When dealing with the minor league level, plans must meet Double-A guidelines, the Washington Nationals, the City of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Senators. But before the Senators build their roster, crews on City Island have been building towards the future. [embedded content] Fans will notice the changes around the ballpark this season. FNB Field is […]
When dealing with the minor league level, plans must meet Double-A guidelines, the Washington Nationals, the City of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Senators.
But before the Senators build their roster, crews on City Island have been building towards the future.
Fans will notice the changes around the ballpark this season.
FNB Field is not your average ballpark. Given its location in the middle of the Susquehanna River, some obstacles made their construction approach different from other venues.
Fans will notice new nets extending from home plate, all the way out to right and left fields, new lights and new padding around the warning track. The bounce houses will be moved to the area behind the third baseline stands. As the season goes on, people will also have a front-row seat to the progress made around the ballpark.
“It’ll help with those extra events,” claimed Forsburg. “It’ll provide some more comfort for them as well and have more space. Traffic flow on the island could be a little different for us this year. We’re still navigating that with the construction going on.”
“The real work started not long after last season was over,” said Brandon Forsburg, the Senators’ Senior Director of Field and Facility Operations. “Behind me, the new clubhouse structure is being built. It’s going to be the home clubhouse, the weight room will be down low, and it will house our home team. The visiting team will now take over the home side at the end of the season.”
“The new facility had to be built up above a flood plain level just like the grandstand did back in 2010, I believe,” said Forsburg. “So being in the middle of the river does provide challenges.”
The Harrisburg Senators open the season on the road at Erie on Friday, April 4th. The home opener is set for Tuesday, April 8th at 6:30 PM against Richmond.
But it will all be welcomed news for the players.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — It won’t be long until manager Delino DeShields and the Harrisburg Senators return to FNB Field for another season of baseball.”I just think they’re excited to get a brand new facility, a little bit more space, a bigger weight room and a little more comfort,” said Forsburg.
