kids encyclopedia robot

PeoplesBank Park facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
PeoplesBank Park
The Vault
SovBankStadium.PNG
PeoplesBank Park is located in Pennsylvania
PeoplesBank Park
PeoplesBank Park
Location in Pennsylvania
PeoplesBank Park is located in the United States
PeoplesBank Park
PeoplesBank Park
Location in the United States
Former names Santander Stadium (2014–2015)
Sovereign Bank Stadium (2007–2013)
Address 5 Brooks Robinson Way
Location York, PA 17401
Coordinates 39°58′3″N 76°43′45″W / 39.96750°N 76.72917°W / 39.96750; -76.72917
Owner York County Industrial Development Authority
Operator Opening Day Partners;
York Revolution
Capacity 5,200
Field size Left field: 300 ft (91 m)
Center field: 405 ft (123 m)
Right field: 326 ft (99 m)
Left field wall: 37.7 ft (11.5 m)
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground September 29, 2006
Opened June 15, 2007 (2007-06-15)
Construction cost $32.5 million
Architect Tetra Tech, Inc.
General contractor Lobar Inc.
Tenants
York Revolution (ALPB) 2007–present

PeoplesBank Park is a cool baseball stadium in York, Pennsylvania. It has 5,200 seats for fans. The first baseball game played here was on June 16, 2007. The home team, the York Revolution, won that game 9–6 against the Newark Bears.

The stadium is located right next to Codorus Creek. It took a few years to plan and build this park. Construction started in September 2006. The park was supposed to open earlier, but bad weather caused a delay.

The stadium's name has changed a few times. It was first called "Sovereign Bank Stadium" because a bank bought the naming rights. Later, it became "Santander Stadium." Since December 2015, it has been known as "PeoplesBank Park."

In 2008, PeoplesBank Park was named the "Ballpark of the Year" by the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. This award recognized how well the stadium was kept and how great the games felt for fans.

History of PeoplesBank Park

The city of York wanted a baseball stadium for a long time. Plans started to come together in 2003, but there were some challenges with local decisions and money. Many people in York hoped to have a team at the same time as the nearby Lancaster Barnstormers, but it didn't happen then.

At first, the stadium was planned for a different spot called Small Athletic Field. But the school board decided to use their money for other improvements. After a few years, everyone agreed to build the park in the Arch Street neighborhood.

PeoplesBank Park also hosts a special New Year's Eve party called the "New Year's Revolution." During this event, a big White Rose is dropped to count down to the new year. The name is a fun play on words, combining "New Year's resolution" with the "Revolution" baseball team.

The stadium has hosted the Atlantic League All-Star Game twice. The first time was on July 14, 2011. A famous football player, John Kuhn, threw out the first pitch. The park hosted the All-Star Game again in July 2019. In 2020, PeoplesBank Park also hosted the 2020 United Wiffleball National Championship.

Cool Features of the Ballpark

Brooks Robinson Plaza

When you enter PeoplesBank Park, you'll see the Brooks Robinson Plaza near home plate. This area has a statue of Brooks Robinson, a famous baseball player. You can also find information about his amazing 23-year career. Brooks Robinson played for York's old team, the White Roses, in 1955 before joining the Baltimore Orioles.

The stadium's design looks a lot like Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This is a special tribute to Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles, who are a favorite team in the area. Even the field dimensions are the same as the Orioles' old stadium, Memorial Stadium.

To honor Brooks Robinson even more, the official address of PeoplesBank Park was changed in 2007 to 5 Brooks Robinson Way. This celebrates his baseball journey that began in York.

The Arch Nemesis Wall

Arch nemesis 2007
The Arch Nemesis

The left field wall at PeoplesBank Park is called the Arch Nemesis. It's 37 feet 8 inches (11.48 m) tall, which makes it the tallest outfield fence in professional baseball! It's even taller than the famous Green Monster at Fenway Park, where the Boston Red Sox play. The Green Monster is 37 feet 2 inches (11.33 m) high, but the Arch Nemesis is 6 inches (15 cm) taller.

The first home run hit over this huge wall happened in York's second game at the stadium on June 16, 2007. The wall is so tall because the stadium space was a bit small. Architects had to fit the park between Arch Street and a railway line. Since the left field foul pole was close to home plate, making it easy for home runs, they made the wall extra tall. This makes hitting a home run much harder! The name "Arch Nemesis" comes from Arch Street and how the wall acts as a big challenge for players trying to hit home runs.

Scoreboards Galore

PeoplesBank Park has four scoreboards! There's a modern, colorful electronic scoreboard in right field that shows animations. But there's also an old-fashioned scoreboard at the bottom of the Arch Nemesis in left field. This one is operated by hand, just like in some older ballparks.

You'll find two more electronic scoreboards on the upper level of the stadium. One is along the first base line, and the other is along the third base line. These show important game information.

Other Fun Spots at the Park

PeoplesBank Park Entrance
The entrance to PeoplesBank Park in September 2019

There's a big picnic area called the Mezzogiorno Picnic Pavilion that can hold 600 fans. It offers regular ballpark food and local favorites. Kids can have a blast at the Stauffer's DownTown Playground. This area has a carousel, a jungle web, playground equipment, and bouncy inflatables. The Revolution's mascot, DownTown, often hangs out here.

If you want souvenirs, the First Capital Credit Union Team Store is right at the home plate entrance. It's open all year round.

The park has different seating options. There's a grassy lawn area where 1,600 fans can sit. There are also five special rooms overlooking the field that can be rented for groups. These rooms have names related to York's area, like the Keystone Room and White Rose Hall. The main seating area has 5,200 green seats, split into two levels.

A really cool feature is a small, working cannon! It's fired whenever a York Revolution player hits a home run or when the team wins a game at home. A mascot named Cannonball Charlie, dressed like an old-time soldier, operates the cannon.

Concerts at the Park

PeoplesBank Park isn't just for baseball! It also hosts concerts. The first big concert featured the blues-rock band, Blues Traveler, on June 14, 2008. Later that summer, the Christian rock band, Sevenglory, played a concert after a game for the Revolution's Faith & Family Day.

kids search engine
PeoplesBank Park Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.