Pelicans Ballpark
Former names
  • TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark (2012–2022)
  • BB&T Coastal Field (2007–2011)
  • Coastal Federal Field (1999–2007)[1]
Address1251 21st Avenue North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Coordinates33°42′42″N 78°53′04″W / 33.711682°N 78.8845°W / 33.711682; -78.8845
OwnerCity of Myrtle Beach 70% / Horry County 30%[2]
OperatorCity of Myrtle Beach[2]
Capacity6,599
Field size
  • Left field: 308 feet (94 m)
  • Center field: 400 feet (120 m)
  • Right field: 328 feet (100 m)
SurfaceTifway 419 Bermuda Grass
Construction
Broke groundMarch 11, 1998
OpenedApril 12, 1999 (1999-04-12)
Construction cost$12.8 million
($22.5 million in 2022 dollars[3])
ArchitectMozingo + Wallace Architects
Project managerOpening Day Partners
Services engineerRast & Associates, Inc.[4]
General contractorMcDevitt Street Bovis, Inc.[5]
Tenants

Pelicans Ballpark (previously known as Coastal Federal Field, BB&T Coastal Field, and TicketReturn.com Field) is located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and is the home field of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in the Carolina League. The stadium, located just off Highway 17 in Myrtle Beach, opened in 1999. It holds up to 6,599 people.[6] Since its opening, it has been the finish point of the annual Myrtle Beach Marathon, held annually in March.[7]

On April 16, 2021, Myrtle Beach Pelicans leaders told WPDE-TV that the facility would need a significant investments in order to keep Minor League Baseball there. The most urgent upgrades to Pelicans Ballpark are to the visiting and home clubhouses, additional team facilities for women staff members, and upgrades to lighting and wall height. The team general manager told the city council during its budget retreat that it is likely to cost $15 million to bring the stadium's current player development facilities up to par and that the stadium won't last another 20 years as it stands.[8]

On April 27, 2023, it was announced that the team’s lease agreement with the city of Myrtle Beach and Horry County will expire at the end of this season. Pelicans Ballpark is due for major upgrades worth tens of millions, but some members of county council want out of the deal with one council member asking if they could sell their share for $1. The county attorney stated it was a horrible contract and that the only way the can get out of the contract is to breach it, which is a possibility.[2]

Other tenants

Pelicans Ballpark formerly was the site of the annual "Baseball At The Beach" collegiate baseball tournament which has since moved to Springs Brooks Stadium on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.[9] While Charles Watson Stadium was renovated during the 2013 season, the Chanticleers played their home schedule at TicketReturn.com Field.[10]

The venue served as a regional host site for the 2007 NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Coastal Carolina hosted the regional, with VCU, Clemson, and St. John's also participating. The ballpark also hosted a regional and super regional in the 2010 NCAA tournament, with the Chanticleers ultimately losing the super regional to South Carolina in the Gamecocks' first national championship season.[11]

The Texas Rangers (then parent club of the Pelicans) played an exhibition game on March 29 at Pelicans Ballpark against Coastal Carolina University as a part of 2011 spring training.[12]

Season 3 of HBO's Eastbound & Down was filmed there.

References

  1. ↑ Brooking, Ian Livingston (April 13, 2022). "Pelicans mark first home game with win, new stadium name and new partnership". MyHorryNews.com. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Martinez, Manny (April 27, 2023). "Horry County, Myrtle Beach clash over Myrtle Beach Pelicans' contract, upcoming stadium renovations". WBTW. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Entertainment Facilities". Rast & Associates. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Coastal Federal Field". Mozingo + Wallace. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Facts and Figures". Minor League Baseball. March 8, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ "BI-LO Marathon". Myrtle Beach Marathon. Archived from the original on December 11, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  8. ↑ Costa, Crystal (April 16, 2021). "MB Pelicans GM: The ballpark won't last another 20 years as it stands". WPDE-TV. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ "2005 Baseball Schedule". Coastal Carolina Sports Information. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Select-A-Seat at TicketReturn.com Field Tuesday, 3–5 PM". Coastal Carolina Sports Information. February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  11. ↑ "2011 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Record Book" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 17, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  12. ↑ Blondin, Alan (March 29, 2011). "Texas Rangers in Full Force for Exhibition Against CCU". The State. Columbia, SC. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
Pelicans Ballpark in 2007
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