs down firmly and can handle a lot of wear and tear. The rest of the infield has a mix of clay, silt, and sand.
How the Field Stays Green
The field can drain up to 5 inches (127 mm) of rain every hour. This keeps it ready for games even after a storm.
During home games, the grass is mowed daily. It's kept at a height of about 1 to 1¼ inches (25 to 32 mm). It takes about an hour and a quarter to cut the outfield grass. A smaller mower is used for the infield areas.
The field itself cost around $450,000 to build.
Special Spots at the Park
Dozer Park has 20 special rooms called luxury suites. These are fancy areas where groups can watch the game in comfort. For example, Caterpillar, Inc. has a large suite. They use it to host important guests and customers. These suites offer a great view of the game and a comfortable place to relax.
Food and Snacks
When you visit Dozer Park, you won't go hungry! There are five main concession stands where you can grab food and drinks. You'll also find mobile carts moving around the park, offering even more choices. Professional Sports Catering handles all the yummy food at the Chiefs' games.
See Also
- List of NCAA Division I baseball venues
