TD Bank Ballpark facts for kids
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Jewel of the Atlantic League
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TD Bank Park in 2023
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 TD Bank Ballpark
Location in New Jersey
TD Bank Ballpark
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Somerset Ballpark (1999) Commerce Bank Ballpark (2000–2008) |
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| Address | 860 East Main Street Bridgewater, NJ 08807 |
| Coordinates | 40°33′38″N 74°33′11″W / 40.56056°N 74.55306°W |
| Public transit |   Bridgewater station:
Raritan Valley Line
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| Owner | Somerset County Improvement Authority |
| Operator | Somerset Patriots |
| Capacity | 6,100; expandable to 8,500 |
| Field size | Left Field: 317 feet (97 m) Center Field: 402 feet (123 m) Right Field: 315 feet (96 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 28, 1998 |
| Opened | June 7, 1999 |
| Construction cost | $18 million ($87.5 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | SSP Architectural Group Clarke Caton Hintz |
| General contractor | Epic Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Somerset Patriots (ALPB) 1999–2020, (Double-A NE/EL) 2021–present New Jersey Pride (MLL) 2002–2003 New Jersey Fire (PC) 2004 Sky Blue FC (WPS) 2009 (two games) NY/NJ Comets (NPF) 2013 (part-time) |
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TD Bank Ballpark is a cool baseball stadium in Bridgewater, New Jersey. It's the home field for the Somerset Patriots, a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team. The Patriots are a Double-A team, which means they are just one step below the major leagues. They are also connected to the famous New York Yankees!
The ballpark is named after TD Bank, N.A.. Before that, it was called Commerce Bank Ballpark. When it first opened, it was known as Somerset Ballpark. The very first baseball game here was played on June 7, 1999. Since then, over eight million fans have come to watch games at this awesome stadium!
Contents
A Look Back: Ballpark History
Construction on the ballpark started on April 28, 1998. It was built by a company called Epic Construction.
The ballpark officially opened on June 7, 1999. The New Jersey governor at the time, Christine Todd Whitman, was there for the opening.
TD Bank Ballpark has hosted many exciting events over the years. It's the home of the Somerset County Baseball Tournament. It also hosted the Big East Conference baseball tournament from 2000 to 2005. Sometimes, big events like the Big Apple Circus have even taken place here.
Hosting All-Star Games
The ballpark has been chosen to host the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) All-Star Game three times.
- In 2000, it hosted the game with a crowd of 7,035 fans.
- On July 16, 2008, it hosted the game again, setting a new record for attendance with 8,290 fans!
- The third time was on July 12, 2017. The Freedom Division All-Stars won that game 10–3 in front of 8,175 fans.
Awards and Recognition
TD Bank Ballpark has won awards for being a great place to watch baseball.
- In 2007 and 2015, the Atlantic League gave it the "Ballpark of the Year" award.
- In 2015 and 2016, Ballpark Digest named it the "Best Independent Minor League Ballpark" in the whole country!
Dealing with Floods
Sometimes, heavy rain can cause flooding. The ballpark was flooded in 1999 during Hurricane Floyd. It also flooded in September 2021 after a lot of rain from Tropical Storm Ida.
Recent Milestones
On April 8, 2023, the Patriots celebrated a huge milestone. They welcomed their eight millionth fan to the ballpark! This happened during a special doubleheader game.
More recently, on June 4, 2024, the Patriots played the Hartford Yard Goats. A record crowd of 8,260 fans came to watch! Even famous Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole played in that game as he was getting ready to return to the major leagues.
Cool Features of the Ballpark
TD Bank Ballpark was designed to look like older, classic stadiums. It has wine-colored brick and green steel. The design helps fans have a clear view of the field as they walk in. The wide walkway goes all the way around the field.
The ballpark has 6,100 seats, plus extra grassy areas where you can sit. There are also special areas for groups, like the Diamond Club and the SK Club. For kids, there's a Fun Zone near the lawn seating!
When you get hungry, you can find all kinds of food. They have classic ballpark snacks, healthy options, and even gluten-free choices. You can also buy cool team gear at the Patriots Team Store.
Green Energy at the Ballpark
TD Bank Ballpark is also very eco-friendly! It has 3,465 solar panels in its parking lots. These panels create a lot of electricity, helping the ballpark use clean energy.
Health and Wellness
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital has a special center at the ballpark. It's a 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) facility for physical therapy and sports medicine. This center also helps take care of the Somerset Patriots players.
Ballpark Upgrades
The ballpark has been updated several times to make it even better.
Safety First
Before the 2020 season, the Patriots added new safety netting behind home plate and down the sides of the field. This netting is super strong and clear, so fans can still see the game easily while staying safe.
Honoring Legends
In October 2020, a special sculpture was put up in front of the ballpark. It shows Manager Emeritus Sparky Lyle and Chairman Emeritus Steve Kalafer. The sculpture was made by a famous artist named Brian Hanlon.
Major League Standards
In November 2020, the Somerset Patriots became a Double-A team for the New York Yankees. This meant the ballpark needed some big upgrades to meet Major League Baseball (MLB) standards.
- Phase One (2021-2022): The team's clubhouse was completely redone with new spaces for players and coaches. A new dining area and a large gym were built. They also added an indoor training facility with batting cages for year-round practice. New locker rooms for female staff, umpires, and instructors were created. The home bullpen was moved off the field, and new safety padding was added around the walls. New, energy-efficient lights were installed to make night games brighter.
- Phase Two (2023): A brand new, huge scoreboard was installed! It's made of three LED video screens and is three times bigger than the old one. It can show live video, replays, stats, and fun animations.
Fun Concerts
TD Bank Ballpark isn't just for baseball! It has also hosted some big concerts, including:
- Tony Bennett, a famous singer
- Willie Nelson, a country music star
- Jessica Simpson, a pop music singer
- A 50's festival with groups like The Teenagers and The Duprees, and legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry.
Getting to the Ballpark
It's easy to get to TD Bank Ballpark!
- By Train: You can take the NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line to the Bridgewater station. The station is right behind the center field wall!
- By Car: The ballpark is close to major roads like I-287 and U.S. Route 22. Parking costs $5.00 and is available in three lots: red, white, and blue. Some parking spots even have covered areas thanks to the solar panels above!
See also
- TD Garden (Boston, Massachusetts)
- TD Bank Sports Center (Hamden, Connecticut)
- TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (Nebraska)
- TD Arena (Charleston, South Carolina)
