Edward A. LeLacheur Park

Infobox_Baseball_Stadium |

stadium_name = Edward A. LeLacheur Park
nickname =
location = 450 Aiken Street Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
broke_ground =
opened = June,22 1998
closed =
demolished =
owner = City of Lowell, University of Massachusetts Lowell
operator =
surface = Grass
construction_cost = 11.2 Millon
architect = HOK Sport
former_names =
tenants = Lowell Spinners
University Of Massachusetts Lowell
seating_capacity = 4,767 Seated/5,000 with Standing Room
dimensions = LF-337, LCF 368, CF-400, RCF 368, RF-301, convert|12|ft|m|sing=on High Outfield Walls |

Edward A. Lelacheur Park is a baseball park located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is home to the Lowell Spinners of the New York-Penn League. The are the Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. It is also home of the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks baseball team. They compete in the Northeast 10 Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

History

The park was built between a partnership with the city of Lowell and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Named after a local civic leader who spearheaded the initial redevelopment of Lowell, the park was built adjacent to the residential section of UML. The firm of HOK Sport designed the park. It offers views of the Aiken Street Bridge, Lawrence Mills And Fox Hall. The seating bowl is raised above the field. A concourse sourounds the top of the park. The refreshment, merchandise stands and bathrooms are located here. The design enables an open view while waiting in line.

Two seating expansions have been considered since the park opened. One plan would have added 600-1000 seats on the third base side. The expansion would to match how the first base side is angled towards the infield. The other proposal was to add a smaller version of the Green Monster with seating on top for around 200 people. This would also would have shortened the field, and raised the wall to convert|20|ft|m|abbr=on. Both have never been built due to lack of funds.

The stadium also features the Giant Hood Milk Jug from Fenway Park and all Red Sox retired numbers.

The ballpark held its first concert on July 10, 2008 when Boston-based celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys played there with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Attendance

The Spinners are very popular and have had several consecutive sold-out seasons at LeLacheur Park.

Yearly Attendance

*1998 - 174,020
*1999 - 180,077
*2000 - 190,000
*2001 - 190,000
*2002 - 190,000
*2003 - 190,000
*2004 - 190,000
*2005 - 190,000
*2006 - 193,363

References

* [http://www.lowellspinners.com/information_history.shtml Official Lowell Spinners History web site]

External links

* [http://www.lowellspinners.com Lowell Spinners home page]
* [http://www.littleballparks.com/Stadium/2004/Lowell/Lowell.htm Edward A. Lelacheur Park Views - "Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues"]